Holy frustrating crimson trace, batman.

[anothernewb]

Bought a crimson trace laser grip for the hipower recently. OOB, it was way off at 50' Couldn't get it sighted in worth a darn, no matter what I tried. Groups were very inconsistent. Finally, after messing with it for almost 200 rounds, The first thing I noticed is that the laser sits kind of proud of the frame on the grip panel, and it is possible for me to move it slightly with enough thumb pressure (I shoot left hand) Also I discovered the safety on the right side was contacting the back of the sight. I've worn a nice groove into the back of it.

The solution seems simple enough, grind some of the plastic off. However, I have no idea how thick that is back there. Don't want to cut into the electronics by mistake - or mess the warranty on the thing.

I Put a call into crimson trace, and they're looking at pictures of it right now.

I wonder if it didn't come out of the mold slightly warped or something. Not having used or owned any other crimson trace to compare it to, I'm stumped. Anyone else ever come across anything like this?

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

You're a brave soul, daring to mention laser grips here.

I have them on some handguns although not on my Hi-Power. I do have them on a 1911. It's been a while but I remember CT has grips that are made to work with ambi safeties ( I'm a lefty also).
I zero the laser at about 25 feet. Accuracy is acceptable but not as good as I can do with iron sights.

Do the grips fit tightly on your HP? Some HP grips have a bit of movement without a little extra fitting work.

Of course your suspicion could be correct, just a faulty set of grips.

 

[anothernewb]

I kinda always wanted to try some just for fun. They were on sale too cheap to pass up so why not.

My grips are tight. so tight in fact I was worried about tearing them when getting the screws tight.

 

[chicharrones]

I kinda always wanted to try some just for fun. They were on sale too cheap to pass up so why not.

Yep. Why not.

I bought a set of Crimson Trace grips for a snub nose revolver many years ago because there was a sale on that particular model. While I've never bought another laser of any kind since then, I do like the CT grips on that gun. Especially since my eyes can't see handgun sights well at all anymore.

If CT still made laser grips for the CZ 75 compact series, I'd buy a set. I never bought a set when they made them for that gun and do regret it. Back then my eyes were better. Now, not so much.

 

[Wishoot]

I don't use laser sights anymore, but I did have a set of CT's for a Glock 22 years ago. The CT grip took a dump one day. Called CT and they replaced that old set with a brand new set.

Great customer service.

 

[F-111 John]

Crimson Trace had a heck of a rebate deal last year, so I finally bought a Crimson Trace laser grip sight for my J-Frame Smith.

The fit of the hard plastic grips on my S&W Model 60 Chief's Special was poor, with gaps between the two halves and an uneven fit around the trigger guard. Once I did some filing with needle files and trimming with an X-Acto knife, I finally got the fit to be very flush and snug, and the laser was then easily brought into aim and maintained zero.

The grip shape and feel of the hard plastic LG-105 was awful compared to the Hogue Bantam 61000 rubber overmold grips they replaced, and the 'instinctive activation' button on the front strap of the J-Frame grip is not the easiest to keep activated with a normal firing grip, but they mostly work. After lusting for Crimson Trace grips for twenty years since they first came out in 1995 or so, I was more than a bit disappointed.

But rest assured that the electronics are not embedded in the plastic a mere millimeter under the surface. File away with confidence.

 

[Nuclear]

Another issue with BHPs is that the grip frame area varies quite a bit over the years, to the point that grips that match some frames very well don't fit others at all.

 

[wally]

I've been impressed with the CT laser grips and how well they held zero over the years. Two problems, first they are a PITA to zero. My method is to bring a small drill press vice to the range and fire one shot at a very small aiming dot. Then clamp the gun in the vice with it aimed at the dot, and then adjust the laser to where the bullet impacted the target. Repeat as necessary if the bullet impacts aren't impacting where the laser is shining.

Second problem is they are unusable in most outdoor lighting situations making them difficult to get real practice with unless you have a place you can shoot with very poor lighting, although they rock for dry fire practice.

Yesterday we had an unusually "gray" morning such that I could see the laser dot on the steel plate targets so I did get in a bit of practice with my BG380 (built in) and XD45 (rail mounted). Zero remained dead on for both despite being a lot of rounds shot since the last time I'd checked the lasers -- was nailing 3" triangle steel plates at 15 yards, quite impressive with the little BG380!

 

[chicharrones]

Crimson Trace had a heck of a rebate deal last year, so I finally bought a Crimson Trace laser grip sight for my J-Frame Smith.

The fit of the hard plastic grips on my S&W Model 60 Chief's Special was poor, with gaps between the two halves and an uneven fit around the trigger guard. Once I did some filing with needle files and trimming with an X-Acto knife, I finally got the fit to be very flush and snug, and the laser was then easily brought into aim and maintained zero.

The grip shape and feel of the hard plastic LG-105 was awful compared to the Hogue Bantam 61000 rubber overmold grips they replaced, and the 'instinctive activation' button on the front strap of the J-Frame grip is not the easiest to keep activated with a normal firing grip, but they mostly work. After lusting for Crimson Trace grips for twenty years since they first came out in 1995 or so, I was more than a bit disappointed.

But rest assured that the electronics are not embedded in the plastic a mere millimeter under the surface. File away with confidence.

My experience with the Defender series on my Taurus 85UL is similar. There is no rubber on it, so felt recoil went up compared to the factory grip. Plus, I had to file on my CT grip in key places to make it fit properly, too.

 

[340PD]

I have never seen the downside of a set of CT lasergrips on a handgun. They are ergonomically designed and they have an "off" switch. Every snubbie and a couple of semi auto house guns are equipped with lasers.
I am an instructor and I have yet to find a better teaching aid that a set of CT laser grips on a DA revolver. I can pretty much guarantee you that in a 1/2 hour I can make most shooters better shooters with the additional help of a laser.

 

[Flechette]

I have them on several guns and like them. Not mentioned here is that they help you steady your double action firing. Seeing that little dot jiggle around a lot as you are pulling the trigger makes you much more aware of how you pull the trigger. You can easily dry fire inside and practice this.

I wish Crimson Trace (and other vendors) made more green lasers. Green is easier to see than red (believe it or not- it has to do with your retina) and therefore would be more helpful during daytime. Right now there are far fewer green lasers out there and they are much more expensive.

Also, why are so many manufacturer's lasers so damn big! They don't have to be. Crimson Trace lasers and electronics are small and can fit in a grip. Laserlyte made one a few years back that replaced the rear sight it was so small. Yet so many lasers for pistols are huge chunks of metal and plastic hung under the barrel of the gun, making it awkward and requiring a new set of holsters.

 

[redbullitt]

Crimson trace on an LCR is tough to dislike. Works well! Fit is good too. I wager you have one that is out of spec maybe?

I also have one on a baby glock. I like it very much too. Both have been on the guns for a few years without issue.

I like that pretty much anyone could pick up either gun and make reasonable hits with it. Cant argue with that. Even better I can shoot them from goofy positions with no regard for the sights lol.

 

[Jack B.]

Put CT grips on an LCR. Makes hitting your target easy , either hand ,laying on the ground, sitting, standing. Wouldn't think of not having a laser on a short barrel gun. It works great for me. I'll never be without one on any of my short barrel pistols.

 

[Sistema1927]

I think the nuclear nailed it above. HP's are notorious for having dimensional "slop" when it comes to grip frames. I have CT laserguard on my Kahr PM9, and a laser grip on my S&W 442, but those are in close personal guns and I might just be struggling with an attacker and unable to access my sights. I don't, personally, put lasers on larger handguns that might be more useful at longer ranges.

 

[Nuclear]

I actually have a CT laser on a 1911. I got it for a smoking deal, and decided to give it a go. The laser works out to 40-50 feet on COM targets. It may sound odd, but they are a really comfortable set of grips for the 1911, and I've kept them on for that reason.

 

[sorebutton]

I picked one up for my SR9c when gander was closing. 75% off was hard to pass up. I'm quite pleasantly surprised with the fit and function. I am sure if varies by model, as others have noted.

 

[8ring]

I began my misbegotten Crimsom Trace experience with a set of "Crimson Trace Defenders" for my SW 638 J-Frame. https://www.crimsontrace.com/01-5130 The Crimson Trace website said the following about these little wonders. "The Defender Series sets a new standard in laser sighting systems by providing cutting edge design, superior technology, and an affordable price tag." So I installed them on said J-frame, spent about 15 minutes twiddling with the sights to get it sighted in about 6" high of the front sight at 10 feet and off to the range I went. The on /off switch is on the top right side of the sight and requires you to press it with the right thumb as you draw the weapon. Turned it on, fired the first shot and the laser turned off. Fired the second shot and the laser turned back on. WTH?? I grip a snubnose quite high to control recoil and the base of my index finger was resting on the on / off switch. The recoil of the revolver caused this little wonder to turn on and off while shooting. So much for "cutting edge" technology. I took it off and installed a Hogue 3 finger grip, which improved my shooting immensely.



Not discouraged by this experience, I got a regular Crimson Trace for the first LCR .38 spl. I owned. It wouldn't hold zero after 5 - 10 shots, the beam was up to 2 feet cockeyed at 15 ft. from the target. I called Crimson Trace and they gave me the standard advice about how to mount and zero it. Didn't help a bit.. I was happy to sell both the LCR and the Crimson Trace. Looking at it, the regular Crimson Trace for the LCR is a cheap and uncomfortable plastic 2 finger grip, a cheap switch, and a cheap laser. It's amazing that they can sell this contraption for upwards of $200.

That said, I'm not anti-laser. I have a Laser Max on my LC-9s Pro that works perfectly.

 

[armoredman]

I still have a set of CT from my old CZ P-01 sitting in the safe. The rubber center became quite sticky, and the laser quit working, not sure why. CT was unhelpful, so they sit, waiting for whatever, I don't know.

 

[icanthitabarn]

I have a pair on my 4" S+W .357 The gun and laser are both dead on, always, at least off a rest, and I havent adjusted it since new.I didn't like searching for the tiny button and melted a tinier screw into it so it works. Also the hard plastic got painted, then sprayed in rubber, but it didn't last either way. The spray job looked factory thou.

 

[JONWILL]

I don't use them on my defensive guns. They are slower than using the front sight for me. I have to look for the dot. Probably just me.

I like them for newer shooters at the range. It definitely shows flaws in trigger pulls. It helps with correction.

 

[herrwalther]

My only experience with Crimson Trace was on a used Ruger P94 I bought for a song. Gun, CT and standard grips, box, 2 magazines for 350. Grips were zeroed well at 25 feet. Any more or less and they did not match POA. Seeing as the grips run for $300+ per firearm you carry, it wasn't financially worth it to me. I like Viridian's stuff better.

 

[chicharrones]

I still have a set of CT from my old CZ P-01 sitting in the safe. The rubber center became quite sticky, and the laser quit working, not sure why. CT was unhelpful, so they sit, waiting for whatever, I don't know.

That's why I really dislike anything with a rubber overmold or rubberized coating. It's rare the tool that I've used that the rubber turns to goo or shreds from hand friction over time. I prefer hard plastics, wood, metal, etc.

 

[chicharrones]

My experience with the Defender series on my Taurus 85UL is similar. There is no rubber on it, so felt recoil went up compared to the factory grip. Plus, I had to file on my CT grip in key places to make it fit properly, too.

In light of 8ring's post, I see the LG-185 that I have is no longer called a Defender.

 

[robhof]

I've had one on my M9 for over 10 yrs, got it cheap but loved the fact that I can point and shoot, no aiming, where the dot is, is what you hit within a few inches depending on distance, great for home defense, like said previously, bright light and distance defeats the laser, neither condition usually found in home defense situations. I've also found that practicing with the laser improves my point and shoot muscle memory. I also put one on my S&W Airwt. got the good one that supposed to absorb shock, wrong, the cheaper, larger plastic one does a much better job for my large hands.