Laser vs Night Sight

[NiklasP]

While I doubt I will ever buy a laser sight for my S&W M60, for my own use, we may buy one for use by my other half, at least for training. She has been shooting revolvers for about 5 years, all eye-level, aimed shooting. Her ability to point shoot from waist level is poor.

Our one experience with laser equipped handguns demonstrated that she and other women (also shooting handguns for years in eye-level aimed fire) could easily hit person-sized targets while shooting from waist and at distances of 30-50 yards. This was quite outside the point shooting abilities of any of them.

Niklas

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by NiklasP: ...at distances of 30-50 yards...

This is also a long way outside the distance that would be considered "Self Defense" shooting range. If you're that far away the answer is to turn around and run and keep running; because you're not likely to convince anyone you were still in a 'Deadly Threat' situation.

 

[NiklasP]

KKG,

This was a demonstration to shooters in a class of how much better they could shoot, from waist and in poor lighting, at such distances with a laser sight than without it. This was especially valuable for the women that had not been shooting handguns for many years. It was NOT intended as training for shooting at someone at those distances nor was such advocated by the instructor.

The point was made in that class that for handgun shooters with skill levels of these women, a laser sight could be quite valuable in a home defense situation where someone is breaking and entering. Certainly, those women left class thinking a laser sight would be great for a home defense handgun they might have to use.

Niklas



Niklas

 

[safearm]

I don't know of a single Law Enforcement Agency that allows the use of lasers by Street Officers. The biggest draw back to the laser is if there are two or more individuals using them neither person can be absolutely sure which 'little red or green dot' is theirs. And, I really I doubt that the Bad Guy/Gal is going to be worried about seeing a laser "dancing" on his/her chest.

The last agency I worked for, a Sheriff's Department in a county with a population of 90,000, allowed deputies to carry laser sights at their own expense. And I'm sure this is not the only agency in the US that authorizes it, but it is one I know of.

If you are using a laser, or any other type of sight, and don't know where your muzzle is pointed, you don't need to be carrying any type of weapon, regardless of sights.

You'll know in about one second if the Bad Guy is going to respect that little red dot on his/her chest. If they don't, then you're already on target to move to the next level of force. If what they are doing doesn't justify shooting them, you shouldn't have that dot on them.

 

[Captain38]

The big advantage of lasers is the enhanced ability they give in allowing you to get on target when you're in positions that would not allow you to take a normal sight picture, such as reaching one handed around a corner.

They also can prove an invaluable training aid in showing you your "wobble area" and help you tighten it.

 

[S. Hammer]

My department (500+ sworn) authorizes lasers for the duty pistol at the deputies' expense. Most that use them use the LaserMax unit.

 

[nh40ve]

Originally posted by snw19_357:
Laser shows you where you are pointing but not what you are pointing at.
Flashlights can add safety.

i can't remember who makes them but when i was picking up my SW40VE,i noticed they had a rail mounted laser/light combo on display.worked pretty well(as far as i could tell)cost was about $200 though..(i'll just use a small flashlight held in weak hand)

**it was this-
http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0041370712628a.shtml

 

[The Highlander]

Several have already addressed the question of "giving away your position" so I will not beat a dead horse. The advantage is as someone else stated, being able to place aimed fire from awkward or otherwise non-standard positions. My ideal usage is on a .38 spl Centennial that is usually a BUG. Yes, it could give away your position. Odds are they already know it though. It is a trade off.

Training is another great aspect of the lasers that has been well documented.

I will comment on the statement that if there are two or more officers aiming, you don't know which dot is which. This is incorrect, at least depending on the unit involved. At least one manufacturer, Viridian, uses a laser unit with four separate functional modes for that very reason. I'm sure there are others, I just have personal familiarity with that unit.

A couple of you have mentioned lasers as "gadgets" and I find that kind of humorous. It is the same statement made years ago when night sights came out, and fiber optics too. Now they are accepted and even sought after on many weapons. And it was before my time, but I'm sure that the semi-auto's were panned as being too complicated and just gadgets that would soon go away. And there certainly is no argument that they lose a lot of there functionality if you lose their magazine! Don't knock the "new stuff" just because it is new!

Just my not so humble $.02!

The Highlander

 

[SIE107]

I am knocking the new stuff.. I am just saying.. don't become completely around to the point that that is what you solely rely on. It is another what if situation. If a person learns to shoot with the laser, then it craps out on them and they have not spent the time to learn proper basic marksmenship, then they are in the crapper as well.

 

[BarbC]

I have the Crimson Trace on the 60LS but admittedly, I haven't added a laser sight to any other handguns, even the ones I carry most often. As I said, it is a nice option for a possible compromised situation and maybe a confidence aid for people who might not otherwise shoot/carry.

When I do shoot the 60LS, I don't even notice the laser dot, unless I'm playing with it. What is nice is that if you're dry firing, you can tell if your trigger squeeze is jerking the dot around too much.

 

[The Highlander]

Originally posted by SIE107:
I am knocking the new stuff.. I am just saying.. don't become completely around to the point that that is what you solely rely on. It is another what if situation. If a person learns to shoot with the laser, then it craps out on them and they have not spent the time to learn proper basic marksmenship, then they are in the crapper as well.

You are correct here. Without proper marksmanship the rest is immaterial. I don't rely on the lasers, and in fact I only even have one on weapons in certain applications. But I really like the little suckers for there intended purpose.

I agree with you that they should not be considered a panacea for poor technique or lack of practice.

The Highlander

 

[SIE107]

Call me a el cheapo! But I really like just going naked in the daytime, or at night, well I have a light at the end of the tunnel.. front night sight. So in essence, I carry my 1076 in the day, and my 1066 at night.

 

[Out West]

I'm not sold on lasers as a tactical necessity. However, they make a great training tool to master the trigger. When, after practicing with a laser, you can pull through the trigger without any laser dot bobble, you've improved trigger control tremendously. That trigger skill will enhance any kind of shooting: open sight, laser, night sight or optical sight.

Out West

 

[Seaforth]

Thanks for the information. I have decided on a night sight on the front sight only, and a 3 cell Sure Fire flash light. You know, a blast in the face with that flash light is almost the same as having to shut your eyes for a second or two. Had a single night sight installed on a 4 inch model 10 and lovin it.

 

[The Highlander]

Good choice! I have fiber optics on the front of a favorite Glock. Tried it that way for a while and I really like it. Thinking about ditching the rear night sight on a carry Glock. I also have nighties on the front of my favorite revolver, a S&W L-Comp. That one is so dull now that it is basically useless though. Need to have it replaced soon.

With a good flashlight like a Surefire, the sights will be lit up pretty well even in total darkness.