Are Crimson Trace Grips Worth It?
- Thread starter Phydeaux642
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MICHAEL T
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Don't really see the need for them on a carry pistol. I belive you will play chase the dot instead of shooting , Time lost .
IMTHDUKE
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Just wondering if some of the posters have ever really used CT
dmazur
Member
Well, yes I've used my Commander with the CT's both on and off, against IDPA targets in practice sessions.
I'm somewhat amazed at the difference they make. For the same shot interval, the group size is smaller with the CT's on (for me, anyway.)
I can get the same size groups with more time to line up the iron sights and get a good sight picture, but if I hurry my shots, the groups open up.
I'm not talking about a really large difference, just 4" groups vs. 8" groups at 15 yds. 3 round string in approx. 3 seconds for each test.
Not scientific, but I believe it's faster to point the dot and squeeze than it is to line up sights.
Maybe with a lot more practice, I'll get better with the iron sights... ?
I'm somewhat amazed at the difference they make. For the same shot interval, the group size is smaller with the CT's on (for me, anyway.)
I can get the same size groups with more time to line up the iron sights and get a good sight picture, but if I hurry my shots, the groups open up.
I'm not talking about a really large difference, just 4" groups vs. 8" groups at 15 yds. 3 round string in approx. 3 seconds for each test.
Not scientific, but I believe it's faster to point the dot and squeeze than it is to line up sights.
Maybe with a lot more practice, I'll get better with the iron sights... ?
Won't be taking mine off.lanternlad1
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My wife has them on her 642. They came in real handy when some punk tried to get into her car at a stop light. She put the dot right on his nose and he ran off without her firing a shot.
Guns are an effective deterrent, guns with lasers doubly so IMO. A gun says "Try anything stupid, and I'm going to shoot you.". A gun with a laser says "Try anything stupid, I'm going to shoot you, and I'm not going to miss."
Guns are an effective deterrent, guns with lasers doubly so IMO. A gun says "Try anything stupid, and I'm going to shoot you.". A gun with a laser says "Try anything stupid, I'm going to shoot you, and I'm not going to miss."
jaydubya
Member
I have Crimson Trace grips on three of my handguns, S&W 637 (the first to get them), 686+ and Browning High Power. I would not buy a handgun that Crimson Trace did not make grips for -- that is how sold on them I am. I am somewhat of a special case though: at 77, without my glasses on, I cannot even SEE the iron sights, much less use them. I practice with the High Power and one of the revolvers (exclusively double action) weekly at 5-10 yards, fifty rounds each, half with iron sights (glasses on) and half with lasers. There is no question in my mind which makes me a better shot. Does the red dot stagger around? You bet it does. Do I get almost all my shots within the nine ring of a life-size silhouette target. You bet I do. Am I as fast as I was fifty years ago? You bet I'm not. But I'm faster with lasers than with iron sights.
Cordially, Jack
Cordially, Jack
BADUNAME37
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I'm also one of the
"at this time, I cannot afford" -- so I won't be putting them on anytime soon.
Hopefully, like a lot of technology, the price will eventually come down.
"at this time, I cannot afford" -- so I won't be putting them on anytime soon.
Hopefully, like a lot of technology, the price will eventually come down.
Some years back one of our officers tried one of the early type laser units on his Glock 19. At the time we did a fair amount of night fire. He brought his toy out to the range while everyone else either used a light, Harries style, or went with the white dots and muzzle flash. He was by far the slowest, chasing his dot.
About five years ago I won a CT unit. My wife had a M37 Smith and she wanted to put it on her gun, so we opted for that one. After a few years she took it off and we sold it on the web. The objections we had to it were that with any kind of decent firing grip the laser was going to go on, whether you wanted it on or not; due to grip design the gun's recoil hurt like hell even compared to the stock grips (since changed, I hear); and the whole lashup just slowed matters up compared to doing serious night fire. With a decent flashlight I have light or not as I wish; it is fairly blinding; and If I light up something that needs shooting, I am going to be shooting NOW. All I need is a flash sight picture at social distances.
As for training, there's always dry fire or, with a wheelgun, ball & dummy. Sight alignment and trigger control are mental processes, not something that comes in a box.
Sorry if this busts anybody's bubble, but I don't think they belong in the 3 feet, 3 shots, 3 seconds world. The money's better spent on practice ammo, IMHO.
About five years ago I won a CT unit. My wife had a M37 Smith and she wanted to put it on her gun, so we opted for that one. After a few years she took it off and we sold it on the web. The objections we had to it were that with any kind of decent firing grip the laser was going to go on, whether you wanted it on or not; due to grip design the gun's recoil hurt like hell even compared to the stock grips (since changed, I hear); and the whole lashup just slowed matters up compared to doing serious night fire. With a decent flashlight I have light or not as I wish; it is fairly blinding; and If I light up something that needs shooting, I am going to be shooting NOW. All I need is a flash sight picture at social distances.
As for training, there's always dry fire or, with a wheelgun, ball & dummy. Sight alignment and trigger control are mental processes, not something that comes in a box.
Sorry if this busts anybody's bubble, but I don't think they belong in the 3 feet, 3 shots, 3 seconds world. The money's better spent on practice ammo, IMHO.
IMTHDUKE
Member
Well, I know that settles it for me....throwin all mine in the trash
glockman19
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I have them on my 642, night sights on all my other guns.
I'm not sure they're right for every situation but I find them very helpful in point shooting from a pocket pull.
Also, What would you do if you were a perp and saw that little red light on your chest? I'd freeze and move very slowly if at all.
very intimidating.
I'm not sure they're right for every situation but I find them very helpful in point shooting from a pocket pull.
Also, What would you do if you were a perp and saw that little red light on your chest? I'd freeze and move very slowly if at all.
very intimidating.
IMTHDUKE
Member
Yeah, that's my point...just because some guy didn't know how to use them or thought he had to follow the dot....too many satisfied customers to ditch em...me being one of them.
firinginfenton
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I have them on my snub nose and LOVE them. Great dry fire practice and verifies trigger control.
Geezer59
Member
Not sure if yours was one of the early models, but with the current front-activation switch CT grips it's relatively easy to learn how to control that inadvertent activation. I've got CT lasers on two of my 1911's and also two J-frames, and wouldn't be without them on a carry piece. I did have your same problem at the beginning of the first "Combat Pistol" class in which I used them, but quickly adapted in the later stages of the course.Dienekes said:
Yes, the newer model LG-405 (flush grip) and LG-305 (extended grip) are about as comfortable a grip as is available for lightweight J-frames, while still being readily concealable.
Obviously, I'm a believer and really like the products. I'm well aware they're not the answer for everyone and for all situations, but they work very well for me. Cheers!
The Ground Truth
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I have used them and don't care for them much. People get too fixated on the red dot and take longer to shoot than if they used the iron sights to begin with. I would use the money on ammo for more trigger time.
KBintheSLC
Member
I have used them, and as mentioned before, I don't care for them. I believe that they actually make me slower than just point shooting. I tend to get distracted and focus too much on the laser, not on the threat.
Anyway, if lasers are so great, why haven't they been more welcome by competitive shooting rings and combat professionals?
I have yet to see a competitive shooter use lasers... even for fun or practice. By the time they get the laser on the first target, they could have knocked down the 6 steel drop plates by just instinctively point shooting.
Whole Hog
Member
How well do they work for a left-hander? I've never had a chance to even handle a set, but it sure looks like the laser would interfere with thumb placement.
IMTHDUKE
Member
Because CT did not design them for competitive shooting. As for the combat professionals...that's the little red dot a Seal team member, Special ops etc. puts on your chest coming from a rifle.
CT for a handgun are great, if you can use them, if not it's not required that you buy them....whatever cranks your tractor.
mgregg85
Member
I really like mine on my p3at.
dmazur
Member
Washington State (and perhaps others) considers laser sights that project a dot to be an unfair advantage and they are illegal for hunting.
Kind of a backwards argument, but if the State considered they were less helpful, because the shooter "chased the dot around", I doubt they would be illegal.
By the way, Washington State is also negative on muzzleloaders and optical sights, 209 primers, etc.
I like living here, but occasionally the State do tend to be a might bit fussy.
Kind of a backwards argument, but if the State considered they were less helpful, because the shooter "chased the dot around", I doubt they would be illegal.
By the way, Washington State is also negative on muzzleloaders and optical sights, 209 primers, etc.
I like living here, but occasionally the State do tend to be a might bit fussy.
76shuvlinoff
Member
Left handed and I have a front activated unit on my XD40 ( and like em!) Maybe I'm doing it all wrong but with two a two handed grip I can easily block the beam with my right thumb. I'm not taking them (or the thumb) off yet though.
fingerbanger
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i have no complaints with mine. when you pull a shot, you know you pulled it. as a training aid they are fantastic. In a real situation "let's hope i never find out." i do believe if nothing else i would be more confident with them than without. that said, most of the time at the range it is turned off. also i have considered that the laser to a bad guy's eye may be one hell of an advantage that i could capitalize on. admittedly i am a no expert on tactics, but in my mind i could see scenarios were the line between deadly force and non lethal self defense is a laser flash away.
Kind of Blued
Member
I love 'em.
No matter how much I practice, I simply don't trust that I will be able to focus on my front sight when a 250 lb. knife-wielding fellow is running toward me.
I imagine having a big red dot on his chest will help me immensely.
If the fellow hasn't begun running at me yet, the red laser in his eye will probably be a good deterrent as well.
No matter how much I practice, I simply don't trust that I will be able to focus on my front sight when a 250 lb. knife-wielding fellow is running toward me.
I imagine having a big red dot on his chest will help me immensely.
If the fellow hasn't begun running at me yet, the red laser in his eye will probably be a good deterrent as well.
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