Can someone educate me about lasers

[Greywolf]

OK, I'm trying to understand lasers and their practical application on rifles/carbines. I have Lasermax lasers on my Glocks, and all is good on that end. Short range use in high-adreneline situations (especially if it is my wife who doesn't shoot as much as I do) is a good thing - point gun, where laser is blinking is where "Mr. Bullet" is going to land.)

But carbines and rifles - well, I'm seeing everything from $35 Chinese made 5-10mw lasers to $500 laser modules for sale that look like packs of cigarettes on steroids. And then of course there are the infrared lasers that I guess are used for NV.

So, if I was wanting something for short to medium (1 yard to 200 yards) ranges, and wasn't planning on hard field use, would the less expensive lasers do the trick? Could I just use a combo light/laser (like the Streamlight?)

Thanks for any info or experiences you can provide.

 

[Medusa]

Cheap lasers might not be lasers at all - being simple focused LEDs, thus having wider beam. Also, cheap ones might not (and most probably won't) hold up against the recoil, thus losing your zero and wondering around. Better buy quality even if it means paying a bit more money.

I wouldn't count on laser on mid-ranges - it is for short range work, after all. For mid range I'd rather use ACOG or Eotech.

 

[Greywolf]

Thanks for the info!

 

[ConfuseUs]

They are good for close range shooting without a good sight picture. At longer range their utility drops off, and if concealment is an issue, they can give away your location in smoky or foggy air.

 

[absolut_beethoven]

I agree with Medusa and would probably go with the Eotech.

Don't skimp when your life depends on it.

 

[Titan6]

Cheap laser are like anything else that is cheap. They will not stand up to hard use. The internal components are less rugged and will break. The cheap ones are also not truly fully adjustable or accuarate enough in that they do not hold a zero.

A red light light laser is really only good to about 15 yards in the sun, 100 yards on a cloudy day or 150 at night time. The use past 15 yards in the day would require a scope. A green light laser is good for about triple that and is good for about 150 yards in the full sun.

While orginally designed for CQB on hand guns some of the newer ones work quite well at long range.

 

[benEzra]

Personally, if I were going with one or the other, I'd probably go with an Eotech or red dot rather than the laser. The red dot is equally fast, but works at any range and under any lighting conditions.

I might consider adding a flashlight to the carbine, though.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I'm a big fan of (good) gun mounted lasers.

I have eight excellent quality lasers on guns from a 22 Beretta to 12ga shotgun. Crimson Trace Laser Grips and Streamlight TLR-2 laser/lights. I practice with them 2-5 evenings a week (home range).

The gun mounted laser is is probably one of the most misunderstood accessories for guns. All that most people know about lasers is what they see in the movies, which is mostly wrong.

I have a expensive green laser that can be seen at 100 yards in daylight. It's in my spare parts box. I've found it to be impractical. I have no interest in using lasers past about 50 yards.

I sight in my lasers at 20-25 yards. That way from point blank to 40-50 yards the bullets will hit within a couple inches of the laser dot.

If available, I consider a (good) laser necessary for my defense guns.

I've found that I'm usually more accurate and faster with the laser (in low light or darkness) than I am with iron sights in daylight.
With the laser, shots can easily be made that (for me) are impossible without a laser.

For instance.
Low light. 10 yards. 2 inch S&W with Crimson Trace Laser Grips. Weak (left) hand, shooting from the hip.


Pistol grip Ithaca Model 37, shot from the hip.
#4 and 00 Buckshot shot from 17 yards.
Slugs, in small target, shot fast from 26 yards from the hip.


Kimber Tactical Ultra with Crimson Trace Laser Grips.
Near dark. Shot fairly fast. Two hands.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Laser for 200 yards?

Most people have a problem finding the dot at 25 yards!

 

[M2 Carbine]

If I wanted a handy 100 yard laser gun this would probably be it.
Kel Tec PLR-16 .223, with Streamlight TLR-2 laser/light.

I've sighted the laser in at 50 yards, about a 2-3 inch group. One evening I'll see what it will do at 100 yards.

 

[M2 Carbine]

geekWithA.45
Laser for 200 yards?

Most people have a problem finding the dot at 25 yards!

At night the high power Green lasers can be seen at extreme distances. The big problem is, unlike the Red lasers, the Green beam can be seen all the way back to the shooter.
That's one reason I don't use my Green laser anymore.