I was surprised not long ago by the delivery of a box from LaserMax. Inside was their new Sabre Laser Aiming Device (LAD) in the proper size for my Glock Model 19 9mm. I had a couple of thoughts immediately upon opening it: how easy would it be to install? Would my holsters still secure the weapon with the LAD attached? Was it adjustable for windage and elevation? These questions and more were easily answered as I went through the evaluation process. Here's what I found out.
Installation was very easy. So well known for their LADs that replace the recoil spring guide rod, lasers that mount on the outside of the weapon are a relatively new focus for LaserMax. They started with the UniMax and now have introduced the Sabre models. Let's face it - you can only mount an LAD on a weapon so many different ways. Having pioneered those that mount internally LaserMax is now rounding out its line. There are, after all, some people who would rather not mess with the internals of their weapons. The Sabre line gives Glock owners another option.
To mount the Sabre LAD you first make sure you're working with an unloaded weapon. No magazine. No round in the chamber. Check twice and then check again. Using the punch provided with the Sabre unit you push out the Trigger Mechanism Housing Pin. Mount the Sabre LAD and push in the roll pin LaserMax provides with the unit. That mounts the LAD to your Glock and all you need to do is zero the LAD to the weapon.
Prior to going to the range for confirmation / final adjustment shots, you can adjust the LAD to your mechanical sights. If you are familiar enough with your pistol to know what the point of aim / point of impact relationship is with your chosen ammo at a given range you can even zero the LAD to THAT point prior to range time. I'm blessed in that the sights on my Glock 19 9mm are, from the 15 yard line, pretty much POA=POI (if I do my part and don't screw up the shot). So I pre-zeroed the LAD to my mechanical sights at a 15 yard distance. With the weapon held steady I would get a good sight alignment and the red dot sits just on top of my front sight. That pre-zeroing was followed by final zero work at the range. I guess I should note that the allen wrench necessary to adjust the LAD for windage and elevation is include in the package.
With the LAD mounted and zeroed there follows two more questions:
- How well does it fit in holsters?
- What happens when you have to replace the battery?
Holster fit was a problem. My duty holster / work holster of choice is the BLACKHAWK! SERPA Level III - and my Glock w/ the Sabre LAD installed doesn't fit into the holster. One of my preferred off-duty holsters is a leather pancake holster and the weapon doesn't fit in it either. The open-top leather holsters that I have for my Glock the weapon will fit into with the Sabre LAD attached.
Battery replacement is easy and does not require you to remove the unit from the pistol. Using the supplied allen wrench you take off the battery cover at the top of the unit. Replace the battery and then re-install the battery cover and tighten. Since you don't remove the unit from the pistol you don't change the zero of the unit.
Increased Functionality
Now, I know people who prefer a "steady on" LAD and I know people who prefer a blinking LAD. The Sabre unit offers the versatility of both. There is an "OFF - ON - BLINK" switch at the back of the unit on the end of what would be the beaver tail (if it was a government model pistol). All the way to the left is OFF. First position over, when you push the activation button (normally performed when a natural grip is secured on the weapon) gives you a steady on project laser. The next position, all the way to the right, gives you a fast blinking projected laser, again, when you grip the weapon and push the activation button.
According to the LaserMax Sabre page the unit retails for $219. LaserMax makes two different models to fit full size and mid-size Glocks. According to that web page they are not currently making a Sabre LAD for the 10mm or .45ACP caliber weapons. 9mm, .40S&W, .357Sig and .45GAP are covered for the large and compact models, but not the sub-compact models (and who really wants or needs an LAD on a pocket gun?). A quick search online for "LaserMax Sabre" found one of these units for sale at $193.75, so shop around before you buy one.
Stay Safe!
