pistol laser distance?

[COemtbuddy]

I bought my first laser/light combo for my sigsauer P226. I'm just asking people what the usual distance that people set their laser. 15,20,25 yards?

[BigBear]

I bought my first laser/light combo for my sigsauer P226. I'm just asking people what the usual distance that people set their laser. 15,20,25 yards?


20 feet... most pistol engagements are within that distance according to... I think it was the FBI stats.

I have lasers on all my pistols... but that doesn't mean I'm the authority or even know what I'm talking about, HAHA.

[pickenup]

I agree with BigBear........almost. LOL

I have mine set at 7 yards, 21 feet.

[rondog]

20 feet or less for me. They're not for target shooting, they're for close-in self defense, as an aid to get the shot on the BG when you can't use the sights due to darkness or the animal right on top of you. If you can dot 'em, you got 'em.

Keep in mind the laser and the barrel bore are on two different planes, so the bullet and the dot will only meet at one certain point, where you have it sighted in at. Before and after that point, there will be convergence/divergence of the dot and point of impact. It's not enough to affect self-defense, but it will affect target shooting a lot.

In other words, if you dial it in at exactly 20 feet, you can shoot bottle caps with it at 20 feet. But at 30 feet, you'll likely miss them because the dot is in a different spot in relation to the bullet path.

[SA Friday]

Depends on where the laser is mounted. Personally, I like to take it to the range and shoot targets from 30yds to 3 feet and determine the off-set for each distance. Then I set the laser based on the overall least amount of offset of the laser's location when fired and the actual bullet strike. If it's a rail mounted laser the off-set can be it the feet area for the longer ranges if you set it up for the shorter distances. I set the TR2 on my G35 for about 15-20 yds based on the shooting results. It keeps the hit/laser within a couple of inches from 3 ft to 30 yds.

This is my home defense firearm, and the laser is for the wife. I still prefer good night sights.

[BigBear]

I still prefer good night sights.

Great point, can't go wrong with a decent pair of night sights before the adding of lasers, lights, bling parts, etc...

And remember also that a standard laser will not "illuminate" your target. If the perp is wearing a black shirt in a black house, all you'll see is a red/green dot on a black "thing". Always a decent idea to have a flashlight next to the bed too, or a weaponlight as SA mentioned his TLR-2, or my personal favorite M3x.