To Laser or not to laser that is the question

N

Nero45

New member
Hello everyone. What I'm trying to decided if I should have a laser installed on one of my handguns and/or shotgun. For being for home protection and the reason is my eyes. I have to use glasses and for some reason that I am unable to get to my glasses I would be able to see a little red light on a person than trying to align up sights. Your thoughts?
 
For me, a lazergrip is a valuable asset on a home and/or self protection handgun.

I wouldn't put one on a shotgun, simply because I can hit with a shotgun without it in about any lighting condition that allows me to see what I'm shooting at.

But get a good one if you do it. I hate cheap, rail or trigger guard mounted lazers. They're more in the way than anything else, and can get knocked around, damaged, or knocked off-sight pretty easily.

Daryl
 
I don't like them for 2 reasons. First you will bein a high stress situation and a laser is another thing to worry about. Second you're making the bad guy aware of you, your situation and it gives your position away. It's like racking a shotgun. The less your oponent knows of you the better.
 
I am in my late seventies, and quite understand your problem. Without my glasses on, I cannot even see the irons sights on my weapons. I have Crimson Trace laser grips on three handguns. I would not buy a handgun that Crimson Trace did not provide laser grips for -- that is a fatal flaw as far as I am concerned. I practice at the range weekly at five and ten yards, self-defense distances. I shoot some with iron sights but mostly with the lasers, because that is how I would do it in an actual situation.

The first time you use laser sights, you are going to be shocked at the way the red dot jerks around. That's you doing it, not the laser. Get over it. Concentrate on the target and trigger control, and you will soon be very pleased with your marksmanship. There are other makers of laser sights, but none of them operate as effortlessly as do the Crimson Trace version. The on/off button is quite instinctive, and quickly becomes an automatic reaction. And in a real life situation, do not try to scare the bad guy off with your laser. You would simply be announcing your location. If I ever light off my laser at a bad guy, I am about to open fire.

Cordially, Jack
 
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There is a learning curve to laser sights. Never went up the curve myself (yet).

I am near-sighted and wear bifocals, but the iron sights are still best for me (so far). I always shoot a couple of mags without my glasses when I practice. Front sight...squeeze.

People who use lasers do love them, though.
 
Handgun- Yes.
Shotgun- No
I agree with others on this. CT on a handgun can be a valuable asset. It can also be an impressive deterent. A little red dot (center of chest) will definitely make a person think hard about their next action. If I don't HAVE to shoot someone, great.
The laser can be a great training asset to help learn trigger control. The laser is a straight line, it goes where you put it,and doesn't lie.
On a shotty, not an asset. By it's nature it covers an area when shot, not one small dot.
 
I thought I'd like a LASER until I tried a friend's gun with one mounted. I found myself trying so hard to stop the dot from moving and center it EXACTLY where I wanted to shoot, that I forgot to shoot. I guess it would eventually become natural to "point and pull", but for now, I'll stick to Trijicons.
 
Crimson Trace is a great product, damn expensive. Probably worth it for SD or CC. I would not tack a laser on a safe queen.
 
Not a fan of the little dot. Even with my glasses off I can still see well enough to hit a man size target at room distance. May not be a perfect shot They almost never are, but the follow up shots, will make up for the less than perfect.
 
They are good for dry firing and trying to learn good trigger control. Most defensive shooting is point shooting anyway.
 
The great thing about Crimson Trace grips (for my 1911 and many other handguns) is that they are so unobtrusive . . . they don’t add any extra bulk or weight to your gun, and you don’t have to use them if you don’t want too. Just keep them turned off and use your iron sights if you want, but if the situation warrants, (such as darkness or inability to get a good sight picture due to body position or use of cover), you’ve got the option of using them. They are a little pricey, but I like the option of having the little red dot if I need it.
 
I went with a laser on my hD handgun simply for the same reason you're asking. At 3:00AM, I want to put the dot where it needs to be and know where the bullet is going. Simple enough. As far as giving away my position is concerned---Horse-sh**. My position is gonna be pretty clear. I'm the one bearing down on you from around the door jam, blinding you with the spotlight, and holding a nice little red dot on your CoM while yelling "Put your face on the floor!" Blurry-eyed and half asleep, I can still know exactly where the bullet is gonna go if I turn it loose.
 
I just got my first laser grips a few weeks ago and LOVE it. Been shooting many many years with iron sights so I am currently experiencing that learning curve that others have mentioned- but all in all -they are great. I buddy of mine--who hasnt shot much in his life at all--tried it out and he was spot on everytime--no learning curve for him. It seems to me it is just what your experience level is with shooting as to if you experience that curve or not. I will say that the only thing I was doing was shooting about 2-3 inches low--no side to side--just low---therefore, center mass aiming would still be deadly. I would highly recommend.
 
Yeah, what Rangefinder said.

Concerning movement:

If you can't hold the lazer steady, then you aren't steady with regular sights, either. Work on it, and it'll improve your shooting skills.

If you get a lazer, practice with it. It'll seem strange at first, and your motor muscle memory won't quite seem right, looking at a dot instead of looking over sights. It's hard to explain, but easy enough to get used to with practice.

Concerning "revealing your location:

In practice, I bump the switch to activate the lazer about a half second before I squeeze the trigger. I suppose it'd be the same thing with a BG. It's not to intimidate; it's to verify where the bullet's going to hit just before I shoot. The switch on mine is under my middle finger, on the forward area of the grip. A tiny bit of pressure with my finger activates the lazer, and a release of the pressure de-activates it. No need to stand there all day with a red light in my hand.

I say get the lazer, and I seriously doubt you'll ever regret it.

Daryl
 
My wife's accuracy with a Smith M36 snub improved exponentially with a CT laser grip.

And in a low light, half asleep, no-glasses situation...lasers get a "YES" from our family.
 
for a hd shotgun, I would look at one of those rail mounted laser/light combo units myself.
For handgun, ct is the way I would go.
 
I say yes for pistol and no for shotgun.

I think for a shotgun, a flashlight mounted would be better.
 
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I like the idea of a laser, but just can't get into it myself.

I have fiddled around with them, and find myself a bit distracted by them. I guess I could learn to use them, but I don't see much of a need for myself.

If you are into them, sure. I'll pass.... atleast for now.
 
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