[bill warren]

Hi, I have a new S&W Model 617, 22LR, 4in barrel and bought a Weaver Mount and Red Dot Scope. Question: Should I buy a "bore laser site aligner" that inserts into muzzle and projects a beam to help me align the red dot scope? I plan on indoor shooting only up to 50ft. Do these things really work for $40?

[Jim Watson]

I can't imagine not getting on a large paper target at 50 feet by eyeball, then adjusting to center. Save your money for ammo. Repeat LARGE paper target.

[Jenrick]

They work quiet well, but as noted it's probably over kill for 50 ft. They're great for getting a rifle roughly centered at 100yds or more, as being mildly off could possibly mean being entirely off paper. For what you're doing I'd just start at 7ft and work my way back if possible. That should make a fast an easy sight in.

-Jenrick

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I have used them. I will never own one. Most RedDots mount too high for the boresight to work on a pistol. BoreSights work best on rifles if used properly, but the only use is to get the shot on paper. Some people are really good with them and get first shots well within 4" of initial point of aim. (Rifles @ 100yds) I don't know how, since the ones I've used have a bloody 10moa dot.

I prefer the poor man's bore site. Pull the bolt, look down the barrel. Look through the scope. Adjust. It's a little different with most pistols or lever guns. But this is my prefered method for a Ruger MKII. Still, you'd be surprised at how close that scope will be if it was mounted properly. Elevation should be the only major adjustments made.
I did this with a .22 rifle last summer at a 50' target. Adjustments at 50yds were a couple inches up and a half inch left.

Else, I just walk close to the target, shoot off hand, adjust, walk back, shoot, adjust, If needed, walk back, shoot, adjust. Then shoot at my anticipated distance from sand bag or Ransom rest to fine tune. In all my years and several optic guns, I've never shot $40.00 of ammunition doing this.

Now, there is a product that is a laser unit in a dummy cartridge for centerfire. I don't think they make one for .22 rimfire though.
Insert it in the chamber, and when the bolt is closed, the laser lights down range. This would be quite nice if hunting and one just wants to verify that all is well after a scoped rifle, (and the hunter/shooter), slide down a cliff while out Billy Goat hunting. :D

Hey, don't laugh! I had the internals of a Simmons scope go south on me when the rifle went north when bicycling in to a hunt area. (Roads were closed to motor vehicles). Since then I've been quite happy with my Leupolds!

So, I'll advise not to buy a bore sight for a pistol with a fresh Red Dot. Buy more ammo. You'll have more fun shooting. :)

-Steve

[jameslovesjammie]

Waste of money, especially for a pistol.

[paintballdude902]

i payed 30 bucks and i was happy gewt you atleast with in 2-3 inches at 50yrds


atleast on my enfield and marlin


no clue with pistol

[1911NM]

One more opinion the money would be better spent on ammo.

[HiMart]

I save your money and bore sight the gun. I have bore sighted all my rifles to within the 8 ring on 100 yd targets, then cranked in the sights to the bullseye. The secret is a good steady rest (I use sandbags or shot bags) and on bigbore gun insert an empty cartridge with the primer removed. Then eyeball the target through the empty cartridge. move your head side to side to ensure you are in the middle of the bore. I have even sighted a Garand using a bore prism with this method. For pistol, I do the same thing at 50 or 75 ft. With my .22 I get right on the 10 ring first shot. Have fun shooting!

[rocinante]

I bought one that was adjustable to many calibers and had a cord. Got lazy with my AK47 that has a bolt hold open feature. It closed and cut the cord just perfectly clean off.

I considered it a waste of money. Each time I used it I still ended up tinkering more with the real bullets to get a scope sighted.

[ZeSpectre]

Used properly the can work and work well. However they really aren't necessary. You'd be far better off getting a good rest and following a "tried n' true" process.

Some methods
http://www.gunsandammomag.com/techside/ts0406/

http://www.chuckhawks.com/shooting_handgun_bench_rest.htm