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So, I've been wanting a green laser sight for my handgun ever since they came out a few years ago, but the prices are insane (at least to me). But after finding this website/forum, I'm wondering if I (or someone w/ more skills than me) could make my own green laser sight? My knowledge about making laser pointers is almost nil, so I have no idea if it's even possible, given the recoil environment of a handgun the laser would have to withstand. Nevermind the small size it would have to be in order to be practical.
Here are a few green laser sight manufacturers that I've found so far:
AimShot
AimSHOT 8268 Pistol Green Laser Flashlight
5mW, 532nm,
$150 via Midway
Beamshot
BEAMSHOT Laser Sight 8300 - Quarton USA, Inc.
<5mW, 532nm, class IIIa
$300
LaserMax
Uni Green Laser Sight Green Laser Gun Sight
5mW, 532nm
Spot Size: 5/16" @ 7 Yds; 3/4" @ 25 Yds
$399
Viridian Green Laser Sights
http://www.viridiangreenlaser.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=41
5mW peak, 532nm, Class IIIa, Continuous Wave
Beam divergence/spot size/range: 1.2 mrad, approx. 0.5" diameter at 50 feet, 2 mile range
2.25" high!
$299
All of these lasers mount on an accessory rail in front of the trigger guard, and are operated by a switch.
Another type of laser is actually inside the guide rod of the firearm. This makes me wonder just how small the components of any laser sight could be, and how "easy" it might be to DIY one. The guide rod version can also be found here:
LaserMax
Laser for Springfield XD Service and Compact 9mm Laser Sight
Internal Guide Rod
5mW, 635nm (red-orange), blinks
$349
I've also seen a grip-based laser system, where you either replace the grip sidestraps on a handgun, or add it onto the grip. Here's an example:
Crimson Trace
Laser Sight For Springfield Armory XD 9mm, .357 SIG, .40 S&W & .45 GAP | Crimson Trace Laser Grips
5mW, 633 nm (red)
$329
I'm hoping someone on this forum could shed some light on the design principals of a DIY laser sight, and its components. And even if it would be possible to build such a thing with commercially-available components.
Just how small can laser diodes be? A guide rod is NOT very big at all, yet a red laser and battery pack fit inside somehow.
What sort of power source do 5mW lasers need? The smaller the system, the smaller the battery needed. Just how small can you go and still provide enough power?
What material can the housing be? Must it be metal? Plastic/Polymer? Must there be holes in it for the heat to escape? How much heat is generated?
I'm sorry for so many questions. But the thought of a DIY laser sight intrigues me, but I'm a total newbie when it comes to laser sights! If anyone has any input (both constructive and destructive criticism welcome) into a project like this, I'm all ears!
If you need more info, or have questions, please let me know.
Thank you.
Here are a few green laser sight manufacturers that I've found so far:
AimShot
AimSHOT 8268 Pistol Green Laser Flashlight
5mW, 532nm,
$150 via Midway
Beamshot
BEAMSHOT Laser Sight 8300 - Quarton USA, Inc.
<5mW, 532nm, class IIIa
$300
LaserMax
Uni Green Laser Sight Green Laser Gun Sight
5mW, 532nm
Spot Size: 5/16" @ 7 Yds; 3/4" @ 25 Yds
$399
Viridian Green Laser Sights
http://www.viridiangreenlaser.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=41
5mW peak, 532nm, Class IIIa, Continuous Wave
Beam divergence/spot size/range: 1.2 mrad, approx. 0.5" diameter at 50 feet, 2 mile range
2.25" high!
$299
All of these lasers mount on an accessory rail in front of the trigger guard, and are operated by a switch.
Another type of laser is actually inside the guide rod of the firearm. This makes me wonder just how small the components of any laser sight could be, and how "easy" it might be to DIY one. The guide rod version can also be found here:
LaserMax
Laser for Springfield XD Service and Compact 9mm Laser Sight
Internal Guide Rod
5mW, 635nm (red-orange), blinks
$349
I've also seen a grip-based laser system, where you either replace the grip sidestraps on a handgun, or add it onto the grip. Here's an example:
Crimson Trace
Laser Sight For Springfield Armory XD 9mm, .357 SIG, .40 S&W & .45 GAP | Crimson Trace Laser Grips
5mW, 633 nm (red)
$329
I'm hoping someone on this forum could shed some light on the design principals of a DIY laser sight, and its components. And even if it would be possible to build such a thing with commercially-available components.
Just how small can laser diodes be? A guide rod is NOT very big at all, yet a red laser and battery pack fit inside somehow.
What sort of power source do 5mW lasers need? The smaller the system, the smaller the battery needed. Just how small can you go and still provide enough power?
What material can the housing be? Must it be metal? Plastic/Polymer? Must there be holes in it for the heat to escape? How much heat is generated?
I'm sorry for so many questions. But the thought of a DIY laser sight intrigues me, but I'm a total newbie when it comes to laser sights! If anyone has any input (both constructive and destructive criticism welcome) into a project like this, I'm all ears!
If you need more info, or have questions, please let me know.
Thank you.