Crimson Trace

[76shuvlinoff]

Don't know if I'd ever buy one or not, in the Farnum class I remember the big guy telling us not to rely on such things but does anyone here use the Crimson Trace laser? I've seen them in gun shops at close to $300 or more and last weekend at a gun show they were going for $250.

Are they worth it? Would ya?

 

[jaydubya]

I have them on three handguns and they really help in dimmer lighting conditions -- such as where I am most likely to be defending myself. I practice with them at the range weekly, twenty-five rounds each with iron sights and twenty-five with the lasers. I am much more accurate in rapid fire with the lasers.
Cordially, Jack

 

[Lonestar49]

IMHO, at least ONE of your guns should

...

Have Crimson Trace Laser grips..

Mine is my HD/SD home night, and nightstand, gun with CT grips, as you can't beat it (having them) for keeping both eyes open (wider view of SA) and point shooting, if the need arises..

Sig P229R CT 9mm on the right..







LS

PS.. Bonus thought: with them, your gun will fit in any existing OWB or IWB holsters you already have for the gun.

 

[glockman19]

I have them on my S&W 642 because in a SD situation I'll most likely be shooting it from my hip or other non regular position and just putting the laser on the target helps me a lot.

 

[revjross]

I have the CT laser on a little Taurus 85 and a SIG P239. I shoot both of these guns pretty accurately using the sights, I shoot them better than I shoot anything else when I use the laser. If I was ever in a gun fight (and I pray that never happens) I would want one of these with me more than anything else I own!!

 

[mavracer]

I have three sets S&W 340 M&P,Taurus 905 and SA 1911A1 GI.the two wheels are the guns I carr the most without a BUG and I like every bit of help in the accuracy dept when round count is at a premium.and old slab-sides is my nightstand gun.as others have said they really help accuracy and give the ability to shoot accuratly from odd positions.

 

[51Cards]

Just installed:



Got em from Smyrna: http://www.shooterssupply.com/

$234! Couldn't pass on the price.

(I already have a Lasermax in a 229. Great, if you need to experiment with grips. I think, eventually, a CT will replace the LM.)

 

[Noxx]

We have them on both of our Sigs, (226,220) and they're a fantastic tool. You need to be prepared to use your iron sights should they magically fail to work at the desired moment, but I'd lay 100 to 1 odds that they will work when you need them, just as they do at the range, and they definitely provide a faster and more positive acquisition on target than anything else going.

The great thing about the CT's is you don't have to think about turning them on. Give your gun an adrenaline fueled death grip and there they are.

 

[wideym]

My Unit issued M9 Berretas with CT grips in Iraq. It was the first time I seen them in action. The biggest thing I learned was when a BG has a lazer bouncing around his torso, he tends to realize its game over and surrender. I liked them so much I bought one for my Berreta and my Colt. Mainly use it for fast target aquisition during point and shoot. A big plus was when I purchaced mine CT has a free batteries for life deal. If I need another battery or just want an extra, I just call and a new set is here within 5 days.

 

[sholling]

I have them on 2, soon to be 3 home defense/self defense pistols. For my 1911s I favor the style with 'front' activation. I practice 90% with my iron sights and 10% with the lasers.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

I honestly didn't expect so much positive reporting. Guess I made ASSumptions huh? Since I have no experience other than fondling them on dummy guns at a gun show I have some newbie questions.

I saw them for 1911s, Sigs, and Glocks and I'm sure they fit others but do they make em for an XD subcompact? I don't really care for the lightrail lasers I see for those.

Fully adjustable? Do they stay in adjustment after knocking around like riding in my truck console?

Since a 1911 is my bedside weapon I think that might be the one I'd put them on. Being I'm a lefty that front activation is plus.

Thanks

 

[Noxx]

A look at crimsontrace.com and it doesn't seem they support the XD platform.

Mine have had no trouble staying in adjustment through many long car rides, YMMV, but the points of adjustment are pretty well protected.

 

[wally]

I've got them on my SC360 J-frame, and Kimber Ultra Carry. Useful, but If you shoot outdoors its really hard to see the laser dot and virtually impossible on a bright sunny day. On the revolver the laser lens usually needs cleaning after 20-25 shots.

Its hard to practice with them in daylight at the range since the dot can be so hard to see -- I usually use snap caps and dry-fire to practice using them. They are great for dry-fire practice, but the cheap $20 clip-ons will do as well here.

--wally.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

nigtvisionsales.com

I see nightvisionsales.com has a carbon fiber CT set-up for a full size 1911 for
199.99 and free shipping. Actually I think they'd look pretty good on my Kimber but I have never had carbon fiber grips on anything. Any drawbacks vs the rubberized grips?

 

[armoredman]

Oh, yeah, good stuff.

 

[mavracer]

I see nightvisionsales.com has a carbon fiber CT set-up for a full size 1911

thats whats on my 1911a1 gi.there is no functional difference just astethics.and my are they pretty.

 

[possum]

i say have em they are awesome for many reasons, but just say worse case scenario you have them and the battery dies as you are in a fire fight, well you will have to resort back to the irons, that isn't the end of the world. what would you have done if you didn't have the laser in the first place? use the irons right. the irons don't melt and all your trainning dosen't go out the window when the batteries in your laser die.

the laser ain't gonna do nothing but help. they are also great for getting trigger control down during dry fire drills and such.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

ok , I see one more concern, I'm a lefty and my Kimber 1911 as an ambi-safety. They say I would have to have this cut back to install the CT. GRRRR:banghead:

Before I drop $200 on this, does anyone know how much has to be removed??

Thanks

 

[Highland Ranger]

Lasermax has a replacement guide rod for the XD: http://www.lasermax.com/category.php?id=7

(on my Christmas list)

Seems like the feedback on laser sights is consistently good.

I don't like the grip models, from an aesthetic standpoint . . . . seems like the guide rod replacement is the best of both worlds.

Asked for feedback on it here before . . . . didn't get much input.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Defensive handguns, especially carry guns, ought to have -some- provision for low light fighting, and laser grips are an excellent, but spendy option.

Where they really shine, IMO, are on snubby revolvers, whose vestigial sights aren't worth much even in full daylight.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

For what it's worth my buddy had a guide rod type in his Glock 23, He could not keep it adjusted to point of aim for anything. Every few rounds it had to be tweaked. I agree the grip laser may not be a cosmetic plus but I think the carbon fiber grips on my all black Kimber would look ok.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Hmmmm . . . . maybe I should get grips for my model 60 then.

Noticed on the Lasermax site the ad says "for use from dusk till dawn" - Question can these things be seen during the day?

Tom Gresham's self defense show did a segment on them and it looked like the crimson trace grip models could be seen and are useful in daylight

 

[possum]

Noticed on the Lasermax site the ad says "for use from dusk till dawn" - Question can these things be seen during the day?

i have no porblems seeing them out to about 10yds in the bright day light.

 

[Bo]

I have LaserMax on both XD45 and a J-frame airweight S&W. Basically useless in bright sunlight. Still haven't tried them in low-light conditions. (I live out in the country so I don't go to ranges. Still have some neighbors, so I don't shoot at night.) There is no "tweaking" on the XD because it replaces the guide rod. LaserMax claims 3" MOA. Got them both from MidwayUSA, $299.00 for the XD and $177.00 for the S&W.

 

[quickcanary]

i have no porblems seeing them out to about 10yds in the bright day light.

Ditto...the CT grips on my G19 are highly visible in broad daylight at 25 yds. Anyone who can't see the dot at this distance needs to change the batteries or buy a better laser.