NexxusOne

So, I had the chance to go shooting with my sis' boyfriend and he owns a Glock 23 gen4 and has a laser on it.

My experience was this....I suck shooting using the laser, when I lined up just using the sites on the gun, I was way way more accurate.

Is that normal???? Or is it one of those things you just have to practice at?

Gadsden

I haven't shot with a laser in a few years. I picked up an LC9 with a laser on it and I did 5 rounds with the laser and 5 rounds with the sights. The results were substantially similar. The grouping with the sights was a bit tighter, but not much.

Score wise though, the laser scored a 50 on the target, and the sights scored a 49.

mishtub

If the laser is perfectly aligned with the bore,above or below, there will be 2 different places in the projectiles trajectory that they can be sighted dead on (like with an optic).
If the laser is mounted on the side there can only be one spot that the trajectory will align with the laser.
One school of thought for a side mounted laser is to align the laser parrallel to the bore laterally and remember how far to the side it is for holdoff and align for trajectory as if it was mounted above or below as per an optic.

Dawgface

I have a CT laser on my LC9. I don't target shoot with that set-up, I practice drawing and putting the red dot in center mass and firing as fast as possible, most times even before the gun is brought all the way up. In my opinion there is no need to compare it against the sights, the laser is for quick acquisition of the immediate threat and stopping it.
I have the laser set to POI at 10'.
All my other guns are for target shooting.
Just my 2 cents.

NexxusOne

That is what I took away from it...the owner uses the laser all the time as he has bi-focals and has difficulty aiming with just the sights.

Dawgface

Very good point.

Jtiv19

I bought a Crimson Trace 201 Laser for my SR22 since I could mount it to my SR9c also. I can get some nice groups with it but there is no way I could see a tiny dot in a self defense situation. In short I'm not impressed. It is nice to have for dry fire practice though.

bangstick

The laser is great at night or in low light situations. I recently shot at an indoor range for the first time w lc9 and sp101. I was having a hard time getting a good sight picture w both guns at 7 yds, when just 2 weeks prior was shooting outdoor range at the shortest pistol which is 12yds, and had no such aiming/sight issues. The laser def took care of this issue on the lc9. I had my bud with me who never shot before and it was kinda funny to watch the laser when he was shooting. It would jump a good 2 feet off target. So yeah i love mine but for outside during the day time it is pretty use less.

jcohen24

I had a CT laser on my SP101 and only used it for about a month. I found that I was looking at the dot more than my target. Seems strange, but I was able to align the gun with the sights faster than the distracting red dot bouncing all over the place.

Larry the Liberal

His optometrist should be able to set him up with a set of glasses optimized for target shooting.

j3rd

Funny, I had a laser on my XD9 and I had the same problem. I think trying hold the little red dot steady threw me off.

lah2420

I set the laser on my LC9 to match my open sights at 10 yds. I prefer the open sights, but used the laser to watch how slight changes in grip and finger on the trigger affected my POI.

Jack D

I use a laser on all of my guns (those that will take one) simply because I'm an old duffer with poor eyes. My bi-focals are good for close up and distance, but at arms length....not so much. I assume a laser is only good for about 50' and adjust for that distance. In the case of a side mounted laser (I have two), I adjust for POA=POI at 50' and anything less than that is good and anything over that, out to ~ 75' is also good (depending on bullet trajectory). It's a bit easier if the laser is in a vertical line with the bore, but I sight in the same. On the rifle, I use a scope over 50' and laser under. I have four lasers, two CT grips and two under the bore. On my guns that can't take lasers, I put the blurred sights on the target and hope.

Redleg

For 50 feet and under, in most lighting conditions a laser is a great combat sight in my opinion. If properly zeroed, the darned bullet is going to go where the dot is located and down goes the bad guy. At the range I get very tight groups with my lasers. In very bright light situations, you can use your iron sights instead, and that is fine. Lasers do not interfere with iron sights the way red dots usually do on a pistol.

For further out, i.e. 25 yards and out, iron sights or a red dot is a better choice. But for civilians this is not a "combat distance."

punkinlobber

My laser grips on my 1911 is sighted for 15 yards. Using only the laser sights I can make ugly, small groups out to 25 yards. They require practice to use. I did dry fire exercises for many nights aiming at points around the room while watching TV. You have to teach your body to steady itself if you plan to use your laser effectively.