Carry handgun – Laser Sight or not ???

I think I’ve got my choice of a 1st handgun picked out to carry once I complete my carry class ( This Friday ) The one I’m leaning towards is offered with or without a Crimson Trace laser site. It would be possible to add the same site to it at a later date, but would cost a few $ more to do so. I’ve never played with or shot a handgun with a laser sight on it. Just curious of some of your thoughts on laser sights. I also see it is offered in either Red or Green. I’d think the red would be much more visible but not really sure.

I can’t stand laser sights. Biggest reason is it trains you not to use your standard sights. What if the laser batteries die? I vote no laser. Ever.

Green is generally more expensive and easier to see. It’s much brighter.

No laser is my vote.

404 ERROR wrote:

I can’t stand laser sights. Biggest reason is it trains you not to use your standard sights. What if the laser batteries die? I vote no laser. Ever.

Green is generally more expensive and easier to see. It’s much brighter.

I can fully understand that. If I purchase it I’d plan to practice and train with both the open sights and the laser

I have one on mine, I do not like it, it is actually difficult to see in the day time hours or inside with the house lighting on.
I would not get it again.

If you ever had to use it the shot would likely be less then 10ft. Think about that. If you can’t hit what you want at ten feet should not be carrying.

What if it’s too dark to see sights? Do you plan on having enough time to fully extend and get perfect sight alignment in a life and death situation? The laser is another tool for bad situations. I’d rather have one and not need it.

Dave maze wrote:

What if it’s too dark to see sights?

IMHO It’s not really helpful when you point it in the dark either. Close quarter shots at night and your searching for that dot, not a situation I would like to be in.

jeff_huberty wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dave maze wrote:</div>
What if it’s too dark to see sights?

IMHO It’s not really helpful when you point it in the dark either. Close quarter shots at night and your searching for that dot, not a situation I would like to be in.

I must be missing something. In the video’s I watched with the Crimson Trace lasers it doesn’t seem like there is much searching needed to find the dot in low light conditions – Bright light is a different story. I would not even think of using it if I had good enough light to use the normal open sights.

Dave maze wrote:

What if it’s too dark to see sights? Do you plan on having enough time to fully extend and get perfect sight alignment in a life and death situation? The laser is another tool for bad situations. I’d rather have one and not need it.

If it’s too dark to see your sights then how do you plan on seeing your target?

fishthumper wrote:

I must be missing something. In the video’s I watched with the Crimson Trace lasers it doesn’t seem like there is much searching needed to find the dot in low light conditions – Bright light is a different story. I would not even think of using it if I had good enough light to use the normal open sights.

If you draw on a target in the dark, it does not take much to initially see the laser pointing off your intended target.
Split seconds count. It’s all a matter of how much time you have in a dire situation.

If it’s too dark to see your sights then how do you plan on seeing your target?
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If they can see you to do harm, you can see them to defend. Were not living in caves. Aligning peep sights in low light can take time you don’t have.

Dave maze wrote:

If they can see you to do harm, you can see them to defend. Were not living in caves. Aligning peep sights in low light can take time you don’t have.

Wouldn’t that would depend on who sees who first?
I think in a close range situation your most likely to instinctively point and shoot.
Nothing shows your unsteady hand like a laser does,watching that dot move when target practicing is unnerving, for me I am more accurate with the laser off.

jeff_huberty wrote:

Nothing shows your unsteady hand like a laser does

‘

That is typically an eye-opener for almost everyone.

Mike Klein wrote:

If you ever had to use it the shot would likely be less then 10ft. Think about that. If you can’t hit what you want at ten feet should not be carrying.

Think for just a minute… Do you really think you have time to draw your weapon, turn on your laser, find your laser illuminated dot, and then shoot? I’m guessing the answer is NO. My opinion is that is way too much fumbling around in a time critical situation. I’ve got a laser that I can attach to my weapon. It’s really more of a toy than a useful tool in any scenario I can imagine. I’d suggest you are far better off with sights that glow than a laser for a carry gun.

Lets not forget that a laser gives away your position. I think night sights are the way to go. Tritium etc…

Ryan Wilson wrote:

If it’s too dark to see your sights then how do you plan on seeing your target?

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Random thoughts…

There’s reasons to have a laser, and reasons to not. Personally, i think that on the single stack .380’s with rudimentary troughs for sights, a laser that activates upon the draw can come in handy. Wear glasses or have vision issues that mess with your ability to focus on the front sight? Laser might help.

Green is more visible than red in daylight.

If you carry a gun, you should carry a quality white light either on your person or on the gun and train with it.
If you install a laser on your gun, train with it.

I have a couple thoughts on lasers.
I have two Crimson’s an love one of them.

Likely the biggest advantage of using a laser is being able to draw in fire before you weapon is at eye level. Basically shooting from the hip AND knowing the point of impact. You are responsible for that bullet from birth to death and knowing where it’s going is most important.

Another advantage would be if I ended up on the ground possibly wounded. I don’t have to line up my eyes with the target.

Practicing with an unloaded gun and using a laser is a cheap form of obtaining muscle memory. Please don’t point at people when doing this. I know, it’s common sense… I use my laser when helping a new person aim. We can see why the groups are low left (or where ever) when the trigger is pulled. This was an eye opener from me as well. Assuming you’re using a newer weapon, don’t worry about the firing pin. You won’t hurt it.

Important to me is a laser that will turn on automatically when I draw, but has the ability to not be used. There could be times when I don’t want my location to be announced. I’m not sure when that would be if I ever had to use it for protection, but it makes me feel better.

Always, always practice with your iron sights too. They aren’t there just for looks. There are times when a person could need them.

Just like a hammer isn’t good for every job, lasers or iron sights aren’t great for every application.

The Crimson Trace site has a bunch of videos that help people understand where they excel.

Like all handguns for personal protection…practice.

PS moving this to the Shooters Test Bench forum.

Jake wrote:

I think night sights are the way to go. Tritium etc…

I have “Night Sights”. They are nice because of the white outline however while using my .357 I found the flash to be blinding in the dark and they only worked once.

Just my .02 on those.

Ryan Wilson wrote:

If it’s too dark to see your sights then how do you plan on seeing your target?

One step further, if it’s too dark to see your sights and it’s too dark to see your target, you’ll just hear a bang before you drop to the dark floor.

Heavy on the

I have a Ruger LCR with Crimson laser sight built into the grip squeeze a little and the laser comes on easy choice to make with out any thought, would not be with out it. If it were to ever happen how much time would you have to remove your weapon get it up to shoulder height and fire.

With the laser sight I can practice dry and live fire from the hip pull my LCR with out the laser on then when on target turn on the laser to see where I am exactly. Amazing how this helps hone your shooting skills with out using sights.

From what I read a person would be better served with a pistol mounted flashlight. I do not have experience with either.

I’m not sure I agree with that Mike. I’m thinking of personal protection here.

The reason I say that is because the light doesn’t help put the muzzle on the target. It’s going to light up the person holding the weapon, but it will light me up too. Not saying a laser won’t but with the Crimson Trace lasers in the grip, you have a choice of lighting it up. (PS I do not like or would recommend a laser that has a switch on the muzzle end…that would be like having to rack one in the tube before it could be used)

We have to remember that we are in a last resort conflict and the only thing left to save you (or me) is a well placed shot or five. The lazer will allow a person to shoot from the hip up to the normals shooting position. The light will allow a person to see the target better, but not help in getting rounds off.

For LEO’s that don’t know if they will need to shoot or not a light might be better? I say that with a question mark because if an LOE isn’t sure in a situation and “paints the face” with a laser, it might be more effective then a light in disarming the encounter.

Not my opinion. In the dark, like home defense at night, you need to see your target. I would probably get shot going for the light switch!

LOL! Me too ’cause the good guys play by the rules.