Laser sights

[BamBam]

Anybody have a Laser mounted on or laser grips for there handgun? If so do you find it more accurate at the range?

[cmj685]

I have crimson trace on my .38 snubby. I have done extensive shooting, keeping careful track of all results including differences in ammo, etc., and it is nothing short of astonishing how much more accurately the gun (or gunner) shoots using the laser than not.

[farmerj]

they make a kewl cat or dog toy about it.

Spend the money on ammo instead.

[DeanC]

They are a great training aid for working on your double-action trigger pull. Especially if you have them on a gun with rudimentary sights. You can see what you need to work on very quickly and can do it at home dry-firing.

[hammAR]

they make a kewl cat or dog toy about it.

Spend the money on ammo instead.

Agree........I tend not to trust anything with batteries, just one more thing to go wrong or to forget....

Don't need no stinking crutches!................

.

[phorvick]

1. (unless you can get the NRA Instructor deal) they are pricey

2. they are, in a word, fun...even cool

3. they are confidence builders for new shooters on the range

4. they are prone to Murphy's Law

5. I have mixed emotions ...I don't believe they are a primary self defense tool as there are a number ov factors that can go wrong or be wrong under stress ...everything from a grip that covers the laser to being outdoors in ambient light that makes seeing the dot impossible;

6. but for training purposes to demonstrate specific issues (that really are not laser related...it is just that the laser helps in the demonstration) there is a place;

7. some people swear by them, others at them; I will be at Bill's on Saturday the 18th...and have a snubby with a Crimson Trace that anyone can test drive if they like

[cmj685]

What always makes me laugh is that those who argue most passionately against lasers either never used them (this happens far more often than you would think!), or make their argument on the basis that, if something with the laser goes wrong (batteries is the favorite one, though the "covering the beam" comes up often too), the person will be utterly incapable of firing the gun. Hello? Couple things here: first, the trigger is not connected to the laser--the gun still fires whether the laser is on or not, whether the batteries are dead or not.... Second, the gun still has sights on them, and I don't think anyone ever forgot how to use the sights just because a laser is on one of their guns. After all, I don't think anyone with a scope on their gun forgets how to shoot with the sights only, so why is it always argued that people with lasers suddenly can't shoot without one? But, as I said above, I can tell you this--with the rudimentary and dark-on-dark sights on this .38, I shoot extraordinarily better with the laser on. Which reminds me, I should practice with it again--I have been using only the iron sights for several months!

[hammAR]

What always makes me laugh is that those who argue most passionately against lasers either never used them (this happens far more often than you would think!), or make their argument on the basis that, if something with the laser goes wrong (batteries is the favorite one, though the "covering the beam" comes up often too), the person will be utterly incapable of firing the gun. Hello? Couple things here: first, the trigger is not connected to the laser--the gun still fires whether the laser is on or not, whether the batteries are dead or not.... Second, the gun still has sights on them, and I don't think anyone ever forgot how to use the sights just because a laser is on one of their guns. After all, I don't think anyone with a scope on their gun forgets how to shoot with the sights only, so why is it always argued that people with lasers suddenly can't shoot without one? But, as I said above, I can tell you this--with the rudimentary and dark-on-dark sights on this .38, I shoot extraordinarily better with the laser on. Which reminds me, I should practice with it again--I have been using only the iron sights for several months!

You assume too much, and assume ignorance or lack of experience on the part of responders.

In the real world, the second that you become dependent on anything other than the basic functionality of your weapon, or you need to think or decide alternatives when and if something goes sideways, you are in serious do-do...................I do not think that anyone stated that people with lasers suddenly can't shoot without one, the author asked for opinions, and he is getting them...........

What always makes me laugh is that those who argue most passionately about self defense and weapons, but have never experienced life on a two way gun range..................you may well be capable of shooting better than I at paper targets with a laser, but if TSHIF I assure you that you want me on your side, even without a laser...........

[phorvick]

What always makes me laugh is that those who argue most passionately against lasers either never used them (this happens far more often than you would think!), or make their argument on the basis that, if something with the laser goes wrong (batteries is the favorite one, though the "covering the beam" comes up often too), the person will be utterly incapable of firing the gun. Hello? Couple things here: first, the trigger is not connected to the laser--the gun still fires whether the laser is on or not, whether the batteries are dead or not.... Second, the gun still has sights on them, and I don't think anyone ever forgot how to use the sights just because a laser is on one of their guns. After all, I don't think anyone with a scope on their gun forgets how to shoot with the sights only, so why is it always argued that people with lasers suddenly can't shoot without one? But, as I said above, I can tell you this--with the rudimentary and dark-on-dark sights on this .38, I shoot extraordinarily better with the laser on. Which reminds me, I should practice with it again--I have been using only the iron sights for several months!

I use lasers in every class...or at least they are available in every class. If you are in a situation where you have trained yourself (as a first option) to "find dot..pull trigger" and the first part of the equation is lacking, for whatever reason, then you may delay a moment of time that could be very detrimental. There are certainly places for lasers...one being if you are in an awkward location where any traditional sight picture is impossible or difficult...putting a dot on someone might be much easier.

I think for law enforcement/military, particularly for crowd control, they have some great utility. But, I don't place a lot of stock on the scare factor for good guys vs. perps, and I don't think that they are a primary (meaning my first option) for self defense. As an earlier person posted, I believe that $225 worth of ammo and instruction/practice on point shooting would be equally beneficial, and I maintain more beneficial.

Some folks discount the battery factor as being too remote. You might want to ask me about my experience in 1972 in San Francisco, CA about remote possibilities.

I suspect in some respects the laser debate is like the 9mm vs. .4x debate...no clear winner. But, again if someone wants to try mine, just see me the 18th at Bills.

[princewally]

Some folks discount the battery factor as being too remote. You might want to ask me about my experience in 1972 in San Francisco, CA about remote possibilities.

Consider yourself asked.

[phorvick]

Some folks discount the battery factor as being too remote. You might want to ask me about my experience in 1972 in San Francisco, CA about remote possibilities.

Consider yourself asked.

That would be thread hijacking... let's just state that all instructors give caveats about intervening and helping others in a self-defense event, as you want to be (reasonably? fairly? absolutely?) certain that the person you are aiding is in fact the bad guy. I stumbled into a situation that most people would say was not possible to happen or too remote to worry about...and, had I came to the aid of someone, no matter who I opted to defend it would have been wrong. Hint...the date and place are critical to the events.

Perhaps I should post a separate thread about the dangers of intervening!

[plblark]

Perhaps I should post a separate thread about the dangers of intervening!

Please do.

[Pezhead]

Someone needs to check IMDB.

[BamBam]

Perhaps I should post a separate thread about the dangers of intervening!

Please do.

+1

[macphisto]

Perhaps I should post a separate thread about the dangers of intervening!

Please do.

+1

He did here. Good stuff.