Glock's with frekin laser beams attached to their...

[Live Free In NH]

Hey,

Thread title movie reference aside, when deciding what kind of laser to attach to your Glock, what should be looked at besides price. It seems to me and I could be leaving one out would be the crimson trace laser grips, a laser that attaches to the rail or the recoil spring guide laser (I probably butchered that one, sorry). All expensive anyway. Which would stand up to normal wear and tear the best, which have any of you guys used and just in general, how easy are they to setup. Are they dead on accurate? I've never used one so I know nothing of them. Of all the extras, i.e. light, night sights etc...it would be a laser that I would be interested in getting for my G23 first. Looking for all input. Thanks..

Scott in NH
G23

[mvician]

Well I have 3 different types for mine.
I have a CT for my 17
Lasermax in my 19 and 36 (recoil rod type)
and a GLOCK light/laser to mount on the rails.

The CT and GLOCK light/laser are adjustable, while the Lasermax isn't, it is close enough for self defense ranges.

The CT adds a bit to the size of the grip, the G l/l adds some weight out front, and you don't even know the Lasermax is there. The G l/l and LM you have to manually switch "on" while the CT comes on when you grip the pistol.

I'd go for night sights first :supergrin:

[RayB]

...when deciding what kind of laser to attach to your Glock, what should be looked at besides price. It seems to me and I could be leaving one out would be the crimson trace laser grips, a laser that attaches to the rail or the recoil spring guide laser (I probably butchered that one, sorry). All expensive anyway.

I'd recommend purchasing a major brand that has a history of producing lasers dedicated to weapons applications. LaserMax, Crimson Trace, Armalaser, Insight, SureFire, etc., will all do you.


Which would stand up to normal wear and tear the best, which have any of you guys used...

Crimson Trace and LaserMax, along with the Light/Laser combos are most common here. Note that LaserMax offers four laser models for your G23:

. LaserMax Guide Rod Laser
. LaserMax Uni-Max, Rail Mounted Laser
. LaserMax Uni-Green, Green Beam Laser
. LaserMax Sabre, Beaver Tail Mounted Laser

All the better brands hold up well, and all have occasional defects.


...and just in general, how easy are they to setup. Are they dead on accurate?

Units like the LaserMax guide rod laser just pop in, as they're collimated at the factory. Others require a range session to dial in POA/POI.

There are two ways to set up most lasers...

Sweet Spot: Dial the laser in at a predetermined distance where bullet and beam converge, say 30-feet. Do this carefully, and if your trigger control is good, it will be dead on accurate--at that distance. Inside or outside your sweet spot, you'll be off. This method is best for lasers mounted far from the gun's bore axis, as in the laser/light combos.

Parallel Beam, or Offset: If the laser's mounted close to the gun's bore axis, you just set the laser to run parallel to the bullet's path, out to practical pistol ranges. The dot is a known offset, say 1/2-inch, from the bullet's point of impact, at all times.

These laser designators are for self-defense purposes, not sniper fire; and they work plenty well for that! They will get you on target and keep you there, when you're compromised or under stress. They're a well-proven concept and an asset to any weapons platform!


I've never used one so I know nothing of them. Of all the extras, i.e. light, night sights etc...it would be a laser that I would be interested in getting for my G23 first. Looking for all input. Thanks..

Well, that's it, in the broad strokes!

If you're a new shooter, the laser will fast-track your shooting program by describing your smallest hand movements--especially while firing! Most new shooters are amazed at how shaky their hands are.

Many will opine that a laser should not be first on your list of extras; but that doesn't answer your question, does it?

The Uni-Max is a nice laser, that will accommodate a weapon-mounted light, and either the Sweet Spot or Offset aiming methods. Here are some good prices on it:

http://www.lasersales.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Uni-Max&osCsid=4632c915b9ecdf6b1307a5442b21a61d

http://www.botachtactical.com/launredla.html

Good luck!

--Ray

[Live Free In NH]

Thanks for the responses, I actually live fairly close to an insight factory. Actually applied for a job there. I'm not a new shooter but I'm not terribly experienced either. I've always looked at shooting as one of those things that you always get better at and can really never know it all or be "perfect". While I'm pretty confident in my abilities, I use my G23 for home defense after retiring my 1911 to the safe and I felt that a laser would be the most logical choice for a dark house if the need comes up. I had thought about the night sights but how much use are they really if you can't really see your target? Again, never used them so that's why I ask. I can get a REALLY good deal on trijicons installed at my local range. They install them for $89 all included for members (of which I am) and I've got almost $50 worth of gift certificates that I got from family and friends for xmas meaning I'd only pay approx. $30 out of pocket.

I had always thought that the recoil rod type of laser would be prone to damage or get out of alignment easier than a rail or grip type. Not so? Thanks for the great information, this has been some of the best and most useful information I've seen on this board. You've opened up so many options now.....hmmm. I don't know if I feel any closer to making a decision now :-) But at least I have the knowledge.

Thanks guys..

Scott in NH
G23

[RayB]

I've always looked at shooting as one of those things that you always get better at and can really never know it all or be "perfect". While I'm pretty confident in my abilities, I use my G23 for home defense after retiring my 1911 to the safe and I felt that a laser would be the most logical choice for a dark house if the need comes up.

I agree with your philosophy on shooting. Good basic skills should always at the heart of your program, and they're still where the real fun's at!

One could argue that a quality weapon light or flashlight should come first, as you do want to identify your target, yes? This XTI Procyon looks like one hell of a buy: http://www.botachtactical.com/inxtiprweli.html


I had thought about the night sights but how much use are they really if you can't really see your target? Again, never used them so that's why I ask. I can get a REALLY good deal on trijicons installed at my local range. They install them for $89 all included for members (of which I am) and I've got almost $50 worth of gift certificates that I got from family and friends for xmas meaning I'd only pay approx. $30 out of pocket.

I'm a big fan of night sights! Night sights allow you to target a silhouette, without necessarily giving your position away. Plus, they're tritium-charged and don't rely on batteries. I like redundant systems.

Trijicons are great--just avoid harsh solvents, as the white markers are painted on. Consider the green front yellow rear combination. Judy has them on her G19, and they're excellent!


I had always thought that the recoil rod type of laser would be prone to damage or get out of alignment easier than a rail or grip type. Not so? Thanks for the great information, this has been some of the best and most useful information I've seen on this board. You've opened up so many options now.....hmmm. I don't know if I feel any closer to making a decision now :-) But at least I have the knowledge.

We've got LaserMax internal lasers in G19 and G21, and both have thousands of range proving rounds on them! They do hold zero and are very accurate! Battery life is outstanding! But they're spendy, and somewhat weapon-specific.

Others will report problems with these same lasers; but all brands have their occasional defects... I like the LaserMax or Uni-Max best, for Glocks! Crimson Trace are great for revolvers or 1911s.

Our G19 & G21 are each equipped with...

- Night Sights Meprolight & Trijicon
- LaserMax
- SureFire X200 A or B
- Double Tap Ammo

--Ray

[Big Al 24]

They install them for $89 all included for members (of which I am) and I've got almost $50 worth of gift certificates that I got from family and friends for xmas meaning I'd only pay approx. $30 out of pocket.
G23


I'd jump on it, I just paid $140.00 at my local range/shop here in WA.

[RyanNREMTP]

Probably get flamed for this but it would be cool to put three lasers on a gun and get that Predator triangle sight. But then I don't think I'd do this anyhow.

[Live Free In NH]

Probably get flamed for this but it would be cool to put three lasers on a gun and get that Predator triangle sight. But then I don't think I'd do this anyhow.

:rofl::rofl:

[Big Al 24]

I've always thought that would be cool for a home-defense shotgun. A ring of laser dots that would gradually expand as you got further away from the target. You know, a ring around the spread pattern. I bet it wouldn't be that hard. All of the beams would have to be mounted at a slight angle with a multi-lens beam splitter.

[Dean]

I have Crimson Trace lasergrips on my G23.
It's an outstanding product.
I recommend Crimson Trace. Their customer service is excellent. Buy their DVD "A Shot In the Dark." It's the best introduction to lasers sighted pistols for L.E. / CCW I've seen. I think you can order it through crimsontrace.com. They also have a forum similar to glocktalk, accessible through their website.

[Live Free In NH]

I've always thought that would be cool for a home-defense shotgun. A ring of laser dots that would gradually expand as you got further away from the target. You know, a ring around the spread pattern. I bet it wouldn't be that hard. All of the beams would have to be mounted at a slight angle with a multi-lens beam splitter.

That'd just be way too cool. I bet something like that already exists somewhere in some capacity. Imagine the look on the bag guys face when he looks down at his chest and sees this bright red glow going from big to small. :rofl:

Scott in NH
G23