Red Dots on Shotguns?

Torontogosh · Aug 25, 2012

So, I'm moving around some glass when I come up with an extra red dot (Vortex Strike fire that was on an AR). I didn't have much purpose for it, so, I figured I'd chuck it onto my Mossberg 935, I mean, hell, it has a top rail...

Anyway, I'll shoot it eventually just to see if it plays out, but is this practiced anywhere outside Call of Duty games ?

For the record, I'm not a mall ninja. I'm a mall samurai (Like any toys we want to buy are at the mall...)

Midnight Raver · Aug 26, 2012

Makes sense while using slugs at longer ranges for hunting purposes. Looks pretty good that way too- hey, why not? Places like The Socialist Republic of Moscowchusetts have not allowed rifles bigger than .22LR/Mag due to high population longer than I've been around. Shotguns are the only option in whatever areas that still can be hunted now.

Parhams0508 · Aug 27, 2012

You can use them to hunt with as well. Burris FastFire were designed to get fast and accurate shot placement for skeet and bird hunting.

Ken · Sep 19, 2012

I've got a Burris Fast Fire III on one of my Saigas and I'm liking it so far. Picked up a 12 gauge bore laser off eBay and dialed it in. Works well.

bigfutz · Sep 21, 2012

Here's a new one from Redring, MSRP $899!
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/0 ... gun-sight/

Ken · Sep 21, 2012

bigfutz said:
Here's a new one from Redring, MSRP $899!
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/0 ... gun-sight/

Looks nice but I have a rule of thumb, never pay more for any one accessory than the weapon itself costs. :mrgreen:

I was looking at some green lasers someone was talking about and they started at $1k

bigfutz · Sep 23, 2012

Ken said:
Looks nice but I have a rule of thumb, never pay more for any one accessory than the weapon itself costs. :mrgreen:

Well I guess you don't do any long range shooting then.

Ken said:
I was looking at some green lasers someone was talking about and they started at $1k

I got one for $35 :lol: For real, if it costs $1k it better have an atomic battery or include a coulple cases of ammo or something!

Ken · Sep 23, 2012

bigfutz said:
Well I guess you don't do any long range shooting then.

No I don't but it did occur to me after I made this post that in discussions I've seen about shooting long range that it makes perfect sense to put a $1,000 scope on a $500 rifle. I'm working on hitting stuff close to me but someday I may try "reaching out".

bigfutz said:
I got one for $35 :lol: For real, if it costs $1k it better have an atomic battery or include a coulple cases of ammo or something!

Yeah, I hear this. Sometimes when your seeing input from certain types of shooters, ex-military especially you see some exotic stuff. What as mentioned specifically is DBAL which is way overkill for most people's purposes;

http://www.opticsplanet.com/laser-devic ... 532nm.html

bigfutz · Sep 23, 2012

Absolutely. I would spare no expense if the targets were the type that shoot back. For my purposes, a $35 green laser that may not work at temps under 50F and that might fall apart at any moment is cost effective amusement. I also like the cheap stuff for experimenting and looking for where I would like to invest. So if a paticular item is useful but... well then I may buy a nicer one.

But back on topic, I can't see myself ever putting a $900 optic on a scatter gun. The trap and skeet pros don't even use the bead.

Ken · Sep 23, 2012

I had to read back to see how this thread got on lasers and I did it. I mentioned the green laser as an example of such things that can get very expensive. The reason I was looking at them in the first place was not for use on any of my shotguns, I thought about putting one on my MAK90. I usually look at the low end and then go up a notch or two.

The Burris FF III is working well so far and I wouldn't see the need to spend any more even if I had it to spend.

bigfutz · Sep 23, 2012

My friends and I joke about trying to shoot skeet using a laser sight.

Ken · Sep 24, 2012

bigfutz said:
My friends and I joke about trying to shoot skeet using a laser sight.

Ha, this made me smile, I can only imagine. I'm not certain I'd want one on any gun I have. I see guys at the range with them and maybe they help but all I see is a red dot going all over the place. And just like a flashlight, in a home defense or other similar situation, it may help you acquire the target but it can also help the target acquire you.