[valnar]

--Lasers vs scopes--
This is an odd subject, but let me explain.

For the purposes of handgun shooting at distances farther than the standard 10-15 yards, which would be the better aiming aid....err...crutch?

With my revolver, there comes a distance where I just suck, and hitting the target is a matter of luck, not skill.

Is there a rule of thumb where you would recommend the laser up to XX yards, but a scope if longer to XXX yards? What would those variables be in your estimation? I know after a certain point, a handgun becomes inaccurate no matter what, so I am talking about distances before that break point.

My question can be applied to either target practice or self defense.
(If a BG is 20 yards away, and coming at me with guns blazing, which mechanism would give me a better target acquisition the fastest?)

-Robert

[Leibster]

Shooting a threat at 20 yds away would most likely be interpreted by the courts as murder, not self defense, but if you had to, I'd say an optic would offer quicker target acquisition than a laser, at the cost of being far more bulky.

--Leibster

[dav]

I have Crimson Trace Lasergrips on my .45.

I think they are a great training aid, used correctly.

For distance, say beyond about 20 yards, I prefer a scope.

For self-defense, I have no intention of relying on anything other than the regular gun sights. Anything else could be broken. If the gun's own sights are broken, chances are the gun is, too.

[V-fib]

In a self-defense situation the laser is much better. I have a CT on my Ruger Sp101 and have it sighted in for 25ft. If a bad guy was blazing away at 20 yards (60ft) he probably wouldn’t hit you at that distance anyway. With the laser you could drop to the ground or behind some cover and even with your weapon at your side hit the guy easily when he got to about 30ft. away. With a properly sighted in laser grip where you point is going to be your POI. Now I also have a red dot scope on a .22lr pistol and for target shooting and plinking it’s the greatest. IMHO for Self-Defense I would go with a laser and for target shooting a scope.

:cool:

[valnar]

Thanks for the replies! I always wanted a CT grip on something.

-Robert

[PCRCCW]

Just a tip for your little red light freindly folk. Sight your gun in for 20-25 yds.....er, your laser. With the CTC or LaserMax the further you have it sighted..the better off you are. People have argued this with me to high hell and back. Look at it this way...If you have to shoot your "target" out to 25 yds..which as previously stated your toast, the POA/POI at any distance closer than that is 1 inch or less. Why take a chance on a long shot with a laser thats sighted to close.
Shoot well