I am a senior citizen old fart... In ye olde distant past I was relatively accurate with my firearms, and my vision was great and no shaky hands..
Now as I ramble on down lifes highway on my way to the proverbial 3 score and 10 I find my vision has indeed declined, and my hands aren't so steady any longer. In other words, without help, I can't hit merde anymore.
In the early years of laser production it seems the bad rap. was they were too heavy, short battery life, and not always reliable. I honestly believe those days are long gone, and if you buy a QUALITY laser product you will more than likely be quite satisfied with it.
Some folks simply do not like change, no matter the product. If you are one of those people then no amount of satisfied customer testimony will change your mind. On the other hand, if you are openminded you might be a bit amazed at how far lasers have come.
My first Crimson Trace set of Lasergrips purchase came about when I was considering the purchase of "another" J-frame Smith. I already had two, plus three Colt D frame snubby's and I couldn't hit the black with any of them at any distance beyond the end of my arm.
I experienced a moment of clarity and instead of buying a 6th snubby I bought the CT Lasergrips.
When the lasergrips came and I put them on my model 49 Bodyguard the difference in my personal accuracy was the difference between night and day. I was shooting in broad daylight, at self defense range (5-7yds), and I could put 'em all in the black, or center mass of the target. In any lower lighting conditions the result was the same...
Now for those of you who say "at 5-7 yards I don't need no stinking laser" more power to ya.. But for me personally when my heart is racing, my adrenlin pumping, and a potential life threat is before me I want ALL the help I can get.....
The battery life on my CT Lasergrips is unbelievably good. The battery's aren't expensive and readily available almost anyplace. I change my batteries out yearly (just like the smoke alarms,etc) just because, NOT because they are weak. Crimson Trace has a website, and the customer service is excellent.
My 2nd set of CT Lasergrips was recently purchased for my Sig P239.. Same result. Wonderful addition to a fine firearm. (I get free batteries for life from CT with the Sig Lasergrips)
Apparently our military is using lasers in Iraq and Afganistan in a big way, and they are very popular with the soldiers.
I firmly believe that in the event of a deadly confrontation my eyes will indeed be glued to the threat... I won't be thinking of "iron sight picture", or anything else other than the theat. With the Ct Lasergrips you can watch the threat, place your arm in the direction of the threat, and the red dot will indeed show you where the poa would be should you pull the trigger at that moment.
I don't know about the "visual deterring" aspect of the red laser dot in a confrontation, but I shouldn't think it would be comforting to the aggressor.. To me the psychological impact of having a red dot shining on your chest should provide some reflection that otherwise might not be considered.
I'm so high on CT Lasergrips now that before I consider the purchase of another firearm for personal defense I check to see it there is indeed a CT product available for it. For me, CT Lasergrips are that good.....
I don't know about other manufacturers products, but I've read where LaserMax also makes a quality laser.
Lasers make a lot more sense to people who in the past were accurate but are inaccurate now because of health issues or just advancing age. I have no argument with those who for one reason or another do not care for lasers, that's their business.
Change sucks for old folks, but this computer sure beats my old Remington typewriter....
Fortunately change regarding lasers is still a personal choice.
Not trying to be confrontational, but I love my Lasergrips..
Best Wishes,
J. Pomeroy