laser

[txglocker23]

whats the best laser to get for my g23?

[Greg-Dawg®]

Check this out!!! Also doing a search on different brands can help. Just my opinion. (http://glocktalk.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=125)

[G33]

Had one of the first guide rod models.
Was OK.
No way to adjust it, however.
Recoil or .357 Sig turned it on and off also.
:sad:

The new one that goes on the grip can be adjusted.
Would look at it.
:supergrin:

[Timmah!]

Originally posted by txglocker23
whats the best laser to get for my g23?

The best use I've seen for any of these things is as a cat toy. Seriously, any laser I've seen in use has been troublesome. Invest in a decent handheld light.

Handhelds are useful in many ways. Lasers? Not so much.

Tim

[RayB]

Originally posted by txglocker23
whats the best laser to get for my g23?


To address your question...

There are several good offerings out there. Some are laser only, others combine a rail-mounted tactical light with a targeting laser.

Among the dedicated lasers, Crimson Trace and LaserMax seem to be the most popular.

This has proved to be an issue here at Glock Talk, that polarizes many members into two brand-camps. I will try to be objective...

Crimson Trace is an excellent product that more or less mounts permanently outboard on the pistol. It does change the outward appearance of the gun; it does impact the pistol's ergonomics, as it changes the grip angle; and it does impact your holster selection. It is an auto-on design, and is adjustable for windage and elevation. The product has proved to be accurate and durable.

LaserMax is an excellent product that mounts inboard on your Glock. It does not affect the appearance or ergonomics of the gun, but does not work well with some holster designs, due to the location of the on/off switch. As a matter of function, the LaserMax replaces the OEM guide rod & recoil spring assembly (see attached), which can readily be swapped out for extended range practice. LaserMax has a 3-year warranty.

My experience is limited to the latter, as we have LaserMax units on our G21 and G19, and are well pleased with them. In both cases, collimation of the beam was dead-on right out of the box. Both guns have functioned flawlessly with LaserMax, over thousands of rounds.

Crimson Trace and Lasermax are first-rate manufacturers, and offer great customer service.

--Ray

[Nathan2003]

Crimson trace.

This is based off of nothing as I have never used a laser on my G22 with the exception of the Streamlight M6, which now resides in my rifle case.

A good flashlight will be more usefull.

[fuzzface]

I put a Crimson Trace on my 23 about 4 months ago, and really like it. I use it at home in dry fire to practice keeping steady trigger control. Really helped my groups at the range!

[dglockster]

I just recently got Crimson Trace for my G32. Have not yet had time to sight it in. Very easy to install and they provide the tool for you to use to do so.

However, I have visited the websight, www.crimsontrace.com several times and like what I have been reading in the forums.

BTW, if you buy before, I think, the end of September, the company will provide you with free batteries for the life of the laser.

[Bear Rider]

Originally posted by Timmah!
The best use I've seen for any of these things is as a cat toy. Seriously, any laser I've seen in use has been troublesome. Invest in a decent handheld light.

Handhelds are useful in many ways. Lasers? Not so much.

Tim

Tim,

The problem is, lasers are NOT illumination devices. They are simply a targeting system, for aiming the weapon at an already identified target, in light too dim to use iron sights. They are probably the fasted method of all for those of us with older eyes who see even night sights as nothing but fuzzy dots except at high noon on a clear summer day.

By the way, I've been carrying a Crimson Trace on my 1911 for at least five years now, and have never had a lick of trouble with it. It always gives me plenty of warning before I need to change batteries. Of course you do have to practice with it periodically, just like with any other sighting system.

[Timmah!]

Originally posted by Bear Rider
Tim,

The problem is, lasers are NOT illumination devices. They are simply a targeting system, for aiming the weapon at an already identified target, in light too dim to use iron sights. They are probably the fasted method of all for those of us with older eyes who see even night sights as nothing but fuzzy dots except at high noon on a clear summer day.

By the way, I've been carrying a Crimson Trace on my 1911 for at least five years now, and have never had a lick of trouble with it. It always gives me plenty of warning before I need to change batteries. Of course you do have to practice with it periodically, just like with any other sighting system.

I realize that these things are not illumination devices, and I know how they are to be used. I do think that your position that using them for "aiming the weapon at an already identified target, in light too dim to use iron sights." is dubious. If it is too dim to use night sights, than it is not possible to properly and positively identify any target with 100% certainty. A laser won't fix that, a light will. Also, if by some method, you do manage to properly identify your target in very low light, you must really rely on point-shooting, anyway.
And I don't understand what you mean when you say you see "night sights as nothing but fuzzy dots except at high noon on a clear summer day"... In daylight, they're just steel sights with dots on 'em, that's how they SHOULD appear. Regardless of conditions, you aren't supposed to be deeply focused on the sights, you should be focusing on the target. The sights themselves will go out of focus at that point anyway, since you cannot simultaneously focus your eyes sharply on objects at different distances. This is normal, and is not dependant on visual acuity. If someone's eyesight is so deficient that they cannot focus on either the sights or the target, they have no business letting off rounds since they'll be unable to determine what's downrange.

If you like your Crimson Trace, that's great. I really mean that, I'm not being wise. But my point is that in the vast majority of situations, a decent handheld light is far more valuable because they're multi-taskers. A laser does one thing fairly well (an arguable point). A handheld does many things very well, and they have the benefit of NOT being integral, allowing the user more options.

Tim

[RayB]

I never did get it, that lasers and lights were an either/or proposition. Get both! Since both Crimson Trace and LaserMax install exclusive of the light rail, why not?

Hell, I like having all three: Night Sights, Weapon-mounted Light, Targeting Laser.

If cost is an issue, I'd add them in the order shown above, such are my priorities.

The October/November issue of HANDGUNS has a worthwhile article entitled "LIGHT AND LASER SHOOT-OUT", which gives a pretty objective summary of the value of lights and lasers:

"Any way you slice it, having the light on the gun, so it may be fired using a shooter's standard two-handed grip, works."

"I came away from this entire experience much more impressed with the concept of the gun-mounted laser for self-defense..."

--Ray

[Bear Rider]

Timmah,

As you get older, the range of focus for your eyes gets less and less. Like a camera, the depth of field that your eye can see clearly at any given time is greater in bright light, with the iris closed up. As the light gets dimmer and your iris opens, your depth of focus lessens.

A room can be lighted enough that I could read the 20/20 line on an eye chart at the normal distance, and at the same time not be able to focus on EITHER front or rear sight without moving my head to align the proper segment of my trifocals.

Cheer up, your time will come. :supergrin:

[JMag]

I'd say try the CT and the LM models and see which you prefer; I went LM for my G26 and all's well.

The lower pricepoint of the CT models will likely endure them to more people. Thus, you'll likely here more praise for the CTs than the LM models here or most any other board. That, in no way, should imply that the CT units are better...just less expensive.

Again, try them both and then decide if price is no object. BTW, the LM unit was $276 delivered via the net.

[Briank]

Good post...on trying them both!

...and I elected to buy the LaserGrips for my G26.

I've found that many people (not all) think that once you install a laser...it's just a matter of pointing and shooting. I was in this group. Once I started to raise the 26 using the iron sites I could then switch to whatever was best for this particular situation. Where my LaserGrips really helped me was on my double taps. The second shot was much easier to place using the red dot than aligning the iron sights again.

It seems to me that most personal defence rounds are shot in a hurried situation, point and shoot. I like the confidence in knowing where exactly that bullet is going to land that the laser provides.

For self diagnosis, you can't beat them.

I think one has to remember that a laser is a tool.

For me, Crimson Trace is a tool I won't be without.

[G19c,PH]

My choice is Crimson Trace or LaserMax.

[c4igrant]

A flashlight should be first (either handheld or weapon mounted). I would actually suggest both. My next choice for things to buy would be night sights. The last thing I would get would be a laser.


C4

www.GRTactical.com

[Alaskapopo]

Originally posted by Timmah!
The best use I've seen for any of these things is as a cat toy. Seriously, any laser I've seen in use has been troublesome. Invest in a decent handheld light.

Handhelds are useful in many ways. Lasers? Not so much.

Tim

I agree that you need a white light and its far more important. (although a weapon mounted light is better than a handheld only) And IR lasers are great for night vision. Now the buts. I used to not belive in lasers until giving them a try. They have a nitch as a supplemental sight to be used at night or inside. Their faster than conventional iron sights on pistols because like optics on a rifle they allow you to focus on the target and the sight at the same time. This is a good thing. They also allow you to sight the gun when you otherwise would not be able to such as if your wounded and unable to get good sight alignment. (this has happened and saved 1 cop his life). They are also nice when your doing busses or other tubes on entries. You can't get sight alignment over the seat backs. With a laser you just point. Lasers have a place.

I have Crimson Trace laser grips on my Wilson CQB duty weapon and on my Smith 442. I would like to get a good ir and day light laser for my Colt 6920, Remington 870 and my Glock 26.
Pat

[happyguy]

Originally posted by Alaskapopo
I agree that you need a white light and its far more important. (although a weapon mounted light is better than a handheld only) Pat

I use my handheld light quite often when it would be inappropriate to whip out my pistol. For the typical civilian I think a weapon mounted light should be supplemental to a good handheld.

As for lasers, although I don't own one or have a lot of experience with them, the pulsating Lasermax seemed much easier for my old eyes to pick up quickly.

Regards,
Happyguy :)