Educate me on laser sights
 

I'd like to throw a laser sight on my new Calico Liberty 950 pistol. Most laser sights I've seen have all sorts of unsightly wires and unwieldy activators. Who makes the best value in lasers based upon the following criteria:

1. Accurate adjustments
2. Easy and intuitive activation
3. Battery life
4. Durability
5. Attractive (unobtuse) design
6. Brightness (in daylight)

Re: Educate me on laser sights
 

BTW... this will be an over-the-barrel weaver mount.

Re: Educate me on laser sights
 

Here is a link to an earlier discussion with some good inputs from TTAZZMAN:

http://goldismoney.info/forums/showt...ghlight=lasers

DISCLAIMER: I am not a fan in particular of lasers on a defensive weapon, because I am too afraid that something could go wrong when you need it the most.

That said...if you train with them regularly, maintain and replace batteries when necessary, I believe they can be useful for certain weapon applications, and you can develop a proficiency that will get you on target faster, in certain situations, than just using iron sights.

I am looking at one of the LaserMax in either red or green for my Beretta CX4 Storm. It seems simple enough and allows for the mounting of a tactical light on the bottom...(the red one is $179, green is $369)

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...359170#enlarge

Re: Educate me on laser sights
 

My personal opinion, laser sights are the next best thing to useless on a firearm.

Get yourself a red-dot, C-more has been the number one choice of the really fast IPSC/USPSA folks but a Docter may be a better choice for you.

Re: Educate me on laser sights
 

you mean a laser targeting device or a holographic sight? If the latter go with either EOTech or Aim Point. I'd also like to get an ACOG but $$$.

Re: Educate me on laser sights
 

Won't work on the calico -- you can't actually see down the barrel rail:

(Not my picture, but you can see that the rail is well below the magazine and sights.)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/methodl/2982569585/

Re: Educate me on laser sights
 

Silvercity,

I like that laser -- thanks for the recommendation! A little pricey, but it has a great profile. I also like the ability to attach a light to it.

Re: Educate me on laser sights
 

I have all the calico models and calibers

If you need any info on calico's i might be able to help

Lasers work especially well on calico's as a sighting system because of how they are made etc

I assume you are using the weaver rail set that mounts over the barrel? and not the rail that mounts around and on top of the mag

I currently have 2 calico's set up with barrel rail mounted green lasers

I tried several laser setups and the high powered green laser set seems to work the best in all light conditions and as green lasers go i much prefer the larger ones that use the cr123a lithium batterys, more power but rarely if ever have to change the batterys, the ones that use the small button batterys seem to require new batterys on a regular basis

be careful when you set up those barrel mount weaver rails you get the rail on straight it will save you a ton of headaches when you go to sight in the laser

Re: Educate me on laser sights
 

What is the best way to get the rail on straight? I tightened the front down first, but I noticed it moves slightly when tightened. Also, the stamped piece isn't exactly symmetrical, so the rail has a tendancy to lean to one side. To the best of my ability I eyed the rail as straight as I could.

Thanks for the time on larger lasers. I'm planning on AOWing it with the forward kelly grip, so the weight wouldn't be a big deal. Do you have specific recommendations for a brand of laser?

BTW, shot the Calico for the first time on Saturday.:36_3_16:

Re: Educate me on laser sights
 

These calico's are amazing guns for sure and you will draw a crowd at the gun range if you can afford to keep them fed with ammo. :biggrin::coolbeer:


How i leveled the rail is i put a small level accross the two flats of the cradle where the magazine attaches and then used a small level on the rail itself.

its been a while since i did it but i remember it was a pain in the arse....i think i made sure the rear of the rail was very tight (used blue locktite) and then i adjusted with the frount rail holder

I took it out and shot it first with the iron sights and got them adjusted right then came back to the shop and clamped it in a vise aimed at a point on the wall with the iron sites. then i made sure the adjustments were centered on the laser before i mounted it and then i mounted it aligned with the point on the wall then when i went to the range i had all the adjustment left in the laser

my main recommendation for a laser used as a primary sighting device are:

#1 green so you can see it in the day much better than reds
#2 get one that uses the larger battery as stated before
#3 get the largest mW you can find 15mW is great if you can find one (not sure if they are legal anymore) most are 5mW

The laser you see on that picture is one that i had made overseas before green lasers were common (i was thinking about producing them for sale in the us) it is just a machined anadized allluminum battery sized tube with the laser module in the end. so i cant really recommend a specific brand

Re: Educate me on laser sights
 

I have used a Glock23 with Crimson trace laser grip and I loved it.

Seemed like it could be very useful in certain situations...

plus, place that red dot on someones chest and I bet they back off...

Re: Educate me on laser sights
 

Milage will always very on topics like this...
My 1st thought, is test and train... What ever works best for you may not for me and vie versa...
One may swear by it, one may die by it...

My opinion, I like lasers for certian enviorments I think they have some value... But I also think you should plan for failure and always train and use Iron sights as well...
All my weapons can have normal Iron Sights on top and Laser either below barrel or on top, but not blocking iron sites...

Examples:
My Glock 21, laser under the barrel...
I train moslty with the irons, but also with the laser, especially in lower light times when I'm at the range...
If someone was to come into my house or property and the situation would demand that I need to defend myself or family, I feel completly comfortable that I could do it well with both...
My AR (the one thats more for CQB-Mid Range) has an flat top upper with an Eotech and a Laser Devices OTAL mounted on top and the factory front sight post remains...
I train mostly with the Eotech, then the laser... I plan on adding B.U.I.S. (Back Up Iron Sights) incase eother fail, I'll have the Irons...

My only fear is how will I react to the shooter... While I hesitate to shoot for fear of prosicution?

Re: Educate me on laser sights
 

smullen,

all of your points are very good

just as a point of information for you and others should there be a question about retaining the iron sights.

the picture i posted of the Calico 950 with the barrel laser rail FULLY RETAINS the existing factory IRON sites in their original configuration. The iron sites and their alignments still work completely, calico sites are NOT down on the barrel like most other weapons. The sites and site lines are above the magazine level. (rear site is on top of rear of mag, frount site is very nice click adjustable wheel in frount of mag assembly, calico iron sites are very effective and it doesnt hurt to have a 100rnd mag to work from either)

I would never want to ever imply that a laser site should replace a iron site configuration on any form of close combat type of gun.