One major answer is that it depends on your grip preference. If you want to figure out whether, or not, the Crimson trace laser grip will work for you on an M&P pistol, simply compare your ability to speed shoot with the backstrap that most closely matches the dimensions of the laser grip. You can even take the backstraps to a store for comparing to the lasergrip for your pistol to figure out the difference.

I elaborate on this, and offer a couple of alternative solutions for the M&P compact. For full-size M&P alternatives, I would just use the guide rod laser from Laserlyte.

Anyway, hope you enjoy:

YouTube - ‪To Crimson Trace M&P or Not? - Part (a)‬‏
YouTube - ‪To Crimson Trace M&P or Not? - Part (b)‬‏

Links are in order of vids.

I have used the CT for the 1911 for years, it's a great training aid. Fortunately, they were able to stuff all of the electronics into a standard sized grip for it.

I held a M&P the other day with the CT, and it was a little wider. I didn't feel that it was too wide, and with practice, it would work well for me.

The problem with guide rod lasers is that they just aren't built to the same quality as CT grips. I've contemplated them every few years, but they still are not dependable enough for me.

Yea, I do notice that CT was able to keep the same dimensions for 1911 pistols. That is great! They even have the same dimensions on the new Kimber Solo, which I am still not a fan of yet, but maybe after they get the kinks out of the new pistol offering.

Regarding the M&Ps, IMO, basically if one is able to shoot better w/ smaller backstraps, they will always shoot better w/ smaller backstraps, even if they get used to the bigger one. I was able to measure that the CT for the M&P Compact actually decreases the grip purchase distance (the distance one can wrap their hands around the grip) by almost 3/4". To me that is a huge difference, and it was obvious to see when I compared during speed shooting at the range. Some folks have big hands, and for them the big backstrap is the best grip, that being the case the CT is excellent choice for them on the M&P. That is why I came to the conclusion that it really depends on what the individual is natively able to shoot better w/.

Can you elaborate on the shortcomings regarding the quality of the guide rod lasers?? Is the beam not bright enough, does sight need readjusting by mfr. often, do they break often, etc..

Thanks.

Be aware, if your M&P has the safety levers, the Crimpson Trace lasergrips will not fit your pistol!!The laser is up where your safety rests in the "fire" position.

CT Lasergrips don't work for Lefties either. Our thumbs are on the right side of gun (as opposed to the wrong side for you Righties!) and tend to block the beam.

It appears CT is also unwilling or unable to accommodate us with a Laserguard arrangement like they make for the Sigmas. So our money goes to their competitors.

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Remove mittenz B4 typing!

Just do a general search for laser guide rods. I've read plenty of bad stories from them breaking, to not working all of the time, etc..

They work great for the M&P. They feel a little bigger than the medium back strap. I sold mine and went with night sights only because I decided I don't like lasers, but they felt and worked great.

I have 3 M&P's they all have CT lasers

I found out long time ago when a night sight becomes effective the laser will be effective before the light is low enough to pick up the night sight.

We pratice in action pistol (indoors) both open sight rounds & laser rounds also outdoors in bright sun & low light at dusk.
I feel very comfortable with a laser as well as open sight

Those who have rail lasers loose time getting the laser turned on and first shot times are slower than those with CT grips.

I will not buy a gun that I can not put a CT laser on I have 9 & counting, all have CT lasers

And I shoot them all every week.

Lucky for me the size of their grips is compatable to me.

FYI

You are lucky that the grip size works for you. I also totally agree, w/ the validity of using a laser in one's weapon system. Not only is there an advantage in twilight lighting scenarios, there is also ability to accurately shoot from the hip. This can be more valuable during certain scenarios where taking the time to line up the conventional sights loses the fight.

However, as far as the deployment timing issues w/ rail solutions, that is a matter of training, and scenario. Fact of the matter is, you don't ALWAYS want the laser on, in all scenarios. In a scenario where you do NOT want the laser on, you have to loosen your grip to disengage the CT laser, or even worse take the mega time to engage the permanent off state. That to me that is a tactical, and mental disadvantage; tactically by having to tighten grip up just before shot takes longer to make shot, and mentally because now you not only have to be cognizant of turning on/off laser, you also have to be concerned about the state of your grip, or complicated process of permanent off state.

As far as training regarding time to first shot, the same training that I put into making first shot w/ my BG380, is the same training I put into doing the same on my M&P w/ the rail laser. This is another advantage due to consistency of deployment between pistols. The more consistent that process is the less likely I am to make mistakes that cost me time due to deployment differences between my pistols.

So, again, for me, the rail, or guide rod laser is best solution. Subject to change of course.

Agreed. Several of my "off-side" shooting friends and I have written to CT concerning this, but they appear to not care. I mentioned that 16% of the U.S. population is left-handed, so approximately the same percentage of the pistol shooting population is affected in the same way. CT is losing business to their competitors, and they don't appear to care about it, nor left-handed shooters.

Skip

Guess I'm one of the few who doesn't like them, but not for reasons of grip feel or fit. I simply could not get used to focusing on the target while squeezing off a handgun/pistol round. Tried for several months, and lots of shooting through a Beretta M9, gave it up. As I begin a squeeze, my focus goes to the sights.

Great point, even for right-handed shooters that wind up needing to shoot w/ weak hand this will be an issue. It's always nice to see how arrogant companies are when addressing consumer needs....NOT

CT is great for M&P if you are a righty. I had the model with the thumb safety and there was a thread that showed the procedure to trim off the right side safety tab. I am not a particular fan of ambi safety's anyway. I did obtain a spare unmodified safety first so I can return the gun to original easily, but not from S&W - they will not sell it.

CT makes very good quality stuff at a premium price. But let's take a few minutes and think this one out, shall we? I can buy a superior GREEN laser, that's far more visible (actually useful) on the sunniest day, along with a high lumens tactical light that fits under my S&W M&P 40c like it was built for it--and even looks like it's an integral part--like it 'came with it' as in 'factory installed' (A lot like the streamlight on my S&W Bodyguard 380 looks, but vastly superior, in laser light quality, button placement, touch & feel, etc--plus with a great tac light)

It's like comparing a Kia to a Lexus.

Yet it still looks just as cool sitting back a ways on my Springfield Xd/M full size 45ACP. On the 40c, it doesn't even extend beyond the muzzle. Yes--it fits on a tac. rail, but there are very few guns--(like my Glock 27--no rail) that it doesn't attach to and (VERY IMPORTANT)--STAYS ON for as many rounds I may care to shoot from one of my guns--typically at least 50 to over 100+--with no wiggle, no jiggle, from shooting or from going in and out of my gear bag or holster.

One day, I'll try and shoot a few 100 rounds, from half a dozen guns and report back, lads...lol.

In seconds, I can swap it out between my S&W's, my other Glocks, my Springfield XD/M, etc--many guns of different sizes.

Plus, unlike with the CT, I have no issues swapping out grip scales if I want to go from walnut to rosewood, or lava rock, for that matter, or adding or removing tactical grip tape, a grip glove, changing out back straps, etc.--all a cinch.

So if you have 2, or 200 guns--you can buy a great CT that will most likely be an individualized, 'custom' fit for each separate gun. That is, if you're VERY rich!

To each their own, but I don't like to look of lasers and tactical lights on guns that stick out way beyond the barrel. It looks somewhere between something from the orginal, some 30 y/o " Starwars' movie--or just plain old 'dorky', or tacky to me anyway.

The people who 'notice' my setup are usually the sharper tacks --the 'vets' at the range--it's 'stealthy cool' and young or old, they typically think it looks great.

Of course some people are 'non laser people', my wife's one--a 'purist' and she's just as happy to shoot our first 'quality' gun,a Glock 17, with it's orginal sights or because she may not have a choice, the Truglo TFO's I love on the guns I'm not shooting. But she's just got a 'thing' against lasers, maybe she thinks, "John Browning would have never have used one of these"--I dunno-she bakes cakes from scracth too--so go figure--ahh 'Women....'

As reliable as my laser light is, and I'm kind of tough on stuff, nothing's a 100% a 100% of the time--it's aircraft quality strength built, but if I drop it hard and somehow manage to break it or the battery punks out, my TFO sights are good day or night, 24X7. Even at that--when I said "Why 'just' a one year warranty on this laser--tac light?" --the COMPANY said--if it doesn't work right years from now and it doesn't look run over--we'll work with you". Nice folks.


I haven't read too many posts from people without open minds here, so decide for yourself if this Tac-Lite set up doesn't look attractive, as well as nice and tidy. Personally speaking, I really like mine:

Viridian C5L Gun Laser Sights | Viridian Green Laser Gun Sights

I'm pretty sure this model comes as either just a tac. light--or as a green laser--or as a combo as I have and as pictured. If you shop around like I did, I've seen the combo for $270. If you're Military or Police, a bit less even. No, NOT cheap, (maybe a VERY nice Xmas present) but you can still pay a lot more green money for something else green, that in my opinion's no better, or spend less and get something that 'looks' great but is really cheap Chinese junk.

With the size of this unit, you don't have to worry as much about fairly often removing gunpowder residue off of it as you do with the big Pinnochio nose sticking out ones and holster options are much more available with this sort of fit.

Yes, some might argue that the CT gives you a mili second advantage in time over the tac light--laser set up with the on button in the grip, but note where the very logically and yet so easy to reset in a variety of ways, button is (there's actually two, tactile friendly buttons, one on each side to do some settings, but you congigure it easily for fast one button 'on and off') it's all logically placed. And in terms of visiblity, in all but the darkest conditions, where red and green are equal, green wins, hands down.

I work in the area of visual impairments and the green spectrum of light is much more visible than is red's. I can't prove it, but I bet in most conditions, any 'milisecond' advantage the red CT has by virtue of it being in the grip, is lost by my being able to pick up on my target a lot faster---that green not only is effective in full sunshine, but outside, it looks like Obi Wan's light saber after 4 or 5PM. From playing with it in my back yard, my neighbors were all wondering 'what is that industrial strength looking green light --that stream of light, going over a mile into the sky? Someone calling the Green Hornet?

The switch is RIGHT where my finger already is when I pull my handgun out already and although I can easily configure it several ways with the two buttons (much more than with the CT) I personally decided on a favorite setting and set it and forget about it--then everytime I lightly touch it, the green laser's set to fast pulse and the tac light to, I think, a one second strobe interval. See? Got it exactly where and as I want it and forgot about it--from there on--it's 'one litle tap touch'. Yet it's simple enough that w/o a manual, I can easily remember how to reconfigure it. It's decent on battery life too. AND unlike the Insight (usually another good product)--it doesn't easily turn itself on in my pocket or in a holster--JUST with my finger.

Even CT's going to the green laser for when the going gets REAL serious, namely--on their tactical rifle lasers. They're NO dummies. IMO, in five or so years--maybe sooner, they'll all be green or going green out there. Meanwhile, I want to stay with a company that has the best and longest track record, building sturdy, quality and logically designed products along these lines--because they're higher tech, they do generate a bit more heat and in terms of products, I 'want it 'right'--rather than fast and cheap'.. ..

Don't get me wrong--the CT's a fine product. It's great product for revolvers especially, and for women with light weight revolvers in particular. I really like the look and feel of the M&P 40c with the CT--almost even bought one in fact, but then I thought a bit more.....

Sorry if I wrote a book here, but I'm obviously 'sold' on this and it's seen a lot of use, from the salty Florida Keys, up into the mountains of N. Georgia.