Let's hear your pros and cons on laser sights for handguns. I already have one on my Glock 17 but don't like the fact it can't be turned off. CTC makes one for my S&W 640 in .357 that can be turned on and off but I'm not sure I want to spend the money on it. (I'm only interested in sights that still allow use of a holster.)
Handgun laser sights
- Thread starter Sparx
- Start date
Larry Gude
Strung Out
Depends on what you want them for. As toys, they are kewl. If it's on a handgun I may need for stress shooting, (code for shooting bad guys), no interest. It's one more thing to worry about (will it work? is it on target?) if I am busy peeing my pants and trying to decide 'shoot/no shoot'.
Get a set of Trijicons or Novaks and use the $300 you saved to buy a box of ammo, maybe two if you can find a sale, and practice.
Depends on what you want them for. As toys, they are kewl. If it's on a handgun I may need for stress shooting, (code for shooting bad guys), no interest. It's one more thing to worry about (will it work? is it on target?) if I am busy peeing my pants and trying to decide 'shoot/no shoot'.
Get a set of Trijicons or Novaks and use the $300 you saved to buy a box of ammo, maybe two if you can find a sale, and practice.
I have them for sport/target shooting and personal defense. I've never had a question about it working or being on target on the Glock. (Maybe I will now that you mentioned it...lol.) I also think the decision to shoot/no shoot should be made before ever sighting with anything. (It might be different in a pissing situation though.) BTW, thanks for the serious, no bullcrap reply I seldom get on these boards.
Larry Gude
Strung Out
I have them for sport/target shooting and personal defense. I've never had a question about it working or being on target on the Glock. (Maybe I will now that you mentioned it...lol.) I also think the decision to shoot/no shoot should be made before ever sighting with anything. (It might be different in a pissing situation though.) BTW, thanks for the serious, no bullcrap reply I seldom get on these boards.
Question; I do two types of shooting; deliberate, by the numbers target shooting, stance, grip, aim, front sight clear, rear and target kinda fuzzy, breathing, squeeze...just like the NRA done teached me and I also try and simulate an urgent situation; do some push ups, get my heart rate up, hands little shaky and try and tell myself 'life or death! shoot or no?" where it's all about getting the gun off the table, or unholstered or off the ground ,whatever, and pointed at the target, point shooting, and I don't decide UNTIL I am on target and make myself 'see' threat or not threat. You can work yourself up into a pretty good level of excitement much like hunting where you are avoiding tunnel vision and think in terms of 'do I have a good shot? What's behind the target?' etc.
The question being, to me, if you are using a laser for both THAT is when I would be worried about trusting them. SO, to me, I separate the two; the fun guns, the toys, and the serious business guns. The toys are not in reach in the house because I do not want to trust them when it matters.
So, consider that. Maybe someone will come along and tell you they are rock solid trust worthy. A Novak can get misaligned but, at pistol distances, point shooting, instinct I ain't using them anyway.
Lot to consider and with guns, it is ALWAYS a good thing to think it through, a lot, revisit it, keep it as an ongoing, evolving thing.
A very good thing about laser sights on a pistol is the ease at just pointing and shooting. If you are in a tussle with a bad guy, on the floor, upside down, whatever, however, all you have to do is place the dot on the perp, with either hand, and pull the trigger. No aiming necessary.
In close quarters, say 15 feet is probably as far away as anybody would be in a typical house, any laser even close to zeroed in will hit the body mass.
In close quarters, say 15 feet is probably as far away as anybody would be in a typical house, any laser even close to zeroed in will hit the body mass.
I have Crimson Trace on my Glock 27 and Judge revolver. Both work fine, activated by finger pressure on the handle, with easy on/off switch. They are pretty much zeroed in at ten yards, so anything closer is just easier to hit.
I do sincerely hope I never have to use them in a defense capacity, though.
I have the Crimson Trace grip and TruGlo-TFO sights on my S&W M&P 9c. The CT is dialed in to 25'. Long as I can get the dot on the perp he's getting hit. I don't want to be trying to line up sights if my life is in danger.
I like the CT because it can be turned off and it is activated by a pressure sensitive switch in the grip. I don't use the CT at the range, that's where I practice my sighting, breathing and trigger pulls.
I like the CT because it can be turned off and it is activated by a pressure sensitive switch in the grip. I don't use the CT at the range, that's where I practice my sighting, breathing and trigger pulls.
This fact that you can quickly target anything from any position was a big selling point in the CT DVD I got with the laser sight on my Glock. Practice makes perfect but there is no way most people can have the time or afford to practice enough to be acurate from any position with standard sights.
The Crimson Trace sights don't mount on the rail. They replace the existing grips and cast the laser beam from there.
Bigpops92
Active Member
Interesting responses so far. My $.02 – in a tense situation do you really think you are seeking your sights? Such as an intruder approaching you? Running towards you? If you rely on “night sights” well, you may be standing there looking for them in the dark.
Videos, self defense classes, etc all teaches these tactical exercises but the reality (usually) is that your eyes fixate on the threat. Read some police reports….enlightening information.
Quality laser sights, such as CT, serve several purposes other than home defense. They are a great tool for gaining proper trigger control, sight acquisition, proper grip, etc.
I don’t think you could go wrong. A carry gun of mine will always have them.
To add – I have had sets that went over 5 years without a battery change. (and yes they were used quite often)
Videos, self defense classes, etc all teaches these tactical exercises but the reality (usually) is that your eyes fixate on the threat. Read some police reports….enlightening information.
Quality laser sights, such as CT, serve several purposes other than home defense. They are a great tool for gaining proper trigger control, sight acquisition, proper grip, etc.
I don’t think you could go wrong. A carry gun of mine will always have them.
To add – I have had sets that went over 5 years without a battery change. (and yes they were used quite often)
dustin
UAIOE
It all boils down to shooter preference.
Distance to target/bad guy, closing speed/time from target/bad guy, lighting conditions, alertness level, and type of firearm (handgun/wheelgun/rifle/shotgun), firearm training level...
I personally do not like lasers. It is something else to add bulk/complexity, and if a situation where to go down I would'nt be looking for a red/green dot anyways.
I do practice with a flashlight in the off-hand, firing with one hand (FBI hold)
Handgun Flashlight Hold
A flashlight can not only disorient your target but you can positively identify that your target is indeed a threat (bump in the night scenario)
Larry Gude
Strung Out
Bingo. If you practice with a laser, use it all the time, or, a lot, when you're under stress, you'll probably be fine. Given I don't like them to begin with, don't use them, and given how I practice, I am hoping if the need ever arises, I won't become target fixated and my practice will will take over, put the front sight on the target, target fuzzy, rear fuzzy, and be clear minded about what is behind, who I am about to shoot and if I really mean to and be deliberate about it.
C
czygvtwkr
Guest
Your also much less likely to be disarmed with that hold, especially if you have a large maglight you can use as a club if someone tries.
dustin
UAIOE
never occured to me. good point!