{"id":402293,"date":"2023-06-22T13:00:56","date_gmt":"2023-06-22T18:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/?p=402293"},"modified":"2026-01-06T14:28:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T20:28:33","slug":"site-rite-9mm-laser-bore-sighter-its-a-good-thing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/site-rite-9mm-laser-bore-sighter-its-a-good-thing\/","title":{"rendered":"Site-Rite 9mm Laser Bore Sighter: It’s a Good Thing"},"content":{"rendered":"

The increasing popularity of handgun optics means pistol shooters are now doing something that was more usually reserved for long guns: bore sighting. As with rifles, zeroing a handgun optic can be frustrating and time-consuming. It can also be expensive, especially the way ammo prices have been over the last few years. Fortunately, laser bore sighters are a thing, and Site-Rite makes zeroing your pistol almost painless.<\/p>\n

\"Sight-Rite
The Site-Rite Laser Bore Sighter is a valuable tool. (Author’s Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An Emerging Need<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Most pistols are accuracy tested before leaving the factory. I love companies that include the target. I just think it\u2019s a nice touch. So, the factory iron sights are almost always dialed in right out of the box.<\/p>\n

Optics are another story. Just like rifle scopes, the shooter must zero each optic to the gun and the shooter himself. Or herself. Also, like rifle scopes, getting rounds \u201con paper\u201d is usually the most frustrating part of the process. Bore sighting speeds up and even eliminates that part of live fire zeroing. Laser-bore sighters save you time and they pay for themselves through saved ammo. How soon those savings are realized depends on how many optics you zero, but the time savings come quickly.<\/p>\n

\"Sight-Rite
The Site-Rite laser cartridge fits right in your firearm’s chamber, guaranteeing accuracy. (Author’s Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Laser bore sighters can also be used at home. So, you can get the time-consuming part out of the way before you even roll onto the range. That\u2019s a big deal, especially if you use a public facility where you have to wait for the range to go cold every 30 minutes.<\/p>\n

Laser Bore Sighters<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are two basic styles of laser bore sighters. One is \u2018universal,\u201d while the other is caliber specific. The universal variety inserts into the firearm\u2019s muzzle. It has adapters to fit various calibers. It works with rifles and pistols. I tried one of those but didn\u2019t care for it. I liked the concept, but the battery access was a real pain. That was made worse by the finicky battery life that seems endemic to laser bore sighters. At least the ones I\u2019ve used. It was also significantly more expensive than the caliber-specific models.<\/p>\n

The Site-Rite laser bore sighters that I\u2019ve come to prefer are caliber specific. The downside is that you have to buy more than one, though most are compatible with several calibers. The upside is that they are far simpler to use, including changing the batteries. Ease of use is what swung me that way.<\/p>\n

\"Pistol
Make certain you have a stable base. (Author’s Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Unlike the universal bore sighter, the Site-Rite is shaped like an ammunition cartridge. It inserts right into the chamber. That means you don\u2019t have to fool with adapters or adjust the muzzle insert. Plus, seating the bore sighter in the chamber ensures accuracy every time.<\/p>\n

A Word About Batteries<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The laser bore sighters I\u2019ve used have all demonstrated inconsistent, and sometimes downright poor, battery life. Sometimes I get 30 or 40 minutes before the laser fails altogether or becomes so dim that it can\u2019t be seen past a few feet, even indoors. Sometimes I only get three or four minutes before that happens. I don\u2019t know whether I\u2019ve been singularly unlucky, or if that\u2019s just the way it is. But I\u2019ve used five or six different examples, so I tend to think that battery issues are just a feature of laser bore sighters.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, the batteries are cheap. I buy 10-packs for $5 or $6 and just keep them around. So, with inconsistent batteries, the ease of changing those batteries has become a fairly big deal for me. That\u2019s a big reason I prefer the Site-Rite products over the others I\u2019ve tried. Just screw off the \u201ccartridge head,\u201d dump the old batteries, and insert the new ones. Screw the head back on. Quick and easy.<\/p>\n

\"Disassembled
Battery changes are easy on the Site-Rite bore sighter. (Author’s Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bore Sighting Your Pistol Optic with Site-Rite<\/strong><\/h2>\n