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Small Arms Collimator (SAC)

The Small Arms Collimator (SAC) is a precision optical device that allows military or law enforcement shooters to confirm zero and/or re-zero weapons, to a high level of accuracy, without live fire.

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Collimator vs. Laser Boresight

Photo courtesy of US Army

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Verifying zero on rifles prior to combat is essential, particularly after changing sights or bouncing a weapon around during infil/ movement. Since live-fire checks often aren’t possible, a few alternatives are being explored by the US military. One option is a laser boresight device of some type. The other is the Pyser-SGI Small Arms Collimator (SAC).

While some laser boresights can be a useful tool during the initial mounting of optics, all of them fall well short of the levels of accuracy and repeatability required for zeroing a combat weapon. They also use batteries, emit a visible signature, and need a downrange target.

1. Accuracy
Boresights cannot be guaranteed to produce acceptable accuracy results. A boresight’s laser dot is approximately one to one and a half inches wide at one hundred yards. This limits these systems, ensuring that they are unable to produce one minute of angle (1 MOA) accuracy. Boresights that are inserted into the weapon chamber are resting in the non-accuracy producing part of the weapon. Accuracy is achieved as the bullet rifles its way through the final stages of the barrel, not in the chamber. Also, if the laser is inserted into interchangeable arbors for use in different calibers, an additional factor is introduced that contributes further to the system’s inaccuracy. Boresights that are inserted into the muzzle are using the accuracy producing part of the weapon, but most use interchangeable parts, which reduce accuracy potential. None are manufactured to particularly exacting tolerances. A degree of accuracy still cannot be guaranteed from these devices. Also, unless they have a protective end cap, they have the potential to damage the barrel crown and permanently alter the weapon’s accuracy potential.

Small Arms Collimators are guaranteed to produce accuracy results of 1 MOA or less. The Collimator is inserted into the muzzle, the accuracy producing part of the weapon. It has a protective rubber buffer which prevents damage to the barrel crown. The hardness of the metal spigot is carefully engineered so that it will not damage internal barrel rifling. It has no interchangeable parts to degrade accuracy. It is specifically made for a type of weapon, bullet ballistic profile, and zero range.

2. Repeatability
Boresights are not guaranteed to be repeatable. They will not produce the same accuracy results from boresight to boresight or weapon to weapon.

Collimators produce the same results between collimators and like-weapons. They provide the soldier with a recordable Personal Zero Position (PZP) which allows the soldier to check or re-zero any sight system which they mount to the weapon. It also gives them the ability to transfer this data to any other like weapon and sight system and still maintain zero. They are manufactured to extreme tolerances and are guaranteed to be repeatable to 1 MOA.

3. Batteries
Boresights require batteries, and battery size is typically not interchangeable with other weapon accoutrements, which creates an additional logistical burden.

The Collimator does not require batteries. Low-light and night vision zeroing is aided by an integrated Tritium light source.

4. Light Emission
Laser boresights emit a laser beam that is viewable by the unaided eye and with Night Vision goggles. This endangers the operator when used under tactical conditions.

The Collimator emits no energy and is only viewable to the user, ensuring the service members’ safety during tactical use.

5. Downrange Target
Boresight use requires that a grid target be put out, at a known distance, to allow the laser beam to reflect off of. This is an additional logistical burden and may not be practical during tactical operations.

The Collimator requires no downrange target. All sighting and adjustments are done at the weapon.

Conclusion
While boresights can be a useful tool to mount optics or to get a soldier’s weapon “on paper”, they do not possess the ability to keep a soldier’s weapon zeroed. They also do not allow the soldier to be covert in the use of his or her equipment. Because of these limitations, boresights are not particularly useful to soldiers in the field. Collimators do not have these limitations, and are the best method known for consistently ensuring that soldiers have the ability to use their weapons to their maximum capability. This increases soldier lethality and confidence, which enables them to complete their mission more safely and more effectively. That is why, for the past ten years, Pyser-SGI Small Arms Collimators have been the system of choice for the armed forces of more than thirty countries, to include six NATO nations.

For a PDF copy of our new article on the Critical Importance of Accuracy in a Zero Confirmation Device, CONTACT US

Go to The Small Arms Collimator article.
Go to Why Use the SAC article.
Go to SAC Grid and Reference Points article.
Go to Using the SAC for Training/ BRM article.
Go to Using the SAC in the Operational Environment Article.

Go to the SAC product page.
Go to the SPA Defense SAC product page for GSA sales.

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