Perhaps not. It seemed like you were insinuating that IR lasers were not useful for civilians. Did I misunderstand you?
Useless firearms accessories
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Zaydok Allen
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I originally asserted that lasers in general were a trigger training aid, and I didn’t think they were good for much else unless a person is wicked old and can’t really use iron sights.
Someone brought up IR lasers, and I was saying I saw the benefits for military and law enforcers but not really civilians.
Browning pointed out they have a real benefit for civilians when it comes to feral hog elimination. I agree, and acknowledge I hadn’t considered that.
Lasers have their place and a few uses. So I’m basically acknowledging my assertions were incorrect. They don’t have a lot of use for me, even though I own two, but they do for others.
However useful or not, there’s no reason for the government to limit them, or any firearm accessory really, from law abiding citizens to own. Your response insinuated that I was saying they shouldn’t be available. I wasn’t.
I think we’re on the same page.
dogtown tom
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How old is "wicked old" to you?
I first started using "readers" and bifocals at age 45. Started using red dots and lasers around age 55 and in the last year, RMR's. They make shooting accurately MUCH easier.
Based on the number of my customers who have difficulty reading the Form 4473, I'm guessing "wicked old" is anyone over age 40.
herrwalther
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Noticed the same. I think there are very few completely useless items for everyone. After all, most of the things mentioned are commercially made so there is a demand somewhere.
Only time I ever cursed out carrying around a 203 was when I did so with a 1 point sling. No bueno. Give me a 2 or 3 point to carry anything above a regular M4 setup. After the 203 I was AG on a gun team so I learned to manage weight well.
Zaydok Allen
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I was thinking more like 80’s. Old folks get victimized and an aiming aid could certainly be a benefit there where severely degraded eye sight, or shaky hands make iron sights truly difficult to use. If someone has a reason to use one sooner, that’s cool.
I’ve seen them used to the detriment of a new shooter at the range. It’s skewed my opinion.
But I’ve already altered my thinking.
Impaired vision is real. Lasers can help. Though that’s scary to think about.
caribou
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The open sights on an issue Carcano seem sorta useless.........LOL!
OrangeCat
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Oh the 203 seems like an excellent weapon especially when you need to negate some cover. I would be concerned about how it changes the handling of an AR15/Mxx rifle but if I were going to be shot at I don't think I would complain too much (maybe try and make someone else responsible for it but I would shut up soon) but I have never actually gotten a chance to play with one and if we're being honest the grenade launcher from Apocalypse Now (M79?) Looks like more fun if we're at a Vegas shooting range playing with the NFA goodies.
RedlegRick
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While I can't say how good a 203 is in actual combat, I can attest to how much a PITA it is carrying on a ten-mile road march. Slung on your shoulder, the launcher barrel dug into my ribs just under my armpit, port arms got old fast, and we didn't have the fancy single point slings they have today, just that cheap 2" nylon belt they were issued with.
Can't believe I'm saying this, but my 60 was actually easier to carry in some ways, even with the added weight. And before you razz me for being weak, I was a 155 gunner, routinely handling hundred pound projos manually, and was in the best shape of my life then.
So yes, those flare gun launchers masquerading as 203s are nothing more than cosmetic range toys.
To be fair, the fact that there is demand for something doesn't make it "useful". Ever hear of fidget spinners, or just about any smartphone game in existence?
herrwalther
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Indeed it is. The cover either becomes ineffective or the target breaks from cover to avoid getting blown up. Either way, very effective. The 203 also made a very useful flare and smoke launcher, for when throwing with your arm was just too far. Being a 203 gunner was my first specialized weapon duty after a brief stint as a rifleman, and I really liked the 203, was very effective at it as well. Unfortunately I spent most of my time as a AG for a 240, and they don't put 203s in those teams.
Useful is subjective. Do you have any idea how calming "useless" phone games or fidget spinners are to an autistic child? Incredibly. So while someone might think suppressors are useless, many don't. Same thing with lasers, the tactical sack, and pistol bayonets. Someone, somewhere has a use for it.
Hope you're not expecting Grandkids. No trigger guard is a recipe for a hole in ones self.
.308 Norma
Member
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Hope you're not expecting Grandkids. No trigger guard is a recipe for a hole in ones self.
That's exactly what I didn't like about the Clipdraw I threw in the desk "junk drawer."
But no, we are not expecting any more grandkids - we already have 4, and our daughter's youngest graduated from high school a couple of months back. Her fiancé, the one with the Glock with a Clipdraw on it, is her second fiancé. Her first husband died a few years ago - not of an accident involving a gun BTW, but of a heart attack.
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Fair enough. My point still stands though, I think. High demand does not automatically mean a given item is "useful" in general.
.308 Norma
Member
In my opinion, that Remington “Accelerator” ammo belongs on the list of useless firearms accessories. I did a few Google searches, and I’m not sure Remington even makes it anymore – maybe in .30-06, but certainly not in .30-30, and probably not in .308 Winchester.
Demi-human
maybe likes firearms a little bit…
Whilst investigating the Clipdraw site, for a new P32 I've picked up, I found the most recent and truly remarkable piece of useless firearms technology.
The Smart Slide! For glocks!
That's right! Feel inadequate for not being able to count to fifteen no longer!
The Smart Slide has a digital readout to indicate loaded or empty chamber, shots fired, rounds left in the magazine, why it even keeps a date and time of all the rounds fired from it.
Perfect for the forgetful gang banger. "Did I gat that sucker last night, or Thursday? "
Or anyone an over reaching prosecutor wishes to charge with perjury. "You said you defended yourself last night at nine. Your Glock slide says you fired at nine twenty, which of you is lying?"
Or the ever popular, "You fired twenty-eight times, that doesn't sound like self defense..."
Now knowing how many rounds you've fired or have left is not just for fourth graders any more!
For the low, low price of One Thousand Dollars (!?
) you can have a battery powder glock slide for Dummies.
The Smart Slide! Coming Q4 2019
By Radetec. A Clipdraw company. A subsidiary of Kablamco.
(Puchasing a Smart Slide does not actually increase Intelligence Quotient. Some side effects have been noted, such as added weight, clean fingernails, a new love of white wine, proclivity toward man-buns, speaking while eyes are closed while teetering head and raucous laughter from any level-headed friends that still talk to you.
( Please note that if you are thinking of purchasing a Smart Slide you should have been evaluated by a certified mental health professional first so ensure you have enough neurons to be safely left alone with a firearm...)
The Smart Slide! For glocks!
That's right! Feel inadequate for not being able to count to fifteen no longer!
The Smart Slide has a digital readout to indicate loaded or empty chamber, shots fired, rounds left in the magazine, why it even keeps a date and time of all the rounds fired from it.
Perfect for the forgetful gang banger. "Did I gat that sucker last night, or Thursday? "
Or anyone an over reaching prosecutor wishes to charge with perjury. "You said you defended yourself last night at nine. Your Glock slide says you fired at nine twenty, which of you is lying?"
Or the ever popular, "You fired twenty-eight times, that doesn't sound like self defense..."
Now knowing how many rounds you've fired or have left is not just for fourth graders any more!
For the low, low price of One Thousand Dollars (!?
) you can have a battery powder glock slide for Dummies.The Smart Slide! Coming Q4 2019
By Radetec. A Clipdraw company. A subsidiary of Kablamco.
(Puchasing a Smart Slide does not actually increase Intelligence Quotient. Some side effects have been noted, such as added weight, clean fingernails, a new love of white wine, proclivity toward man-buns, speaking while eyes are closed while teetering head and raucous laughter from any level-headed friends that still talk to you.
( Please note that if you are thinking of purchasing a Smart Slide you should have been evaluated by a certified mental health professional first so ensure you have enough neurons to be safely left alone with a firearm...)
Deus Machina
Member
Well, at least it's a proof of concept... I could see the technology being useful in some other applications, but not really on handguns.
For me, it's things like 1.5x scopes and dot sights. I've always wanted either higher magnification or my depth perception. Trying to use any magnification at all needs me to close the other eye. I do fine using red dots with both open, but focusing one through magnification very quickly leaves me disoriented, headachey, or feeling sick. And red-dot distance hasn't needed magnification in my experience. I do like a clear, small dot, though. Always preferred the 3moa over the larger ones.
It must work for some people, they're just useless to me.
For me, it's things like 1.5x scopes and dot sights. I've always wanted either higher magnification or my depth perception. Trying to use any magnification at all needs me to close the other eye. I do fine using red dots with both open, but focusing one through magnification very quickly leaves me disoriented, headachey, or feeling sick. And red-dot distance hasn't needed magnification in my experience. I do like a clear, small dot, though. Always preferred the 3moa over the larger ones.
It must work for some people, they're just useless to me.
Ignition Override
Member
A scope. Never had any, on any gun.
If.....your vision is good and have really good iron sights for your objective.
If.....your vision is good and have really good iron sights for your objective.
The Evangelist Cowboy
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Peephole sights on a handgun.
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