Crimson Trace vs Laser Max Grips

[Miamitiger]

I would like to know the following:

1) Which one is better?
2) What kind of battery do they use?...Is it expensive?
3) How dificult is turning them on.
4) Can you turn them on with either hand?
5) How do you zero them in?

Please help me I always want to be an inform buyer!

 

[M2 Carbine]

I haven't owned a Laser Max so I can't give you a comparison.
I do own three Crimson Trace though and plan on buying several more.

The battery's (2) are an inexpensive standard battery that can be bought anywhere. Crimson Trace sends you free batteries when you buy a CT. I don't know for how long.

The grip is designed so that a normal right or left grip will turn the laser on but you can avoid turning the laser on until you are ready. There are times that you don't want to turn on the laser until a second before you fire. Fast, Red dot, black hole.
Most models also have a little "master" switch that turns the unit off or on.

The CT is zeroed using a small Allen wrench.
The CT maintains it's zero very well.
I zero mine in at about 25 yard so the bullet strike is very close, from arm's length to about 50 yards.

Since I started using (good) lasers years ago I wouldn't think of not having a laser on a defense gun.

If you have no experience with lasers on guns, about half of what you think you know is wrong, but their correct use is easy to learn.
This month's NRA "Rifleman" has a good, but short, article on the CT laser.

I have a couple home ranges and can practice with the laser.
And just like any other type shooting, you must practice with the laser to get good and fast with it.
The laser isn't a substitute for otherwise poor shooting technique. It is a tool that can possibly help a good shooter get better faster hits in some cases.

These are a couple examples of what a the laser will help you do when it's too dark to see the gun sights.

2 inch J Frame S&W pistol.


4 inch S&W. Not wearing my glasses.


2 inch J Frame. I was sighting in the laser and still had to move the group a little more to the right yet.

 

[Kali Endgame]

1) Which one is better?I have the Crimson Traces for my 1911
2) What kind of battery do they use?...Is it expensive? Idunno. I got two batteries with the kit and have been using the original since April.
3) How dificult is turning them on.On the front of the grip under the trigger is a button your middle finger depresses under natural grip IMO.
4) Can you turn them on with either hand?Yes, if the swithc is on.
5) How do you zero them in?A hard to find allen wrench.

 

[BryanP]

They're two different beasts altogether.

Crimson Trace makes grips that replace your existing grips, incorporating a laser as described above. The exception being their Glock laser which clamps to the backside as there are no removable grips to replace.

LaserMax makes replacement guide rods that install internally in place of the existing guide rod. They have introduced a unit that straps on to a j-frame revolver and a rail-mount laser as well, but they're mostly known for the guide rod units.

I wouldn't classify either one as "better." Personally I like the CT grips I bought for my j-frame S&W 638, but if someone handed me a LaserMax for my XD-45 I'd be quite happy.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Kali Endgame,
If there's a CT booth at your next gun show (there is at Dallas) ask them for a couple extra wrenchs. They will probably give them to you or charge very little. They gave me a couple extras.

Also I put a little "flag" of tape on mine and mark which way to turn, I can never remember, and the flag will help find the wrench if you drop it in the grass.

 

[M2 Carbine]

BryanP
They're two different beasts altogether.
The exception being their Glock laser which clamps to the backside as there are no removable grips to replace.

My friend's G19. It works good.
The Glock grip doesn't fit me but I like it better with the Crimson Trace on the gun.

 

[ServiceSoon]

1) Which one is better? I own one set of crimson trace for the P229. I think personal preference will dictate which one you like the best. I choose the crimson one because of price (they are ~$100 less expensive) they are adjustable (based on my knowledge the lasermax isn't), and it has a better on/off system (based on my knowledge you cant control when the laser comes one...it is based on motion and a on/off switch. Which means if you pick the gun up the laser goes on. I don't want accidentally give up my location). The only think I liked about the lasermax is that it is hidden.
2) What kind of battery do they use?...Is it expensive? I bet they are about the same price. So this wasnt a concern for me.
3) How difficult is turning them on? The crimson trace are turned on two ways and both have to activated for them to work. There is a master on off switch. On means they will work and off means they will not work. Finally there is a button that naturally gets held down when you hold the gun. As far as I know, the lasermax have a button on the side that can be pressed or they are turned on with movemen...I think. Like I said I have never operated or even seen the lasermax system so this is based on what I have read.
4) Can you turn them on with either hand? Explained above.
5) How do you zero them in? The crimson trace are adjustable. The lasermax is set from the factory (this was another reason I chose the crimson trace grips).

 

[Kor]

I believe the original poster is asking about these:

http://www.lasermax.com/product.php?id=103
http://www.lasermax.com/product.php?id=105

Basically, a LaserMax-made "LaserGrip," which I think skirts the ragged edge of infringing on Crimson Trace's patents. From what I can see on the website, it's a 3-piece unit: the laser module, which apparently bolts directly to the frame using extended sideplate screws, and 2 grip panels, containing the activation switch and batteries.

- I dunno about the "maintaining sight alignment after battery change" thing; it may be a theoretical problem with Crimson Trace, but I haven't noticed it with the CT LG-205's I've had on my S&W 642 since about 2000.

- Putting the laser emitter high above the cylinder instead of below(CT) would significantly reduce the bore offset between the laser-dot and the muzzle, but the laser housing would then protrude into view when aiming with iron sights(but then, why aim with irons when you've got this cool new laser on the gun, anyway? ).

- If it still uses CR2032/DL2032 batteries, great - I just bought a pair at Best Buy for $5.49.

- The selectable beam feature(pulsing vs. constant) seems neat, maybe not absolutely necessary, but MAY attract users who prefer a constant beam like CT uses.

- The activation switch looks like a cross-bolt-type affair, similar in principle to the activation switches on all their semi-auto guide-rod-type lasers; the CT pressure-switch activation seems more natural and faster to use IMO, and may be somewhat more resistant to dust/moisture.

- The price is comparable to the CT LG-205, but LaserMax hasn't yet gotten to the stage of offering rubber overmolding like Crimson Trace; for a pocket/ankle/deep CCW gun like the S&W J-frames, rubber on grips is a debatable advantage, though(less felt recoil vs. sticking to clothes).

- If I needed another "laser-grip" for a J-frame, I'd be comfortable buying/using this LaserMax unit; the company has always made quality, durable products so far, and I doubt they'll cut any important corners on a product like this, where they're trying to lure market share away from Crimson Trace.

P.S. - It just occured to me, LaserMax may want to make a deal with the Barami Hip-Grips people, and offer a version where you can install a grip panel with a belt-waistband hook on it, for holster-less IWB carry. Now, THAT would be something I would be VERY interested in...

 

[Geronimo45]

1) Which one is better?
Probably up to you to decide. I like the Crimson Trace grips on my 1911. Just take off the grips and pop on the new ones.
2) What kind of battery do they use?...Is it expensive?
I think it's a CR 2032 - or something like that. WalMart has them, many Walgreens/CVS Pharmacy stores. I guess it's used in hearing aids or some such gadget, but they're usually not hard to find. It will be a little more than your average AA, AAA batteries - but they last a loooong time.
3) How dificult is turning them on.
My model of grips have a little switch near the bottom for on/off. Setting it to 'on' makes the laser show up once you press the little pressure pad right underneath the trigger guard. Turning it to off simply turns it off. You let off the pressure pad and laser isn't shining anymore. Not hard to activate/hold/avoid. Not much pressure needed.
IMO, the on/off switch is for use in holsters that will mash the pressure pad. My El Cheapo holster will turn on the laser and burn batteries.

4) Can you turn them on with either hand? CT grips, yes. Left or right hand can grip the gun - as long as you've got a finger around the grip and under the trigger guard, it'll work.

5) How do you zero them in?
The included super-midget allen wrench.

 

[51Cards]

LaserMax is good if you need to experiment with grips. I have on on a Sig 229, and I like it. Batteries? My fiancee gets 'em below wholesale (!!!), so about $15 got me a case of 'em .

LM can do custom alignments (sounds like a PITA); mine never needed it. Besides, it's not a bullseye issue.

Everyone I know with the CTs loves 'em, too.

So, I think it's going to be a grip issue. If you like, say, Hogue fingers (like me), the LM does it, the CT doesn't. Probably, if I didn't have hand/grip issues, I'd go for CT.

 

[rockstar.esq]

M2 Carbine your target alluded to my single most important reason to purchase a laser sight for my carry piece. Wearing glasses for any amount of time will teach you that they come off when struggling with physical stuff. Considering the situation where a carry piece might prove usefull it's very conceivable that I'd lose my glasses yet have the opportunity to make a shot. The ability to make an aimed shot with diminished vision is a critical factor.