Hey guys - so my wife bought me the Streamlight TLR-2s a few months back for my birthday to put on my Glock 23. I currently have Trijicon night sights on it as well. My question is, what distance would you set the laser up for on the gun? Is it better to be dead on accurate close (5-10ft) with the laser? Or is it better to have the laser zeroed in further out say at about 21ft (which is what i have now), or even further? My original thoughts were, if the intruder is 5-10 ft from me, there is no need for the laser (except maybe fear factor) and I can almost shoot the guy without sights, but I wanted to get everyone's thoughts on this because I am by no means experienced and am just guessing here. - I wish the laser could be 100% accurate with the sights from 5ft all the way to 30ft or more, but it just isn't. But it doesn't help to wish...
Setting up Laser - Home Defense
- Thread starter SmithLaw
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catnphx
Member
I don't have a laser but the reading I've done on it is to sight them in at about 20-25 yards. The further out you are sighted the more accurate they will be at the shorter ranges too.
By the way, I've got the TLR-1 and it is a great lighting system.
Good luck.
By the way, I've got the TLR-1 and it is a great lighting system.
Good luck.
I agree with sighting in for about 7 yards. For one, that's the most realistic range for self-defense use. Keep in mind that a laser doesn't necessarily need to mark the precise point of impact. The main purpose is to give you a quick reference for whether you're on target on not so you can take fast shots without needing to line up the iron sights. If the bullet is off by a couple inches (from being sighted in for a different range), you should still hit the target. If you need to take a precise shot, you're better off using the sights.
JohnBiltz
Member
I set mine up for 7 yards. I don't think it matters much whether 25 yards or 7 yards. You are only really talking about an inch of distance, the bullet is not traveling in a straight line, its going to be rising a little as well. But consider this, are you expecting to be shooting 25 yards in bad light? Remember, if its daylight you probably will not be able to see a red laser that far.
I also agree that I train with a laser for quick not pinpoint accurate. Think 4 inch circle not bullseye. You should not be taking time manipulating for perfect but taking good enough. I think of it as riding the dot. Take first shot, as dot comes back on target as gun settles take the next and next.
I also agree that I train with a laser for quick not pinpoint accurate. Think 4 inch circle not bullseye. You should not be taking time manipulating for perfect but taking good enough. I think of it as riding the dot. Take first shot, as dot comes back on target as gun settles take the next and next.
gathert
Member
Once your adrenaline gets flowing, you will just want to point and shoot. You will be more likely to not take the extra time to aim, but get the laser on target and shoot. The path of the bullet and laser are going to be close anywhere inside about 50 yards depending on what you shoot, so its not really that important to get it spot on at x feet. Unless you want to have some fun at the range. Get it sighted in a 21 feet or wherever you want it, and you will be fine.
M2 Carbine
member
Sight it in for the longest distance you are likely to shoot. Then the bullet strike will be within a inch or two from arm's length to about twice your sighting in distance.
Personally I sight in my HD handgun lasers at 25 yards. (my longest HD shot could be about 40 yards)
With the laser sighted in at 25 yards the bullet strike is within a couple inches of center from close up to about 40 yards.
Personally I sight in my HD handgun lasers at 25 yards. (my longest HD shot could be about 40 yards)
With the laser sighted in at 25 yards the bullet strike is within a couple inches of center from close up to about 40 yards.
RX-178
Member
Just remember, it WILL TAKE PRACTICE to use your laser effectively.
And I mean practice, practice, practice using your laser. It's not the magic aiming dot that most people think it is (and all manufacturers claim it to be). In order to use it effectively, you have to practice picking up the dot, and that's not as easy as it sounds.
If you find that you have to use the iron sights to help find the dot, then you're pretty much defeating the purpose. PRACTICE.
And I mean practice, practice, practice using your laser. It's not the magic aiming dot that most people think it is (and all manufacturers claim it to be). In order to use it effectively, you have to practice picking up the dot, and that's not as easy as it sounds.
If you find that you have to use the iron sights to help find the dot, then you're pretty much defeating the purpose. PRACTICE.
M2 Carbine
member
AMEN brother!!
Most people think you can just pick up a laser and use it like in the movies, which is completely wrong.
And I've found that experienced shooters, many times, have the most trouble catching on to using the laser fast and accurately.
Where as a new shooter, like this girl, was effectively shooting the laser at the end of her FIRST DAY of ever touching a gun.
As we were packing up I gave the girl my Crimson Trace equipped 38 S&W J Frame and a bunch of rounds. After a little instruction the the girl was tearing up the targets until it got too dark. (She was good with iron sights to)
Try this without a laser.
I am lucky to hit the paper without the laser but with the laser, shooting even from unusual positions, is child's play.
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Onward Allusion
Member
Sight in the laser using sandbags at 7 yards.
My personal opinion on lasers is that they are not meant for longer distances, especially on a pistol. Iron sights or optics should be used for longer distances (greater than 10-15 yards). Lasers assist you in learning how to point-shoot. They also teach you trigger control. Lasers work very well in close ranges across a room, for example. In close ranges, you will be using a retention position/stance (hopefully) and not something like a Weaver with your arms outstretched. This is where the laser really comes in handy.
One more thing, your point of impact will be lower than your laser's dot the further you go beyond your zero.
BTW, I also have a TLR-2. Nice tool for the nightstand gun. You may also want to consider adding a good hand held flashlight to your combo.
Lonestar49
Member
Once dialed in, they remain consistant/accurate
...
Set mine for a six o:clock POA w/red dot just a hair above the front sight at aprox 25ft..
Via benched gun on our bar, one eye aiming thru 3-dot sights, pointing at wall aprox 25ft, adjusting beam/dot to center of sights just above front sight.. done Then made one, final, slight adjustment at range bringing dot a hair over to my aiming sight/right.. done Perfect, set, on-target
That was some 4yrs ago and nothing has changed, as this particular rail mounted Laser Max remains the_same, spot (red dot) ON..
Same can be said with my CTC laser grips on one of my P229's..
As mentioned, real HD/SD shorter distances of 16 - 18ft is there, set up this way and is just as good out to 63ft, max, at my indoor range..
As you can see, at 18ft, both eyes open, bringing gun up, turning on laser, and taking smooth shots, where the red dot lays, so goes the bullet/s..
Laser: Head/ side Hostage BG's, right is double tap, and right shoulder..
The rest are a combo of both eyes open, point and shoot, with some double taps thrown in.. A few are first DA shots going into SA mode..
Px4 40 w/laser - 18ft (both eyes open point shooting) 180gr
Lasers are wonderful tools and aid in improving trigger smoothness and consistent POA - POI gun control.
The red dot will always dance (be moving) using a standing 2-hand grip hold and the key is to - not chase the red dot - via rushing the shot when it is directly on perfect target, rather, to pull the shot/s via slow patience, clean trigger pulls, and your hits will be right on target or close enough, anytime/every-time.
OMMV,
Ls
...
Set mine for a six o:clock POA w/red dot just a hair above the front sight at aprox 25ft..
Via benched gun on our bar, one eye aiming thru 3-dot sights, pointing at wall aprox 25ft, adjusting beam/dot to center of sights just above front sight.. done Then made one, final, slight adjustment at range bringing dot a hair over to my aiming sight/right.. done Perfect, set, on-target
That was some 4yrs ago and nothing has changed, as this particular rail mounted Laser Max remains the_same, spot (red dot) ON..
Same can be said with my CTC laser grips on one of my P229's..
As mentioned, real HD/SD shorter distances of 16 - 18ft is there, set up this way and is just as good out to 63ft, max, at my indoor range..
As you can see, at 18ft, both eyes open, bringing gun up, turning on laser, and taking smooth shots, where the red dot lays, so goes the bullet/s..
Laser: Head/ side Hostage BG's, right is double tap, and right shoulder..
The rest are a combo of both eyes open, point and shoot, with some double taps thrown in.. A few are first DA shots going into SA mode..
Px4 40 w/laser - 18ft (both eyes open point shooting) 180gr
Lasers are wonderful tools and aid in improving trigger smoothness and consistent POA - POI gun control.
The red dot will always dance (be moving) using a standing 2-hand grip hold and the key is to - not chase the red dot - via rushing the shot when it is directly on perfect target, rather, to pull the shot/s via slow patience, clean trigger pulls, and your hits will be right on target or close enough, anytime/every-time.
OMMV,
Ls
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