Laser gun sights

[olds]

My line of thinking is the laser is for low light conditions. Otherwise, it's open sights.

 

[PISTON1246]

I would rather spend the money for a laser sight on some ammo instead. I can aim without a laser.

 

[spacejamz]

I would rather spend the money for a laser sight on some ammo instead. I can aim without a laser.

I don't think anyone is saying to rely solely on the laser for aiming...it come down to personal preference in a home defense situation: do you want one more thing to worry about (turning it on/off) or do you want to aim faster (assuming it is faster to to aim with laser, - in general, not just a specific person)?

 

[Skel]

My line of thinking is the laser is for low light conditions. Otherwise, it's open sights.

While it's a logical thought, it all comes down to how you train.

 

[PISTON1246]

I don't think anyone is saying to rely solely on the laser for aiming...it come down to personal preference in a home defense situation: do you want one more thing to worry about (turning it on/off) or do you want to aim faster (assuming it is faster to to aim with laser, - in general, not just a specific person)?

Have you ever shot a gun before?

I have not used a laser before but i tell you that the trajectory of a bullet would make the laser off target especially when distance is put into the mix. Just making a theory based on how I know lasers work.

I expect to be able to look down a barrel in the same amount of time or less than it takes to line up a laser.

I takes practice to learn how to aim good with open sites. I guess a laser makes things a little easier for people who do not spend time shooting at targets and training themselves or being trained by others.

open sites do not need charged batteries. How is that for reliability?

 

[spacejamz]

Have you ever shot a gun before?

I have not used a laser before but i tell you that the trajectory of a bullet would make the laser off target especially when distance is put into the mix. Just making a theory based on how I know lasers work.

I expect to be able to look down a barrel in the same amount of time or less than it takes to line up a laser.

I takes practice to learn how to aim good with open sites. I guess a laser makes things a little easier for people who do not spend time shooting at targets and training themselves or being trained by others.

open sites do not need charged batteries. How is that for reliability?

My assumption is that using a laser would be for home defense purposes, not regular shooting at the range. Based on that, distance should not be an issue. Personally, I think it is faster to to point the red dot at something then to line up a target using sights but that is just a guess.

 

[MrBailey]

Personally, I think it is faster to to point the red dot at something then to line up a target using sights but that is just a guess.

Hey, Space. That it not necessarily true. There are plenty of videos, discussion, opinions, and what not on the subject. It basically, as stated by others, comes down to training. Most people will spend significantly more time searching the target for the laser dot, rather than if they used iron sights. This is especially true in lighted conditions.

Now a dark room, well...you still have to "see" your target to light them up with the laser. The light/laser combo is good for that.

Also, laser dots grow with distance. Only in the movies is the red dot teenie-tiny 200 yards away.

Red dot sights/optics take getting used to as well. Depending on the size of the dot (small MOA versus big MOA), it could take longer to search for the dot. Once again, training can help with that.

The general thought with any handgun is that it's for close quarters. Not too many people want to get into a fire fight with a pistol at a 100 yards. With that said, iron sights, lasers, and red dots just need to get you onto the center of mass of your target. When the proverbial poop hits the fan, no one is going to take a long time to line up the perfect shot.

So...train for your intended use. If home protection in low light...train that way. Get used to that laser. It should be automatic to engage the laser (pressure switch or finger switch).

Now, dry fire doesn't necessarily mean "pulling the trigger". It also refers to drawing for holster, bringing the firearm up from a ready position to the target, grip control, safety manipulation, mag change, etc and so forth. I like to practice drawing and lining up my sights (with finger not on trigger). There are tons of exercises out there. Ay exercise that doesn't involve live fire. [#1 rule: make sure firearm is not loaded, #2 rule: see #1, #3 rule: use a wall or barrier that you don't mind putting a hole in, in case you missed rule #1]

With all that said (the rambling parts)... a good drill indoors may be to cast very low light onto a simulated target in a dark room, and practice acquiring the target with the laser. See Rule #1!!!!

These are just my thoughts/opinions. Mileage may vary.

 

[gill77]

How not to draw and fire:

 

[BoomerD]

Damnit...I came here hoping to find out where I could buy a laser gun...not some fancy-schmancy red dot light for a regular gun.

I am disappointed.

 

[PISTON1246]

My assumption is that using a laser would be for home defense purposes, not regular shooting at the range. Based on that, distance should not be an issue. Personally, I think it is faster to to point the red dot at something then to line up a target using sights but that is just a guess.

At a typical home defense distance you should be able to aim a gun looking down the barrel. There is a technique to make target acquisition faster if you want to align the front post with the rear sight.

Based on my experience with laser tag I bet some people take longer finding out where a red laser is pointed then I do aiming.

lasers are not necessary and provide no benefit is my assumption. Waste of money.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Have you ever shot a gun before?

I have not used a laser before but i tell you that the trajectory of a bullet would make the laser off target especially when distance is put into the mix. Just making a theory based on how I know lasers work.

I expect to be able to look down a barrel in the same amount of time or less than it takes to line up a laser.

I takes practice to learn how to aim good with open sites. I guess a laser makes things a little easier for people who do not spend time shooting at targets and training themselves or being trained by others.

open sites do not need charged batteries. How is that for reliability?

Sighting this thing in is basically using the sights to adjust the laser to a point on a wall at a certain distance where it lines up perfectly with the sights. If that distance is less the dot will appear below the line of the sights, if the distance is greater, the dot will appear above the line of sight of the gun sights. So, worst case is, if I’m shooting at center of mass, I shoot an intruder in the nuts or the head if they’re closer or farther away than I set the laser sight up for. All of this is assuming perfect trigger discipline obviously.

It is really no different than adjusting for windage.

 

[kage69]

How not to draw and fire:

*Bang!* "After that, my training kicked in. I called 911."