Advice on how to use a tactical laser, please?

[lrrifleman]

Prior to this past November, I never had an interest in tactical lasers since I didn't own one, nor did I own a handgun that could mount one. That changed in November when I not only won a Crimson Trace Pro Master Rail combination tac light/laser, but also a Sig P320 Xcompact which could mount the Crimson Trace.

In my quest to learn how to use a tactical laser, I turned to the great internet authority, YouTube. I even viewed just about every video that Crimson Trace posted. Needless to say, I may be more lost now than before I started looking for "knowledge"!

What I learned, was that the laser is being taught as a low/no light target projection to facilitate proper sight alignment. Is this really how a tactical laser is used? I was of the impression that once the pistol and laser were zeroed, the laser dot could be used in lieu of the sights in a combat situation for placing your shots on target while concentrating on the threat(s) and the dot.

Am I looking at use of the laser improperly, or am I looking at a more advanced method of using a tactical laser in a combat situation?

Could someone please advise me on how to use a tactical laser? Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[SMSgt]

Use it like a regular laser . . . only more tactically.

 

[Eski]

This is just my opinion / preference:

I’ve had lasers on all sorts of guns. Currently there are two lasers in use in my house... A Streamlight TLR-6 on my Shield 9mm and a green laser on my wife’s mossberg 500 .410 pistol grip shotgun.

On my Shield, the laser is activated at the same time as the light (which was my priority, not the laser). I’ll only be using the laser / light in low light situations. When practicing with the setup in low light, I find I prefer to use the sights on the gun more than the laser. The laser is there almost as a point of reference or as a way to verify my aim more or less.

Now on the shotgun, we both use the laser instead of the bead. It’s definitely more accurate than just shooting from the hip and quicker / easier than shooting the pistol grip held up high at eye level.

So I don’t know it that helps, but there it is.

 

[lrrifleman]

Opinions are welcome on this topic.

This is pure speculation on my part, but I would suspect that a self-defense situation would be much more like a combat engagement than a casual trip to the range. I am a strong advocate of using your sights, but I would suspect that taking a deliberate sight picture could cost the defender time and expose him/her to incoming rounds especially if you are engaging multiple threats.

I know for me, after almost fifty years of target shooting, that I go into a form of tunnel vision when I concentrate on my sight picture. Fortunately, when at the range practicing or in a match, paper targets don't shoot back! In a sense, I think that I may be viewing a laser equipped pistol as being a more accurate style of point shooting.

Have any of the forum members had either formal training or actual CQB experience with laser equipped firearms that would be willing to offer some insight?

 

[mckenney99]

I was never a fan of lasers on my pistols eventhough we sold them at the shop that I ran. Part of a promo pack we received from Crimson trace included a DVD with quite a bit of good info. As a result, I wound up putting a set of Crimson Trace grips on my daily carry SA Micro 45 1911. I do have to admit that due to long term use of my pistol's sights, trying to use the laser slows me down some what. However there are situations where you may not be able to see your sights or it may not be tactically feasible to get your head behind the sights, yet you still need to take a shot with reasonable assurance that the shot will hit. I look at the lasers as just another tool in my toolbox that will not replaced normal sighted fire.
I would be more than happy to send you the DVD if you want to PM me your address. May not help you, but the price is right.

 

[kwh]

Difficult to find my red laser dot in daylight.
Difficult to find my red laser dot past 20 yards at the indoor range.
Crimson trace

 

[stansdds]

Tactical lasers? No, thanks, I prefer a phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range.

 

[andy52]

I've trained in the military and civilian for CQC and long range. Lasers didn't exist in my early years and I've haven't become comfortable with them.
For CQC with handguns it's more practice and muscle memory then the sighting mechanism. When lasers came into vogue I gave them a try and found myself looking for that red dot when I should have already fired the shot.

 

[geeollie]

I enjoy a number of internet forums. Especially this one.
But, as in all things human there will be a multitude of opinions and thoughts! Yes, it is a surprise to hear this...

I believe laser sights can be a very good and helpful tool. If you will get to know what your weapon can do or not do with them, you must practice to find this out. Just bolting them on and shooting a few rounds won't get you there.

People who are cross dominate can have a rough time shooting. Lasers can be an especially helpful tool for them.

Now on to other opinions.....which may be even better than mine.

 

[reddog81]

Difficult to find my red laser dot in daylight.
Difficult to find my red laser dot past 20 yards at the indoor range.
Crimson trace

These are the problems I've heard from people more experienced than me. People generally spend more time looking for the laser than it takes to align the sights. Trying to find a little dot in the fold of someones clothes 10 yards away isn't quite as easy it would seem.

Lasers are entertaining at the range. Watching people try to shoot and seeing the dot waiver all over the place as they're pulling trigger is eye opening.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I asked the same question years ago. Didn’t get many good answers other than they were useless.

So I went to the range. I shot 1000 rounds with and without a laser.

What I found was this:

If you wait to see the laser before pulling the trigger, you’ve waited too long.

However when shooting from unorthodox positions such as on your back or any other position which you can’t or don’t have time to use the sights, a laser can be quite useful.

I had the luxury of shooting in several positions and used the laser with great effect.

Contrary to what the manufacturer says about adjusting the laser with your sights, I sighted mine to the bore. Much more accurate.

I’m thinking about going back to a laser because of my eyesight close up. But I have no doubt that I can defend myself with or without one.

They are just another tool.

 

[Rudi]

I'm just way too old and old school for laser sights. If it works for you then go for it.

 

[Practical]

I have a crimson trace laser and I practice with and without it at 50 feet. It has helped my trigger control. My vision without glasses is very bad. I have it to deal with the case when I need to get on target even if I cant see my sights which can be hard with progressive lenses and bifocals and I am still sure of my target as a threat.

 

[biku324]

Lazers identify both the source and the target. Not for me, thank you. Tritium night sights same-same.

 

[Farmer17]

I was never impressed with lasers until I tried one on an M&P that turned on when you squeezed the grip. It was out of the way and detracted nothing from the gun but if you did need it, like for shooting from behind cover without exposing yourself it was there. Trying to see and hold the dot steady on a fast moving target is tough to do though, and iron sights are better 99% of the time.

 

[shocker]

I have lasers on my Shockwaves. Really helped me learn how to point and shoot from the chest or hip. Not so easy as it looks in the movies, LOL.

 

[Sistema1927]

On handguns, a laser, at least in my opinion, is an outstanding aid for when you cannot use your sights, such as a situation where you have been knocked on your butt and your attacker is grappling with you. You may not be able to use your sights, but you can put that dot on his cranium.

I have also found that the Laserlyte Center Mass unit is especially suited to my Shockwave, and that the expansion of the multiple dots closely matches the shot pattern of #4 buckshot.

 

[ameridaddy]

I have a crimson trace laser and I practice with and without it at 50 feet. It has helped my trigger control. ....

Bingo! Great for dry fire practice.

 

[Sandman4delta]

I have shot with lasers and red dots almost since they were available (almost, because I don't count the huge tubular atrocities on the Terminator and Cobra movie guns ).

What you must remember is that gadgets do not replace marksmanship. You have to know their limitations.
With a military laser PAQ-4 and a 3X nightvision adapter you can make head shots on a target at night. But your average little pistol laser won't be seen anywhere near that.
I agree with the members that mention not being able to eyeball your sights, that is a great benefit if needed.

I have lasers on several of my guns. Two J Frames with sidemount lasers and some autos with rear sights that have lasers.
What I would use them for is low light situations (ie Theater) and remember your iron sight drills for anytime you have workable light.

As for how to practice, look at it as if it were a red dot. Eye focus is downrange and target aware, both eyes open.
Just as a red dot you have to know where to look to expect to see it (practice).
Tactically, remember that tracers work both ways. If you can activate it on/off from a shooting grip that's great, activate as part of your engagement. Don't search with it like on TV Mine have switches that are not grip ready. For those I just adjust my trigger finger up over the beam to block it. So when I move to the trigger it is on target.

As my eyes have aged, I have come to like red dots. They don't require front sight focus. Lasers do the same for me.
As someone above mentioned about the waving around,
lasers are truth serum, they will reveal to you how steady you are on target. I and others also use them to dry fire for that reason. I also use that effect to practice drawing to target, rocking the pistol onto a level track to bring on target smoothly.
I prefer red dots to lasers. I started with Eotechs on my agency rifle and as they have got smaller recently I now have them on some of my comp autos. But they don't always lend themselves to CCW so a laser could be a good compromise or just think of it as a little insurance in low light.
Lastly, any device added to your weapon requires additional attention. Keeping up with batteries and such. I always check my zero against the sights before carrying one.
Hope that wasn't too much, I do that.
Stay safe.