Laser and/or lights

[jmp1973]

Hi all, please bear with me. I am new to this forum and fairly new to shooting. I own a M&P 9 FS for personal/family defense for those bumps in the night. I am looking at adding either a laser or laser/light combo and am looking for suggestions or pro/con of laser grip v. Rail mounted v. any other type and red laser v. green . Any suggestions or recommendations are appreciated.

 

[jblack58]

I prefer the lasergrip made by Crimson Trace because of the way they are activated. Squeezing the grip is more instinctive than having to turn on a switch to activate a laser on the front of my pistol. The last thing I would want to do in an emergency is feel for a switch to turn on. Crimson Trace also makes a "lightguard" that fits under the trigger guard which is also activated by squeezing the grip. With it and the lasergrip, you have both the light and laser.

 

[SMMAssociates]

jmp1973:

Can't help you on specifics. I don't have any lights or lasers on my (was three, now two) M&P's. I have CT's on two small 1911's that I rotate when "outside", though. Just decided that I jumped when I shouldn't have. Great training aid, but, IMHO, not all that useful otherwise. One, you shouldn't depend on them, and two, the whole "operation" of the gun is different between a laser and the iron sights.

(I have a similar view of night sights, but since they're passive, and don't really change too much, it's a YMMV.)

IAC, for a laser, you want something that you can easily activate as needed, and shut off just as easily. Avoid "blink if you push once, steady if you push twice" gimmicks - if the stuff hits the fan, you'll muck that up. "Blink", too, might make it easier for the BG to find you.

Now about the lights.... I bought the M&P 'cause I wanted one .... The rails, IMHO, are for a bayonet .... LEO's can take the risk, and may really find having a light on their handgun useful as a "third hand", but I don't think the rest of us should take the risk of pointing a gun at somebody just to light them up. Here in OH, do it outside of your own house, and you're in deep legal stuff, too, in some cases.

Again, though, if you prefer a light, avoid the "blink if you push twice" sort of magic. You'll muck it up anyway.

I'm a semi-retired rent-a-cop, among other things, and was trained to hold my flashlight in my weak hand, well away from my body, while my strong hand holds the firearm someplace convenient, and likely in front of me. Putting the light on the gun rail just seems to make it easier for the BG to make a mess out of me by aiming for the light. Not nearly as easy if it's in my weak hand, way out there.

(With a two hand technique that pairs the gun with the light, if you even think the BG is about to shoot, you can get that light the heck out of Dodge pretty quickly - much better, IMHO, than just shutting it off....)

Meantime, shoot the heck out of the new gun .... Get used to it on the range, on your belt, etc. If you're going to try to get a license (i.e., haven't already done it), some range time before you get there - preferably with a half-decent instructor - will be helpful, and take some of the edge off the proceedings.

Regards,

 

[Maddmax]

I like the Streamlight. Comes with a laser & super bright light. You can just use the laser,just the bright light,or a combo of both. There is a select switch in the center to do that. There is an up & down outside toggle that switches the light on or you can on/off if you toggle the other way. It's VERY simple to use,well with-in reach and ambidextrous. It mounts under the barrel. The laser is easy to adjust. I have my 9PRO iron sights set at 25 yards. I adjusted the laser to match,then test fired it. Dead on the money. I've also removed it a couple time to just shoot/practice with and the laser is easy to remount and adjust just using the hex screw to tighten for horizontal alignment. Vertical stays put. Test fire and still dead on. Bit pricey,but you get what you paid for. Love it and would do it again. Also VERY rugged.

 

[robkarrob]

I have a Crimson Trace on a Ruger LC9 and a Laserlyte on a Shield 40. The CT has the grip button (front of the grip and under the trigger guard) for turning the laser on. There might be times you don't want the laser on, especially for home defense as the laser identifies your location (red light). To hold the gun with the laser off requires you change your grip, so you don't press the button on. Lasers with a finger switch (Laserlyte and others) can be turned on and off with a trigger finger switch. This style can be left off while still taking your normal grip on the gun. Then a simple finger push on the button, and the laser is on.

Bob

 

[speedyquad]

i have one of these on my sigma, it is activated by a pressure switxh that you can mount any where on your gun. the switch attach by velcro so you can remove it. you can have the light , laser, or both on. the light is very very bright. i plan on buying a 2nd for my tactical .22(which is my 3rd line of home defense).
for removal, all you have to do is push the spring operated screw and it pops off.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FlashLight-...667?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1d4418a3

 

[DocSunShine]

TLR-1s FTW

 

[southchatham]

Look into the crimson trace light for M&P. It's very low profile. All you need is the light imo. I would get one of the ct lights but they only make it for the full size.

 

[timn8er]

I have a Crimson Trace unit on one of my guns, a Sigma 40VE. It has the
switch that is part of the grip, so when you bring the gun up into position, the laser is on. I tell you one thing, though. I never realized how shaky & twitchy my hands are until I was at the range watching the little red ball dance around on the target! I've tried to use it as a
training device when I can't get to the range. I stand in position & try
& hold that red dot as still as possible. I believe it helps.

 

[robkarrob]

Nothing beats a laser for training. I know most people do not want to use a laser, but it will show you where the bullet is going. Dry fire practice against a distant wall will easily show pulls and flinches. A number of my friends, who all shoot well, could not believe how shaky they were when using the laser on my Shield. That little laser pinpoint was moving 4 inches left to right and up and down from 15 yards. This is from guys that thought they were rock solid. They now realize that the open sights do not show all the actual movement that is occurring. Even using a sandbag rest and trying to be extremely accurate, it is hard to hold the laser pinpoint still.

Bob

 

[blujax01]

Another vote for Crimson Trace lasers. Pricy, but well-made and a no B.S. warranty.

 

[had2]

I have my HD M&P 9 FS fitted with both the Crimson Trace Laser Grip and the Light Guard. There's a photo of the M&P with both devices attached on Crimson Trace's web site: Lightguard Tactical Light for Smith & Wesson M&P | Official Crimson Trace There's also a video showing these products on another pistol. I keep a separate tactical flashlight handy, but it's good knowing that there's a light available right on the gun if needed. After training with both, I feel certain that these definitely give you a tactical advantage over the bad guy. The best feature is that both are operated instinctively; no need to think at 3 am when you are awakened by an intruder. Just squeeze as you normally would, and you have laser and light. Release the pressure and you can leave one or the other off. The laser is activated by a pressure switch in the backstrap. The light is activated by a button in front of the grip. Both can be manually turned off by a switch. Very well made products, and the added benefit is the training aid that the laser can be. They add very little weight or bulk to the gun, and once installed, they look like they are part of the gun. No bulky lights on the rail under the barrel. They are pricey, but I believe for your main HD weapon, they can give you a significant advantage. Check out CT's site for videos and more information.

 

[JBUS]

Not a fan of lasers. My little brother gave me his CT trigger guard laser from his LCP to put on my LCP and I just couldn't get used to it. I cannot carry one on my duty handgun so I won't spend the time to use them.

I do like robkarrob's idea of using it for dry fire training though.

IR laser? Definately. Saving up for a DBAL to put on my duty patrol rifle, BUT that's a whole other thread and reasons why I need one.

Surefire X300 or X300 Ultra will be good to go. The Streamlight TLR series isn't bad at all.

I've run a X300 on duty for 4 years now and it's never failed me, provided plenty of light when clearing houses etc. AND it is like having a 3rd hand. My reaction hand is free to grab ahold of someone, open doors etc.

 

[Titan]

I have CT grips on all my defensive handguns and plan to be a lifelong customer.

Terrific reliability and performance in a bulk free form factor.