This afternoon I was doing a little bit of shooting at a local indoor range. About two booths down from me, a fellow was firing using a laser sight. After I finished my shooting session, I stepped over and watched the fellow using the laser. It looked real useful. He was kind enough to let me try it out... not shoot but just try holding it on target. I was shocked at how easy it was to line up and hold it good and solid on target. It was a red laser. Out to 15 yds., it was very visible. Out at 25 yds., it was not easily seen.

I'm thinking... one of the green lasers would likely be more visible in available light. At potential HD/SD distances, that laser is extremely easy to pick up and see. I've shot iron sights all my life. I still can do very well in good light w/ a pair of 1.25x reading glasses to help me see my front sight. However, it is not likely that in a HD/SD situation I will have time to put on my reading glasses and flip the overhead lights on. So... giving some serious thought to that laser sight thing.

What do you all think? I am not going to be able to get in a all fired hurry about this as my wife and I are having to prepare to move in June. By then I will know where I will be sent for my next pastoral assignment. Will appreciate your thoughts, insights. Sincerely. bruce.

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I have one on my AR and have used it a good bit. I think they are dandy toys that has the possibility of letting you down when you "need" it most.

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- Change it back -

For brisk fire with bad eyes in low light you just can't beat a laser IMO. My bedside P220 wears a compact light/laser combo.

The "BUT BATTERIES GO DEAD!" people will be tac rolling and pie slicing along shortly...

I love mine and at night can get great groups at long range. My Crimson trace grips are still working great after 2 years on my Sig 226 and they are great folks to work with. I recommend them highly!

I have only used the red color.

I'm a fan, it's great for point/hip shooting at speed. Usually, the greens are brighter. And according to my eye doc, the eye reacts and picks up green faster than red. (With as much money as I give her, I have to assume she's right) As with anything else, as long add you use it as an aid and not a crutch, I believe it helps a ton. Good luck on the move.

Bruce V:

The red lasers are good in low light situations, but only visible at short range (maybe 5 yards or so) in daylight conditions. Yes, the green lasers are more visible indoors and outdoors. I have Crimson Trace laser grips on all of my J-frames, and most of my K-frame revolvers. When I practice with my J-frames at the range, I try to shoot at least half of my shots with the laser on, and the other half using the iron sights. I prefer revolvers, but my M&P 40c is equipped with a flashlight as well as CT laser grips, and Truglo TFO fiber optic/night sights.

I suppose I will eventually start converting to green lasers, but I'll probably take my time doing so.

Regards,

Dave

Not for me. In the extremely unlikely event that I need to use my carry J-frame, it will almost certainly be at relatively close range, and in daylight or under bright security lighting where I live. I just don't see much need for one. I very rarely get out at night except to take my little dog to check canine social media.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I acquired an older set of Crimson Trace grips on a 640-1 I bought some years ago. I messed around with it some, dry firing, and decided it would probably be quite effective. On the other hand, I didn't like the aesthetics, and replaced them with some custom, wrap around, wood grips.

I gave em a run on my duty gun. The laser wasn't bad for "point shooting" & was fun to play with at long range. But I found I was still faster from the holster to 1st shot doing it the old fashioned way & using the front sight. I left the Lasergrip on because the grip seemed to fill my hand better with it on. But I've pulled the batteries out.

I am convinced that when I need to pull my gun in self defense it is more than likely the bad guy will be within 9 feet from me and coming at me fast. I will need to use my left hand to block or parry so I will only be able to use a one hand grip on my gun.
My gun will be held low and back along my strong side to prevent the bad guy grabbing it. Therefore iron sights are out of the question. I have crimson trace on my SP101/.357. The little nubbin under my middle finger activates the laser almost automatically. Therefore the iron sights are not needed. I never had a battery go dead, but I change to a fresh one about every year or so.
I have read that law enforcement officers hit, on average, about 20% of their first shots at bad guys. Those who's guns are equipped with crimson trace have seen the average go up to over 90%. I find the laser to also be good with dry fire practice.
I recommend Crimson Trace to all of my students.

Bruce,
Both my wife and I absolutely love our Crimson Trace lasers. They even work after being completely submerged in water! I capsized my canoe once and other times got thoroughly soaked.They are the best for old eyes or young because there is no need to aim,or bring the gun up to eye level, just point and shoot. I will add green lasers as they become available, but I wish the green weren`t so darn expensive!
My bedside HP gun is equipped with a CT laser and a white tactical flashlight. I MUST positively ID my target and this is what I rely on to do the job.

I have used a red Laserlyte .45 cartridge in my 1911 for point shooting practice. It has greatly improved point shooting and shooting with retention accuracy and time. Never had a fully installed laser but would like to.

You just don't get it. A battery can't possibly go dead if there isn't one.

That's why I only use a 5rd magazine. If I used a 10rd magazine I'd have twice the possibility of a failure to fire or jam.

Ya got to think things through!

There is no need for the batteries to go dead. Crimson Trace very generously provides new batteries at no charge. I replace mine about every 18 months or so, even thought they are still nice and bright after that long a time.

I have mixed feelings about laser sights. In all honesty, I can't envision a laser on any of my handguns, I am an iron sights kind of traditionalist guy. On a handgun, I see the only benefit is the intimidation factor, and I will never draw a handgun with the intent of intimidating someone.

Now, a laser on a rifle I can visualize! I built a CQB M4 type AR that does have a laser on it, along with BUIS and a panoramic red dot sight. I can see the laser on a CQB type rifle, because at CLOSE range, you just don't have the time or luxury of mounting a rifle to use the sights!

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Judge control not gun control!

I have the CT laser on a 9mm Shield with TRUGLO TFO sights.

The sights are at POA.
The Laser is at POA with the sights.

Makes for great dry fire training using the sights to acquire the target then painting it with the laser. The laser should be dead nuts on the same POA as the sights. (Pretty cool affect when sighting thru the front bead of the TFO)
Dry fire and the laser will help you see if your pulling the muzzle.

Extra plus is the fact if you have to pull the trigger for any reason where you can't use the sight, you got the POA lite up with the laser. There aint no guessing where the round will go.
I'd say that's a plus no matter what your skill level is.



Oh, hello from SC. Been lurking for a few years and just signed up a few weeks ago.

Welcome to the forum scatter shot. If you've been lurking, you know how good this place is. I will, however, disagree with how you set up your laser. By setting it up at point of aim, you are only accurate at that range. If you set it up to be parallel, you will be accurate at any range although your shot will be a quarter inch low and right.
I had a set of laser grips but found them to be distracting and took them off the gun. At self defense distances, I'm more comfortable point shooting.

The main thing a laser shows me is how unsteady my hands are.

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USAF 1981 - 2001

My personal opinion is that Laser Sights are just to show the Bad Guy that You have a bead on Him.

I have 3 guns with and somemore without, I don't have a problem with them and my wife likes hers.

I am a fan but have never had to use one yet. Both my wife's and my bedpost handguns have a laser. They are great for those spooky situations when the lights are low and you can not see your sights. Also they allow accurate out of position shooting. In theory you can shoot behind your back and still be accurate enough to shoot the buttons off your assailants shirt. Daytime use is poor with red lasers about 15 yards as OP said. But at night they are priceless and give great distance. I can lay in my bed, and activate the laser, go through a double pane window and put the red dot on a tree 50 yards into the forest. Good enough for the girls I go with. As for the batteries going bad, well yea. Your car battery, flashlight batteries, clock battery, and pacemaker batteries go bad. You just need to get on a schedule of replacing and testing them.

I use them on a couple handguns I have. I like having another option for getting on target. More is better.
I don't rely on them, though. As mentioned, batteries do die.
I also like night sights for the same reason....options.

It is kind of like an old friend once told me "When you are betting the ranch you want all the odds you can muster in your favor!"

As has been said before options never hurt and just may come in handy.

I have both red and green laser/flashlight combo's on my AR's. If the battery goes dead, I still remember how to use the sights. So a dead battery is NOT a issue with me!

And green is better in brighter light. Such as daytime, red is better for lower light, such as dusk or at night. So a dim lit indoor range a red laser would be better.

And a Laser is very intimidating! Throw one in a bad guys face, you'll get his attention! FOR SURE!

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Live From Music City USA

Absolutely it was me against 7 and it was dark. I had a Trail Boss 44 mag behind my back, while picking my first target if it came down to it, suddenly they very politely backed off. I did not realize it but I had activated the laser sight and it was bouncing on the ground behind me.