Im new to this post a tread, so here goes. I have a S&W 9mm shield which I love to shoot. It my carry choice also. Im thinking about putting a laser on it. Not much money in the bank, but don't want anything that wont last awhile. Any suggestions or comments. Thanks.
Just asking
- Thread starter RET1SG
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Inusuit
Member
I have a Crimson Trace green laser on my Shield. Not cheap, but excellent reputation and no problems. I like the CT because the on switch ends up on the front strap so easy to turn on when I draw. Other lasers have switches in other places and may require two hands to engage. The green is more money than the red but shows up much better in daylight. I have no experience with other brands. This is my first laser. I had cataract surgery last year and now have trouble focusing on the front sight. The laser is great.
Ballistic147
Member
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2015
- Messages
- 713
- Reaction score
- 719
My wife bought an Armalaser for her Shield. The one thing we both liked about it was the contact under the trigger guard that turned it on when you grip the gun. This feature worked well and was reliable. It was also very easy to mount. After 600 rounds it still functioned flawlessly and had held a perfect zero but she decided a laser just wasn't for her. She picked it up at a gun show for $100 and their website lists them at $120. It's the TR4 series if you're interested.
I dont have a laser on my shield, but I do have a Viridian RTL on it. It is high quality and with the ecr, is activated when it is removed from the holster. The laser does the same. A magnet in the holster turns the light/laser off when holstered and activates it when removed. Kinda nifty.
Arik
Member
Comments? Sure.... What do you mean by not much money in the bank? If I didn't have much money I wouldn't be spending it on lasers. The gun already has perfectly usable sights.
If I already have a gun, mags and ammo my priority would be living expenses
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
If I already have a gun, mags and ammo my priority would be living expenses
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Jaysq
US Veteran
I personally do not see a need for a laser on a carrier gun. Most self-defense shootings take place a few feet from one another. If your target is far enough that you need a laser, it would be better to try to retreat.
This is my opinion and many others will disagree. But give it some thought, it will also add bulk and weight to your carry gun.
This is my opinion and many others will disagree. But give it some thought, it will also add bulk and weight to your carry gun.
MCorps0311
US Veteran
I agree with the part of you statement that say "If your target is far enough that you need a laser, it would be better to try to retreat. "
ChiefBoatsret
US Veteran
Like the others have said, my shield is for last ditch self defence at 10 yards or less. That is the distance I practice to be proficient at, farther away than that I am looking for an out and or cover.
TacticalReload
Member
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2003
- Messages
- 287
- Reaction score
- 175
First of all, the laser helps plenty in CQB when firing from unconventional positions / retention. The fact that people think it's only for distance shooting means you haven't really thought through a lot of the benefit of such a device.
Secondly, all this banking on the fact that "self defense only = close range" stuff is a gamble I'm not willing to take when practicing. Someone who can hit at 25 yards can also hit at 15 yards and 10 yards and 5 yards and 5 feet. However, someone who can only hit at close range can't be confident about hitting at longer distances. What exactly is so terrible about trying to shoot at longer distances while practicing... well, except for the fact that it's humbling, which means it's less satisfying and less fun. When I train / practice / compete / etc., I do it in a manner to push myself. If I'm not failing, then I'm not learning.
In this day and age of active shooters and terrorist BS, I can think of a number of circumstances where longer shots might be necessary. And before we go down the road of "it's so rare that it's not worth worrying about"... firing your gun in self defense is pretty darn rare as it is, and you still go through the trouble of being prepared for that unlikely occurrence.
And by the way, IMO, it doesn't matter if you're at 10 yards or 5 yards or 50 yards or whatever, you should always be "looking for an out and or cover" regardless.
Secondly, all this banking on the fact that "self defense only = close range" stuff is a gamble I'm not willing to take when practicing. Someone who can hit at 25 yards can also hit at 15 yards and 10 yards and 5 yards and 5 feet. However, someone who can only hit at close range can't be confident about hitting at longer distances. What exactly is so terrible about trying to shoot at longer distances while practicing... well, except for the fact that it's humbling, which means it's less satisfying and less fun. When I train / practice / compete / etc., I do it in a manner to push myself. If I'm not failing, then I'm not learning.
In this day and age of active shooters and terrorist BS, I can think of a number of circumstances where longer shots might be necessary. And before we go down the road of "it's so rare that it's not worth worrying about"... firing your gun in self defense is pretty darn rare as it is, and you still go through the trouble of being prepared for that unlikely occurrence.
And by the way, IMO, it doesn't matter if you're at 10 yards or 5 yards or 50 yards or whatever, you should always be "looking for an out and or cover" regardless.
wanderson7262
Member
- Joined
- May 3, 2016
- Messages
- 40
- Reaction score
- 18
I've had a green Crimson Trace laser on one of my 1911s for several years, no issues, holds zero @ 25 yards, a good long battery life and the grip mount is pretty easy to engage & disengage without changing your grip.
I also have a Streamlight TRL-4 light/red laser combo on an AK pistol, only had it for about a year but it was very inexpensive and seems to be as good as the CT laser. Too big for compact pistols but Streamlight just rolled out a TLR-6 for the Shield recently.
A green laser will typically eat thru batteries 3 to 5 times as fast as red, but will be MUCH more visible in daytime. Shine a red laser on a dark textured surface like a black fleece jacket and watch 75% of your light scatter.
I like light/laser combos for home defense, but not for carry. But the newer setups are getting smaller and better so that may change.
I think a laser is a good training aid, the CT on my 1911 is only for range use and really helps me see how my POI can get sloppy when my trigger finger gets lazy.
I also have a Streamlight TRL-4 light/red laser combo on an AK pistol, only had it for about a year but it was very inexpensive and seems to be as good as the CT laser. Too big for compact pistols but Streamlight just rolled out a TLR-6 for the Shield recently.
A green laser will typically eat thru batteries 3 to 5 times as fast as red, but will be MUCH more visible in daytime. Shine a red laser on a dark textured surface like a black fleece jacket and watch 75% of your light scatter.
I like light/laser combos for home defense, but not for carry. But the newer setups are getting smaller and better so that may change.
I think a laser is a good training aid, the CT on my 1911 is only for range use and really helps me see how my POI can get sloppy when my trigger finger gets lazy.
martybee
Member
I agree. Waste of funds!
Shield, M&P Compacts, BG380, are all, SD guns and not Target pistols! They are very fine for range practice using the iron sights equipped with the piece.
Save your money for ammo!
mb
My recommendation is to.......
I wouldn't install laser sights because you don't need to use them for regular shooting. However, I did choose to install the TruGlo Pro sights on my Shield. My reasoning is that since I have this weapon with me more than any other, there is a chance I might need it at night and because the TruGlo sights use Tritium, the three dot sights light up green really well and without giving away my position. The sights also use fiber optics for the daytime and the front dot is orange with two geen dots at the rear. It's the best of all worlds. I have a Sig P238 that came with night sights and I alwarys regretted not having them on my Shield. I really like this set up much more than I would a laser so I would say that if you want something an improvement, get these instead of the laser. Just my opinion. Regards, Elliot45
I wouldn't install laser sights because you don't need to use them for regular shooting. However, I did choose to install the TruGlo Pro sights on my Shield. My reasoning is that since I have this weapon with me more than any other, there is a chance I might need it at night and because the TruGlo sights use Tritium, the three dot sights light up green really well and without giving away my position. The sights also use fiber optics for the daytime and the front dot is orange with two geen dots at the rear. It's the best of all worlds. I have a Sig P238 that came with night sights and I alwarys regretted not having them on my Shield. I really like this set up much more than I would a laser so I would say that if you want something an improvement, get these instead of the laser. Just my opinion. Regards, Elliot45
Last edited:
On ebay you can buy a viridian r5 green colored laser with a holster for 149.00 or the red colored for 129.00. Plus it's ECR which means when you pull it from the holster it automatically turns on. I just ordered the green colored laser for 149.00 free shipping too.
Last edited:
Similar threads
