Sighting in a Laser

[RugerSteve]

I have a Ruger SR9C with a rear sight LaserLyte laser. What I was wondering was, can I sight & adjust the laser by using a bore sight laser in the barrel, turn on the laser, and adjusting it to the same dot projected by the bore sight laser? If so, at what distance do I adjust it to? This is sometimes a carry item.

 

[rcmodel]

No, you can't.

A handgun recoils upward off target while the bullet is still in the barrel.

Your iron sights are actually pointing the bore down in relation to were the sights are aligned on the target.
So a bore laser is not looking where the gun actually is shooting on target.

Aligning the laser sight to coincide with the iron sights is a close as you can get it without burning powder at the range.

rc

 

[herrwalther]

Bore sighting will get you CLOSE but not exact. I have bore sighted dozens of weapon lasers on personal and government weapons, not a single one sent a round where a bore sighted laser was put. I still use a bore sight those, as it does save rounds at the range with adjustments.

As far as distance, depends on use. If it is a home defense firearm, boresight the length of the longest room in your house. Then when you go to the range, setup your target at the same distance to fine tune the zero with ammo. Just keep in mind that if you ever have to use it at longer or shorter distance, the bullet impact won't be exact. Laser sights are a tool and don't replace fundamental marksmanship.

 

[340PD]

I have always bench rested the gun, using the iron sights, and aiming at a small target on the wall about 25-30' away.

I then have another person adjust the laser dot until it is centered on the target on the wall.

This will get you very close to what you need for defensive purposes.

Remember, later on, if you fine tune the dot to match your shooting style, in effect the dot becomes your front sight, so you move it opposite the bullets impact on your target.

 

[JohnBiltz]

Why bore sight when you have iron sights. Adjust the laser to your iron sights. If your sights are accurate adjust the laser to where it is sitting right on top of your front sight post. Be aware that with a laser it is only zeroed at the distance you zero it. As you get further past that distance the laser is going to get further off target.

 

[jmr40]

I just use the iron sights as a reference before going to the range. They needed very little fine tuning after I started shooting with the guns I've used.

Just be aware that the laser is mounted well below the bore, and with the Crimson Trace laser grips on the right side as well. You zero at one range, closer or farther could be off significantly.

I chose 10 yards. At closer ranges it isn't off enough to matter, but at longer ranges the laser is pointing well above where the bullets actually impact. With the CT laser grips the laser is pointing both higher and to the left of bullet impact.

A minor problem and I still highly recommend the laser sights. But if you were to zero them at very close range, say 3-5 yards, they might be off enough at 10 yards to cause a problem. With the 10 yard zero it is close enough from the muzzle out to about 15 yards. Farther than that and I'd forget the laser and just use the irons.

 

[JohnBiltz]

When done correctly you should be able to aim the gun with the sights, then activate your laser and have the dot appear exactly where you are aiming. You can then check it at the range later.

 

[Doc7]

Tom Gresham of GunTalk suggests setting up your laser so that it is slightly below the top of your front sight post, so that in normal situations and practice you will be using your iron sights but a slight amount of head movement up (for laser practice or in a real low light situation) you use the laser dot. I think this is a great way to avoid accidentally "crutching" the laser during practice.

 

[jmorris]

Assuming the iron sights are ere they need to be, drop in your bore sight laser and if it is the same as your iron sights, hen you could use it. Or note the difference and adjust accordingly. Or just use the iron sights and forget the laser/(s).

 

[stoky]

With the 10 yard zero it is close enough from the muzzle out to about 15 yards. Farther than that and I'd forget the laser and just use the irons.

It seems to work just the opposite for me. Past point shooting distance, the sights are quicker. Too often I end up looking for the laser dot, especially on some colors and rough surface backgrounds. The laser is more precise >15yds. I sight in the laser as far as I can and just accept the mounting offset up closer.