Good quality laser/light for AR?

[Dreamer42]

Some time in the near future I want to pick up a reliable laser/flashlight combo for the rail over the receiver of my S&W AR-15 Sport in front of the iron sight. Since the front sight is in the way, the laser will need to be off-set. I've read that BSA is trash due to recoil, but I don't want to spend $300 for one, either. Any experience with these, guys?

- Dreamer42
CHL Since 2011
USAR Engineers
1987-1997

[gigag04]

My advice is go light only. TLR-1 is very affordable, and if you want to get fancy add a pressure switch.

Lasers on ARs are silly to me, but that shouldn't quench your desire to own one...I just don't see a use.

[The Annoyed Man]

My advice is go light only. TLR-1 is very affordable, and if you want to get fancy add a pressure switch.

Lasers on ARs are silly to me, but that shouldn't quench your desire to own one...I just don't see a use.

[cajunautoxer]

I've been told laser are a must at night time 3 gun matches!

[el_chupo_]

TLR1 is a great option, can be had for ~$100, and newer ones are 300lm. Other versions are available as well.

What is the purpose of having the laser, for your use?

[JSThane]

I know they're pricey, and you said you didn't want to spend big buck$ on it, but... I came to a slightly different conclusion than a rail or barrel-mounted laser/light combo.

My "tacticool" AR has an Eotech 512 sitting on top (okay, -technically- it is a laser, but the target can't see it) with iron sights to co-witness, and a Surefire G2 sitting in a rail mount underneath. My reasoning: the Eotech is great for aimed "snap shots" from the shoulder as well as truly aimed shots up to several hundred yards away, while for "instinct shots" (ie, not aimed-in, but close range point/shoot from either shoulder or hip) I just center the target in the spot from the flashlight. If a target is far enough away that I can't instinct-shoot with the flashlight spot, then it's far enough away for me to have time to look through my sights or optic, and actually aim - and the light is bright enough I can use the iron sights, as well as Eotech, to aim.

Lasers on rifles seem a bit superfluous to me. But all this is "according to Thane" and according to how I'm accustomed to shooting. Your mileage may vary.

Besides, as has been said, it's your gun, and you want a laser, so that's reason enough to have one. "Because I can" is the reasoning behind MOST of my guns and gadgetry as it is!

Good luck in your search. I hope I contributed something useful; if not, well, I hope I was amusing.

[Dreamer42]

I have a friend who has 20 acres in NE Texas. We're going to hunt hogs. Just this last weekend I bought a laser/light combo that sits low over the receiver of my M&P 15 sport. Each has its own pressure switch. There is still enough room for me to use the iron sights w/o lights. Thanks for ya'lls input.

- Dreamer42
NRA
USAR Engineers

[shipwreck]

I had a Lasermax Uni-Max laser with a pressure switch for a while. Worked great and held zero fine. You could get that, and always throw a TRL1 light on top of it. The unit has its own rail to attach another item to it. That or the TRL2.

For cheap lasers, you generally get what you pay for.