laser on J-frame

[remat457]

Have been looking to get a J-frame laser and was thinking of either the LaserMax (looks like it replaces the side plate) or the Crimson Trace (I think it was the 105?) they both are in the low $200 range. Any thoughts on either?
thanks

 

[cabezaverde]

I just put the CT 105's on my 642 and think they are great. If you are thinking about using the laser for SD, the LaserMax has to be turned on with a switch at the side of the grip. Not very intuitive.

 

[roundgunner]

I have quite a few guns equipped with Crimson Trace.

I think even in daylight they work for my eyes. I find it hard to see the front site and the rear is of course worse. I can see everything well from 15 feet to infinity. When I compete I use glasses that focus right on the front sight but then the target is tough. When I go about daily life I use the variable progressive lenses but when shooting it takes a long time to find the sights.

With the Crimson Trace I can focus on the target look down the barrel, the sights are there but pretty fuzzy but the dot is right where the round is going. I can see the dot on all but the brightest days to 15 or 20 yards. If I got in trouble beyond that range I guess I have a bit more time to find the sweet spot in my glasses.

I recommend them to all my students and friends. My wife and daughter have them on their guns too.

Better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.

 

[WNC Seabee]

We put CTs on my wife's 642. She's a great shot, but not a regular shooter. She felt that in a stressful situation the laser will be invaluable. That's all I needed to hear.

They've held up perfectly through about 400 rounds.

Crimson Trace's customer service is absolutely incredible, second to none. I bought a set, USED, for my compact 1911 that drained batteries every couple days. I called CT and they had a NEW set at my door 2 days later.

 

[dkees]

Crimson Trace does not make a laser grip for a M36 SQUARE butt.

A round butt is too small for my hands. I communicated my concerns and now receive updates on new products.

Still no square butt grips!

 

[brentf]

Crimson is very nice. I've had good luck with them.

 

[FrenchyF16]

I have the LG-405 grips on my 442. A little more expensive but a tad more comfortable due to the rubber padding on the backstrap.

 

[WC145]

I love the 105's I have on my 360J!

 

[enfield]

J-frame + Crimson Trace = a match made in heaven!

 

[remat457]

Thanks for all the input guys (and pics!)
CT it is (106) for my 37.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I have the LaserMax J for my J frames, and CT for my K, L, and N frames. Neither of the products are perfect, but the very slight edge goes to LaserMax. I agree with the others, CT has fantastic customer service, LaserMax doesn't.

Best of luck,

Dave

PS - my camera and my computer don't like each other, so no photos - sorry.

DC

 

[CF2]

When you folks installed the crimson trace, or lasermax, did you have to acquire a new set of holsters?

 

[CF2]

Double Dave, any particular reason in giving the Lasermax a "slight edge"?

 

[WC145]

When you folks installed the crimson trace, or lasermax, did you have to acquire a new set of holsters?

The only holster I had trouble with was a KL Null kydex shoulder holster. I had to trim a little notch in it to fit the part of the grip where the laser lens is.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

When you folks installed the crimson trace, or lasermax, did you have to acquire a new set of holsters?

Nope, IWB, OWB, paddle, shoulder, Uncle Mike #3 pocket holsters all worked well with and without the laser grips (Lasermax).

Regards,

Dave

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Double Dave, any particular reason in giving the Lasermax a "slight edge"?

You can set the laser to either "pulse" mode, or have it shine in a "steady" beam (I like the "pulse" mode). Also, I like the way the laser is mounted high on the side plate where it is out of the way but still accessible. The downsides? The activation button is a bit too easy to activate, and they will shut themselves off...after 30 minutes! Also, their customer service can't hold a candle to Crimson Trace.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[JumpinJack]

WC145, was that his upside down holster? I love mine but my 342 won't fir with the crimson trace grips.

 

[WC145]

WC145, was that his upside down holster? I love mine but my 342 won't fit with the crimson trace grips.

Yes, it is. Of course, after I started trimming it (and trimmed a bit more than necessary) I realized I probably could have just used a heat gun to soften the kydex in that area and mold it around the laser.

 

[CF2]

Double Dave,

Did you have any issues using a speedloader after you installed the Lasermax? I read one review on amazon that suggested the grip may affect how one inserts the speedloader.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Double Dave,

Did you have any issues using a speedloader after you installed the Lasermax? I read one review on amazon that suggested the grip may affect how one inserts the speedloader.

I have Lasermax grips on 2 of my J-frames, a 432PD (.32H&R Magnum) and a 642. The 432 uses HKS speedloaders without any problems whatsoever. The 642 does not accommodate speedloaders very well at all - which I understand is a pervasive problem with J-frames. I have a cylinder from a 442 that I purchased from another forum member that has been converted to moon clips by T&K Custom that I use on my 642. The moon clipped rounds slip into the cylinder without any problems at all for a very fast reload. You can modify the Lasermax grips (you'll need to grind them down a bit), but I'm informed by the factory that doing so voids the warranty (3 yrs.).

Regards,

Dave