Home Invasion: Laser Alignment
With the previous article it was suggested to install tactical lights on the shotgun, or handgun, that will have a 3-way switch: Off-Strobe-Steady light. The mounting hardware on newer handguns, long guns and shotguns, is now a “rail” system on the firearm that allows secure clamping. With no rails, then it is a matter of installing a barrel clamp, mounting a weaver-pitcainy rail with screws, or plastic pipe stainless steel clamps – basically a barrel mount.
Mounting the light and/or a green/red laser is accomplished, but then you must align the laser. Tactical lights may require small shims for the aim point also. Let us discuss.
Lasers first: Your aim point inside a house is probably less than 10 yards, outside, your distance increases probably to 25 yards. This does not seem to be a big deal but with a shotgun there is no real spread of projectiles until you range out to 50 yards, or so, depending upon the gun barrel length, chokes and smooth bore vs.: rifled bore. For tight in the home use you have virtually no spread and a six inch spread is about maximum, although the type of barrel: the shorter, the type of designer shotgun shells, and of course a smooth barrel, may slightly increase the shot pattern to a few more inches wide at such close range. The effect is terminal.
Shotguns used outside usually have rifled slug barrels, and if firing shot much is spun off the center of mass.
You can do the alignment inside the home with no ammunition in the firearm. You have mounted the laser on the barrel, or as in the old A5’s and newer 870’s shotguns there is an installable laser at the end of the shot shell tube under the barrel. These lasers are usually underpowered. Always check range comparison. Limits are 5MV. Next you will purchase a 12-gauge or 20-gauge receiver in the breech laser, usually under $5.00. This laser when activated and GENTLY placed in the breech according to the written directions in the box will center down the barrel a laser beam. Some of these lasers are red. Your outside barrel mounted green laser will give you a stronger beam and visibility. I need to add that in a dark room the red laser is more visible. Green lasers are good in bright lights.
You can secure the shotgun with the two lasers with a gun mount or a pile of pillows. Aim at the doorway jam, or a door if installed. Adjust the mounted laser to coincide with the other laser dot. Then you have as very close approximation of center of mass.
If you, like me use a holographic sight mounted midway down the barrel that can be adjusted to the center of the red laser also. This will allow you quick acquisition of the target, especially if you can acquire a large sight such as the Firefield MG Kempersight: Stock # A2A-0210726 from www.Sportsmanguide.com . This is a very large sight picture and I use it for my hunting shotguns also. The physical sight picture gives you a larger view promotes you to hold on target vs.: just shooting away at the ceiling.
Some people, especially with turkey hunters, prefer a scope mounted. A low power variable is recommended such as a 1X on the low end. Many good inexpensive scopes are in this market for less than $60.00. The trick is to have an optical end of at least 40mm. Anything smaller dims in the darkness of a room.
Some pistols have built in lasers, but their adjustment is fixed and off target. The reasoning it just points you near the target. Therefore the further the target- the error multiplies. Always insist on an alignment capability with factory-installed lasers you are paying an extra $300.00 for.
Years back the standard training was to hold a flashlight while firing a pistol. Outdated, and it requires training and a steady mindset. During a serious encounter, which we read about in the papers and e-news, indicates violence, terror. You are probably not conditioned for this. This implies you must go to the range and practice-practice-practice with your firearm. Some training facilities, and quasi-military police training are the current trend. Costly perhaps, but what price is life and limb? Besides you will meet other people of the same mindset, and make new friends.
On the range you will probably be using light birdshot, but you must also practice with heavy loads too as the recoil is different and you must acclimate yourself.
Macho men want buckshot. This penetrates apartment walls and you can have a big time legal problem. Use light recommended tactical rubber, or other designed inside wall preventive projectiles. Avoid the “fun” so called flamethrower, and explosive ammunition, as you can set your home afire, much less if the felon survives this will end in a civil suit against you. The general rule of law is: apply only as much force is as necessary to defend yourself.
After alignment, back off the screws one by one and apply “Lock Tight”, or clear fingernail polish coating the threads to insure the mounts do not work loose. Your life depends upon your modifications not falling off the weapon. You are responsible for your own actions and judgment.
If you want to raise questions, or comments you may contact me below. I do not respond to liberal anti-gun rhetoric, but I invite constructive questions.
God Bless,
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