Just got my Para and I need to pick a laser...

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DammitBoy

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Bought a Para Black Ops P14 .45 specifically because of the rail. I already have a Para Elite stainless P14 without said rail, so I'd like to try a green low profile laser on this new one.

16051282331_505c103bb9_d.jpg

I've looked at the LaserMax UNIMAX which seems kinda wide and chunky, don't know about reliability either. Also looking at the Viridian C5, which seems to have cleaner lines.

Does anyone have any experience with a green laser on the rail of their auto loader? Specifically, a .45?
 
The Veridian C5 takes the CR2 batteries. Those will last longer than most of the other batteries. Plus you can find them in bulk packaging more than most.

If you go with a green laser that takes 1/3N batteries, they'll be sucked dry quickly. And they generally cost more.
 
Viridian is the company I would go with. They have been doing green lasers longer and are better quality and value compared to Crimson Trace. The rail on the Black Ops is big enough you could easily fit a Viridian X5L on there too. Keep us up to date on the Black Ops, I am interested in one myself.
 
Can't use laser grips from crimson trace - they don't make them for the Para double stack.

I'll have to look into their rail offering.

Edited to add:

Looked at the crimson trace rail, looks very similar to the C5 - except the body appears to be plastic and the C5 appears to be metal. The lazermax takes the 1/3 battery, so it's out of the running.

Price is about the same, so it's down to reliability for the win...
 
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I have no input for the Crimson Trace, though we have other lasers by them that we are happy with.

We got a C5 that is on the wifes' M&P40 full size. The C5 comes with different mounting side plates for various guns.

There was a couple missteps on my part when mounting it. Tried to close the gap between the laser and the trigger guard, which didn't let the laser seat properly. And one time I didn't get the battery cap snugged enough, and that let the battery jar around and the I.D. threads chewed up the protective coating on the battery. Wasted a perfectly good battery.

Other than that, the C5 can be seen in about any lighting condition.
 
I really enjoy outfitting some of my older stuff with grip enhancements. Sorry about the availability. Having to change out holsters gets pricy. For my newer stuff I really enjoy the light and laser combo. I thought this was my ego until the night my Wife was stopped in our drive by an intruder. The "black" gun could not be seen. But the light with the red dot on him stopped him cold. I could have only have had the light and had the same effect. Changed my mind on why to own one.
 
CT defender for LCP?

My first attempt to put a laser on my LCP was a laser max. It kept eating batteries and I could not get it to hold a zero so I ended up trashing it after waiting too long to get a refund on it.

Now I am thinking of putting a laser on the gun again and I am considering the Crimson trace ds-122. It cost a lot less than the grip activation version and is less likely to interfere with the hogue grip on the gun.

Does anyone here have any experience with this laser?
 
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Also looking at the Viridian C5, which seems to have cleaner lines.
Click to expand...

I had a Veridian C5. It was well-made, very bright, and had a decent battery life.

But it would not hold zero worth a darn, and this was on a 9mm pistol
 
Fishbed77 said:
I had a Veridian C5. It was well-made, very bright, and had a decent battery life.

But it would not hold zero worth a darn, and this was on a 9mm pistol
Click to expand...

Luck of the draw, in your case bad. I have an earlier SN model C5L. Most electronics for firearms get tested for recoil on a 12ga first. Using slugs the C5L held up pretty well and now sits on my .40 most of the year.
 
kcofohio said:
The Veridian C5 takes the CR2 batteries. Those will last longer than most of the other batteries. Plus you can find them in bulk packaging more than most.

If you go with a green laser that takes 1/3N batteries, they'll be sucked dry quickly. And they generally cost more.
Click to expand...

Actually, I have a Virdian laser that takes the 1/3N batteries for my Ruger LC9. And those batteries do indeed go dead quickly.
 
Luck of the draw, in your case bad. I have an earlier SN model C5L. Most electronics for firearms get tested for recoil on a 12ga first. Using slugs the C5L held up pretty well and now sits on my .40 most of the year.
Click to expand...

The electronics were not the problem. One problem was the pin that continually backed out of the polymer mount, allowing movement between the laser and rail mount. A poor design. Another was internal. Also an aggravating design issue is the fact that the battery cap must be at an exact tightness to maintain a circuit. After a little shooting, it backs out, shutting down the laser.
 
Nanook said:
Actually, I have a Virdian laser that takes the 1/3N batteries for my Ruger LC9. And those batteries do indeed go dead quickly.
Click to expand...

I have been thinking of getting a laser for my LC380. The one you have is probably the one mostly being considered. I like the green because it shows up so much better at the range, than the red does.

Just don't buy the 1/3N at Radio Shack. They want about $10 for one.
 
Fishbed77 said:
The electronics were not the problem. One problem was the pin that continually backed out of the polymer mount, allowing movement between the laser and rail mount. A poor design. Another was internal. Also an aggravating design issue is the fact that the battery cap must be at an exact tightness to maintain a circuit. After a little shooting, it backs out, shutting down the laser.
Click to expand...

Haven't had either of those issues with mine. Sounds more like factory defects. My unit came with 2 rail pins. That could be/have been a solution if you still have it. As for the battery cover I have never heard that either. I tighten my battery cap with a quarter and never have issues.
 
Update:

Went to three different gun shops in town to see about fit on my Para. Only one shop had any green lasers in stock, it was the lazermax and it will not fit my rail. I'm going back to the other gun shop to see if the crimson trace red laser will fit my rail.

All three shops say they will not stock or order viridian lasers because they always come back with issues...
 
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So far, searching amazon, midway and optics planet reviews - the C5 is getting lackluster reviews. Most complaints center on thin threads for battery cap and not holding zero.

The Para has a very shallow groove for picatinny rail attachments. Not the rail itself but the slot for the retaining screw. Tried four rail products at gun shop #2, everything worked except the lasermax product.

I'll update about crimson trace as soon as I get back by shop #1.
 
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