S&W 442 J frame laser ???

Chas100 · Mar 8, 2017

I'm going to get a laser light for my 442. I've never used a laser light for any of my handguns but I'd like to get one for my 442.

I want to get a good quality and dependable laser.

I'm trying to decide between a grip or mount style. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Crimson Trace is obviously one of the more popular brands but I've also read a lot of good info on the Laser Max brand. Is the LM brand a good quality or not worth it ? Also any suggestions on the grip or mount types.

Thank you for any suggestions
Chas

OKFC05 · Mar 8, 2017

On such a small gun, a grip type is far easier to use and buy holsters for...and you need a holster, even for pocket carry.

wrangler5 · Mar 8, 2017

You will not go wrong with a Crimson Trace grip. I have them on several J frames, including a 442, and would much prefer not to be without one. The smallest ones will be no larger than the common boot grip that came standard on J frames for a while, and will not limit pocket carry. The larger ones will give some padding against recoil and offer a place for the little finger, but may limit the gun to larger pockets. All are great in lower light levels, but the green lasers are also functional in the brightest sunlight. The green models only come in the larger grip sizes, though.

Probably the greatest benefit of a laser grip comes from its utility as a fabulous dry fire training aid. I think they're worth their cost just for that purpose alone. The next best feature is that they effectively give you an adjustable sight on these little guns, so you can really zero the gun for the ammunition you're going to use.

Speaking of cost, I've bought most of my CT grips as refurbished units, at well below the retail price of "regular" models. I see NO difference in performance, though, and the refurb units include the lifetime battery benefit (1 set a year.)

stc1 · Mar 8, 2017

I also like the Crimson trace grip. Besides laser color they have two versions, the 305 and 405. I have both but prefer the 405 for concealment and the 305 for shooting. I agree with the above poster

"Speaking of cost, I've bought most of my CT grips as refurbished units, at well below the retail price of "regular" models. I see NO difference in performance, though, and the refurb units include the lifetime battery benefit (1 set a year.)"

The trouble with refurbs is availability.

jnichols2 · Mar 8, 2017

The only caution on grip lasers is if you are left handed -- like me.

They work OK with one hand shooting. But in normal two hand shooting, my support hand covers the laser. Sure wish they would sall a lefty model with the laser on the left grip.

wrangler5 · Mar 8, 2017

CT also offers the 105 model for J frames. It's hard plastic, so no extra cushioning, but it's just about exactly the size of a "normal" boot grip - with a laser housing on the right side. I actually find it more comfortable to shoot with than a 405, which despite its cushioning over the backstrap is quite narrow. The 105 has no on/off switch, but CT says the switch does nothing to extend battery life (which is excellent on any of the red models - it just means you can't "go dark" and turn the laser off if you're concerned with giving your position away, like you can with other models.

Refurb availability is indeed an issue. I've gotten mine through Dvor, the outlet side of Optics Planet. They come up a couple of times a year, and I usually grab one when I see one in the email notices Dvor sends out regularly. Picked up one of the green ones last year when they showed up for under $200.

gnystrom · Mar 8, 2017

I have a variety on my guns. For me, the overall best for range use are the LG305's. Smallest are the 405's. They make a vey low cost "defender series that are very hard plastic and the red on/off switch will allow the laser to be on until the switch is pushed again. Great for shooters that have trouble with the instictive button. These are about $95 and I have them on a bedside gun that my wife may need. No fumble, just turn on. I think these would be terrible for EDC as the switch is easily activated.
Defender series

405's on top, 305's one down, LG 350's on bottom

gen3guy · Mar 8, 2017

You'll need to practice with it so you don't wind up paying more attention to the red dot than you do the target. A big down side to laser sights IMO.

photoman · Mar 8, 2017

Crimson Trace has a $50 mail in rebate going on right now...

ajgunner · Mar 8, 2017

All of the above is spot on information and the photos showing the 3 sizes/styles is perfect. I have the CT's on 3 or 4 J-frames including the 442. One more thing I can add is the awesome customer service. I can't speak for them recently since they sold, but prior to this I had an issue taken care of fast and easy. I had a switch cover come off and it was lost somewhere while shooting. I called and they were going to have me send it in. Since I am only 20 minutes away, I asked about just stopping by. I walked in with it in my hands since I had gotten this one in a trade and had no box or tools, and showed the receptionist. She disappeared with it through a door into the shop. I figured they would replace the switch cover and I was ready to have to wait a few days. Just a couple of minutes later she walked out and handed me a brand new one, in the box with all the goodies. Pretty tough to beat that for customer service.

mgriffin · Mar 8, 2017

I have the LG-405 on my 442 and love them! Also, I pocket carry in my Levis front pocket and they work great with an Uncle Mikes pocket holster.

69HEMI-R/T · Mar 8, 2017

I, also, have the LG-405 on my 442 and carry it in various types of jeans, shorts, and trousers in a Don Hume leather pocket holster. Works great for me!

gnystrom · Mar 9, 2017

gen3guy said:
You'll need to practice with it so you don't wind up paying more attention to the red dot than you do the target. A big down side to laser sights IMO.

Actually I fine it to be quite the opposite. Lasers are instinctive devices much like a flashlight. Using my laser I can put full attention on the threat as opposed to any actual focus on the sights.
I look at a laser system as possible preventive medicine with respect to having to pull the trigger. Lawyers cost more per hour than one set of CT grips.

Double-O-Dave · Mar 9, 2017

Hi Chas:

I use the LG-405 grips on my Air Weight J-frames (example: Model 642, 38, 638), and the LG-105 on my all steel J-frames (example: Model 649). The red colored laser is easily seen in low light, but can be difficult to see in bright light situations (you might be able to see it at 3-5 yards in daylight conditions). Green colored lasers are easier to detect in all lighting situations, but generally are more expensive, and harder to find than the red colored lasers. I am a big fan of the CT laser grips.

You asked about the Laser Max grips, and I can tell you from experience that their customer service sucks, and their product, while it does have some good features, in my opinion they can't compare with the Crimson Trace grips. I'll never buy any of their products again. Yep, once bitten twice shy.

Good luck,

Dave

wrangler5 · Mar 10, 2017

gnystrom said:
Actually I fine it to be quite the opposite. Lasers are instinctive devices much like a flashlight. Using my laser I can put full attention on the threat as opposed to any actual focus on the sights.
I look at a laser system as possible preventive medicine with respect to having to pull the trigger. Lawyers cost more per hour than one set of CT grips.

This has been my (limited) experience, except that in the one case where I was shooting with a laser grip under a limited amount of pressure, it took a while to wean myself off my natural inclination to use the iron sights.

I used a CT equipped snubbie (I think it was a 638, but might have been a 649 or 640) in a BUG gun match put on by my club. It was a modified IDPA setup, with 5-shot stages, no drawing from cover and no reloads on the clock. It was overcast enough that the red dot was visible, but it wasn't until the third stage that I found myself focusing on the dot as it came into view, rather than bringing the gun up to eye level as my IDPA experience had taught me to do.

Once I DID focus on the dot, my times started to drop and my accuracy increased. By the sixth stage I was basically engaging the target when the gun lined up, which was about when it got up to belt level. My confidence went way up in the process, too, because the dot tells you when the gun goes off just where the bullet is going.

But it took those early stages to make the transition from irons to laser dot. And that match was several years ago, so I'm not sure how well that memory has lasted. On most days at the range it's not overcast enough to see the red dot at any distance, and my only green laser grip is on my wife's gun.

cmcinc · Mar 10, 2017

I have the LG-405 on my 442 and another j frame. Love them!

Chas100 · Mar 11, 2017

Thank You for all the great information !! I started shopping around on the net for CT grip lasers and noticed that some of the S&W's can be purchased with the LM. I also appreciate the refurb information and will keep an eye out for that.

Thank You again for the excellent information as always !!!

Chas

jay72 · Mar 11, 2017

I have the 405 on my 340 PD that fits great in a pocket and I have the 350's on my 640 pro with green laser. For me the 350's feel custom made to my hand. They are perfect!

wrangler5 · Mar 11, 2017

jay72 said:
I have the 405 on my 340 PD that fits great in a pocket and I have the 350's on my 640 pro with green laser. For me the 350's feel custom made to my hand. They are perfect!

The LG-350G is indeed the most comfortable of all the J frame CT offerings (IMHO). I have one on a 432 that my wife is practicing with while she watches TV. (She's trying to decide which of the available concealed carry courses she and some of her friends are going to take before she actually carries a gun with her. Meanwhile, she is working on her double action trigger strength and control. Nothing beats a laser grip for that kind of practice.)

I would happily carry that package in my belt holster every day, but it's just too big to fit well into any but the largest of my jacket pockets. So for pocket carry I stick with the (comparatively) tiny LG-405 on a 638 or the equally tiny LG-105 on a 30-1.

S&W 442 J frame laser ???

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