How does a gun shot fires on the same spot where laser--

[warthog]

where laser is being projected?.My friend asked this question but i have yet to find a scientific answer.If i have a gun with a laser scope and fire it,why does the bullet hit the exact place where the laser is being pointed even though the laser scope is below or above the barrel?

[mundaire]

Simple explanation:

The same principle that is used to ensure that the bullet to hits the point where you are aiming your scope or open sights, even though they too are above the barrel. Basically you "zero" your sights (open/ laser/ scope) at a certain distance for a particular loading (bullet + propellant combination), lets say this is 100 yards. So now (after zeroing) when you aim at an object at 100 yards using a particular loading, the projectile will hit the POA (point of aim).

Since bullets have a parabolic trajectory, if you shoot at an object further away (lets say 150 yards) the point of impact (POI) will be lower than the POA and if you shoot at an object closer than 100 yards (lets say 75 yards) then the POI will be higher than the POA.

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[Mark]

Additionally, the bullet only hits exactly on the laser beam in the movies.

Lasers are much over-rated in my opinion, and yes I was suckered into buying one too....

[MoA]

Lasers are only good when you need to get a shot off in a hurry and dont really have time to aim.
Typically at ranges of under 10 m, with a pistol you can be reasonably sure of hitting the close vicinity of the point that is being illuminated. Even without aiming in the classic sense.
As Mark pointed out... over rated.

[lazybones]

My two bits:
Overrated they may be, but they do solve one problem that has plagued shooters since guns were invented. The rear sight, front sight and the target are on three different planes.it's impossible for the human eye to focus on all three at the same time. The laser is a way to put sights and target on the same plane - in theory at least

Ashok

[rcdoma]

They excell in low light conditions and are more intimidating to the bad guy than just pointing the gun at him .

[goodboy_mentor]

A very important disadvantage with laser is that when you are in dark, it precisely reveals your position to your opponent. It rarely "threatens" true bad guys, rather makes their job easier to return accurate fire towards you. Same goes if you are holding torch/flash light.

[rcdoma]

Outdoors, the bad guy has already seen you; indoors its best to use the element of surprise and reduce the risk of revealing your position by activating the laser just to get off a quick shot and moving to a different location(the muzzle blast is going to reveal your approx position anyway). I'd rather turn on the room/outside lights instead of using a flashlight whenever possible.

[goodboy_mentor]

Muzzle blast will reveal position only once you fire the the shot, not before you fire the shot. I remember an actual incident that happened in a village. It was pitch dark night and there was some noise in the courtyard. The owner of the house went out with a revolver and a torch. The moment he turned the torch on, before he could fire any shot, he was shot dead by the man hiding behind courtyard door since he was able to get his location the moment he turned on the torch on. Therefore personally I am not much in favor of laser aiming lights, unless you are sitting in a well defended position.

[rcdoma]

I'm sorry to hear about this incident, thanks for sharing it with us. If they are in your house and they have a gun, all that matters is that you do whatever it takes to hit them first before they hit you.

[shadowphaxone]

I always wondered how laser targeting is done. thanks all for making it clearer. anyways here is a link that might add to the subject discussed.....

[youtube][/youtube]

[siddu_2u]

well
like MoA has said , why not limit these laser sights to quick draws or to shoot in hurry .
& i think these are best suited for some casual plinking & Hunting or some Pest control .

siddharth

[simar]

if you are really interested in better optics for your handgun, consider a red dot sight like a c-more, they are the rage in the open division for IPSC.