Carry Lasers

[Ribbler]

Do many of you have a laser on your carry gun? If so, where is it? Is it one of the guide rod lasers or some other form? I'd be interested to learn which ones are the better lasers and whether others would even recommend having a laser. Thanks!

[devldogs55]

My carry gun is Sig 229 and I have Crimson Trace Lasergrips on it. I absolutely love them. I'm assuming you probably carry a GLOCK. I think CTC makes a backstrap attachment that is in essence a laser grip. I haven't heard anything about the popularity of CTCs for Glock.

Personally, I ran away from the idea of making my guide rod a piece of electrical equipment. Though to be fair, I don't know that I've ever heard of an incident where a LaserMax broke or made the weapon malfunction. I just didn't want to take the chance. I have a solid stainless steel guide rod.

One thing that I have learned with the CTCs are that not only is the laser mounted below the barrel, but it is off to the right side a bit. This means that your laser is directed UP and RIGHT to reach the POA. Not really a problem usually, but LaserMax is merely below the barrel, but central to the POA.

Otherwise, CTC has the most FABULOUS customer service I have EVER dealt with. I mean they invented the phrase ABOVE AND BEYOND. Not just in the laser industry or the firearm industry, but I have not dealt with a single business that will go out of their way more to ensure satisfaction in any industry.

[elderboy02]

I carry my G23 daily with a Crimson Trace laser grip on it.

[steveksux]

I have a laser on my bedside gun. Too old, need reading glasses, if I have to aim quick without the glasses, I can't see the sights that clearly with the naked eye, the laser fixes that problem. That's a glock 19. I also use it for a primary carry gun. Why leave it by the bed all day?

I doubt I'd use the laser in a defensive shooting outside the home though. Too dim in the daylight, its useless. Most defensive shootings occur too close to bother. I'd use it if I got into a situation with multiple assailants at night with everyone moving. Otherise one guy close enough to attempt a robbery is close enough that you barely need sights anyway. I'm getting a few shots off while I start scooting. If he's still a threat after that, while I'm putting distance on him, I'd flick it on to facilitate good hits on the move from an awkward firing position as the distance increases. But most likely the first 2-3 good shots are going to end the fight, and you should have them off before you've managed to take more than a couple steps, so you're still in essentially contact distance.

Lasers have more of a "mystical" rather than practical appeal. I don't see them as particularly necessary in the most likely real world scenarios. They can malfunction, get knocked out of alignment. Rather not trust my life having to rely on them. Iron sights are less prone to failure, rather rely on skills than delicate technology. I don't feel confident fumbling for a gun and glasses in a pitch black house at night, so it fills a need in that scenario. But I have night sights as a backup. Fuzzy is still better than invisible if the laser malfunctions.

That's my take on it, feel free to ridicule me at will. I'd rather find out if I've come up with a stupid plan on the internet rather than on the street.

Randy

[hikerpaddler]

Lasermax (guide rod) lasers are much better than grip mounted lasers (Crimson Trace), but they're more expensive. I wouldn't use either for concealed carry, because I wouldn't want to have to explain it in court post-shooting.

[G36Packer]

Originally posted by elderboy02
I carry my G23 daily with a Crimson Trace laser grip on it. +1 Nice combination. My P3AT has an ArmaLaser on it too.

[adaman04]

My CCW instructor was in his 60s. He had Crimson Trace grips or panels on all of his carry guns.

[Ribbler]

Thanks to all who responded. Very helpful.

[devldogs55]

If it's a good shoot, it's a good shoot - and having a laser on your weapon won't make any difference. I also see no real reason why Lasermax is "much better" than CTC, I think it's going to boil down to personal preference.

[Creeper1313]

Originally posted by hikerpaddler
Lasermax (guide rod) lasers are much better than grip mounted lasers (Crimson Trace), but they're more expensive. I wouldn't use either for concealed carry, because I wouldn't want to have to explain it in court post-shooting.

I'm going to have to disagree with both your claim that Lasermax are "much better" than Crimson Trace grips, and that using a laser would cause one to "have to explain it in court post-shooting".

I have CT grips on my S&W 642 and they work wonderfully. I can draw from my pocket, and before the gun is much higher than my waist I can already acquire targets and break 4" clays at 10 yards effectively.

I haven't felt the need to get them on my other carry gun, my 5" 1911, since the 1911 points so naturally for me and has such a light trigger pull, that I don't even need to use it's sights to keep my shots in a tight enough group for self-defense.

As for a court, you are already supported by the fact that many LEO's use lasers and that anything that helps your aim serves to reduce the risk to innocent bystanders.

[devldogs55]

Originally posted by Creeper1313
I'm going to have to disagree with both your claim that Lasermax are "much better" than Crimson Trace grips, and that using a laser would cause one to "have to explain it in court post-shooting".

I have CT grips on my S&W 642 and they work wonderfully. I can draw from my pocket, and before the gun is much higher than my waist I can already acquire targets and break 4" clays at 10 yards effectively.

I haven't felt the need to get them on my other carry gun, my 5" 1911, since the 1911 points so naturally for me and has such a light trigger pull, that I don't even need to use it's sights to keep my shots in a tight enough group for self-defense.

As for a court, you are already supported by the fact that many LEO's use lasers and that anything that helps your aim serves to reduce the risk to innocent bystanders.

Yeah.. what he said.

[orangedawg19]

I got a Lasermax in my G19, and wouldn't have it any other way.

CT ruins the grip and feel of the gun for me, doesnt fit right in a CTAC and will get in the way in other types of holsters too. Maybe on a snubbie would the CT win that argument for me, but as for an autoloader, Lasermax is a winner.

I've used mine for over 500 rounds for the past 4 months on range use, and never had a problem or change from stock with recoil, jamming, anything. But every time I go to the range, the RM always gives me a hassle about changing out the springs to the stock when I practice because he had problems with his older Lasermax. I got the newer version, and its no worries at all.

[SilentGLOCK]

If/When the SHTF, you'll never see that red dot...........

[W.E.G.]

I know I will upset the folks who love their lasers. But, I feel compelled to say this.

If most gunfights (especially handguns) take place at 8 feet, how does a laser help?

The time it takes from presentation of the target to first shot fired is usually slower with a laser.

It is very hard to pick up a moving target with a laser. Even harder if you are moving too.

If there is more than one shooter, all pointing lasers, it can be very confusing to distinguish your own laser dot from the laser dot of one of your fellow shooters.

Also, laser dots do very poorly outdoors if there is any vegetation or other obstacles. Bullets penetrate leaves. Lasers do not.

Take that for what its worth.

[orangedawg19]

Any one can rationalize their way out of spending the money or seeing the benefits of having a laser on their CCW.

If I can get the shot on a BG with my laser dot, even if I don't have time to deploy it instantly, then good. I rather have it on the gun anyways. Why carry extra magazines? Why carry BUGs? Same goes for a laser.

Other things that pop up in my mind... what if the gun has to be used by another individual with me with zero gun sighting experience? I'm sure that red dot will help them out. What about just being an intimidating factor against another armed BG?

There's so many positive benefits to having a laser that not having a laser is just a cop out for not wanting to spend more money. Technology is there and priced quite modestly that having a laser is a feasible thing to do with a CCW now.

[MountainPacker]

I have four carry guns. Three of them have Crimson Trace Lasergrips. :supergrin:

4" 1911 (95% carry) Crimson Trace Lasergrip
S&W 442 (4% carry) Crimson Trace Lasergrip
S&W P99 Compact (1% carry) no laser
S&W 629 (woods carry) Crimson Trace Lasergrip

I much prefer the Lasergrips over the Lasermax because there's no extra step to activate in on the draw.

One of my guns is for carry in the mountains, a 4 inch S&W 629. If I have to draw and fire because a mountain lion appeared out of nowhere and I have just a second to place a well aimed shot into a target that is holding my child in its teeth, I want the reassurance and speed of the laser dot.

I do most of my practice without the laser for two reasons. One, I want to continue right up to the iron sights if the dot doesn't appear. Two, I don't like cleaning the laser lens.

By the way, the best technique I've found for cleaning the lens is to cut a Q-tip in half. Sharpen the stick end of the cut Q-tip to a point. Peel some of the cotton off, spray it with Windex and poke it down the hole to scrub the glass with the sharpened end of the swab. An unsharpened swab is too large in diameter to squeeze down to the glass. The swabs that come with the Lasergrips are useless.

[devldogs55]

Originally posted by W.E.G.
I know I will upset the folks who love their lasers. But, I feel compelled to say this.

If most gunfights (especially handguns) take place at 8 feet, how does a laser help?

The time it takes from presentation of the target to first shot fired is usually slower with a laser.

It is very hard to pick up a moving target with a laser. Even harder if you are moving too.

If there is more than one shooter, all pointing lasers, it can be very confusing to distinguish your own laser dot from the laser dot of one of your fellow shooters.

Also, laser dots do very poorly outdoors if there is any vegetation or other obstacles. Bullets penetrate leaves. Lasers do not.

Take that for what its worth.

You make a good point, but I still find them very useful. First of all, the person that said Lasermax is superior to CTC doesn't state that you must switch ON a Lasermax when in a high stress situation, you merely draw and aim your CTC equipped firearm.

Lasers are also very useful if you find yourself engaging a target from somewhere other than usual. I.E. shooting from the hip, or any time where you don't bring the weapon up to eye level. It also allows you to easily aim while holding a cell phone connected to 911 or a tac-light...