How to Bore Sight a Pistol

How to Bore Sight a Pistol

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Generally, bore sighting a handgun is impractical and is not a common practice. Handguns are close range weapons and are not typically equipped with optics. However, handguns used for hunting (usually revolvers) are often mounted with scopes; these handguns can be sighted in using a laser bore sighter. The procedure is similar to bore sighting a rifle, but at a closer range. The laser bore sighter must be end mounted and capable of accommodating large calibers.

Items you will need

  • Laser bore sighter (end mounted)

  • Scoped handgun

  • Small flat-head screwdriver

  • Paper target

Step 1

Prepare a paper target at approximately 50 feet.

Step 2

Adjust the boresighter to fit your pistol's caliber by attaching the proper sized plastic arbor (included with the laser boresighter) to the end of the boresighter with a screwdriver.

Step 3

Place the end of the boresighter into the handgun barrel.

Step 4

Turn on the boresighter.

Step 5

Use your scope to aim your pistol at the target and observe the location of the laser on the target.

Step 6

Adjust the pistol scope of so that the crosshairs center on the laser. Move the crosshairs by turning the dial on the side of the scope counter-clockwise for right and clockwise for left; turn the dial on top of the scope counter-clockwise for up and clockwise for down. When the scope crosshairs intersect on the laser, the scope is zeroed in.

Step 7

Turn off your laser boresighter and remove it from the barrell.

Warnings

  • Before attempting to bore sight your pistol, check that the weapon is unloaded.
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