Best way to use a laser
- Thread starter duns
- Start date
- Status
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Use one or the other.
You can't possibly use both at the same time with any degree of speed or precision.
Your eye can only focus at one distance.
That has to be the front sight on the gun.
Or the laser dot on the target.
One or the other.
rc
You can't possibly use both at the same time with any degree of speed or precision.
Your eye can only focus at one distance.
That has to be the front sight on the gun.
Or the laser dot on the target.
One or the other.
rc
ClickClickD'oh
Member
Just use the sights, leave the laser at home. Unless you happen to need to shoot around the edge of a raid shield every now and then it's just something else that will break, run out of batteries or get misaligned when you want it the most.
Personal opinion rant aside... use the laser in situations where you can't establish a traditional sight picture. Most commonly this will occur if you have to shoot from many of the popular retention methods. Use the iron sights for everything else.
Personal opinion rant aside... use the laser in situations where you can't establish a traditional sight picture. Most commonly this will occur if you have to shoot from many of the popular retention methods. Use the iron sights for everything else.
essayons21
Member
Mount it on the head of a shark
M2 Carbine
member
The first thing you need to do is call Crimson Trace and ask for their free DVD. It will answer a lot of questions about using the gun mounted laser.
800 442 2406
To answer your question.
The laser is primarily a low light sighting device that, in most cases should be used when you can't quickly use the iron sights, so it's either use the iron sights or the laser.
The laser is also a excellent tool for people who's eyesight isn't what it use to be, or people that can't get as much shooting practice as they should get. Like the Wife that you can't get to the range to practice with her 38.
If you are using the laser properly your eyes are looking over the gun and are focused on the target, NOT THE GUN SIGHTS.
That is one of the advantages of using the laser, you are looking at the threat, not the gun sights, or not having to switch your focus back and forth between the gun sights and threat.
After watching the DVD you will have a basic understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the gun mounted laser.
Personally, if available I have (good) lasers or laser/lights on every gun I consider a defense gun, handguns and rifles. I practice with lasers and laser/lights on an average of about 3 evenings a week, so am well aware of what the laser can and can not do. IMO for increasing speed and accuracy in low light the gun mounted laser is the best thing that's come along in the last 50 years.
Last edited:
M2 Carbine
member
This gives a example of the laser's capabilities.
This is this young lady's FIRST day shooting, she had never touched a gun before. In less than two hours she had progressed from shooting a Ruger 22/45 to shooting the 3 inch 38 Special S&W J Frame, while moving (using iron sights).
As it was getting dark and friends and I were packing up, I gave the girl some ammo and my Crimson Trace equipped 2 inch S&W J Frame. I quickly told her how to use the laser and said go shoot until we are ready to leave.
She easily and quickly tore up the center of the targets the first time she used the laser.
This is this young lady's FIRST day shooting, she had never touched a gun before. In less than two hours she had progressed from shooting a Ruger 22/45 to shooting the 3 inch 38 Special S&W J Frame, while moving (using iron sights).
As it was getting dark and friends and I were packing up, I gave the girl some ammo and my Crimson Trace equipped 2 inch S&W J Frame. I quickly told her how to use the laser and said go shoot until we are ready to leave.
She easily and quickly tore up the center of the targets the first time she used the laser.
DERGLOCKINMEISTER
Member
A laser is not a substitute for accuracy and practice. It is just another tool and a damn handy one when used properly . My 55 year old eyes can pick up the red dot a lot quicker than I can form a sight picture using conventional sights. Good shooting skills are mandatory regardless of the type of sights you use . A jerky trigger finger will throw off your aim either way. Teach your wife or whomever to shoot using good gunhandling skills , then introduce the laser as an additional tool to use to help.
Tamlin
Member
However you use a "laser," be sure to surround it with quotation marks -- printed, if you are typing/texting, or with "finger quotes" if you are speaking face to face.
smince
Member.
Best way to use a laser?
We use mine as a cat toy.
We use mine as a cat toy.
M2 Carbine
member
Doing a little laser practice last evening. It's almost too easy.
Due to the noise factor I have a S&W M&P 15-22 set up exactly like my Bushmaster HD rifles, with a Red Dot and Streamlight TLR-2 laser/light.
To give the neighbors a break I seldom shoot the Bushmaster after dark. I do shoot 22 and 38/45 in the back yard after dark.
The S&W allows "AR" laser and laser/light practice while still keeping the noise down a bit.
Due to the noise factor I have a S&W M&P 15-22 set up exactly like my Bushmaster HD rifles, with a Red Dot and Streamlight TLR-2 laser/light.
To give the neighbors a break I seldom shoot the Bushmaster after dark. I do shoot 22 and 38/45 in the back yard after dark.
The S&W allows "AR" laser and laser/light practice while still keeping the noise down a bit.
franconialocal
Member
Just because I'm kind of "old school" with my shooting philosophy....I tend to side with the camp that believes you should learn to shoot well with iron sights first before relying on all the new red dots, scopes, lasers, etc. Yes they are fun, functional, and can really benefit a shooter but lay a good foundation first.
Case in point...I've really decked out my Bushmaster AR with just about everything BUT any new optics toys (except for Troy flip up battle sights in Tritium). I like the challenge of open iron sights and I am a big fan of night sights and flaslights but IMHO you should start with the basics like proper shoulder placement, deployment, sight picture, etc. Not to beat this dead horse too much, but what are you going to do when your batteries run out, lens gets cracked, red dot putters out?? I used to have an old bolt action .22 that had no front or rear sight due to damage and still shot pretty well just by sighting down the barrel!! Get the basics down first....you'll be better off for it.
Case in point...I've really decked out my Bushmaster AR with just about everything BUT any new optics toys (except for Troy flip up battle sights in Tritium). I like the challenge of open iron sights and I am a big fan of night sights and flaslights but IMHO you should start with the basics like proper shoulder placement, deployment, sight picture, etc. Not to beat this dead horse too much, but what are you going to do when your batteries run out, lens gets cracked, red dot putters out?? I used to have an old bolt action .22 that had no front or rear sight due to damage and still shot pretty well just by sighting down the barrel!! Get the basics down first....you'll be better off for it.
M2 Carbine
member
Anyone that actually knows anything about properly using the gun mounted laser agrees completely with that.
Personally, with new shooters I do introduce the laser to them early but only after they are doing very well with iron sights. And even then I allow them to seldom use the laser.
A funny story a couple months ago.
I was teaching my friend's 16 year old daughter to shoot. She is exceptional with every gun and drill I give her.
But one day she could not run five small steel targets with the 3 inch S&W J Frame. Every other target she was tearing up but she would miss one or two of the little steel targets every time.
When we had packed up and were ready to leave I handed my 2 inch Crimson Trace laser equipped S&W J Frame to the girl.
I said, "We aren't leaving until you run those targets. Use the laser."
Almost with effort she quickly hit all five targets.
Her Dad said, "Now there's a good argument for having a laser".
And it's interesting that her Dad is having trouble catching on to the laser. Some experienced shooters do have problems with the laser at first.
I have Crimson Trace lasers in all my J frames. They turn off if you do not want to use them. I think they offer more options for defense if one were to be forced into a situation where using iron sights was not an option. ie under a bed, behind a dresser etc. Try shooting from the hip without them, and then turn them on. That test will answer your laser questions. They also offer a chance to deter an assault by the mere sight of a red dot. For me they add to my options on my carry guns. Remember, they do have a off switch. Just my 2¢
M2 Carbine
member
Without the laser I'm lucky to hit the paper.
Just One Shot
Member
Assuming it's sighted properly, just point and shoot.
M2 Carbine
member
Surprisingly a lot of people have trouble doing that, especially when trying to shoot fast. They make the same mistakes when using the laser that they make with iron sights and the results are the same, except most people then blame the laser because it isn't working like in the movies.
Just One Shot
Member
Yea, isn't it amazing how much a little jerk on the trigger will throw off your shot? Don't you love it when someone who doesn't have any trigger control automatically blames the equipment?
mesinge2
Member
----
M2 Carbine
member
Yeah, I laughed at that girl I talked about earlier. She was shooting my 45 Kimber Ultra Carry and hitting low. I said, What's the matter?
She said, The gun is shooting low.
I said, Let me see, I haven't shot it in a while.
I put a magazine in the center or the target. Handed the gun back to her and said, It ain't the gun.
Then she got her act together and started hitting the center.
- Status