View Full Version : What's the practical use of a laser on a rifle?
I bought one of those cheap green lasers and mounted it on my rifle just to play with. While it's cool and all to see the green beam at night, I'm not seeing what practical purpose a laser serves. During the day I don't see it offering anything above my aimpoint as a sighting system and at night it seems to act as a 'shoot here' indicator since the beam can be clearly seen and traced back to the source. And it adds weight to the rifle.
Am I missing the practical use for this?
Practical purpose for a laser on long rifle is non-existant, unless it's an IR used for combat firemission pointing for LG missles, etc. Which, btw, is not visual unless one if wearing NVG's.
Practical purpose on sub/mg is for visual help in "point and click" CQB scenarios.
Practical purpose on pistol is intimidation and de-escalation of situation.
Practical purpose for a laser on long rifle is non-existant, unless it's an IR used for combat firemission pointing for LG missles, etc. Which, btw, is not visual unless one if wearing NVG's.
Kinda what I thought then, pointless unless I'm guiding in missiles. Thanks for the info BigBear. Another accessory I can cross off the list =)
Rgr Sir, a lot of products out there are just "tacticool" items. Long rifle, all you really need is good rifle, good scope, good ammo, and good bipod (even the bipod can be argued against if you have a rucksack, sand bags, etc.)
Disclaimer however: I'm not some family name national shooter, not in the military or LE, etc. Just your average Joe who takes a fancy to tactics, firearms, and music.
Yeah, I'm noticing a lot of gear is just 'tacticool'. But I am on a mission to try them all!
http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae156/mutt112000/M4Accessories.jpg
Lol, yes Sir. If I had the money, I'm sure I would be too. Have fun!
And if you have an AR15 and are looking for light/laser/VFG etc... check out the Crimson Trace MVF... good stuff.
No, I'm not an endorser, just got to play with a friends and it's nice. Get's rid of a lot of the weight.
A laser on a rifle seems like a waste because of the bullet drop. You could zero the laser at one close distance and one far distance, then after that it is a waste. Unless, like already stated, you are guiding a missile some where. Where as on a pistol, if you zero at 20 yards, you still have a reasonable amount of accuracy at anything between point blank and 25 yards.
GreenScoutII
12-29-2009, 12:05
I think most of us who are not LEO or active military probably don't have a "need" for a lot of the tacti-cool stuff. If a guy has the budget for it though, why not?
When I was a young guy, I didn't "need" a Paxton super charger on my Camaro, but I didn't let that stop me![LOL]
I don't "need" an assault rifle or High cap mags, but I make it a point to buy them if for no other reason than to piss off Liberals! Also, because the Constitution clearly states I have a right to. I like to exercise my rights and encourage everyone else to do the same...
I think most of us who are not LEO or active military probably don't have a "need" for a lot of the tacti-cool stuff. If a guy has the budget for it though, why not?
When I was a young guy, I didn't "need" a Paxton super charger on my Camaro, but I didn't let that stop me![LOL]
I don't "need" an assault rifle or High cap mags, but I make it a point to buy them if for no other reason than to piss off Liberals! Also, because the Constitution clearly states I have a right to. I like to exercise my rights and encourage everyone else to do the same...
+1, well said.
That's not really the point though. In my opinion, it is more about buying things you'll use. I don't need a 600 hp vehicle, but I sure as hell would use one. A laser on a high powered rifle, not so much. Unless I use it to guide a cat missile across the room and up the wall to the light switch. ;)
HA. I'd be happy with a car I could go over 40 mph with and feel safe in... one with a radio and electronics that worked (windows, seats, odometer/spedometer, etc)
would be nice too. lol.
No bumper, no suspension, no electronics, fun car.
That's not really the point though. In my opinion, it is more about buying things you'll use. I don't need a 600 hp vehicle, but I sure as hell would use one. A laser on a high powered rifle, not so much. Unless I use it to guide a cat missile across the room and up the wall to the light switch. ;)
+1. I'm looking for stuff that's practical. And if it's cool at the same time, all the better. But I will have fun deciding what's practical and what's not as I try stuff.
Now if I could only find a way to legally own a laser guided missile...
rhineoshott
12-29-2009, 13:20
I've often liked the concept of putting four lasers on a quad rail surrounding the barrel. When you aim, the bullet is in the center of of the diamond. Sight it in at about 200 yards. The main application would be CQB. I'm probably just dreaming of cool things...
You could use it for dry fire practice to see how much you're flinching/pulling/etc by shining it on a wall or something while dry firing.
I've often liked the concept of putting four lasers on a quad rail surrounding the barrel. When you aim, the bullet is in the center of of the diamond. Sight it in at about 200 yards. The main application would be CQB. I'm probably just dreaming of cool things...
'Phase plasma rifle in the 40 watt range' (in authentic Arnold accent).
You could use it for dry fire practice to see how much you're flinching/pulling/etc by shining it on a wall or something while dry firing.
That might actually be a good idea. I'll try it and see how crappy my technique really is =)
Now if I could only find a way to legally own a laser guided missile...
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA237.html
You could use it for dry fire practice to see how much you're flinching/pulling/etc by shining it on a wall or something while dry firing.
You could do that with a penny on the front sight just as easily and a lot cheaper as well though.
Backinblackrifles
12-29-2009, 13:53
Never know when you might have to shoot out a moving car while driving with one hand that A2 ctc dot sure does help. [Driver]
You could do that with a penny on the front sight just as easily and a lot cheaper as well though.
Stuart, you're taking away the man's "fun" factor friend! lol.
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA237.html
But will the cat explode on impact? [Muaha]
Somehow I think a Paveway or Hellfire variety would be much more satisfying!
GunTroll
01-02-2010, 21:29
Visible lasers on an AR are silly. IR lasers are cool! Busting yotes with the "laser beam" is a blast!
theGinsue
01-02-2010, 23:47
I bought one of those cheap green lasers and mounted it on my rifle just to play with. While it's cool and all to see the green beam at night, I'm not seeing what practical purpose a laser serves. During the day I don't see it offering anything above my aimpoint as a sighting system and at night it seems to act as a 'shoot here' indicator since the beam can be clearly seen and traced back to the source.
?? This post confuses me. Thinking back to High School physics class, and then testing my theory with my own laser, I've always understood that because a laser uses coherant light, you can not see the beam of a laser, just the termination point - UNLESS there is matter in the path of the beam (such as dust, fog, etc.) for the beam to relect off of.
...I don't "need" an assault rifle ..
That really is a term that you should consider abstaining from using. NO civilian non-NFA firearm is truly an "assualt rifle". This is a term adopted by the Brady bunch and other anti-gunners to classify any firearm that they think will elicit an emotional reation from the masses. Use of this term by the pro 2A side of the house only re-enforces the anti-gunners position on the matter.
Unless I use it to guide a cat missile across the room and up the wall to the light switch. ;)
I have a little mouse shaped laser that I use to tease the cat. He goes absolutely ape shit chasing the thing around the house & freaks out when you put the dot on his paw.
.
"Laser on a rifle for guiding in missles". Oooo, now THAT sounds like a good time! I could dig it.
GunTroll
01-03-2010, 18:47
?? This post confuses me. Thinking back to High School physics class, and then testing my theory with my own laser, I've always understood that because a laser uses coherant light, you can not see the beam of a laser, just the termination point - UNLESS there is matter in the path of the beam (such as dust, fog, etc.) for the beam to relect off of.
That really is a term that you should consider abstaining from using. NO civilian non-NFA firearm is truly an "assualt rifle". This is a term adopted by the Brady bunch and other anti-gunners to classify any firearm that they think will elicit an emotional reation from the masses. Use of this term by the pro 2A side of the house only re-enforces the anti-gunners position on the matter.
I have a little mouse shaped laser that I use to tease the cat. He goes absolutely ape shit chasing the thing around the house & freaks out when you put the dot on his paw.
.
Dang!
SA Friday
01-03-2010, 19:52
Some lasers are more visible than others. Don't forget, there are a lot of particles in the air we breath. They reflect (and sometimes even refract) light. You can never ensure the laser isn't going to point both ways.
To the original question: there is none really except for close quarter combat and night combat. This is serious stuff in military applications. Trying to mate up an Aimpoint M-2 mounted on your M-4 and a PVS-14 mounted to your helmet is a bitch. Trying to shoot like that is even worse. Trying to shoot accurately is virtually impossible. IR laser allows for over-the-top sighting with helmet mounted NVGs.
long distance shooting with a laser = tacticool poser BS.
To the original question: there is none really except for close quarter combat and night combat. This is serious stuff in military applications. Trying to mate up an Aimpoint M-2 mounted on your M-4 and a PVS-14 mounted to your helmet is a bitch. Trying to shoot like that is even worse. Trying to shoot accurately is virtually impossible. IR laser allows for over-the-top sighting with helmet mounted NVGs.
long distance shooting with a laser = tacticool poser BS.
+1
And this is the only real reason to use a laser on a rifle, as I see it.
Yay, I got one thing right!
and just to brag, (early birthday present) my bolt for the long rifle got sent off to Kampfeld today! I just might be going to one of those PD shots' y'all keep talking about soon!
?? This post confuses me. Thinking back to High School physics class, and then testing my theory with my own laser, I've always understood that because a laser uses coherant light, you can not see the beam of a laser, just the termination point - UNLESS there is matter in the path of the beam (such as dust, fog, etc.) for the beam to relect off of.
Correct, I can't actually see the stream of photons the laser is emitting. However, at night, I can see all the reflective airborne particles in the path of the stream. This gives the visual effect of a wispy green line that can be traced back to me...
Dang Ginsue, next time I won't leave any details out of my post =)
Trying to mate up an Aimpoint M-2 mounted on your M-4 and a PVS-14 mounted to your helmet is a bitch. Trying to shoot like that is even worse. Trying to shoot accurately is virtually impossible. IR laser allows for over-the-top sighting with helmet mounted NVGs.
long distance shooting with a laser = tacticool poser BS.
Huh, good to know my decision to buy a Aimpoint M3 over the ML3 was pointless then. I thought having NV capability would be useful if I ever got a helmet mounted NV device to play with. No you're telling me it's an impossible to use setup. [Bang]
See, you live and you learn. I'm just glad the M3 only cost $50 more than the ML3 or I'd really be upset.
SA Friday
01-04-2010, 12:20
Huh, good to know my decision to buy a Aimpoint M3 over the ML3 was pointless then. I thought having NV capability would be useful if I ever got a helmet mounted NV device to play with. No you're telling me it's an impossible to use setup. [Bang]
See, you live and you learn. I'm just glad the M3 only cost $50 more than the ML3 or I'd really be upset.
Not impossible, just slightly better than guessing under the stress of a firefight. We didn't have IR lasers for our M-4's down range. Something I spent a lot of time lobbying for after my return and then spent a lot of your all taxes on purchasing before I retired. We were mounting our PVS-14's in tandem with our Aimpoints on the M-4's for our night missions. Half the team would helmet mount, the other half would weapon mount. One of each in each set up in each ranger buddy team. It gave us the ability to scan, indentify, and engage without sweeping loaded guns all over.
AN/PEQ-16A's are the cats meow, BTW. Insight Tech wanted me to be one of their sale reps after all the business I did with them, but in the DC area. I was all for the job, but no fricken way I'm living there again.
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