LaserLyte RSL: Range Report

LaserLyte RSL Laser Sights Review, Part II: Shootie Goodness

I brought the LaserLyte RSL-equipped guns to the range yesterday for a quick run through at different distances. I was curious to see how the sights appeared in bright light, having only used them indoors in moderate light settings; I also wanted to see how they functioned when used as intended, as a guide for shooting.

The original intention was to shoot both the .45 ACP Glock G30 and the 9mm SigSauer P226 at 25, 50, and 75 feet with iron sights and then with the LaserLyte sights. Being a lazy bastard, and having the range to myself, I set it up so I could shoot all three distances in succession:

Range positions

There's a target for the G30 and a target for the P226 at the 25, 50, and 75 foot stations. To keep things straight, the G30 was always the target on the left and the P226 on the right. Additionally, the G30 was always fired first, the P226 second. Do it the same way every time and it's easy to keep track of where you are.

For a baseline, I shot all three distances with both guns using iron sights:

G30 25 feet

P226 25 feet

G30 50 feet

P226 50 feet

The astute reader will note the lack of a 75 foot distance target. This is not because I missed entirely (surprisingly, I got the majority of shots in the black at 25 yards), but because I discovered that I was unable to discern the laser dot at the 25 yard distance, rendering the iron sight target a moot point. I fired 10 rounds for the G30 and 15 for the P226; and pistols were fired on an improvised rest (my range bag).

Interesting observation: The LaserLyte sights require a little caution when racking the slide, as my standard grip found my fingers grasping the RSL unit slightly. It only took a very slight adjustment to how I grabbed the slide to pull it back; however it was enough that I had to pause and think about how to best achieve my goal. This is something that needs to be practiced with the new sights, much like remembering to turn the unit on (and off!).

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And now, the moment we've all been waiting for, the actual shooting of laser-sighted guns!

G30 25 feet

P226 25 feet

G30 50 feet

P225 50 feet

I don't know why I had such a problem with the G30 - it was shooting quite a bit low at the onset, which I had to make some pretty significant adjustments for on the fly. The P226, as is evident, was pretty much spot on. Both targets suffered at the greater distances as the dot became harder to see in the sunlight. There was some "searching" needed for the dot - I found myself pointing to a clean grey section of the target then following the dot over to the X-ring. Obviously, this is not exactly conducive to accurate target shooting.

The sights functioned well at the closer distances, which is really what they're intended to be used for. The dot was very quick to acquire at 25 feet even in direct sunlight (shooting was done shortly after 1:00 PM EST). Longer ranges in direct sun required longer sight acquisition times for accuracy roughly equivalent to iron sights. I tried on multiple occasions to discern the dot at the 25 yard target and was simply unable to find it, even using my range binoculars.

One thing that jumped out at me as I was shooting with the laser sights was that it wasn't a panacea for shooting issues. I had expected to sight the laser in on the X-ring, then be able to chew out the X with boring precision. It doesn't work that way at all - things like smooth trigger control, sight picture, etc. are still important and can still wreak havoc with your shooting even with a laser sight. The laser sight does make acquiring the target in a faster manner easier, that's for certain; it does not guarantee a bullseye.

Nor should I have expected it to.

I liked the LaserLyte RSL sights quite a bit. I put over 100 rounds through each gun over the course of the day, and the sights held up admirably. In direct sunlight, the dot is somewhat difficult to resolve quickly at distances beyond typical engagement/practice levels (> 10 yards), but inside of the standard engagement area, it allows for rapid acquisition and accurate shooting and grouping. For self-defensive purposes, the RSL sights function as intended.

From what I've seen in both how the sights function on the range as well as having carried the G30 with the sights for several weeks now, I'm happy to give the LaserLyte RSL laser sights a hearty MArooned endorsement.

Future range trips are planned for the RSL sights. It would be instructive to test them out at an indoor range where the 50 foot accuracy could be improved upon and possibly get some testing at 25 yards. Successive trips to either the indoor range or the outdoor gun club will reveal whether the sights hold their zero or need further calibration after heavy use. So far, all signs are that the LaserLyte RSL sights will do well over the long haul.

And lastly, here's a damn good day at the range:

Mucho Brasso

One of these days I have got to get that reloading press set up...

That is all.

Obligatory FTC disclaimer: LaserLyte did provide two RSL laser sights for review as well as a PB-3 pistol bayonet in their shipment to the writer of this review.