Laser sighting and lighting

[owsi26]

I recently bought some Glocks (ran out of reasons not to) and realized that the rail looked like it needed something on it. The Glock 20 (10mm) was purchased as my new home gun for self-defense. I thought a combination light/laser would be better than having to carry a flashlight.

I bought a Streamlight M6-X combo and I'm very pleased with it. I liked the very quick target sighting with the laser so much that I wanted a laser for my carry gun that didn't have rails. I bought a Lasermax internal laser that replaces the spring guide rod. All you do is replace that, the slide lock and the slide lock spring. It can be done in less than a minute.

Now I think any defense pistol should have a laser. Will we really be calm enough to use the sights in a truly life or death situation? I doubt it would. Plus, sighting with the laser leaves one free to keep an eye on the hands of the bad guy. If you are using iron sights, your vision is impaired by the firearm itself, along with your hands, blocking the view of his/her center mass.

Perhaps I'm just trying to justify my expenditure but pro-laser now. Has anyone else become a laser/light convert?

 

[geekWithA.45]

My take on lasers is that they're expensive "nice to haves", so long as depending on them or fumbling with them or paying for them causes you no harm.

Personally, I prefer lasergrips, because they simply come on when the pistol is gripped, rather than having to dink with a switch.

 

[Grey54956]

Generally have to say that lasers are about the worst things to put on a handgun.

My experience with them has been awful. Too much concentration on the little red dot, not enough on the fundamentals. I shoot much better without the laser.

Besides, most defensive shooting is at fairly close range where careful aim isn't as important as fast pointing. I think a flashlight would be a much better accessory.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I've got 3 Crimson Trace laser grips on a Kimber and two J frames.
Got plans to get at least two more.

When used correctly they are great.
Like any other shooting skill it takes practice to use them well.

I've found it surprising how many experienced gun people can't effectively use the laser when they first try it and some inexperienced people tear up the target when they first try the laser.

From almost any distance the laser can be very fast and extremely accurate.
Red dot followed instantly by a black hole.

This target is typical of what my 2 inch J frame will do in near darkness. I'm hard pressed to shoot a 3 inch group during the day using the gun's iron sights.

Around my place the laser owns the night.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

Okay, they are expensive toys, so the batteries ARE included.

batteries ...


... die

I don't care to trust my life to a freakin' battery.

 

[middy]

Hawkmoon. Just because you put a laser on your gun, doesn't mean you have to take the sights off and keep your eyes closed.

I guess you're saying you wouldn't want to become dependent on a laser, but dependence doesn't necessarily follow the installation.

If properly used and practiced with, they can be a valuable tool.

Grey54956 said, "Too much concentration on the little red dot, not enough on the fundamentals." Then you're doing it wrong Grey... the most important fundamentals are trigger control, not sight picture. I fail to see how looking at a red dot can mess up your trigger control.

A laser is just an alternative to sights for aiming a firearm, it can be used instead of iron sights, or a scope, or along with them.

I prefer a laser as it allows me to focus on my target instead of my front sight, but I practice both ways.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Okay, they are expensive toys, so the batteries ARE included.

batteries ...


... die

I don't care to trust my life to a freakin' battery.

I would think that anyone that's smart enough to load a pistol is smart enough to check the batteries in his defense gun, but if not, note the pistol still has sights.

 

[Sheldon J]

I bought one for my HK USP and had to buy a rail adaptor. What a light! but I put laser grips on my wifes .357.

 

[P95Carry]

Hey Buck - how are things?

I have been a CT fan for ages - three sets on revo's and two on semi's - which includes my carry 226 and a 220.

IMO tho it is all but essential to maintain open sight shooting disciplines - light may be too bright to see the spot and also - use of open sights for at least first shot allows for spot aquisition if it is there and visible.

Only if we had the luxury of time to for instance - take aim round the corner of cover, might we look first for the spot as a primary aiming device.

Once reliance is placed on these to exclusion of normal sighting then I think it can be detremental. Mine are accurate in the extreme and being pressure operated come on (if master sw is in ''on'' position) - with my grip on the gun - no conscious input needed.

I know they are not for all and - thaey ain't cheap either but for me on a defensive platform they are a valuable adjunct.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Hey Buck - how are things?

IMO tho it is all but essential to maintain open sight shooting disciplines - light may be too bright to see the spot and also - use of open sights for at least first shot allows for spot aquisition if it is there and visible.

I know they are not for all and - thaey ain't cheap either but for me on a defensive platform they are a valuable adjunct.[/
I have been a CT fan for ages - three sets on revo's and two on semi's - which includes my carry 226 and a 220.
QUOTE]
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The days are going by. The last several weeks have been kind of bad, know what I mean.

Been busy with an airplane lately. Fun flying a bare bones fixed wing again


A friend was standing off to the side watching me shoot one of my CT equipped pistols several weeks ago. Single and double fast shots.
He said, Do you know you aren't looking at the laser, you are looking at the target?
I thought about it and realized he was right. The laser doesn't distract me from using my normal shooting technique. I just seem to move the dot, if necessary, without taking my attention off the target and as the dot centers I've already squeezed the trigger.
Works for me.

I really need to read what CT has to say about using their lasers. I'm sure I could learn a lot.

 

[Bullet]

With a laser you can shoot from the hip (or just about any position) and know where your bullet is going to hit.

 

[M2 Carbine]

With a laser you can shoot from the hip (or just about any position) and know where your bullet is going to hit.

Yes, and along those lines,
Recently a friend when driving home from work in the middle of the night was involved in a shooting.
Long story, but when we talked about it I told him a CT laser might be the thing to have if shooting at a car from another car at night. Within reason you can pinpoint where you want to hit.

He bought a CT for his Wilson at the next gun show.

BTW, he was armed on the way home because he refused to follow his company's ban on guns in vehicles in the company parking lot.