Laser Sight

[Bo]

Ordered a LaserMax Sight for my XD 45. Can't wait to try it out. It should be a good learning tool.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I don't have a LaserMax but I do have nine Crimson Trace Laser Grips and Streamlight TLR-2 lasers.
I've got these sights on 22 pistols, 1911 pistols, CZ pistol, revolvers, Kel Tec PLR .223 pistols and shotguns.

It should be a good learning tool.

I take it that means that you haven't experience with gun mounted lasers.

I'll give you a few of my (unprofessional) tips.

Don't shine the laser around like a flashlight. Mostly you want to light the laser as, or just before, you are squeezing the trigger.

Either use the iron sights or the laser, not both at once. If holding the gun in front of your face, hold it several inches below eye level.

Don't look at the laser dot. Keep your eyes on the target. With practice you will automatically bring the dot on target as you squeeze the trigger.
If it isn't dark enough that your vision instantly sees the laser, you should be using the iron sights, not the laser.

One of the best points of the laser is the ability to fast and accurately hit the target with the gun held in almost any position and in either hand. Practice such shooting as weak hand point shooting from the hip.

Some people have a problem incorporating an extra switch in their shooting.
When they light the laser they fail to keep the dot on target as they pull the trigger.
Work on maintaining the dot on the target as you squeeze the trigger.

Practice. Like anything else, it takes practice to get good with the laser.

Personally I like to practice shooting against the clock and such shooting as weak hand point shooting. I practice with the lasers 2-5 evenings a week, fun
10 yards. S&W J Frame. Left hand. Point shooting from the hip.

 

[deanodog]

Don't look like you need too much more practice. Good shooting

 

[CountGlockula]

Congrats! Give us a report and your advice on it.

 

[AndyC]

And bear in mind that a laser is just an aid to sighting - once it's sighted-in at your chosen distance, you still need decent trigger-control to make the bullet go where the dot is

 

[quickcanary]

Thanks for the insight, M2 Carbine. I just installed a set of CT laser grips on my Glock 19. When I pointed out in another thread that the laser might be useful in scenarios such as those that you described, I was told that three dot sights are still faster and that "hip shots are for Hollywood."

Now, I'm not going to go around shooting from the hip in an effort to look cool, but I can think of certain circumstances where it would be faster to get a laser on point and fire rather than having to line up three dots and acquire a traditional sight picture. And in the event that one's gun isn't equipped with night sites, the stock sites are going to be nearly (if not totally) useless in the dark.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Double Post

I double posted, so I'll just stick this thought in here.

I have night sights and lasers on several guns.
I wear tri focals. Use the center lens for iron sight shooting.
I've informally tested my speed getting on target while using the night sights and the laser.
Using the laser I could put 2-3 bullets in me before I can line up the target with the night sights.

For us old farts the laser can be a welcome sighting device at night, with or without glasses.

 

[M2 Carbine]

quickcanary
Thanks for the insight, M2 Carbine. I just installed a set of CT laser grips on my Glock 19. When I pointed out in another thread that the laser might be useful in scenarios such as those that you described, I was told that three dot sights are still faster and that "hip shots are for Hollywood."

Now, I'm not going to go around shooting from the hip in an effort to look cool, but I can think of certain circumstances where it would be faster to get a laser on point and fire rather than having to line up three dots and acquire a traditional sight picture. And in the event that one's gun isn't equipped with night sites, the stock sites are going to be nearly (if not totally) useless in the dark.

Shooting speed, accuracy, etc, is an individual thing and a person should use what works best for them.

Personally, I've been shooting for 50+ years but I'm not stuck in my ways.

I think the (good) gun mounted laser and better yet the laser/light is the best thing to come out in many years.

It's said that 70% of defense shootings take place in low light or darkness.
Again it's an individual thing but in my case I'm far faster and more accurate when using a laser at night.
Added to that I don't have the gun at eye level blocking what little I can see in the darkness.

I love to shoot handguns. Point shoot, iron sights, Red Dot, laser, whatever, and I believe in it's element, the laser is king.

But I just can't break a second a shot.
( you really do slow down with age )




BTW, this is what my friend's G19 does with the CT.

 

[crankshop1000]

I have Lasermax on my 642 and Crimson Trace on my RIA 1911A1. The Lasermax offers choice of pulsed or steady beam.On steady setting the Lasermax dot is identical to the CT dot. The activation switch is more automatic on the CT as the grip triggers the on switch. The Lasermax needs a more positive action to activate the laser.I added the lasers due to my 53 year old eyes not being able to focus on the factory sights. I use the lasers as the primary sights and they are indeed accurate when properly adjusted.I think you will be pleased.Chuck.

 

[WOODROW]

I have been giving serious thought to adding a set of the Crimson Trace to my carry 1911. Which do you suggest, the front activation or the dual side activation?
SLOW IS SMOOTH, SMOOTH IS FAST

 

[M2 Carbine]

WOODROW, I've got both.

Friends and I agree that,
with the side button you must make an effort to turn on the laser, but with the front button you must make an effort to not turn on the laser.

I've had the side button on a Kimber for quite a while. A week ago I bought the Kimber Ultra Covert with the front button.

I like the front button better.
As do a couple friends that have tried both.

 

[crankshop1000]

My CT for the 1911 has a single side bar switch. When you grip the gun,the switch goes on.You have a master on/off switch but you always activate the switch with the grip.