Laser Grips

[RDak]

I've never owned laser grips but am thinking of finally buying one.

If you had many handguns, what type of gun design do you guys think benefit from laser grips the most?

Would you get one for a concealed carry handgun first or for the house gun?

Also, do they benefit revolvers more than semi-auto's?

Just trying to get a feel for what those laser grips benefit the most.

Thanks for any opinions.

(Kind of embarrassing that I've never bought a laser grip but I shot one the other day at the range and couldn't believe how easy it was to hit the target. It was a full-sized .40 S&W calibered semi-auto. I think it might have been a S&W military and police model but never looked at the markings on the slide.)

 

[doc540]

We have two snubs with CT grips.

My wife has to wear contacts and uses reading glasses for close work.

She has trouble actually sighting the snubs (she's not accomplished enough to point and shoot accurately)

CT grips improved her ability to shoot accurately and boosted her confidence with the snubs.

They're working well for our needs.

 

[EHL]

they're great for most any gun. I've got a set on one of my 1911's

 

[Hungry Seagull]

Im considering Crimson Trace for my M&P .45 I have experimented with them in a shop on a .40 S&W and found them to be rather good. But that was prior to my eye surgery. I dont need laser dot now. The front sight is just good enough for me on handgun, much better actually.

I may still get CT Laser in future just for the hell of it, perhaps during a public CCW situation the extra.. visual impact of a beam putting dot on aggressor will save his or her life. That alone will justify the cost, if the aggressor does not stop, well.. it will only improve my centermass shoot.

Dont matter either way now that the eye works.

I like it enough to consider it carefully. It's a matter of pricing now.

 

[DeepSouth]

Would you get one for a concealed carry handgun first or for the house gun?

I personally would not use them for a carry gun. The problem with them is that there are times, basically all daylight hours, when the dot is not visible because of the sunlight. If you train with the dot visible it could trow you off when you need it and it is not there, if you train with just the iron sights you have defeated the point and wasted your money.

Now for a house gun I think it would be fine, you can basicilly always see the dot, making the gun "idiot proof"

 

[clemsonu0219]

I would look into LaserMax especially for semi auto's. Can run high but they are dangerously accurate.

 

[jaydubya]

Laser grips (at least the red lasers) are not much help when busting bowling pins at 100 yards in the noonday sun -- green ones may be a different story. In self-defense/home-defense, however, red lasers shine . I have Crimson Trace (red laser) grips on two S&W revolvers (637 and 686+) and my old friend, a T-series Browning High Power that I carried as my personal weapon on several flying cruises to Vietnam, and again shoot weekly at my indoor range, along with one of the revolvers.

I have no experience with the lasers that replace the recoil spring guides on some autoloaders, but I am an experienced shooter. I am skeptical about the durability of something so deeply involved in the cycling of an autoloader. If Crimson Trace offers a set of laser grips for the handgun of your choice, go with them. If they do not, consider buying another handgun. From my own experience, as well as others on this and other websites, Crimson Trace customer service is topnotch.

Cordially, Jack

 

[MrBill120]

I'm looking into picking up a set of Crimson Trace grips for a S&W 642.

Any input as to either the LG-105 for $170 or the LG-405 for $240??

The LG-105 appears smaller, whereas the LG-405s come with some new S&W's. The 642 is mainly pocket carried.

Thanks!

 

[Salty1]

I put the CT LG305 on my 637 J Frame, picked them for the cushioned backstrap and the extra room for the small finger. This addition changed the revolver from being basically a 20 foot gun to one I can hit paper plates with at 50 feet. One thing the laser does is show how much wabble I have when squeezing the trigger in double action mode.

 

[RDak]

Thanks for all the info. and opinions guys!

 

[Six]

I just sold my CTCs for my Glock, and yeah, they work great. However...

I found that for me, for my Glock, the laser wasn't a useful aid. Trying them out for HD scenarios, it felt far more natural and faster to just point shoot the 3-5 yard distances we're talking about. In a real situation, I want to focus on the actions, face, and hands of the BG rather than chasing my little red dot.

At the range, the laser on the target was a distraction when using the fixed sights, and I found it more difficult to quickly focus on the front sight with a bright spot on the paper demanding my attention.

I would however consider buying a set if I carried a small pistol like a Ruger LCP or a small revolver.

 

[novalty]

For me it is the opposite of Six. I just purchased a set of CTC for my S&W 5906, as my home defense gun I feel they are an asset in a low light situation. The 5906 fits my hand perfect and the aim seems very natural, but it does not have night sights on it. So in a low light situation I cannot see anything, and with a small child also in the house, I would like to know that the gun is at least pointed where I want it too--not just in the general direction of bad guy.

Just my $.02

 

[Noxx]

I'm looking into picking up a set of Crimson Trace grips for a S&W 642.

Any input as to either the LG-105 for $170 or the LG-405 for $240??

I have the LG-405's on my 642. The little bit of extra "squish" across the back really makes a difference when firing the airweight. I have found no detriment to pocket carry with this model.

As always, I endorse CT heartily, I use their product on several of my firearms and am beyond pleased with their performance and quality.

 

[krs]

I bought a used sig 220 recently that came with CT grips. I'm pretty sure that the owner of the shop didn't realize they were there as he'd have set the price higher than the $550. I paid and I probably wouldn't have bought the gun.

So I wasn't thrilled at the idea and thought I'd sell them here and get back some of my money.

BUT.....I took the gun outside and tried it with the grips and LOVED IT! Already an accurate pistol but me and this Sig are shooting groups to make a bullseye competitor happy as long as the sun isn't so bright that I can't see the dot.

So now I'm sold on the CT grips more than I was from having them as the only sighting device on my Colt New Agent. With that gun they work, but on the Sig they work GOOD.

And the model made for Sig 220 wraps all around the grip so they feel good too!

 

[orionengnr]

If you train to point shoot, you are not looking at the sights anyway. Therefore, the red dot is either an advantage or a non-issue.

I have one carry pistol equipped withthe laser and train with iron sights and point shooting. I may turn on the laser for the last mag or two.

Where the laser comes in really handy is while dry practicing in the house. Get your normal grip, pick a small target across the room (lamp, doorknob, etc.). Raise the pistol quickly in a point-shooting technique, then squeeze the laser. Or pick your target, close your eyes, then raise the pisto while squeezing the laser. open your eyes and see how close you are.

Either way, it refines your point-shooting skills rapidly (or re-enforces your confidence in your existing skills). With the price of ammo what it is, this is a method of enhancing your skills without firing a shot.

 

[MrBill120]

...I might lean towards the LG-105..the extra $70 might be a little steep for some "extra squish". LOL
We shall see though....

I'd rather spend the $70 on ammo for my collection.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

It's still a bit squishy because I recall when I checked the one at the store I kept bouncing back and forth between the dot and front sight. Neither agreed with what I was pointing the gun at and that screwed me up mentally.

 

[Lonestar49]

...

CT laser "grips" are your best value, in that, you can use the same holster you now ccw with, and use the same carry gun as your night gun. Once you dial in your CT laser grips, you will learn, thru practice, that 2-eyed open shots are the norm up close or out to distance, 63ft at my indoor range. And you can shoot with maximum SA, from waist high, too chin high, 2 hand grip, and if necessary, 1 hand grip and put lead on target/COM point of laser.


Ls

 

[jaydubya]

I'm looking into picking up a set of Crimson Trace grips for a S&W 642. Any input as to either the LG-105 for $170 or the LG-405 for $240??

The LG105s have some advantages and some disadvantages. On the plus side, they are significantly cheaper than the LG405s, noticeably smaller, and do not have that useless on/off switch on the 405 (and the 305 on my 637). On the negative side, they are made of hard, unforgiving polymer, whereas the 405 grips are of rubber. Furthermore, the 405 grips have a shock absorber at the top of the back strap, right where an Airweight needs it. If I forget to put a bandaid on the web of my shooting hand, I will have created -- and popped -- a blister by the twentieth round. This is why the mantra on Airweights is, "Often carried, seldom shot."

Cordially, Jack

 

[black bear]

I will NOT be without one.

I have a laser grip on my .45, it is my primary home defense gun, together with a Borealis 1050 lumens flashlight.

After the alarm sounded...
My tactic is to get to the bedroom door and from there control the passage way and the living room, with the body protected by the frame and with only my half face exposed, one hand holding the pistol and the other hand the Borealis flashlight.

With a laser is not need to line up your face with the pistol, no tunnel vision, no exposing body parts to get into a shooting position.
If you are going to have a gunfight, this is the best way!

This, for me is the most valuable feature of the laser.

The flashlight with the 1050 lumens (two millions candlepower) will cook the eyes of an intruder.

Colt .45 with laser grips and the Borealis 1050 lumens flashlight.










Cheers



Black Bear