Got my Crimson Trace Grips Today! Any tips on using them

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Got my Crimson Trace Grips today and they work great in the fog.! I sighted them in with a model 637 S&W 38+P. Does anyone have any tips on how to use them tactically with a pistol?

 

[hkmp5g17]

i'll take this one-

Ahem....... the trick to using lasergrips is....drumroll please.........


Point the red dot where you want to shoot-press trigger-repeat! . Whoo.....that was difficult.

Seriously though- what info are you looking for specifically?

Anthony

 

[MICHAEL T]

Leave it turned off I belive you will spend more time chasing dot When you should be shooting in a SD situation.
Sorry I just old fashion and don't think their needed on a carry gun.

 

[pax]

Michael ~

Don't knock 'em til you've tried 'em.

U.S.SFC_RET ~

Some ideas:

1) Practice good light discipline. When the gun comes on target, tighten your grip so the light goes on. As it comes off target, loosen your grip so it immediately goes off. Practice moving with the gun in hand and the light off.

2) Practice trusting the dot. Do your standard draw & fire, but fire immediately as soon as you see the dot on target. Trust the shot. (Remember that smooth trigger pull & follow through still matter ...)

3) Practice a good draw stroke. You can do this in dry fire as long as you have a safe direction. What you want to do is make sure that you habitually get the dot on target at the earliest possible moment (as the gun clears leather is ideal) and that as you draw, you habitually bring the gun straight forward onto the target rather than swooping it up or casting it over the target. The laser allows you to check that you're keeping the gun aimed at the center of the target throughout your entire draw stroke. Use the laser to help you learn to do it right and then practice doing it right, over and over again, until you cannot get it wrong any more. Then turn the laser off and pat yourself on the back when you see how this laser practice has improved your iron sight skills.

4) Practice transitioning instantly from dot to front sight if, for any reason whatsoever, you do not see the dot when & where you expect to see it. Transition often enough that you don't stop to analyze and instead just do it.

5) Practice in all different lighting environments as much as possible. This is a great time of year to hit the outdoor range in late afternoon, and work until slightly after dusk, if your range will allow it.

6) Do not stop practicing with iron sights. The laser is an additional tool, not a replacement for standard sights.

Hope that helps.

pax

 

[Preacherman]

Do a search for "Crimson Trace" or "laser" and you'll find a large number of posts on the subject. I use CT's on several of my carry guns, and wouldn't be without them. Great tools!

 

[Iggy]

Follow Pax's suggestions..

I too am a believer!!

 

[KC&97TA]

Follow Pax's suggestions..

I too am a believer!!

+ 2 for Pax

I have the laser grips on my Berreta 92FS, I have it sited at 12 yards, distance from my bed room door to the liveing room wall.

The only problem I ever had was when I first got them, engageing the laser and siteing, I was trying to look at the sites and dot at the same time. I like to draw, and then lower the gun to chin level so I still have a clear view of the target, and just see the red dot and a over view of the gun.

 

[M2 Carbine]

+3 for PAX's info.

I've got 3 CT. One on a S&W J Frame, S&W Model 10 and Kim Ultra carry gun.
I'd have several more if CT made them.

I've posted this target several times but it is an example of what the laser can do for you. This was shot when it was too dark to hardly see the gun sights so even hitting the bullet trap would have been difficult with iron sights. It's interesting that using the iron sights in daylight, I don't normally shoot this good a group with the S&W 2 inch.

With most people (that I've seen), their close fast shooting hits improve greatly immediately.

 

[TOADMAN]

+ 4 Pax's info.

 

[P95Carry]

Pax sums up a lot. Let me add tho -

I have 6 sets now - one each on all my SIG's - so whichever I carry I have consistency re manual of arms and sight options. I have three sets also on revos - one is SP101.

When I teach new folks tho - I do NOT recommend these as an early measure. Why? because IMO they must be an adjunct and not a primary sighting method. We should be steady in our discipline using irons - they have no battery to fail - and of course night sights are handy too. Thus CT's are IMO for the more advanced shooter who has already good discipline with hold and iron sights.

A common criticism is - ''but it takes too long to see/find the dot''. Sure it might in fairly good light conditions but - my suggestion always is - take a normal sighting hold per irons and if you see dot (which should be right on foresight if adjusted adequately) then fine otherwise no sweat - continue as usual. Do NOT go ''hunt the dot" !

As an experiment I shot a night IDPA with CT's - they were superb! In the gloom they show up like a beacon and no problem finding the dot at all - it was almost too dark for irons even with night sights tho those sure help.

So back to original statement - never allow CT's to let you unlearn normal sight useage - but one day they just might enable you to maintain max cover and shoot one handed round a corner with no normal sight alignment. This is one example of where they can be outstanding.

One myth (I consider it a myth) is that if a BG sees a dot on his chest he'll quit! I personally doubt he will see that - tho he may see your red dot source on your gun - that might even distract him away briefly (and usefully) from your COM. So anyways - a laser is not IMO a dissuader - it is an add-on for you the shooter such that if you have had to draw then it is because all other bets are off and you will have to shoot - thus make that shoot as effective as possible.

 

[Rockstar]

Do you know any uppidy cats?

 

[bubbygator]

I've had 5 CT's - I'll add: don't try to align your laser to your iron sights; use your laser separately from your iron sights. As others have said, continue to practice with iron - but the techniques for iron & laser are slightly different (the best sighting picture for laser is slightly more "above" the gun), be aware of exactly how you are sighting in each case so when you have to switch, you won't be confused.

 

[Ed]

I bought a Kimber with CT grips on it. Took them right off and put them in a drawer. I prefered regular grips. GuessI should dig them out and try them at least once.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I bought a Kimber with CT grips on it. Took them right off and put them in a drawer. I prefered regular grips. GuessI should dig them out and try them at least once.

I had to take the pretty Kimber grips off and replace them with those ugly CT grips.

But one thing, a lot of cheap laser practice can be had with a 22 Conversion.

 

[Stopdropnroll]

may I suggest...

(fair disclosure - Stopdropnroll is an employee of Crimson Trace)

Pax, Excellent Post!

Let me add that there is a 90 min video tape called "Shots in the Dark" that is very informative. (Clyde Caceres) It is available through Paladin Press $35 +shipping and Crimson Trace $29.99 +shipping.

However, if anyone is interested in the tape or DVD, give me a call at Crimson Trace at 1-800-442-2406 and I'll send it off for $25 and I'll pay shipping.

Merry Christmas, SDnR also known as Joe

 

[zahc]

For those with laser grips, where do you put your finger? When I was looking at them in the gun shop my index finder perfectly blocked the beam.

 

[P95Carry]

For those with laser grips, where do you put your finger?

The only time my finger obscures the beam is when straight out - if inside trigger guard, on trigger - no problem.

I have grips on 3 revo's and 3 semi's and have never failed to aquire the dot under actual shooting conditions. In fact with finger off trigger, it will only obscure beam sometimes. The laser module output line is well above trigger guard.

 

[pax]

For those with laser grips, where do you put your finger? When I was looking at them in the gun shop my index finder perfectly blocked the beam.

Under actual shooting conditions, it is simply not a problem because your finger is on the trigger and can't block the beam from there. Furthermore, if you are developing good light discipline (see point #1 in my post above), you will never have the laser on except when you are intending to shoot.

But if you do want the laser on for some reason when you are only indexed and not shooting, all you need to do is get in the habit of flagging your finger out to the side rather than laying it on the frame and it'll be out of the way. Or if your fingers are long enough, rest it just above the bulge where the beam comes out. Either way works.

pax

 

[charliemopic]

Do you know any uppidy cats?

L M A O

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Thank you for the advice on not hunting the dot. they are a great help on trigger control especially double action. My intention was to never use them as a primary sight. they are the best training aid for feedback I have laid eyes on. Gotta work out a few details on my trigger work I tend to go left on single action.

 

[possum]

U.S SFC,
I have been looking very hard into that exact pistol the 637 airweight, with the laser grips from the factory. it looks like an awesome set up! i recently got a laser for my xd and i love it, but I am planning on using it for home defense when it is on the night stand not as carry, i am gonna practice with them but not nearly as much as the Iron sights!

 

[The_Antibubba]

Stopdropnroll,

Will we ever see Lasergrips for the Makarov?

 

[M2 Carbine]

Stopdropnroll,

Will we ever see Lasergrips for the Makarov?

No.

I talked to Joe today when I called to order the video. He said what I've been told before. The Maks are made by too many companies and there's too much variation in the frames to make a good set of CT laser grips.


"However, if anyone is interested in the tape or DVD, give me a call at Crimson Trace at 1-800-442-2406 and I'll send it off for $25 and I'll pay shipping.
SDnR also known as Joe "

 

[P95Carry]

Hi Buck - yep, that makes sense re the Mak.

I got Joe to send me the vid recently - not bad - tho not quite as good as I had expected. That said, it does give much food for thought re the versatility of the grips - some aspects folks might not even have thought of. So - overall worth having.

 

[f4t9r]

Go with what Pax says
once again a great post with all the info