Pocket/Backup Gun Laser - Yes or No?

[smalls]

I don't own any, but they do have uses.

Be proficient with your sights, first, so that if your laser does fail, you still know how to shoot.

I was at the range a few months ago and this kid was shooting an LCP with a laser on it. Even with the laser he was getting shotgun patterns at 7 yards. A laser isn't going to make you a better shooter.

 

[56hawk]

The laser is a low light/dark sighting system, as like when you can't easily see your iron sights. If you can see your iron sights, use them, not the laser.

That's part of the problem I was referring to. Unless you do a lot of practice, there is a good chance under stress you will try to find the laser in broad daylight. If you have to think, "do I look for the laser or the sights," it's going to slow you down.

Well, for one the speed of light is pretty darn fast.
If you think you need to turn a switch, plug in a cord and dial an adjustment....then you do need enlightenment.

I was referring to was finding the dot on the target. With iron sights or a red dot you are indexed to the gun and it's quick to get a sight alignment. With a laser you have to hunt for the dot first. I think a laser can improve your accuracy especially in low light conditions, but it won't be as fast as iron sights.

 

[David E]

With iron sights or a red dot you are indexed to the gun and it's quick to get a sight alignment. With a laser you have to hunt for the dot first.

If your draw stroke is true, then the dot will be where it needs to be. No need to hunt for it.

 

[M2 Carbine]

If your draw stroke is true, then the dot will be where it needs to be. No need to hunt for it.
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True, but just as a wild guess I'd say the average shooter when point shooting (no laser) closer than 7 yards will have the gun pointed within, say, 14 inches of the center of the target as they pull the trigger. This will make for some poor shots. (Of course some people that practice point shooting a lot get very accurate and fast, close up)

If the gun is equipped with a laser and the shooter knows how to use it, the shooter will pull the gun to center as he is pulling the trigger, without actually looking at the laser dot.


As I said, I do a lot of close up (under about 8 yards) fast multiple shot point shooting, using the laser.
What really takes place is as each shot is fired the laser dot seems to be flying all over COM and beyond. It appears to never stop moving until I have stopped firing.
But I seldom miss COM. So what is happening is as I'm pulling the trigger I am (naturally) pulling the dot toward the center of the target, where my vision is focused.



Out beyond about ten yards the shooting is slower as the shooter tries to hold the laser dot centered.
Personally I sight my handgun lasers in at 25 yards. This way the bullet strike will be within an inch or two of center from arm's length to beyond 40 yards. My back yard is 50+ yards.

By the time I shot the 40 yard target it was so dark the target was just a gray blur, but still COM hits were easy with the Crimson Trace laser.
The gun is the Kimber Tactical Ultra.

 

[David E]

M2, i think we are pretty much in agreement. My point was directed at folks who do not have a laser but are criticizing aspects of it they just don't understand.

Can a laser slow you down? Yes, if you don't know how to properly utilize it.

Do people use a laser as a crutch? Yes, because they don't know how to properly utilize it.

Will a laser magically and instantly make a poor shot into a great one? No, as evidenced by the dumb cluck who couldn't shoot tight groups at 7 yds with his laser equipped LCP (but the laser would've revealed to an instructor just how bad that's shooter's flinch was!)

The late, great Jim Cirillo, known for his incredible front sight focus in deadly shoot-outs, recognized the value of a laser.

 

[1894]

I would spend the $$ for the laser on ammo for practice. It's a bug. That means by the time you pull it, you've already lost your primary for whatever reason and the bg is on top of you.

At work in FL summers my lcp is my primary for lots of reasons I don't like and have no control over. I have no laser. I shoot mine better than I do my friend's that has one. To me - at the range(s) I have faith in the weapon - it's a distraction. YMMV.

It does (on the lcp) help to distort the profile of the gun in my pocket a bit. But I've found cheaper ways to do that.

 

[Geo47]

I've carried and shot guns for a quarter century. I own handguns of different makes, models and calibers, including four J frame revolvers. After recently trying out some Crimson Trace grips, I feel like a damn fool for not putting them on my guns sooner. I knew the J frames had plenty of intrinsic accuracy, but had no idea a Chief's Special could be FIRED so accurately! You simply cannot hold a front sight, let alone a sight picture, on a target as steadly as you can a red dot that's smaller than the front sight, and literally ON the target. Not to mention the fact that when you use the sights, you're concealing a greater part of the target with the weapon.

I zeroed my sight at 50 feet, which is about as far as you can quickly pick up that dot, and can cut a ragged hole at that distance. You can spot the flyers right away, because the dot will jump--a great training aid.

The red dot allows you to concentrate on the target, not on the front sight. And if for some reason it fails, so what? You still have the iron sights for backup! One note: probably not a good idea if you're not inclined to keep your pocket, pocket holster or purse lint-free, as a piece of lint or dirt could conceivably get into and block the laser aperture.

 

[M2 Carbine]

M2, i think we are pretty much in agreement.

True.

 

[Steve CT]

I have a LaserLyte on my LCP. Adds no bulk, basically it's along for the ride in case I need/want it.

Why NOT have it?