Achieve Pinpoint Accuracy: The Ultimate Guide to the Sightmark SM39017 .45 ACP Laser Boresighter Cartridge

For every firearm owner, whether a seasoned hunter, a competitive shooter, or a new enthusiast, the pursuit of accuracy is paramount. An accurately zeroed firearm is not just about hitting the bullseye; it’s about confidence, precision, and responsible shooting. However, the traditional method of zeroing a scope or iron sights can be a time-consuming and expensive endeavor, often requiring dozens, if not hundreds, of rounds of ammunition at the firing range. This is where modern solutions like the Sightmark SM39017 .45 ACP Laser Boresighter Cartridge become an indispensable tool, revolutionizing how shooters prepare their firearms for optimal performance.

What Problem Does a Laser Boresighter Solve for Shooters?

Imagine you’ve just purchased a new handgun chambered in .45 ACP, or perhaps mounted a fresh red dot sight onto your existing pistol. Your immediate challenge is to align your new optic with the barrel’s bore, ensuring that where your reticle points, your bullet will land. Without a boresighter, this process typically involves:

1. Guesswork and Initial Shots: Firing a few rounds, observing the bullet holes, and making significant adjustments.
2. Iterative Adjustments: Repeating the process, slowly walking your point of impact towards the point of aim.
3. Ammunition Consumption: Each adjustment costs you precious rounds, which can quickly add up, especially with popular calibers like .45 ACP.
4. Time Commitment: This can take a considerable amount of time at the range, pulling you away from actual practice or recreational shooting.

The Sightmark SM39017 Laser Boresighter eliminates these frustrations. It projects a precise laser beam directly from your firearm’s barrel, providing an immediate, visual reference point for your sights or optics. This allows for initial adjustments to be made without firing a single shot, saving you significant time and money on ammunition. It’s an essential piece of gear for anyone looking to optimize their shooting experience with efficiency and unparalleled precision.

Who Benefits Most from the Sightmark SM39017?

This versatile tool is designed to serve a broad spectrum of firearm users:

• New Shooters: If you're just starting out, learning how to properly zero your firearm can be daunting. The Sightmark boresighter provides an intuitive, stress-free way to achieve a solid initial zero, building confidence before live-fire practice.
• Experienced Marksmen & Competitive Shooters: For those who demand peak performance, verifying or fine-tuning a zero between range sessions or after cleaning can be crucial. The Sightmark SM39017 offers a quick and reliable method to ensure your firearm is always performing at its best.
• Hunters & Outdoorsmen: Before heading into the field, ensuring your hunting handgun is perfectly sighted is critical. A quick check with the Sightmark boresighter ensures your firearm is ready for that crucial shot, minimizing variables in the field.
• Firearm Enthusiasts & Collectors: Anyone who frequently swaps optics, acquires new firearms, or simply wants to maintain their collection in peak condition will find this a valuable addition to their toolkit.
• Cost-Conscious Shooters: The immediate and tangible savings on ammunition alone make this boresighter a wise investment. Imagine saving dozens of rounds every time you zero a new setup – those savings quickly add up.

Key Features & Advantages of the Sightmark SM39017 Boresight

The Sightmark SM39017 isn't just any boresighter; it's engineered with specific qualities that elevate its performance and user experience.

• Chambered for .45 ACP: This boresighter is meticulously designed to fit perfectly within the chamber of any firearm chambered in .45 ACP, including popular pistols, carbines, and even some revolvers. Its precise fit ensures the laser projects accurately down the bore.
• High-Quality Brass Construction: Unlike some lesser quality plastic or aluminum boresighters, the SM39017 features a durable, machine-tooled brass housing. Brass offers superior durability, dimensional stability, and resistance to wear, ensuring the boresighter maintains its precision over countless uses. It also mimics the feel and fit of an actual cartridge, making insertion and removal seamless.
• Powerful Red Laser Diode: The unit incorporates a bright, highly visible red laser. This powerful laser ensures the dot is easily discernible against various backgrounds, indoors or outdoors, making the zeroing process straightforward and unambiguous.
• Pre-Calibrated for Accuracy: Each Sightmark SM39017 is factory-calibrated to deliver sub-MOA (Minute of Angle) precision. This means the laser beam is emitted in perfect alignment with the bore axis, providing an extremely accurate reference point for sight adjustments. You can trust that the laser's projection truly represents where your barrel is pointing.
• Compact and Portable Design: Weighing mere ounces and no larger than a standard .45 ACP cartridge, the boresighter is incredibly easy to carry in a range bag, pocket, or gun case. Its compact nature means you can have it on hand whenever and wherever you need to check or adjust your firearm’s zero.
• Battery-Powered Convenience: Operated by readily available batteries, the boresighter offers convenient, self-contained power. The twist-cap activation simplifies operation, allowing for quick deployment.

How to Effectively Use the Sightmark SM39017 .45 ACP Laser Boresighter

Using the Sightmark SM39017 is a straightforward process, designed for efficiency:

1. Safety First: Always ensure your firearm is unloaded and safe before beginning any work on it. Remove any ammunition from the vicinity.
2. Insert the Boresighter: Open the firearm’s action (slide back on a pistol, action open on a rifle), and carefully insert the brass cartridge boresighter into the chamber, just as you would a live round. Ensure it seats fully. For pistols, you might need to gently close the slide to hold it in place.
3. Activate the Laser: The Sightmark SM39017 typically activates by twisting the cap or applying pressure as it seats. Once activated, a bright red laser dot will project from the barrel’s muzzle.
4. Position Your Firearm: Place your firearm securely on a stable rest or sandbags, pointed towards a target or a clear wall, ideally 15 to 25 yards away. A longer distance provides a more accurate representation of your zero.
5. Align Your Sights/Optic: Look through your scope, red dot, or iron sights. You will see the laser dot projected on your target. Adjust your optic’s windage and elevation turrets (or drift your iron sights) until your point of aim (the reticle or front sight post) perfectly aligns with the laser dot.
6. Verify and Remove: Once aligned, carefully remove the boresighter from the chamber. You have now established a preliminary zero.
7. Live-Fire Confirmation: While the boresighter provides an exceptional starting point, a final live-fire confirmation at the range is always recommended to account for barrel harmonics, bullet drop, and personal shooting characteristics. However, this confirmation will now require only a few rounds, rather than dozens.

Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Boresighting

Q: Is a laser boresighter truly accurate for zeroing?

A: Yes, the Sightmark SM39017 is factory-calibrated to deliver sub-MOA precision, meaning the laser is extremely accurate relative to the bore axis. It provides an excellent initial zero, drastically reducing the number of live rounds needed for final confirmation. While it doesn't replace live-fire fine-tuning, it gets you on target quickly and efficiently.

Q: Can I use the Sightmark SM39017 for other calibers?

A: No. The Sightmark SM39017 is specifically designed and chambered for .45 ACP firearms. Its dimensions are precisely engineered to fit the .45 ACP chamber for optimal accuracy. Using it in a different caliber firearm would be unsafe and yield inaccurate results.

Q: How long do the batteries last in the boresighter?

A: Battery life can vary depending on the type of battery and usage. However, typical button cell batteries (often included or easily replaceable) offer hours of continuous use. Since boresighting is usually a short process, batteries tend to last for many zeroing sessions. It's always a good idea to carry spare batteries, especially when heading to the range.

Q: Does using a boresighter replace shooting at the range?

A: No, a laser boresighter is a powerful tool for pre-sighting or getting on paper. It saves significant time and ammunition by ensuring your initial shots are close to the bullseye. However, live-fire testing is crucial for final adjustments, verifying true ballistic performance, and accounting for your individual shooting style. Think of it as the ultimate shortcut to precise zeroing.

Q: What is the ideal distance to use a laser boresighter?

A: For handguns like those chambered in .45 ACP, a distance of 15 to 25 yards (or meters) is generally ideal. A closer distance might not show enough deviation for precise adjustments, while an excessively long distance might make the laser dot less visible or introduce more environmental variables.

The Sightmark Standard: Trust and Innovation

Sightmark is a brand synonymous with quality and innovation in the shooting sports industry. Known for producing a wide array of reliable optics, night vision, and shooting accessories, Sightmark has built a reputation for delivering products that meet the demands of both casual and serious shooters. The SM39017 .45 ACP Laser Boresighter Cartridge stands as a testament to this commitment, offering a practical, durable, and highly effective solution for a fundamental aspect of firearm ownership: achieving pinpoint accuracy.

Investing in a tool like the Sightmark SM39017 is an investment in your shooting proficiency, your time, and your ammunition budget. It’s an essential addition to any shooter's kit, ensuring your .45 ACP firearm is always ready to perform at its peak.

These products are all available at DEGuns, your trusted source for quality shooting accessories and firearms.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Description
Model	Sightmark SM39017
Caliber	.45 ACP
Laser Color	Red
Construction	Brass
Accuracy	Pre-calibrated, Sub-MOA
UPC	810119011237