Gunsmithing - Handgun Boresighting

01/13/13: Added pic of pistol in clamp, target dot.
08/15/11: Page Origin.

Handgun Boresight Setup In My Garage
We really like the TruGlo TFO sites, and replaced all the factory sights on our pistols with them, so I had to have an alignment setup when I installed them.   I built a basic support stand then a pistol and a revolver jig and put a small target at the other end of the garage (about 18' away).   I use a laser inserted into the barrel, align the dot on the target, then look over ths sights to see where I am.   The jig also works on firearms which have laser sights.   To align laser sights, align the boresight laser's dot with the laser sight's dot.   The next time we buy a firearm, I'll take pics while I'm changing and aligning the sights.  



The bore sight stand clamped into the end vise of my woodworking bench.   The pistol jig is on the workbench to the left.


The pistol Jig.   The 1/4" pads at the top grip the slide, this works on all the pistols we own.   The vertical on the right is glued to the base, the vertical on the left has a tennon which fits, very loosely, into a mortise on the bottom, allowing it to move right and left.   The pistol jig clamps on to the base boresight jig.


This is the way its used.   Note the boresight laser is on.   I get the dot in the center of the target, then rotate the laser 90° at a time to be sure it stays in the center of the target.


A little farther away, I can stand and look over the sight, with the gun at arms length, for the laser's dot on the target.   I have to stand at arms length to focus the sights and the target, so the bench is about 4 feet from the end of the shop (door in this case).


The front of the Revolver Jig.   The barrel lays in the notch, the padded parts clamp on the grips.


Pistol jig on the stand.


Looking thru the jig to the target.


Heres the target at the other end of the shop and about 18ft. from the pistol clamp.   Note the light, it helps see the target from the other end of the shop.   You might also note the Harbor Freight ultrasonic case cleaner just below the target.


Heres the laser dot on the target from a pistol in the clamp.   The laser dot confuses my camera's auto focus.   I move the woodworking bench around with a handgun clamped in the jig, until the dot aligns with the target's center.   Then I look over the sights to see where I am.   If I have to adjust the sights, I do this again, once the table is aligned, its usually easy to take the gun out, align it's sights, replace it, then only a slight adjustment to get the dot in the center of the target.