Performance of a flash-lamp-pumped Nd:YAG laser with optically coated short-wavelength-cut tubes has been investigated. The laser rod or the flash lamps were covered with the coated tubes, which reflect radiation of wavelengths less than 0.5 µm. The experimental results show a 10% increase in the polarized laser output power and a 40% reduction of the rod-heating power when coated tubes are used for either the flash lamps or the rod.