Lasers
Laser sighting systems project a visible or infrared aiming point onto the target, allowing the shooter to aim without aligning iron sights or looking through an optic. Lasers range from simple bore-sighting tools used for zeroing optics, to defensive pistol lasers that allow accurate shooting from retention without raising the firearm to eye level, to military-grade IR aiming lasers used with night vision equipment. Impact Guns carries laser sights, laser/light combos, and bore sighters for pistols, rifles, and shotguns.
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Pistol Laser Sights: Defensive Carry Applications
Laser sights for defensive pistols allow accurate shot placement from retention positions—situations where a threat is at close range and there is no time or space to raise the firearm to eye level for a conventional sight picture. A visible red or green laser on a carry pistol gives the shooter an aiming reference even in low light, from unconventional positions, or with the gun partially extended. Crimson Trace and Viridian are the dominant laser sight manufacturers for pistols, producing grip-activated and rail-mounted systems for most popular carry platforms. Green lasers are more visible in bright ambient light than red lasers but consume more battery power. For shooters who want a laser on a carry gun, verify that your carry holster accommodates the specific laser unit’s dimensions.
Rifle Laser Aiming Modules
Rifle laser aiming modules project a visible or IR aiming point on targets at distance, typically used in conjunction with a red dot or iron sights rather than as a standalone aiming system. In military and law enforcement use, IR (infrared) laser aiming modules paired with night vision devices allow extremely fast target acquisition in complete darkness. Civilian IR lasers require night vision equipment to be useful and are regulated for output. Visible laser modules on rifles are most commonly used for force-on-force training, competition, and close-quarters applications where speed of target acquisition is the priority.
Bore Sighters: Zeroing Made Efficient
Laser bore sighters insert into the chamber or barrel of a firearm and project a laser dot downrange, allowing the shooter to roughly align their optic with the barrel axis before firing a single round. A quality bore sighter reduces zeroing time from multiple fouling shots at the range to one or two confirmation shots. Bore sighters are available in caliber-specific chamber-insert formats and universal magnetic muzzle formats. For shooters who mount new optics frequently or who want to save ammunition during the zeroing process, a bore sighter is a practical range accessory. See also: Rifle Scopes and Red Dot Sights.
Laser/Light Combos: One Device, Two Functions
Many tactical accessories combine a weapon light and a laser aiming module in a single rail-mounted unit, eliminating the need for two separate devices on the firearm’s rail. Streamlight’s TLR-2 series and SureFire’s XH35 combine high-output weapon lights with visible lasers in proven, compact packages. For pistols with a single rail section where space is limited, a combo unit provides both illumination and laser capability without occupying two rail slots. See: Rail Lights & Lasers and Streamlight.
See also: Rail Lights & Lasers • Weapon Mounted Lights • All Lights • Red Dot Sights