Laser choices for a shield: green or red?

Confusedacorn · Feb 16, 2015

I recently installed all green truglo tfos on my shield and I am considering adding a crimson trace or armalaser as well. I know CT offers a green laser now so I was wondering whether a green or red laser would work better with my all green sights (figured the red dot would contrast w my front sight = no confusion, but like the fact I can see the green laser at outdoor ranges better). Just curious to hear from anyone who has experience w grip activated lasers on the shield.

Also could anyone tell me what model of tuckable desantis holster fits the shield w a laser and also has an extra mag pouch on the front? Saw a picture of one but can't find it on their website

ClayCow · Feb 16, 2015

too much thinking man. Go with whichever color, it wont matter.

Confusedacorn · Feb 16, 2015

If I'm going to shell out ~$300 for a laser I'd rather overthink it than under think it

Johnmuratore · Feb 16, 2015

I've got a red laser (InSight) on my older model BG and a LaserMax green on my 40c.
When using either (seldom), I don't look down the sights, but rather where the dot is on the target.
I think either would be ok.

ClayCow · Feb 16, 2015

Confusedacorn said:
If I'm going to shell out ~$300 for a laser I'd rather overthink it than under think it

What im saying that it probably doesnt mattereapecially at your distance. Ive heard green does better overall, and id do green since its my favorite color. Basically it doesnt matter, pick red or green, whichever color scheme you like.

GaleForce · Feb 17, 2015

For me, green lasers are cool and add a wow factor, but that's about it. I know they have technical advantages like being brighter but I just put a Lasermax guard on my Shield 40. I got it for $75 maybe and the laser is BRIGHT. I really don't see why I would need anything brighter, but you obviously need to evaluate your needs and what could constitute the need for a green laser. Or if you just like green better and want to shell out at least $150 vs $75.

Here's my brand new Shield 40, just finished the last of my customization today when my Pearce mag extensions came. For what it's worth, aside from being bright, I love the way the Lasermax looks, the activation switch is in the perfect spot (and not too soft, plus definite 'snaps' into place, although without the sound). I also love the ambidextrous design of it, even though I'm not a southpaw. It works out perfectly that my index finger can activate the laser, and when I'm gripping the gun I keep my thumbs forward and can easily manipulate my left thumb to press the opposite side back into place to deactivate (middle position is off).

My one complaint is a common one, especially with the Pearce extensions forcing my hand a bit higher up on the grip... the flash (or seam) at the bottom of the part that meets your middle finger on the grip can be bothersome. They intelligently designed it so that in that area it isn't half/half on either side, but a single piece that bridges the whole trigger guard, but it still had a seam. I took a file from a pocket knife to it for all of 10 seconds - didn't impact how it looks at all, and smoothed it out. Don't feel a thing now. Most people do this with sandpaper - I didn't have any. I just went for a few seconds at a time, wiped away what came off, and checked it until I was satisfied.

JPug360 · Feb 17, 2015

+1 on the lasermax. I like the option to set the laser to strobe aswell. For me, I find it easier and quicker to pick up when it is flashing.

Regarding the activation switch. I can turn mine both on and off from the same side. Mine doesn't need to be pushed back over from the opposite side.

For the price and fit/finish, it was an easy decision for me.

redfox302 · Feb 17, 2015

I have CT-red for the Shield; after sold the LaserMax. I also have ArmaLaser for the PT92AF. They both are great with "auto-on" feature but Armalaser cost less.

GaleForce · Feb 17, 2015

How do you turn the LaserMax on and off from the same side? Also, how do you turn the strobe on? Do I need to move some pieces around on the internals before fastening it together?

JPug360 · Feb 17, 2015

Honestly I have no idea about the switch. Everything I read before buying it said it had to be used from both sides. When I received mine, I just installed it normally, and noticed that it worked from the same side. It doesn't click in when you turn it on, it just pushes in and then resets itself. The first one I received was way out of alignment so I sent it back and they sent me another. The second one activated the same way. I don't know if it's a newer model and they addressed that or not. But it is nice using the same finger for on/off.

For the strobe, I push it to turn on. Then I push again and hold for 10-15 seconds and it switches to strobe. Although I don't know how that would work if you have to push from the opposite side to turn off. So lasermax may have a new model out now to allow that to happen.

ETA: I purchased mine from amazon the week before Christmas (2014).

Indynick · Feb 17, 2015

I have a Crimson Trace Laserguard on my Shield. I like the instant activation when I grip the gun. I plan to use the iron sights during the daytime and the laser at night. I did not see the need to spend so much money on the green one, when any color laser rules the night.

GaleForce · Feb 17, 2015

JPug360 said:
Honestly I have no idea about the switch. Everything I read before buying it said it had to be used from both sides. When I received mine, I just installed it normally, and noticed that it worked from the same side. It doesn't click in when you turn it on, it just pushes in and then resets itself. The first one I received was way out of alignment so I sent it back and they sent me another. The second one activated the same way. I don't know if it's a newer model and they addressed that or not. But it is nice using the same finger for on/off.

For the strobe, I push it to turn on. Then I push again and hold for 10-15 seconds and it switches to strobe. Although I don't know how that would work if you have to push from the opposite side to turn off. So lasermax may have a new model out now to allow that to happen.

ETA: I purchased mine from amazon the week before Christmas (2014).

I purchased mine from Amazon, as well, about a month after you. This is the specific product: http://amzn.com/B0080R1XCY (the one that says by LaserMax and is Prime eligible). Mine wasn't perfectly in alignment, but I got it pretty close using the instructions. Took it to the range today and made the final adjustments to zero - dead on now. I'm really curious what is going on with yours. I'll say this, I still like the ambi activate/deactivate for the reason stated previously (using my trigger finger to activate, and left thumb to deactivate in a thumbs forward grip). Still, obviously if there's a way to tinker with it to get it to activate on one side only and to pulse I definitely want to find that!

one eye joe · Feb 17, 2015

FWIW, GREEN IS THE LAST COLOR OF THE SPECTRUM TO DISAPPEAR IN LOW LIGHT. IT IS MORE VISIBLE AT LONG DISTANCE, ALSO…..

ClayCow · Feb 17, 2015

Joe. Im not sure that is correct. White or blue or purple i think is better?

Also, with that button there, any of you hesitant on using it? I could think that you would go to switch it on in a home defense self defense situation but end up pulling your trigger. Even easier under a modified trigger

GaleForce · Feb 17, 2015

Not at all. The button to activate the laser takes a lot less pressure than a trigger pull does, in a perpendicular direction no less. Plus, if you keep your finger off the trigger and either along the top of the frame or right across the trigger guard, given how small the Shield is, chances are your index finger tip will rest right on the laser activation button by default. Me personally, I don't have small hands but I don't have big hands either. I could squeeze my pinky onto the Shield 40 without the extended mag (uncomfortably, and aside from bridging the floorplate and the frame of the gun it would overhang), alternatively between the Pearce extension on the 6 round mag and the laser guard taking a tiny bit of space underneath the trigger guard, my fingers are crowded. It's still best for me to focus on holding the grip with 2 fingers, and stabilizing with my pinky, rather than gripping tight with all 3, if that makes sense. Anyway, I mention it only because you do not need big hands to easily reach the switch while holding the gun in any situation where you're not about to fire.

And to add one more thing, if you are about to fire and have your finger on the trigger without having had a chance to activate the laser (for whatever reason) it's really a simple move to hit the switch with your left thumb, and takes less fine motor control than operating a safety easily.

Confusedacorn · Feb 17, 2015

Does the laser max stay on once you activate it or does it require constant tension?

Guess it would help to note I'm interested in training for the central axis relock system of shooting due to my left eye dominance/right handedness and want to learn how to fire accurately from the high position w my carry piece

JPug360 · Feb 18, 2015

Lasermax stays on. Push button to turn on, push button to turn off.

ClayCow · Feb 18, 2015

Hmm. I had a bodyguard 380 and never felt safe touching the laser button
It is in the opposite direction, but your finger autonatically curls back. And in yhe heat of things you might curl your finger back too far

JWH321 · Feb 18, 2015

I acquired a whole drawer full of various lasers only to decide that if I ever really needed to defend myself quickly they were just something that takes one more nanosecond. I have decided that simple is best.

$300 will buy a thousand rounds of practice ammo.

ATF · Feb 18, 2015

I've tried many different lasers and the big problem with them is I find I don't concentrate on trigger control. I always expect the bullet to follow the laser and forget about trigger pull. I prefer to just use the sights or shoot instinctively.

Laser choices for a shield: green or red?

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