I am considering upgrading my nightstand pistol set up. I have an MP40 that I think will work. I am an open sight guy and not a big fan of laser sights. However, a combo light/laser set up makes sense for home defense use. I am open to suggestions from anyone who has experience with the light/laser set up. All ideas and suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks for any comments.
HELP WITH LASER/LIGHT RECOMMENDS FOR MP40 NIGHTSTAND SET UP
- Thread starter galena
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LivinTheDream
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I have a Viridian C5L that fits my 40c and my Glock 30s. It works perfect!
I had a Streamlight TLR-2 several years ago. It worked just fine. But I decided that I like hand held lights better and don't need a laser so I got rid of it. I trust Streamlight products.
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I've never been much of a laser fan, especially on defense guns. To me they are a double edge sword! Yes, they are very helpful in lining up your defense gun on a target in low light conditions, but I do NOT like relying on another devise to work when it comes to a stressful situation. If the laser fails to work or work accurately (for any number of reasons) and you need to shoot, your minds eye will be looking for the red or green dot and can delay reaction time. Not picking on any brand or style - it's just another thing to maintain and rely on. To me the "keep it simple" and train often is a better way to go. YMMV.
Tinhack
Member
I'm wondering if those that discount laser sights are the same ones that install glow sites? 
The laser is simply an aid. I still practice using the iron sites but there may be times when iron-sights are useless. Such as low light, positioning or acquisition. There may be a time when you can't draw your weapon up to sight level. (Part of the LEO training I went through years ago.) With a laser, there's no doubt where the round is going. And the mere sight of a laser beam can change the mind of an aggressor.
I just got the Crimson Trace Guard in green (LG-489G) and like it very much. When it's on, it on. When the battery is low, the laser will start to pulse to save power draw and alert you to change the battery. It just doesn't quit without warning. But even if it did, you still have the iron sights.
The only quirk I don't like is that there's no On/Off switch. It has the pressure switch on the grip that lights the laser in a normal/natural grasp but I find myself turning on the laser just handling the weapon. I've been practicing using the Cub Scout two-finger salute grip when drawing and holding it. This comes pretty natural if you're used to the "finger off" draw that you should be using anyway. The second finger can then be placed over the laser switch when in full grasp mode. It just takes a little practice but the on/off switch would be handy while performing maintenance.
By the way, the LG-489G fits both the 9mm and the .40 Shield.
The laser is simply an aid. I still practice using the iron sites but there may be times when iron-sights are useless. Such as low light, positioning or acquisition. There may be a time when you can't draw your weapon up to sight level. (Part of the LEO training I went through years ago.) With a laser, there's no doubt where the round is going. And the mere sight of a laser beam can change the mind of an aggressor.I just got the Crimson Trace Guard in green (LG-489G) and like it very much. When it's on, it on. When the battery is low, the laser will start to pulse to save power draw and alert you to change the battery. It just doesn't quit without warning. But even if it did, you still have the iron sights.
The only quirk I don't like is that there's no On/Off switch. It has the pressure switch on the grip that lights the laser in a normal/natural grasp but I find myself turning on the laser just handling the weapon. I've been practicing using the Cub Scout two-finger salute grip when drawing and holding it. This comes pretty natural if you're used to the "finger off" draw that you should be using anyway. The second finger can then be placed over the laser switch when in full grasp mode. It just takes a little practice but the on/off switch would be handy while performing maintenance.
By the way, the LG-489G fits both the 9mm and the .40 Shield.
digiroc
Member
Lasers are great despite their limitations. A good light is also an essential piece of gear for night time operations. I have lights mounted on my defensive long guns as well as lasers and reflex optics.
With a pistol or revolver I like lasers, Crimson Trace in particular. I don't mount lights on my handguns, preferring to use my off hand if I feel a light is required.
My aging eyes having trouble picking up a good sight picture, especially in dim conditions so a laser is a great aid. There are a lot of advantages that go beyond helping poor eyesight. The ability to easily aim from behind cover with minimum exposure is perhaps chief among them. Shooting from a retention position is another.
Possible deterrence is another. The sight of a weapon is often enough to defuse many situations, adding a dancing red dot over the heart of the potential attacker enhances that possibility.
Be advised that this is not always successful in stopping a determined or drunk/high opponent. On one of the very rare occasions that I drew my weapon was when a very drunk (and very large) guy who had just threatened to punch the face of a woman who was trying to get him in her car.
Convinced he was about to punch her, I stepped up and made my presence known by politely asking him to take the ride he was being offered. It worked in that he turned away from the woman, but he had found a new target in me and advanced in my direction slurring that he was going to "f**k me up". As I backed away I pulled my Kimber Ultra Carry and put the laser center mass, thinking that would stop him in his tracks.
WRONG! he kept coming, so I turned an ran a few more yards away, gaining cover behind a telephone pole. Being drunk, he wasn't very agile and I knew I could outrun him. Fortunately he must have realized this too and he turned and went back to the car and wisely got in.
digiroc
With a pistol or revolver I like lasers, Crimson Trace in particular. I don't mount lights on my handguns, preferring to use my off hand if I feel a light is required.
My aging eyes having trouble picking up a good sight picture, especially in dim conditions so a laser is a great aid. There are a lot of advantages that go beyond helping poor eyesight. The ability to easily aim from behind cover with minimum exposure is perhaps chief among them. Shooting from a retention position is another.
Possible deterrence is another. The sight of a weapon is often enough to defuse many situations, adding a dancing red dot over the heart of the potential attacker enhances that possibility.
Be advised that this is not always successful in stopping a determined or drunk/high opponent. On one of the very rare occasions that I drew my weapon was when a very drunk (and very large) guy who had just threatened to punch the face of a woman who was trying to get him in her car.
Convinced he was about to punch her, I stepped up and made my presence known by politely asking him to take the ride he was being offered. It worked in that he turned away from the woman, but he had found a new target in me and advanced in my direction slurring that he was going to "f**k me up". As I backed away I pulled my Kimber Ultra Carry and put the laser center mass, thinking that would stop him in his tracks.
WRONG! he kept coming, so I turned an ran a few more yards away, gaining cover behind a telephone pole. Being drunk, he wasn't very agile and I knew I could outrun him. Fortunately he must have realized this too and he turned and went back to the car and wisely got in.
digiroc
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
My husband had the TLR-2 HL. He revised his HD strategy too, and got rid of it, but it worked very well, and was blindingly bright.
Don't have this problem with a viridian cl5. It has modes for a laser, a pulsing laser, light and strobe. I have mine set on strobe and laser simultaneously. I am not a fan of walking around with a light or laser on continuous setting. It makes you a beacon hot the BG. Intermittent use is the best way to use these devices. I do believe the darker the setting, the greater the advantage of a guy who has one of these over a naked eye shooter. Like anything else, you have to train with them and make sure they are zeroed to the expected use distance. Best way to get experience IMHO is to find and outdoor range where you can shoot as the sunset sets to get a feel for distance and zero as well as working the on off switch.
On the other hand, a 12 gauge equipped with a surefire grip is a significant chunk of defensive firepower. It all depends on circumstances. I think you would probably agree if it is pitch dark, the guy with the light has the edge on the first shot, maybe not so much on the second shot.
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Huh? With an MP-40 on the nightstand who needs a light?
Whitwabit
US Veteran
I got the Viridian CL5 but then decided I like a very bright 1000 lumen Nitecore flashlight with strobe for night stand use .. I don't have to point my weapon at someone like you do with the light/laser attached is the reason I changed ..
I didn't sell mine though as I use it weekly while doing dry firing drills here a home in the evenings .. fits any pistol with a rail and is one of the best dry firing aids you can use it will give you an indication of any movement when your pulling the trigger .. so for trigger practice its a great aid ..
I do use it on occasion just for fun plunking cans with my PX4 in the back yard .. or if the dang coons start coming around in packs .. good for night shooting ..
I didn't sell mine though as I use it weekly while doing dry firing drills here a home in the evenings .. fits any pistol with a rail and is one of the best dry firing aids you can use it will give you an indication of any movement when your pulling the trigger .. so for trigger practice its a great aid ..
I do use it on occasion just for fun plunking cans with my PX4 in the back yard .. or if the dang coons start coming around in packs .. good for night shooting ..
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