Crimson Trace Red Dot Blurring

2379 Views 9 Replies 4 Participants Last post by LCP_Dogg, Sep 17, 2008

kraigster414

Discussion Starter · Sep 17, 2008

I noticed that after cleaning my LCP with the CT attached, I get a little blurring with the red dot - not sure if it's powder residue or from cleaning. I know the instructions say to take the CT off the gun before cleaning but I find that an inconvenience especially since I shoot my LCP a lot. I have been careful not to let solvent or oil get in the housing. The blurring disappears with a little rubbing alcohol applied to the lens.

I know sooner or later I am going to lose one of those two CT set screws - the less I have to take the unit off, the better.

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

Ooben

· #2 · Sep 17, 2008

I haven't had a problem yet, maybe just lucky so far?

Save

kraigster414

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 17, 2008

Mike do you take your CT off before cleaning the gun? I leave mine on (I know the instructions say....). Too much of a hassle with those tiny screws on and off.

Save

LCP_Dogg

· #4 · Sep 17, 2008

FYI, all lasers look like blurs. When you first get it it should look blurry if you get up close. That is just how the diffusion of the laser works. It is not percectly static.

Save

kraigster414

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 17, 2008

No, that's not what I am referring to. In my case the dot is slightly distorted at typical combat distances (using a white wall as a backdrop) due to residue on the lens either caused by powder residue, grime or solvent. It can be taken care of easily with an application of rubbing alcohol.

Save

LCP_Dogg

· #6 · Sep 17, 2008

Oh..

Use some blue locktite on the set screws. Blue means you can still break it loose (don't use the Red kind!!)

Save

CTCdesigner

· #7 · Sep 17, 2008

kraigster,

The lens can get dirty from shooting due to it's location close to the gun barrel. The more you shoot the sooner this can occur. Also, dirty ammo can speed this up. A good cleaning should get the crisp beam back. Also, don't use an excessive amount of oil as this can also foul up the lens. I like to use silicone grease for lube as it less messy than oil.

The threaded holes have brass inserts installed so no need to worry about wearing out the threads. If you loose one of the screws call CTC customer service and request a replacement. The screws can also be gotten from McMaster-Carr. They are 0-80 x 1/2" long socket head cap screws, p/n 91251A059 at $5.25 per pack of 25. I am sure a cheaper source can be found by a google search.

Dan

Save

kraigster414

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 17, 2008

LCP_Dogg said:
Oh..

Use some blue locktite on the set screws. Blue means you can still break it loose (don't use the Red kind!!)

Dogg, I don't see any reason to use Loctite on the CT setscrews. They do not loosen under recoil (at least not noticeably and they don't have to be super tight) from my experience. If they did loosen to the point where the two halves became visually separated (not flush against one another), I'd start with pink Loctite before using blue or just screw them down a little deeper.

Save

kraigster414

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 17, 2008

CTCdesigner said:
kraigster,

The lens can get dirty from shooting due to it's location close to the gun barrel. The more you shoot the sooner this can occur. Also, dirty ammo can speed this up. A good cleaning should get the crisp beam back. Also, don't use an excessive amount of oil as this can also foul up the lens. I like to use silicone grease for lube as it less messy than oil.

The threaded holes have brass inserts installed so no need to worry about wearing out the threads. If you loose one of the screws call CTC customer service and request a replacement. The screws can also be gotten from McMaster-Carr. They are 0-80 x 1/2" long socket head cap screws, p/n 91251A059 at $5.25 per pack of 25. I am sure a cheaper source can be found by a google search.

Dan

Dan, thanks, I also sent you an email.

Folks, if you want to leave your CT on your LCP when cleaning, note what Dan of CT said...best to use grease vs. oil and be careful about getting solvent on the lens - CT recommends putting masking tape on the lens when cleaning. Grease stays put and has less of a chance of migrating into the CT housing/lens like oil. I use Brain Enos' Slide Glide Lite. 25b is another good gun grease.

Save

LCP_Dogg

· #10 · Sep 17, 2008

All good info guys, thanks for sharing!

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month