Laser: Yes or No & why?

[kozmic]

In the right application I'm a fan. I put a CT 305 on my 442. It is slightly longer than the stock grip and allows me to put my pinky on it which I like. IMHO, the J frame is mostly a close quarters gun and the sights are minimalistic. I feel like the laser allows for quicker and arguably better target acquisition, especially in low light. If for some reason it malfunctions, no harm done...back to plan A (or would that be plan B)?

 

[BudMan5]

Here's another positive reason to consider a laser. I am a 40+ years police firearms instructor.

I have a Sig P938 with a factory laser that i normally carry every day.

I would not ever attempt to use the laser as an aiming device. I have really good night sights on the Sig and they work just fine for me.

BUT, and here's my take based on my experience of actually having been in gunfights, having shot someone in the past and on one memorable occasion having myself been shot.

And that is, as a concealed carry permit holder, you want to be able to end any potential confrontation without actually firing your weapon. The laser is not like on TV or in the movies. You shine it in a BGs eyes and you most definitely have his attention and you keep shing it in his eyes and he is going to be able to figure out very quickly that he needs to flee.

That means you win because if you actuallly shoot someone, no matter how justified it is, there is no going back from that point. You may be financially destroyed defending yourself even if you're in the right.

I believe firmly in the fact that the best way of winning a gunfight is to cheat and a laser is a pretty powerful cheating tool.

I also believe in a weapon mounted light on my bedside gun tooand combined with a laser that's double cheating

 

[CBStuard]

Pretty darn hard to hold the 'dot' still and shoot. besides, in close encounters, it's not necessary, point and squeeze.

Flipmeister, I am not picking on you but...if that dot is moving around, what do you think your gun and it's iron sights are doing? Think about that for a bit. Another point in favor of lasers is this. Next time you are at the range, get one of those people picture targets. Hold your gun up aligning the sights on his chest. Can you see what his hands are doing? Most likely everything below his chest is blocked from your sight by your hands. Did he have a knife or baseball bat but is now pulling a pistol? Who knows, you can't see most of him. We have 8 CTCs and I need 2 more. They always work (BTW CTC will send you new batteries once per year for your lasers for FREE, just call them) and they are always within 3 inches at 30 feet when I check them. They come on automatically when I pick up the gun and the standard sights are still there if I want them. 2 yrs ago we moved to Va where we can carry. Got our permits and started looking at carry pistols. I eliminated a few from our 'potentials' list because CTC didn't make a laser grip for them.

 

[TTSH]

I actually use mine more to entertain the cats... and me. They just cannot catch that red dot.....

The real truth be known, you are probably getting more honest, practical use out of it than most.

+++++++++

But related to all this, I keep going back to the sad case of former Pelham, MA Police Chief Edward Fleury. He was screwing around one night with the laser on his Glock... pointing it at people and things... apparently just for the Hell of it without thinking. Next thing you know, his friend and business associate is turning him in to the police because of it. I believe his case is still pending, but he is already ruined. I suspect he will be going to prison this time. Let's just say it wasn't his first brush with the MA court system. In truth, more than a few people were out to snare this guy on just about anything... and they finally found something.

The person involved and details aside, there is an important lesson here for all of us. Be really, really careful when playing around with the laser on your handgun. Remember, you aren't just pointing a laser... you are pointing a handgun.

And you never know who might notice or take great offense at that behavior.

 

[SoCalDep]

The real truth be known, you are probably getting more honest, practical use out of it than most.

+++++++++

But related to all this, I keep going back to the sad case of former Pelham, MA Police Chief Edward Fleury. He was screwing around one night with the laser on his Glock... pointing it at people and things... apparently just for the Hell of it without thinking. Next thing you know, his friend and business associate is turning him in to the police because of it. I believe his case is still pending, but he is already ruined. I suspect he will be going to prison this time. Let's just say it wasn't his first brush with the MA court system. In truth, more than a few people were out to snare this guy on just about anything... and they finally found something.

The person involved and details aside, there is an important lesson here for all of us. Be really, really careful when playing around with the laser on your handgun. Remember, you aren't just pointing a laser... you are pointing a handgun.

And you never know who might notice or take great offense at that behavior.

Sounds like someone who shouldn't have a gun... laser or no.

 

[Mehutch]

Front sight, front sight!!! Okay okay we know, I have been shooting since I was 15, now 64. I shoot very well with my front sights, I carry a Colt Defender 45. Loaded with PDX1 or Ranger T or Gold Dot. My Colt Defender has a Crimson Trace red laser on it with front activation. I also have Tritium Night Sights on it. I want every advantage I can get. I don't sight with the laser, but I will if I cant get the gun up to my eyes to see the front sights. That is an advantage I'll take.

I may have to fight for my life at some time, and a laser can give me that slight 'plus', same with my night sights.

If you don't like lasers, that's fine. If you don't like sugar in your coffee, that's fine. If you wont wear a pink shirt, that's fine too. But in a fight I'll use whatever I can use to win. It is that simple.

And for God's sake no one shoots in the dark anyway.

I have been hit in the cheat with a laser dot, I almost soiled myself. It was only a landscaper adjusting his view. But it was powerful moment. And that too is an advantage. Without firing a shot you can end and aggressive attack. Hopefully.

The older I get the more advantage I want and need.

So there you have it kids, fight hard... live long.

 

[TTSH]

Sounds like someone who shouldn't have a gun... laser or no.

Well, he won't after this conviction. He will become a Prohibited Person and goodbye legal gun ownership for life.

There is much more to this guy's story. He has plenty of enemies and, because of that, I can't even tell you with any certainty if this latest charge is true or false. But don't let the guy detract from the important lesson here: As you "dry practice" or play games with your laser, just remember that it's still a gun and all the rules of gun safety still apply.

 

[Bullseye_Mike]

It's really personal preference

A laser can be good or bad. As others have stated, never rely completely on the laser for defense. You should train and be comfortable and confident with your pistol. The laser can be a fun accessory just like having a red dot on a plinking gun. The laser could also be a life saver if you need to rely on a well placed shot with the inability to acquire a good sight picture.

 

[KOBO]

Thanks for the continued replies.

A point a few of you have brought up that is IMHO a strong point for a laser is the factor of letting the bad guy know, by way of displaying the dot where they will undoubtedly see it, that you are armed and ready and then let them decide if proceeding is a wise choice.

Many years ago my father was confronted three different times in the driveway; once he was struck with a 2x4, another time with a baseball bat. He was able to fight the assailints off but knew he couldn't always count on doing that. The third time he was armed, pointed his pistol, and sent the perp running. He open carried from that day forward and lived to tell the story 20+ more years. No one ever bothered him again

I dont know of anyone, given the opportunity, who would rather not have to pull the trigger and then deal with all the hell that can come thereafter. If ever I find myself in the same situation my father was in and my not having pull the trigger to send the bad guy running...I'm fine with that.

I'm not as concerned as some of you about being too dependent on the laser; whatever I am carrying I expect to practice with & without using it until I am proficient at both; it's just my nature.

good responses; thanks again.