crimson trace zero

[texcaliber]

At what distance should I zero my crimson trace laser grips for my S&W1911PD 4.25"? The gun is going to be carried and also home-defence. I have had a huge variance in opinion among friends and coworkers. Lets see what yall think.

tex

[Hazcat]

At what distance should I zero my crimson trace laser grips for my S&W1911PD 4.25"? The gun is going to be carried and also home-defence. I have had a huge variance in opinion among friends and coworkers. Lets see what yall think.

tex

What is the trajectory of the round?

If it is relatively flat to 25 yards that is where I would zero.

[texcaliber]

What is the trajectory of the round?

I like the GoldenSaber 185+P from Rem. and out of the gun at around 1100f/s ! As the trajectory " I dont know?" But I can clang a Rifle PepperPopper with it at a 100yds. with very little hold over for center mass hits. Headshots hit knee area of pepperpopper.

As for,

If it is relatively flat to 25 yards that is where I would zero.

Why?
You are not the first person to suggest the 25yd. but remember I am using this for a personal carry/home system. And I do not know how good your eyes are but mine are junk at distance, hence the grips. But my front sight is nice-n-sharp so in good light that fiber optic pops and that blurry target looking thingy get hit, the use of the grips is for low light defence and dry-fire pratice. Maybe this need-to-know information will help you.

[Hazcat]

Well Tex, I don't think of 100 yards for self or home defense with a handgun.  That's what they make rifles for IMO.

If it was me (and I intended to shoot that far) I would find out what the trajectory is and the zero in so that I could get maximum distance with a 3 inch or less under or over the red dot..  What that zero is and what the max distance is would depend on the caliber, barrel length, load, etc.

Example;  44 Rem Mag 240grn JSP with a zero of 100 yards is only about .6 inches high at 50 yards and .6 inches low at 70 yards while a 158 grain JHP out of a .357 is 202 inches low at 75 yards.  (4 inch barrels)

So you need to know your gun and load then find anticipated trajectory and then set the dot for the best results based on the trajectory. 

I said 25 yards as it would easily cover anything to 50 yards pretty much dead on for large calibers and I'm not going to be shooting past that with a handgun.

[texcaliber]

Well Tex, I don't think of 100 yards for self or home defense with a handgun.  That's what they make rifles for IMO.

If it was me (and I intended to shoot that far) I would find out what the trajectory is and the zero in so that I could get maximum distance with a 3 inch or less under or over the red dot..  What that zero is and what the max distance is would depend on the caliber, barrel length, load, etc.

Example;  44 Rem Mag 240grn JSP with a zero of 100 yards is only about .6 inches high at 50 yards and .6 inches low at 70 yards while a 158 grain JHP out of a .357 is 202 inches low at 75 yards.  (4 inch barrels)

So you need to know your gun and load then find anticipated trajectory and then set the dot for the best results based on the trajectory. 

I said 25 yards as it would easily cover anything to 50 yards pretty much dead on for large calibers and I'm not going to be shooting past that with a handgun.

Well Hazcat, you know what "they" say about Opinions dont ya?
All joking aside, for me, the long shot is eaiser with a pistol do to the need of a cane. But thats not saying i cant shoot a rifle. Just a little off balance.
So back to the pistol. Where i am using it for PD sould I not set the point of impact for 21feet or less? Hazcat cant be the only one with an Opinion yall, although appericaited Haz. No one thinks the zero shoulld be closeup.

[Sponsor]

[SpaceGlocker]

home defense I would center it at 25'
for my carry weapon I center it at 10'......shooting at a greater distance invites a lawsuit and very rarely happens in a real world scenario

[m25operator]

Alright Tex I've gotta type fast as I have a computer invasion happening. Ok 1st before I wade into these waters, what does CT say. I'd go with their recommendation first.

Now let's look at the device, the line of sight is below the barrel instead of above like the sights, in most instances the distance from the center of the bore is greater on the grip than on the metallic sights. The laser will only intersect the path of the bullet on the rise and on the fall, 2 places on a hand gun, that may be cool depending on the point blank range of the load, remember  each .005" change on the height on the front or rear sight  = 1" @25yards on a 5"barrel, and the height of the metallic sights is different from the laser below the bore. kind of like an ar15, with the line of sight so high above the bore, up close it does substantially different than at 100 yrds. I would sight mine in, and have at 15', at 10 yrds it is about 3" high, still ok, and then go range test it, @ 10, 15, 20 and 25 yrds,then document it so I know what to expect. In low light their great, in daylight too hard or long to pickup. I hope this was confusing enough for you, but trying my best.

[texcaliber]

I hope this was confusing enough for you, but trying my best.

\\
As a matter of fact yes it was confusing

Ok 1st before I wade into these waters, what does CT say. I'd go with their recommendation first.

Kidding aside man great advise I will give it a try.

The big problem i am having is the off set from the center line of the muzzel to lazer relationship. I am having a wierd vector problem with the lazer being off paper at some distances nice tight group at others at point of impact, and the odvious discrepincy(stupid no spellcheck) from gravity trajectory changing the distance. There has to be a simple awnser which I am over looking but the one under your nose is always the hardest to find.

[Hazcat]

Tex,

I may have missed it but what are shooting?  (caliber, barrel length and round)

[texcaliber]

Tex,

I may have missed it but what are shooting?  (caliber, barrel length and round)

.
No worries Hazcat, my setup is a S&W 1911PD w/4.25 inch barrel, shooting a Remington GoldenSaber 185gr+P which is traveling around 1100fps. I just picked up a pair of used crimson trace grips which some one picked up and they set the dot to thier flinch(which was bad at like 5 to 5 1/2" to the left at 7 yards). So before I start to bring the dot back, meaning sighted without flinch/punch/yank or other trigger blunders and hitting X-rings, I am looking at my odvious ingorance with the new product which didnt have the manual. Lucky for me it did come with the supersmall allens.

Hope this helps Hazcat.