Laser options for Shield

[MSURifleman]

Hey everyone,

Finally got my Shield after a 7 month wait. I want to get a laser for it and I see both Lasermax and Crimson Trace make one. The CT one is twice the cost of the Lasermax but is it worth it? I do like the pressure switch on the CT under the trigger guard though. Anyone have either?

Ben


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[argyle1514]

I just ordered a Lasermax for my Shield through Amazon a few days ago...its about $79 and I got in under the wore for the LAsermax $20 rebate (only for sales on or before 12/31/12). Even without the rebate, $79 is still a good price. I like the placement of the On/Off switch as opposed to that of the CT. I decided on the Lasermax based on (1) ergonomics and (2) price, in that order.

 

[SavageSmoker]

I got the LaserMax for one of my Shields for under $70 with two free batteries. I have always been a CT fan, but the price was too good to pass on. It works just fine.

 

[robkarrob]

I have both a Crimson Trace and a LaserMax. The specs for the laser on both units are identical. The main difference is the on/off button location. I have attached photos of each.

The CT has the button on the front of the grip, under the trigger guard. CT says all you have to do is grip the gun and the finger on the button turns the laser on. Mine is on a Ruger LC9. It is a small gun and with the flat magazine floor plate, I can only get two fingers on the grip. The first problem is the button sticks out 1/4 inch. One finger sticking out that 1/4 inch further does not feel good to me, with only two fingers on the grip. I ended up gluing a 1/4 inch thick piece of rubber under the switch, to eliminate this problem. The other problem is the laser does not go on every time. If my grip does not contact the button just perfect, no laser. The only way I can guarantee it goes on every time is with a "death grip". CT sent me a replacement laser, as I complained to them about the issue. They said it could be a bad switch. The new one arrived with the same problem. Another problem is if you don't want the laser on, you have to adjust your grip, so you don't put pressure on the button. Since I have a problem with the CT laser turning on, I do not have this issue as all I have to do is slightly release my death grip, and the laser goes off.

The LaserMax is on my Shield 40. The on/off button is located in front of the trigger guard, under the slide. The Shield is almost the exact same size as my LC9. I can only get two fingers on the grip, but don't have the switch sticking out issue. You push the button on with your trigger finger. It stays on until you push the button back from the opposite side. If you don't want the laser on, you just don't push the button. You do have to think if you want the laser on, but with practice this should be second nature.

The CT has been on the market the longest and has sold by far more lasers. With the issues I had with my CT, I prefer the LaserMax. I bought the CT a year ago. I paid $160 at a local gun show, which was cheap, at that time. I bought the LaserMax four months ago from EBay, $86 including shipping. The seller was fuddlebucks. It came with the full LaserMax warranty.


Bob


Crimson Trace on my Ruger LC9. Showing step out of the switch and the rubber block I added. The nut/screw is a trigger over travel stop that works great.

LaserMax on my Shield 40. The trigger guard is much smaller than the LC9's trigger guard.

Showing the Lasermax frame on my Shield. It takes up no more space than 1/16 inch, same as the CT Laser.

 

[donleycott]

Hey everyone,

Finally got my Shield after a 7 month wait. I want to get a laser for it and I see both Lasermax and Crimson Trace make one. The CT one is twice the cost of the Lasermax but is it worth it? I do like the pressure switch on the CT under the trigger guard though. Anyone have either?

Ben


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The CT has one flaw- if you don't want the laser to come on you cant easily turn it off. The LaserMax does not have that problem but it does have one other. If you turn it on from the trigger finger side, it is very easy for your other "support" hand to turn it off by accident or vibration.
Otherwise they both work VERY WELL...Update: it is also possible to inadvertently turn on the Lasermax when holstering it - then when you go to use it the batteries are dead.. I still like
it and compared to the CT, I would buy it again - great price and super accuracy..

 

[MSURifleman]

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to go with the Lasermax.


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[jshull]

I've run CT on my kahr cw9, and now my shield. In my opinion it is a superior laser for 1 reason. In a high stress situation what goods a laser if you forget to turn it on. It did take me a few days to get the grip down, but once i mastered it no problms. i've got several thousand rounds through my shield now. My shield has TFO's, Apex Carry Kit, CT, carried in a super tuck deluxe. Initial break in was 500 rounds then 200 a month. From 115 to 147 grain everything from factory to +p+. No problems here.

 

[Red_Ryder]

I just received my LaserMax in the mail yesterday but haven't had time to put it on yet. Can't wait to take it to the range!

 

[JNewell]

I have both a Crimson Trace and a LaserMax. The specs for the laser on both units are identical. The main difference is the on/off button location. I have attached photos of each.

For those of us who also carry a Bodyguard 380, having the on/off switch in the same location is a big plus. I could wish the switches functioned identically, but I care a lot more about how the laser activates than how it turns off.

 

[LRRPHawk69]

CT or Lazermax holster issues

Hey All
regarding holstering the Shield with either lazer, I was wondering if you had to purchase new holster option or did either one work with your existing carry option.
Thanks

 

[robkarrob]

Likely if adding a laser, you will need a new holster. There are many made to fit the lasers, you just have to find what style you want. My pocket holster would fit my Shield with a LaserMax laser, but actually it fit too tight for carry usage. Gun may not come out of holster when drawn out of pocket.

Bob

 

[Motorsporting]

Hey All
regarding holstering the Shield with either lazer, I was wondering if you had to purchase new holster option or did either one work with your existing carry option.
Thanks

Whitedogholsters.com makes a holster for the Lightguard and Laserguard.

 

[Stellar Rigs]

LaserMax has made it much easier for holster makers to get "dummy" lasers to mold our holsters. Since the Shield came out we have had only two inquiries for CT and a LOT of LaserMax holsters have gone out. I like them both but popularity is much bigger on the LaserMax side.

 

[Squash15B]

Hey everyone,

Finally got my Shield after a 7 month wait. I want to get a laser for it and I see both Lasermax and Crimson Trace make one. The CT one is twice the cost of the Lasermax but is it worth it? I do like the pressure switch on the CT under the trigger guard though. Anyone have either?

Ben


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I've had at least 20 CT lasers on various guns and one LaserMax. The CT is a higher quality product and there service is second to none. The LaserMax is much better than having no laser. If money is the main concern, you can talk yourself into about anything. Regarding the holster, I use the Hiddenhybridholsters.com because it can be worn IWB or OWB, with clips or with loops. The only drawback, is that hybrid holsters don't have a retention strap available. Need one when riding the ATV.

 

[Kahless]

If your primary use for the laser is self defense, an on switch you have to think about makes no sense.

 

[Sharonk]

I just got my Shield and have been debating about a Lazer. I'm really leaning toward the CT after reading your thoughts. I think the pressure switch works better for me mentally, in preparing for a defensive situation. Thanks for all the thoughts about both!

 

[JNewell]

For what it's worth, I've had several CT laser grips that either warped so they didn't fit any more and/or had the lasers **** out.

 

[VMaxSplat]

My Shield 40 has a CT laser on it. It is a great piece of kit. The "instinctive on" feature alone is worth the price difference. The switch in no way interferes with my grip and it is easy to relax your grip and turn the unit off if desired. It should be noted that I only use the extended mags.

Recently, I ran some night training drills with the Shield/CT laser. The laser makes it much easier to hit and it is also far easier to shoot with a flashlight than an iron sighted gun. Another benefit is that it negates the short sight radius. I'm sold!

 

[BobFr]

For what it's worth, I have five CT lasers, three on SIG's and one on my .40 Shield and one on my Kahr PM9. The only CT laser I've had any problem was one that was sold with a SIG SP2022, and had SIG markings on the grips. The laser finally wouldn't hold a zero. When I contacted Crimson Trace, it was replaced promptly at no cost, but with one that had the CT logo on the grips instead of SIG. That one has performed fine ever since.

I've gotten to the point where I want all my concealed carry pistols to have both CT lasers and night sights. Anything to help these old eyes!