Cheap Pistol Practice

I recently read an article on more accurate pistol shooting. Although several experts contributed, the constant emphasis was on a smoother trigger pull. Bullets have become more scarce and more expensive. I would like to practice without depleting the ammunition I have.

I decided to practice with a laser beam. I could have bought a bore sighter, but I really need only a dot on the wall to tell me if my trigger pull is jerky or smooth. I decided to go to a pet supply store and get a laser toy for teasing cats. It cost less than $6 US. I also bought some Snap Caps for my pistol.

Tools

• Tubing cutter
• Vise
• Angle head grinder and cutting wheel
• Round file

Materials

• 1/2 inch Electrical Metallic Tubing
• Laser toy for cats
• Plastic electrical tape
• Rubber band
• Snap Caps

I cut a piece of Electrical Metallic Tubing about 1 1/4 inches long using the tubing cutter.

The outer diameter of the laser toy is almost exactly 1/2 inch. The inner diameter of the tubing is greater. The switch is a button that must be depressed and held in that position. I cut a lengthwise slit in the tube and used the vise to squeeze it to close the slot. It is necessary to keep the tube from becoming egg-shaped. Rotate the tube in the vise and squeeze as needed to keep the tube round. I found I needed to cut the slot again to reduce the inner diameter sufficiently. When the inner diameter was about right, the laser toy would stay lit. To turn it "on," I press the switch button and slide the laser toy into the tube.

The tubing cutter leaves a ridge inside each end of the tube. I used a round file to remove the ridge. This makes it easier to insert the laser toy.

I may make a more permanent attachment for the metal tube. Right now, a rubber band suffices. I did wrap the metal tube with black electrical tape to protect the finish on the gun barrel. This is not a bore sighter. It is not designed to calibrate the sights. It's purpose is only to make a dot on the wall that can be seen when pointing the pistol.

I loaded the pistol with Snap Caps that function like a bullet in that they protect the firing pin from damage when the pistol is fired, but they have no slug and no explosive charge. The pistol slide must be pulled each time to cock the pistol for firing again.If you look closely, you can see the laser dot on the wall. It appears brighter in actual use. I had to tweak the metal tube in the rubber band mount to align it, but all I need is to notice whether the dot moves when I squeeze the trigger. It is not even necessary that I aim through the pistol's sights. I am looking forward to getting some good practice and muscle memory for a good trigger squeeze and more accurate shooting, but without the cost of using up scarce live ammunition for practice.