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What To Consider Before Buying A Laser Sight For Your Pistol

If you want to get the most bang for your buck, there are a couple of things you should consider. Before buying that new .9mm a fancy new laser to attach to it, look over the advice below. After all, the more you know, the better equipped you are to make the best choice.

Pistol Laser Colors: Red Or Green?

If you’re an avid shooter or have spent much time at a firing range, there’s a good chance that you may have noticed by now that laser sights for firearms generally come in one of two colors; red or green.

Both of them have their own advantages and disadvantages. Knowing a little bit about what each of them has to offer will be beneficial in your search for the best pistol laser sight for your own firearm.

Let’s take just a quick look at what makes them different from one another.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which color laser is the optimal choice for a firearm?

When it comes to the choice between a red or green laser sight for a gun, there are a few different factors to consider. If you’re working within a tight budget and don’t require the laser to be highly visible during the daytime, a red laser sight would serve your needs well. However, if your usage includes diverse lighting conditions and you wish for your laser sight to be clearly visible under all circumstances, I would personally recommend a green laser sight. As a significant portion of my career has been spent training individuals in the use of firearms under various settings, I can attest to the fact that a green laser sight holds a definite advantage in all lighting conditions.

Between green and red lasers, which one is preferred for bore sighting?

In the world of boresighting, you have the choice between a red dot and a green dot laser. From my many years of outdoor shooting and hunting expeditions, I can say with certainty that the green laser is, in general, a wiser choice. Its visibility and intensity greatly outshine that of the red laser under outdoor circumstances. Just be prepared for a slightly higher price tag with a green laser bore sighter – exceptional quality often comes at a higher cost.

Can a laser sight be fitted onto any firearm?

Thanks to impressive advancements in firearm technology, you will find a multitude of companies offering a broad range of laser sights. These are capable of fitting almost any defensive firearm out there, particularly handguns. The utilization of a laser sight extends beyond merely being a novelty – with the correct training, a laser sight can significantly enhance the versatility and precision of your firearm. Having spent considerable time training both military and civilian personnel, I can assure you that a properly fitted laser sight can be a substantial asset.

What is the effective range of a laser sight?

Operating a laser sight in daylight can prove to be a touch tricky depending on the type of laser you use. Red lasers, for instance, generally maintain visibility up to 25 to 30 yards during daylight. On the other hand, a green laser is strikingly more observable in day light, extending up to a considerable 100 yards. The reason being that they are closer to the midpoint of the visible light spectrum as compared to red lasers. Over the years, in multiple combat and training scenarios, I’ve observed that greater visibility often equates to superior target acquisition, making the green laser a valuable tactical advantage.

Laser vs. Iron

The accuracy that you can get from using a laser sight is also something that you may be hard-pressed to get out of a more traditional iron sight.

Of course, there are some pros and cons to using a laser sight, and not all of the pistol laser sights out there right now are made with the same attention to detail or quality.

To help you make the best decision, as we do regularly for all other types of hunting or shooting gear, we have created a list of our favorite pistol laser sights. We will be discussing each one of these, what makes them really shine, and a quick list of their individual pros and cons.

But remember to stick around after you read the reviews, because we also will be dropping some tidbits of advice such as what to look for in a laser sight, and teaching you the difference between red and green lasers.

Combining all the knowledge I’m about to give you in this review, you will be more than well-equipped to make a decision about which pistol laser sights will work best for you.

How Do They Work?

A laser sight might seem like a futuristic firearm device, but when you look at how they work, you’ll see they’re quite simple.

These devices operate by projecting a beam of light in front of them, usually with red or green color for improved visibility.

The laser sight is calibrated to ensure accuracy and that it aligns with the firearm, so when the beam lands on the intended target, you’re able to take the shot.

These sights aren’t the only type of optical assistance you’ll use though, as they don’t work as well during daylight and have limited range, so using a backup like an iron sight is recommended.

Auxiliary Weapons

Pistols

The Pistol is now a dedicated slot item and can be equipped on any soldier but costs 1 mobility (Darkclaw does not cost a mobility). Pistol related perks are trainable in the Advanced Warfare Center. Officers also have a few abilities related to pistols, including the ability to give one to a civilian ally.

Name	Damage	Crit Damage	Clip Size	Sound Range	Special properties	Prerequisites	Cost	Black Market Value
Supplies	Alloys	Elerium Crystals	Elerium Cores
Pistol	1-3	+1	∞	26	—	XCOM starts with an unlimited supply
Laser Pistol	2-4	+1	∞	26	+5 Aim	Laser Weapons	5	—	1	—	3
Mag Pistol	3-5	+2	∞	26	—	Magnetic Weapons	10	1	1	—	15
Gauss Pistol	4-6	+2	∞	26	Ignores 1 Armor	Coilguns	30	2	3	—	20
Plasma Pistol	5-7	+3	∞	26	Inflicts Rupture (1 damage)	Plasma Rifle	40	3	5	1	25
Darkclaw	4-6	+2	∞	26		Hunter Weapons	—	—	—	—	—

Weapon Range Modifier
Distance	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25+
Aim Modifier	30	25	20	15	10	5	-4	-8	-12	-16	-20	-24	-30	-40	-50	-60	-70	-80	-90	-100

Shadowkeeper

The Shadowkeeper is a unique weapon from the Alien Hunters DLC, with only one available per campaign. This pistol has slightly more average damage than normal pistols of the same tier, very short sound range, and innate hit and crit. Furthermore, it allows a special Shadowfall shot, that cannot crit, but if it kills, puts the wielder into concealment immediately.

Name	Damage	Crit Damage	Clip Size	Sound Range	Special properties	Prerequisites	Cost
Supplies	Alloys	Elerium Crystals
Shadowkeeper	1-4	+1	∞	9	+10 Aim+15 Crit ChanceShadowfall	Experimental Weapons	25	—	—
Enhanced Shadowkeeper	3-6	+2	∞	9	+10 Aim+15 Crit ChanceShadowfall	Magnetic Weapons	45	5	—
Powered Shadowkeeper	5-8	+3	∞	9	+10 Aim+15 Crit ChanceShadowfallInflicts Rupture (1 damage)	Plasma Rifle	100	5	10

Weapon Range Modifier
Distance	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25+
Aim Modifier	30	25	20	15	10	5	-4	-8	-12	-16	-20	-24	-30	-40	-50	-60	-70	-80	-90	-100

Autopistols

The autopistol is a different variant of the standard pistols. They have the same capabilities as a standard pistols but serves a different purpose. Autopistols trade some of their base damage and range in favor of dealing critical attacks, having a higher crit chance and crit damage.

Name	Damage	Crit Damage	Clip Size	Sound Range	Special properties	Prerequisites	Cost	Black Market Value
Supplies	Alloys	Elerium Crystals	Elerium Cores
Autopistol	1	+2	∞	15	+40 Crit	XCOM starts with an unlimited supply
Mag Autopistol	1-3	+4	∞	15	+40 Crit	Magnetic Weapons	10	1	1	—	20
Plasma Autopistol	3-5	+5	∞	15	+40 CritInflicts Rupture (1 damage)	Plasma Rifle	40	3	5	1	15

Weapon Range Modifier
Distance	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19+
Aim Modifier	60	45	30	15	8	4	-4	-8	-16	-32	-40	-48	-60	-70	-80	-90	-100

The Best Way to Use Them

A laser sight can be a helpful tool in just about any setting you use your firearm in. although they’re considered more of a military or police force-centered device, it’s more common these days for everyday shooters and gun enthusiasts to use them as well.

Here are just a few ways you can make use of a laser sight with your firearm:

Hunting: Whether it’s small game or large and dangerous ones, a rifle or a handgun, the pinpoint accuracy and target acquisition that a laser sight allows for will make all of the difference.
Target practice: Even if used just for fun, the addition of a laser sight at target practice can give your skills a major boost and help you improve accuracy.
Self-defense: Although a laser sight might not be that effective in close range like a self-defense situation, it can be of assistance if an attacker is coming towards you from far away.
Home defense: In a home defense situation where you want to ensure an accurate hit in as few shots as possible, being able to acquire a target with a laser sight will save you precious moments.
Combat: When used in combat, a laser sight can enable you to lock onto a target quickly and quietly so that you’re able to deliver the shot right away.

Red vs Green Lasers: What’s the Difference?

One of the biggest considerations to make when choosing a laser sight is whether to go with a red or green.

Although sometimes misunderstood as being much the same, they offer different benefits and setbacks that might impact your final choice.

Red Lasers

A red laser sight is usually cheaper to produce, thus cheaper to purchase.
These lasers are considered the more durable of the two because the red laser itself is strong, it’s able to stand up to high levels of recoil.
If you’re hunting or shooting in extreme weather conditions, the chance that your red laser will stand up to the heat or cold is higher, giving you visibility no matter what.
The technology behind producing a red laser beam requires less energy than it does for a green laser and the battery life of these sights will be longer.

Green Lasers

If you plan on using the laser sight during the daytime as well as night, a green laser may be best. They’re more visible in bright conditions and therefore more versatile.
The range of a green laser is far superior and they’re capable of seeing up to 100 yards without an issue, compared to only 30 yards or so with a red laser.
A green laser is more expensive because it has greater capabilities, so if you don’t need anything too extreme, you can get away with a more affordable red laser sight.

Weapon Upgrades

After researching , most primary weapons will be available for upgrading. In Long War of the Chosen, weapon upgrades can be applied, replaced and removed freely. Scopes and Laser Sights are mutually exclusive, same as Expanded Magazines and Auto Loaders.

Weapon upgrades can be obtained from ADVENT loot drops, mission rewards, Covert Actions, or bought from the Black Market. After obtaining 1 of a specific weapon upgrade, a will become available to begin fabricating them.

X and Y in the «Effect» column of the table below refer to the first and second numerical values in the «Effect Value» column.

Best Gun Laser Sights Buying Guide

It is only natural that individual shooters will have different requirements when it comes to choosing a gun laser sight. Therefore, we will now list four important points to take into consideration. By ticking these off in priority order, it should help narrow down your choice to find the perfect product for your needs…

Single or Multi-weapon use?

Do you have one specific weapon you wish to use your laser sight on? Or, do you wish to use it on multiple weapons you own?

If you only own one weapon or have decided that from your collection of weapons, there is only one gun you wish to have a laser sight on, the choice is made!

In this case, you should go for a ‘gun-specific’ sight. Going for a good quality laser sight designed to fit your weapon means you only need ‘zero’ it in once. After set-up, you will have the confidence to use it time and again.

However…

Multiple weapon owners will find that a laser sight that can be mounted on different firearms is very economical. It allows shooters with different guns to train and practice with the same laser sight on each of their weapons. Another benefit comes in flexible application. Depending upon your day’s shooting activity, you can attach the laser to your weapon of choice.

The downside of using a gun laser sight for multiple weapons is that it means your individual weapons all need Picatinny or Weaver rail attachment compatibility. On top of this, you will need to zero in every time you change the sight from one weapon to the next.

Do you want a separate laser or one that is built-in?

Photo by theCelestrian

This point also relates to the above section on single/multiple-gun use. If you intend to use the laser on just one weapon, then a built-in model is a solid choice. This is because built-in units become part of the gun. This is achieved either through the grip or the guide rod.

Although built-in lasers tend to be more expensive, they do tend to be more compact than separate lasers. For example, if you go for a guide rod laser, this takes up no space at all.

Simple to operate…

Built-in lasers are also easier to use because operation becomes part of your action. The laser activates either by squeezing the grip or pushing part of the slide release. It should also be noted that owners of pistols without rails can use built-in lasers without a problem.

As mentioned, separate lasers need attaching to a Picatinny or Weaver rail but can be removed and installed elsewhere. Separate lasers are also far more flexible than built-in laser sights and easier to install.

Green or Red?

While other laser colors are available, the most common are green and red. Red lasers are much cheaper to produce than green. So cost is an important consideration.

If your intended use is at night or for use indoors (home defense), then the differences between the two are not so great. However, if you intend to use your laser mostly during the daytime, then a green laser is the way to go.

They are superior in terms of wavelength and peak color sensitivity. Additionally, when comparing similar output power levels, green lasers are far more visible than red.

Quality of build over cost

It is well-known that the quality of build varies greatly when it comes to laser sights. Yes, there are some very cheap models available. However, ‘cheap’ is only of value if your chosen laser sight functions well.

Any laser you decide on needs to be robust enough to take what you put it through. It also needs to last you for an acceptable amount of time. Obviously, budget has to be an important consideration. With this in mind, you should set a budget you are comfortable with and then look at models in that price range.

Looking for more superb ways to brighten up your day?

If so, check out our comprehensive reviews of the Best Laser Gun Sights Taurus PTIII, our Best Pistol Light Reviews, the Best 18650 Flashlight, our Best Rechargeable Flashlight Reviews, our Best Green Light for Hog Hunting Review, or the Best Tactical Flashlights on the market.

You might also enjoy our reviews of the Best Coon Hunting Lights, our Brightest Tactical Flashlight Reviews, the Best Predator Hunting Lights, our Best Penlight Reviews, and the Best Blood Tracking Lights you can buy in 2023.

Pistol Laser Sights – Final Thoughts

Choosing the perfect pistol laser sight relies on a solid combination of personal preference and well-rounded technical specs. You want to buy something that is durable, lightweight, can be adjusted for wind and elevation, and is bright enough to keep your shots on point every single time.

By using the advice and reviews in this article to help you make a final decision, we are confident you will find the perfect laser sight for your pistol. In case you own a rimfire rifle, you might want to look at our guide to the best rimfire scope out there.

If you own a pistol laser sight that didn’t make it on this list, leave a comment below and tell us all about it, and why it deserves its own review. We love to learn about and play around with new gear all the time, so don’t be shy.

Til next time, happy sighting, and may your marks always be precise.

Crimson Trace CMR-206 Rail Master

If you own a pistol that is equipped with a Picatinny M1913 rail or a Weaver accessory rail, you need to check out the Crimson Trace CMR-206 Rail Master.

Made with Crimson Trace’s trademarked Secure-Lock Technology, the CMR-206 is prepared to withstand heavy recoil and handling. The entire Railmaster series of pistol laser sights are built around this same system. Once secure to your pistol, this laser will not budge for anything.

Controlling the laser sight is as quick and easy as tapping one of the control tabs found on either side. This ambidextrous design allows for smooth and instant activation of your laser sight.

To help save your battery life, the CMR-206 features a 5-minute auto shut-off. This comes in rather useful in the event that you activate your laser sight by accident.

The laser onboard this sight is a 5mW output red laser that will run for just over 4 hours on a single 1/3N Lithium battery.

While this laser is sighted at 50′, it is also fully user-adjustable for windage and elevation.

Pros	Cons
Great at handling heavy recoil	Hard to find holsters that work with this laser sight
5-minute auto-shutoff feature
Good battery life

Heavy Weapons

There are two types of Heavy Weapons: those carried by the Technical class in their Gauntlet, and those used in Heavy Armor suits and SPARK BITs. Technicals cannot make use of the second even when wearing a Heavy suit, but they can carry extra ammo for their Gauntlet weapons.

The other Heavy Weapons have a single charge and fire in a cone 25 tiles long and 12 tiles wide. XCOM has infinite Shredder Guns at their disposal, but more advanced variants have to be researched and built.

Name	Damage	Crit Damage	Sound Range	Special properties	Prerequisites	Cost	Black Market Value
Supplies	Alloys	Elerium Crystals	Elerium Cores
Shredder Gun	4-9	+3	36	Shreds 2 Armor	Battle Armor	XCOM starts with an unlimited supply
Shredstorm Cannon	7-12	+4	36	Shreds 4 Armor	Shredstorm Cannons	80	4	10	1	75
Plasma Blaster	8-13	+5	36	Inflicts Rupture (1 damage)	Plasma Blasters	80	4	15	1	50

Rocket Scatter

Rocket scatter is calculated by making a number of aim rolls against the maximum scatter distance and applying scatter of that number of tiles in a random direction. The maximum scatter is by default 4 tiles, reduced by 2 tiles by the Fire In The Hole ability, and increased by 2 tiles if the soldier has only one action remaining.

The aim rolls are based on the aim of the soldier, reduced by 30 if the soldier has only one action remaining, with a range penalty of 3 per tile further than 9.

So, if your Tech has 70 Aim innately and Fire In The Hole, hasn’t moved and is taking a shot at a target 14 tiles away (-15), you want 2 rolls of 55%. You have a 30% chance of a direct hit and an 80% chance of getting 1 tile or less. Not bad. On the other hand if they moved before firing, you’ll be making 4 rolls of 25%. Not great odds!

Rocket accuracy can further be increased by increasing the soldier’s base aim. Modifiers based on the soldier’s weapon will not effect it.
For example, these effect the soldier’s aim in general and will boost rocket accuracy:

Aim progression on stat bonuses from leveling up
Lone Wolf
Combat Fitness
Steady Hands
Aim (Perk)

For a counter-example, these effect effects are tied to weapons and don’t effect rocket accuracy:

The accuracy boost from laser weapons
Weapon upgrade modules (scopes, stocks, etc)

3. Viridian C5L (Best For Pistol Laser Sight for Compact Or Sub-Compact Pistols)

Getting tired of your red laser sight? Need something that is easier to see during in daylight? Maybe you have a sub-compact pistol that you have been hard-pressed to find a smaller laser sight for?

Well, the Viridian C5L is what you are looking for.

They say big things come in small packages, and the Viridian C5L is no exception. It is tiny, built from lightweight aluminum, and boasts some decent technical specs.

Onboard you will find easy-to-use ambidextrous activation buttons that surprisingly do not add any extra bulk to the tiny housing.

Where things really get cool with this laser sight, is with the ECR Instant-On technology. This feature allows you to program your laser sight to instantly turn on the moment it is drawn from your holster, and turn off automatically when it is placed back into your holster. This is a really great feature to have as it gives you the ability to instantly react in crucial moments where your muscle memory may not be quick enough.

Battery life on this laser sight comes in at about 4 hours with constant use and 7 hours in strobe light mode. It takes a CR2 battery to power it.

Pros	Cons
Lightweight	Buttons can be a little hard to find naturally and press
Ambidextrous controls
Strobe light mode

What is a Laser Sight?

Laser sights on firearms have come a long way since they were first introduced, and their affordability and accuracy have given them a huge boost in popularity in recent years.

With a laser sight attached to your firearm, you’ll get a clear view for acquiring your target and an idea of how to make the most accurate shot, making them worth their weight in gold.

A laser sight is a small device that is attached to your firearm, including on the existing sighting mechanism, onto a rail system, foregrips, the trigger guard, or in another replacement part.

These sights project a beam that lands on a target in front of it, so that the shooter is able to see exactly where their shot will land, giving them greater visibility than usual.

There are many different types of laser sights, with some more appealing than others depending on your preferences.

A laser sight might have a colored beam or be an invisible IR laser, it could include a flashlight or illuminator, and be installed in a number of places on the firearm.

Although there are lots of variations, the end goal is to aid in target acquisition.

What is the Difference Between Red and Green Pistol Laser Sights?

The difference between red and green lasers is more than just picking your favorite color. Here is more detail:

Red Laser Sights for Pistols

Red lasers are what you will most commonly see out at the firing range. They are usually more affordable than green lasers, but they are also a little harder to see. Red lasers consume less energy so they are a great option if you are looking for something that doesn’t drain batteries quickly.

Green Laser Sights for Pistols

Green lasers are usually more expensive than red lasers, making them something you scarcely see around novice shooters. They are brighter than red lasers, making them hard to beat when it comes to shooting with laser sights in daylight. This means that you also can generally expect that you will get a little more range from a green laser than from a red laser.

Pistol Laser Sight Weight

Weight is a relatively large contributing factor in choosing the perfect laser sight for your pistol. Most handguns are already not exactly ‘lightweight’, so any extra weight you add to it is going to be noticeable.

You have to be able to keep your gun steady as you fire, compensate for the weight transfer that comes with recoil, and your gun shouldn’t be a struggle to hold without your elbows or wrists shaking.

This piece of equipment is going to be attached to, most commonly, the barrel of your gun so choose wisely. Whatever laser sight you choose to go with, it will need to have just enough weight to keep it stabilized, but remain light enough to make handling of your handgun cumbersome.

Take your time. Think about how heavy your gun is already, and how much recoil you currently have to compensate for. The more weight you add, the more you increase both of those things.

So, what are the Best Gun Laser Sights?

The 10 best quality gun laser sights reviewed all offer good functionality. However, when it comes to price, you will find that laser models vary quite dramatically. Therefore, what suits one shooter may well not be another’s first choice.

However, we feel duty-bound to recommend one of the above gun laser sights. In this respect, we go for one that will suit a majority of shooters. This is the…

This green laser and strobe pistol flashlight combination is made from durable aircraft-grade aluminum. It is designed for all subcompact and compact pistols and comes with a convenient built-in USB rechargeable battery (USB cable included).

It is straightforward in use, holds zero very well, and offers good power. Thanks to the ambidextrous, easy access side button switches, the green laser, and light features can be used independently. With a price to please, buyers will also be more than satisfied with the very good customer service offered.

Happy and safe shooting.

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