Night Vision Lasers and tactics

aslrookie

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Mar 19, 2017
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I will start with this: my firearms and equipment are geared towards self defense and the preservation of freedom first, hobbyist second. I used to care about being perceived as a mall ninja, but I’ve given up on caring. So if you’re coming here to post some trash, you won’t get a rise out of me.

I have two SBRs with NV compatible red dots. One is 5.56 and the other is 300blk. The 5.56 has a Unity Tactical FAST mount which makes it pretty easy to passively aim through with my ANVIS 9s. I’m waiting for the mounts to come back in stock so I can put one on the 300blk as well.

I have been figuratively beating my head against the wall about what IR laser/illuminator to go with or even get one at all. I’m considering the fact that I would need two of them, so even the thought of 2 DBALs makes me cringe when I could buy a lot more ammo and etc.

What are lasers actually used for in a military sense? I get the IR laser for marking signals or marking areas/people and the illuminator for seeing better into darker areas. However, you’d still have to practice discipline like white light. You’re not leaving that on all the time.

Seeing better is important, so wouldn’t the most efficient setup be just using an IR illuminator like a strong modlite? We don’t use visible lasers while under white light unless wearing a gas mask.

When I was in the military as a M240B vehicle gunner, we didnt use high speed shit. So my operational experience is none with this stuff.
 
Proper equipment reduces additional rounds down range in error.
My question is: What is the need for protection first? Most people would choose recreation 1st in my opinion, then protection.
PEQ2s or equivalent (DBAL) is always handy when light discipline is necessary or precision shooting in "no light situations".
How often do you actually plan on shooting no light situations versus what can you not do with the current equipment that you have?
 
The laser is for shooting people. Not for marking. People use it that way, but it’s not a primary function. It’s why you zero the laser. As said above ^ peq 15/16 is one series common in the military.

The IR flood light is exactly that. A light, without using white light. It’s useful if your enemy doesn’t also have nods, particularly indoors. There’s a lot of different methods and applications. If you want a white light, that you can use with nods but don’t want a laser than you can use a surefire with a IR filter. Past that I’m not going to get much into. No offense but I don’t know you, and I can’t verify intentions.

It’s unlikely in America that you would have the time to get into full battle rattle with nods down and be ready to fight before whatever was going to happen would happen. Anything else is looking for a fight.
 
Proper equipment reduces additional rounds down range in error.
My question is: What is the need for protection first? Most people would choose recreation 1st in my opinion, then protection.
PEQ2s or equivalent (DBAL) is always handy when light discipline is necessary or precision shooting in "no light situations".
How often do you actually plan on shooting no light situations versus what can you not do with the current equipment that you have?

It's just a different mindset. Some people build 20+lbs bolt guns in wildcat calibers for PRS style games, and I would rather have a rifle that is closer to 12lbs fully equipped and would still take on a backcountry hunt in the mountains or play PRS at a disadvantage. I have no issues with people buying or equipping firearms for hobby or games.

The 2nd Amendment isn't for us to play games. It's to protect life and liberty. It's as if you're some crazy person or paranoid that you would use a firearm or train in this way. If games is all we are doing with guns, then we could play airsoft instead because it would be a lot cheaper and no zoning issues for gun ranges. If I never have to use any of my equipment for protection, that's awesome. I am not wishing for anarchy or another civil war. I will continue to use my NV for plinking and hunting coyotes, but I also won't live under a false security blanket that the world is full of peace, and we are safe from it all.

@Matches Malone

It is unlikely that it would happen. Do you carry a concealed handgun when you leave the house? Do you keep a firearm at your bedside during the night? You're more likely to die in a house fire while sleeping than you are to have a gunfight in your home, or die at the hands of a drunk driver. Yet we take these precautions, yes?
 
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Get training, oriented to your mission, from a reputable company/instructor.


This. If you haven’t had any experience doing it, then the best way to get your feet wet is to learn from professionals. I am a huge fan of learning from books, videos, or whatever I can scrape together on my own; but nightvision stuff is best done in person, and with a professional
 
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The laser in a PEQ is for aiming your rifle at night as well as designating a target or location. The designation is usually done via the full power laser so that its easier to see as well as differentiates from the regular power laser incase others are currently using their lasers to engage targets as well as a diffuser cover that gives the laser a different shape.

Example would be, you take contact, RTR, flank IR chems are out, SL gives orders for the fireteams to move but instead of giving you instructions based on the terrain/structures which some people may not be able to make out at night, they may designate where you are to go with a quick laser. This has risks of its own, but if you already took contact, it is what it is.

Remember, anyone with NODs on can see it. Same for certain kinds of LRFs.

Your laser options are basically this:

- Get a civi grade PEQ of some flavor. The laser is ok but will not have a full power laser. If you never plan to shoot past 200 yards, this is an option. The real problem with the civi units is that all of their illuminators are absolute dogshit. I mean like <50 yards useable and even then a PID sucks. The only civi PEQ I'd look into is the MAWL, as it is full power, pricey and skirts the Class 1/3 rules by using some sort of phased technology. Downside to these are they are like $2500, and I never liked the layout and footprint of them the few times someone had one and I used it.

- Find a PEQ15, PEQ15 or PEQ2A in the secondary market. Downside is there is 0 warranty and you need to do as much research, due diligence and ask for pictures/ask questions to know what to look for to make as sure as possible its not a stolen unit.
 
I think as a 240 gunner, you probably have some varying sort of experience. I'm just asking "what are the current needs for the equipment?" at this time in our country does not require said needs. You can't shoot someone outside your house, so what does longer range "no light" requirements deal with? Shooting Coyotes?

I do plan on having the ability to shoot at night via IR out to 800m someday, but not today, and for fun and training as there is no requirement for this skill until the fit hits the shan and either the Russians or Chinese invade... Unlikely story in either case.

So what is the Need for the equipment? Are you SWAT and NEED the capability to shoot no light to 300m? If so, Get what you need for equipment. If you are a civilian and scared of the Boogieman coming to rob you at night, Get a therapist and a security system and a good dog...

Thank you for your service to our nation, but we left the bullet fight over there; we only train here for the last resort situations, not the first choice solutions.
 
Not sure why "need" should be relevant. Cool thing about America is perhaps he just wants that. That's all that matters.
Sometimes need is a requirement for training. You can run a marathon, but shoes make it a lot easier. Some things are a requirement, like an IR flood light for shooting night trace when training with precision shooting at night (no light) situations. At some point I would like the capability, but right now I don't have the need. Just for fun right now would be great for me, but aslrookie said "I’m considering the fact that I would need two of them" pertaining to IR illuminators. My question is "WHY?"...
 
You can't shoot someone outside your house, so what does longer range "no light" requirements deal with?

You absolutely can shoot someone outside your house in many situations. Check out Texas penal code 9.42, which allows for deadly force to prevent theft or criminal mischief during the night under certain situations. While it may not be advisable, (and you'll almost definitely catch a civil suit at the minimum), it's false to think you have to wait until somebody is inside your house before you can take action.

There are a lot of people here who sound like the anti-2a people..."why do you need...?"
 
Yes, one question we shouldn't have to answer is "Why do you need...". We're Americans, that's good enough reason to own stuff we want. I have the ability to shoot in the dark, just because I want to. I've attended firearm training for situations I would be very very unlikely to encounter, just because I wanted to. And of course I own way more guns and ammo then I'll ever "need".
My neighbor owns a huge gas guzzling RV. Just because he wants it and he can.
 
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I love you enthusiasm!!! Just make sure that they fall inside your house, or pull them inside to render first/last aid...
Just like the Great State of Texas, the Great State of Mississippi, doesn't put up with much crap out of thugs and other ne'er do wells who intend harm on you or others in your immediate vicinity.

In fact, if it is ruled a justified shooting/killing, the offender and his/her family are actually prohibited by State Law from filing a Civil Suit against the Justified Shooter defending themselves or others.

Mississippi probably has the most lenient laws regarding a justified shooting in the entire country and also has Constitutional Carry which allows you to conceal carry without being licensed.

So absolutely ZERO dragging a Coronavirus infested Zombie, thug or other ne'er do well meaning harm to you or yours into your house.

Additionally, even if you are anywhere in public, say Walmart and a thug means harm to the cashier or anyone else, you have the right to defend the innocent by putting down said thug.

"Stand your ground like a man, and give some back" is how the law is down in the Big Muddy.

Yep, it makes some of them bad people think twice before assaulting others.


 
Yes, one question we shouldn't have to answer is "Why do you need...". We're Americans, that's good enough reason to own stuff we want. I have the ability to shoot in the dark, just because I want to. I've attended firearm training for situations I would be very very unlikely to encounter, just because I wanted to. And of course I own way more guns and ammo then I'll ever "need".
My neighbor owns a huge gas guzzling RV. Just because he wants it and he can.

Yes, the pro-anti-bi folks. Whatever fits their narrative of it.
 
Just like the Great State of Texas, the Great State of Mississippi, doesn't put up with much crap out of thugs and other ne'er do wells who intend harm on you or others in your immediate vicinity.

In fact, if it is ruled a justified shooting/killing, the offender and his/her family are actually prohibited by State Law from filing a Civil Suit against the Justified Shooter defending themselves or others.

Mississippi probably has the most lenient laws regarding a justified shooting in the entire country and also has Constitutional Carry which allows you to conceal carry without being licensed.

So absolutely ZERO dragging a Coronavirus infested Zombie, thug or other ne'er do well meaning harm to you or yours into your house.

Additionally, even if you are anywhere in public, say Walmart and a thug means harm to the cashier or anyone else, you have the right to defend the innocent by putting down said thug.

"Stand your ground like a man, and give some back" is how the law is down in the Big Muddy.

Yep, it makes some of them bad people think twice before assaulting others.


If only the whole world would abide by that thinking, or even just do the right thing in the beginning.
 
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