CT laser zero with j-frame 38

[mtnbkr]

I recently purchased a set of Crimson Trace laser grips for my j-frame. My initial thought was to adjust the dot to co-witness with the irons. However, in practice, I've discovered the glare from the laser "dot" messes with my eyes and prevents me from focusing on the front sight.

1. How do you have your laser adjusted vis-a-vis the iron sights? Co-witness or slightly higher?
2. Once the laser is adjusted, is it "on" for that distance regardless of how you hold the gun?
3. For a 2" J-frame, what distance do you use for zero? I'm thinking 10-15yds.

Thanks,
Chris

[GJM]

Parallel

[mtnbkr]

Parallel

As in off to the side? Why that specifically?

BTW, I remember a discussion here about this very subject a while back, but I'll be damned if I can find it.

Chris

[TR675]

I adjusted it so that the dot is on top of the sights at across-the-room distance - 15 yards-ish. This is not precise but has served me well enough at different distances at the range that I've not felt any need to refine it.

[jetfire]

I usually zero all my lasers (and red dots) at 25 yards. That's a combination of 2 factors - 1) 25 yards is about as far as I'd feel comfortable pushing a handgun under bad circumstances, and 2) most of my accessible ranges are 25 yards.

[Chuck Haggard]

Parallel, or as far out as you can get, with 25 yards being a good distance for a snub.

[SAWBONES]

I adjusted it so that the dot is on top of the sights at across-the-room distance - 15 yards-ish. This is not precise but has served me well enough at different distances at the range that I've not felt any need to refine it.

I do the same thing.

As a non-LEO, I'm not going to take a shot "for real" beyond that distance with a little revolver, and within that distance I want the sight picture provided by the iron sights (center top of the front sight) and the location of the red dot to coincide as closely as possible.

[GJM]

As in off to the side? Why that specifically?

BTW, I remember a discussion here about this very subject a while back, but I'll be damned if I can find it.

Chris

Different thread, but here is the rationale for the parallel zero, which essentially gives yo one offset from muzzle to the point the bullet starts dropping, way out yonder:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/laser.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/laser.jpg.html)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/7yardzero.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/7yardzero.jpg.html)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/50yardzero.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/50yardzero.jpg.html)

[mtnbkr]

Different thread, but here is the rationale for the parallel zero, which essentially gives yo one offset from muzzle to the point the bullet starts dropping, way out yonder:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/laser.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/laser.jpg.html)

Short of testing at every shooting distance, how do you confirm the laser is adjusted parallel vs just being sighted in for a particular range?

Chris

[GJM]

I would use "close enough" procedures. Figure out the offset between muzzle and laser, for example, the laser is mounted one inch low and one inch right. Shoot at 7 yards, and with this example offset, adjust the laser so the bullet strikes one inch high and one inch left. Then shoot at 10, 15 and 25 yards, and confirm that the POI is still one inch high and one inch left. Call her good and carry on.

[JodyH]

Considering that under good dark conditions against flat, somewhat reflective targets like cardboard red lasers are only visible out to 35Y or so and green to 50Y and you can half that under worse light and with targets like clothing or fur I'd rather have a 20-25Y intersecting zero. That way at the maximum practical range you have the most precision.

We run several low/no light matches a year with lights and lasers allowed and used and I see lasers in action against different targets and lighting conditions.
They aren't much use beyond 25Y on a handgun under field conditions.
On a rifle with magnified optics or a ir laser under nods it's a different story.