Laser sights: improvement or crutch?

I'm a skeptic. Used to have CT grips on a Colt Defender. Batteries went dead and I never replaced them. Traded it away like that too.

The same sort of argument came up as scopes were becoming popular on rifles. The "purists" insisted using anything but iron sights was a cheat. Now of course we realize that a scope helps us see better and more importantly hit better at distance.

You'll here today's purists say that lasers, holos, and reddots are cheats. But when the intent is to hit ones target quickly and accurately it simply makes sense to use what our technology has provided.

One stiff must be proficient with iron sights, as Murphy will stick his nose it at the worst possible moment. But, a laser on a defense handgun, especially when one's eyes aren't accustom to the light, or are just not up to par just makes good sense (I was going to say tactical sense, but that word is way overused).

I don't like laser sights. If you learn to shoot using irons, I don't see how the two techniques won't be going against each other. If you like Crimson Trace (or whatever) then that is great. When I was issued Crimson Trace grips, I played with them, promptly removed them, and they never came back out of the case again. Use what works for you. I'd only suggest Crimson Trace grips (or the like) to people who want a handgun for home defense but are unwilling or unable to learn to shoot beyond the most basic proficiency.

I hate them!

That said, if you like them then they are for you. In either case, they can be wonderful for dryfire practice and noticing problem areas with your shooting. As with anything else in any hobby, don't mind the fuzz. Figure out YOUR plan. How will they benefit YOU. Try in different scenarios, think of things that could go wrong, etc. etc. etc. I do like tritium sights in the dark so I can get an easier sight picture, but that's me, might not work for you.

I do know, if I were breaking into a house and spotted a little red dot on my torso, my first intention would be to run like hell. Others might shoot back. Consider it, determine what is going to be the best, and roll with it. If you have a gun then you are already better off than without one.

They have their advantages. Like taking a shot when you can't look down the irons. Maybe while your sitting in your car and someone comes up to your window.


Sent from my MiPhone !

130+ post thread on this exact topic from earlier this year: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=671943

Actually, that one was still current as of Oct 1. Let's re-direct the coversation back to that thread.