I know this is one of those questions... but I tried looking for one like mine in several forums and didnt find the match...

For the moment my shield is my CCW and HDW, if I installed a laser, it would be a CT

Now here is what I want to see if people think like I do: I think its probably better the laser, since it helps intimidade a bit, it helps aim in situations i cant aim, I carry an extra light in my pocket. I like the idea of a light in a gun because its easier than holding with one hand the light and the other the gun and aim.... But I think a huge dissadvantage of the light is that it gives my location away...

Thoughts ?

Neither are really important in the grand scheme of things. Lasers are crutches IMHO.


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This can do both, I'm not a huge fan of where the activation buttons are, but there a limited choices for the little pistils. Green lasers destroy batteries quickly, but red is hardly visible in daylight. My personal opinion is lights on duty and house guns, not for concealment but this is just my opinion, lots of people disagree. I played with a laser for a bit, I was less than enthused with it and not worth the the hassle for it's limited use.

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I personally don't like either one for CCW. I think most encounters that happen at night will be in low light conditions, but not pitch black to keep you from seeing an attacker. I have night sights for that reason. I can maybe see using a flashlight for HDW if your house is that dark at night.

We have CT lasers on our EDC guns and on every gun that could possibly be used for HD. During my last range day I concentrated on doing double taps at 3 in bullseyes at 30 feet as fast as I could from a low ready position. Used the laser for the first 150 rnds and then turned it off and used sights. For me at least, I am a lot faster and more accurate w/ the laser. The thought that came to me during the first mag using the sights was, dang this is old school.

Remember about the holster, it a little tougher to find one that fit with your add-on accessories. I had CT(Red) on my Shield and loved it. Also take a look at ArmaLaser as well.

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I need and have a good powerful Streamlight flashlight, but not mounted on any firearm. Lasers are dangerous, and alone can blind and kill people. I have no use for them, save playing with the cat, being careful in doing so.

Do not rely on intimidation. If the view of a pistol from the business end isn't intimidating enough, you should not have drawn in the first place.

I've used several different systems and have settled on the trl6 as the best currently available option.

Personally i don't care to much about a laser, the ct types that don't require a specific activation make the most sense but they are limited in how/when you can see the laser and force you to split your training b/w laser focus and front sight focus which is potentially a very serious problem. I would never consider a laser as a deterrent, nor would I consider a gun as a deterrent. If you pull it, consider the situation escalated.

The light however makes lots of sense to me, but the activation is the critical aspect. How easily you can get it on and off is vital. It also requires more training or it's just a weight on the end of your gun. You shouldn't ever be shooting at what you can't see clearly so light yes, laser meh. If I can see it well enough to identify a target then I can use the sights.

If your just starting out I'd stay away from both until you have some dedicated trigger time on the gun. Keep it simple till you know for sure what you want.

If you are set on having one or the other, I would opt for an easily dismounted laser - you may not like it. Personally I find the idea of painting a target with a flashlight and (by necessity) the muzzle slightly un-nerving so a separate light it is.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I have a laser installed on my Shield. I don't depend on it for training. I do use Laser Ammo for training. My holster is Alien Gear. Fits quite well and does not disturb. In a situation at night I would might use the laser. But at close quarters probably not enough time. One other thing, if used beyond 21 feet it could be a questionable action if you have to defend it. It depends on the circumstances doesn't it?

I think it depends if the shield will be used for home defense. If yes, I would go with the flashlight. I really want one but they are a little pricey, i currently just sleep with a flashlight and plan on taking a class on home defense. For this reason i would go with a laser. I am in no way an expert, but i feel like a flashlight can be held with one hand and gun in the other. You can buy a really good flashlight for $30-$60, a fraction of an attachment

The TR6 mentioned above is great but pricey as well.

I love having a laser on my bodyguard. I do not see it as a crutch. A handgun is a crutch to someone who EDC a bow and arrow.

Lasers are NOT a crutch! They are a very helpful accessory sight. They do NOT replace the sights on the gun, but they sure as pooh make it easier to shoot close to where you want to shoot in low or no light (especially in your bedroom or home at night!) And no, the laser does not take the place of a flashlight. But I do NOT wish to search by having to point by gun anywhere, especially when the pucker factor is OFF THE SCREEN!

I've been using laser sights for my EDC and home defense guns for a very long time. And when I pick up the gun, I also have a flashlight in my hand or very close! I'm not shooting anything that is unidentified. And for the record, if gunshots are pointed in my direction, I don't have to see the face of the shooter to identify the shooter who is trying to take my life!!!! Especially if it's happening inside my own home!!!!!!

I favor the Crimson Trace laserguard sight on my semi autos and the CT laser grips on my revolvers. Installing the laserguards on my semi autos required a change of holster. I do not normally remove the laser sights from my guns, but it is a pretty quick job if I do wish to do that. The sights are absolutely dependable in my experience, at least as dependable as my flashlights. Fresh batteries on a regular rotation has meant that I have NEVER had failure to work because of dead batteries. Anything mechanical or manufactured can have failures, including the handgun you mount these laser sights on. My experience has solidified my trust in these laser sights. I have waked up (potty break) in the dead of night, picked up my bedroom gun and flashlight, and walked through my home and used all three in possible situations. Most of the time, I can see well enough to walk through my home with the benefit of a night light. Plus, I know my home! But when the night lights come on, I'm busted anyway (so is the intruder!!). Nevertheless, the only way I can guarantee to get a good hit without the laser is to use my flashlight. With the laser, I seldom need to use the flashlight, and I can control the laser beam on/off so that it won't give me away!

I could go on, you get the idea. I have been using these sights for about as long as Crimson Trace has been selling them. I can see NO valid reason for me not to use them. They make my great handguns better!!! And if for some reason, the laser does not work, I can still use my handgun as I have trained for many years just like I always did before laser sights were available. I seldom see or use the red dot in daylight. I use my gun sights!

I'm gonna quit now. Put a laser on your gun. Own a good useable flashlight. Now all you have to worry about is the fellow using the gun doing a good job!! Good luck with your decision. What I've stated here is my decision. It's not likely for everyone, and that's OK. Everybody has to figure out what's best for them!!

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So long ... Ken

Pudge,
We might be brothers from another mother. I have equipped my family's EDC guns with CT. I recently went from a J frame CT edc to a shield because I mounted the laser/light combo on it and it carry's nice and makes it feel safer to me to be able to light up a threat before dropping the hammer on him. My house guns have had the combo's for years for the same reason, just now they are small enough to EDC.

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Shoot fast & live long
Warren

If in the previous posts if it wasn't mentioned then I will. In using weapon mounted light alone to identify your target, you've just swept the target. Hope it wasn't a loved one.

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NRA Benefactor

Streamlight TLR6 on my Shield. Holster is Alien Gear designed to accomodate the Shield/TLR6 combo.
Have the TLR6 configured for light only since I have night sights on the Shield.

I have neither a light nor a laser on my EDC Shield; in general SD encounters favor simplicity. That said, I see they have a CT green laser available for the Shield, and that could provide an advantage in certain lighting scenarios. I have an inexpensive green laser for my SD rifle, and it’s visible out to 20 yards in full daylight. A red one would be useless there.

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Southern Comfort
Retired USAF

I don't yet have a Shield - but I have a TLR6 on both my G26 and G43 - they rotate, kinda sorta, for HD. I really like the option of a fairly bright light for use at home - with a laser dot in the center of it. The TLR6's are fairly small - but too big for ODC (Occasional Day Carry ). That's where the 360J and 442 come into my little simple equation.

I'm hoping the mothership does a worthwhile upgrade on the Shield for 2.0 - I have wanted one for some time but held off once I heard about the 2.0 upgrade for the full-size series ...