Opinions on 642's with lasers? (LG-405)

[GA_Sheepdog]

What's everyone opinions on J frames with lasers? I've never been a laser kinda guy. The only handgun I own that isn't a glock is my newly acquired 642. I don't mind the stock grips on it and they perform well for pocket carry. I'll admit they could still use a little cushioning when shooting for extended periods with hot ammo. The Crimson trace LG-405 has caught my eye. I think I just like the way the grip itself looks and could care less about the laser. I know, it sounds kinda weird. I just don't want to spend close to $300, just to have a better looking/more comfortable grip that also happens to have a laser. I wish I could just buy the LG-405 with just the grip and no laser.


Anyways, I'm open to having a laser on a carry gun but I've always been a front sight shooter and think lasers actually hinder shooters instead of helping. Can anyone change my mind?

 

[adwjc]

Sheepdog,

I guess I'm a late adopter, I don't own any lasers (yet) I just put a fiber optic on one of my Glocks, because I liked the one on my XDs.

This past week I was at the range and met a friend who was shooting a Shield with a green laser. He let me try it and I have to say, I have literally seen the light, these things are great!

I have been struggling with eyesight problems for the last year or so, this was the first time I shot effortlessly (and dead on the bullseye). I am now into research mode, trying to decide which gun to laserize.

BTW, we were shooting at midday, in bright sunlight.

 

[wrangler5]

My 442 has an LG-405 on it. It rides in the pocket of the lightweight nylon shorts I usually wear around the house in the summer, and in the winter it rides in the pocket of sweat pants.

A laser is the easiest way to put an adjustable sight on a pocket J frame, AND it lets you use that perfectly-zeroed sight without having to bring the gun up to eye level. It is also the finest dry fire aid I've ever encountered - instant feedback for every "shot" you fire. I also found, in the one semi-IDPA competition where I used a J frame with a laser, that the red dot gets on target much faster (because you're aiming long before the gun gets up close to eye level) and gives a much greater sense of confidence as each shot goes off. You just know exactly where the hole is going to show up.

That said, I do NOT like shooting this package. The grip is comparatively long front-to-back, and quite thin, which is great for pocket concealment, but not the best thing to hang on to. (The Uncle Mike's boot grips that came standard on the gun are much more satisfying to hold, and shoot - IMHO.) And the "air pocket" or whatever they advertise as giving some cushion at the top of the backstrap, doesn't do a very good job, at least on my hand. As a result, I rarely shoot this gun.

By comparison, the LG-305 that lives on my daily carry gun (currently a 640, previously a 638) is a relative delight to shoot, and as a result, I shoot it a lot. (I know, the extra weight of the 640's steel frame helps with the comfort, too.) The grip is wider and so offers more cushion, and it's long enough to get all fingers around. It's not so good in a pocket, at least not any of my pockets, where the larger size makes for a harder draw.

If I could only have one, I'd take the 305. I've tried a green laser in daylight and would have one in a heartbeat, but it looks like the green J frame laser is in an even bigger grip than the 305 I have. I'm not prepared for that at the moment.

 

[zumatodd]

I have a 642 that I use as a pocket carry in shorts. It came with the boot grip which I had a tough time shooting I switched to the full size rubber synthetic j-frame grip and then to Altamont grips. Shooting was much more tolerable and it was still working as a pocket carry.

I now have the LG-350G on my 642. The grip is slightly larger and heavier but still works as a pocket carry. I use an Uncle Mike #4 or Mika pocket holster.

Shooting is pretty comfortable and the grip fits good in my hand. For me the air pocket seems to help...

I'm used to front sight, trigger press, follow through, so integrating the laser took some practice... now i am pleased with this set up for my 642.

 

[springer99]

Can't say that I've used the CT LG-405 grips, but I'm a big fan of their LG-305 version. Although it's slightly longer than the '405' version, it still rides well in my pocket. I think the laser is a great benefit to me in bad lighting situations or when not wearing my glasses. Green version is supposed to be much better in brighter lighting but I haven't talked myself into dropping the coin for that yet.

FWIW, my daughter had never fired a revolver before, but picked up my 642 with the CT grips, fired one cylinder off, proceeded to put the next 10 rounds into the 8-10ring on the silhouette target at 10yds, and said " I want this gun"!!

 

[Jingles]

I agree with you that I think for an experienced shooter lasers can be a hindrance. I bought a 642 that came with a set of CT grips - don't know which ones. I took them off and put them on my wife's 317. I'm usually not a big fan of laser sights but I have to admit they are pretty useful for her. We live in rattlesnake country and with the laser grips my wife can shoot the head off a rattler at 15 feet every time. I find them bright enough to mark your target to about 20 feet in bright sunlight and much farther in low light conditions.

I found the Pachmayr Compac or Compac Professional to be very comfortable.

 

[cowboy4evr]

My experience with the lightweight snubbies is to find the correct ammo ( weight of bullet ) that shoots , point of aim = point of impact . I and 2 friends went through this process , finding that the normal 158gr loads shot quite high @ 20 yds , almost a foot high . 2 s&w's and a ruger LCR was used that day .
When we dropped down to 110 gr jacketed hollowpoints they were perfect . I have known people that bought a 642 w/laser and complained how it didn't shoot where the laser was pointed , they were using 158 gr factory loads . I have always felt had they tried lighter weight bullets this might of solved the problem .
So my advice to anyone that buys a lightweight 38 is to practice and find out what ammo it shoots best . Why spend your hard earned cash on something that you can't shoot accurately . You need to make the effort , it may save your life or the life of someone around you . Your results may vary from mine .

 

[GA_Sheepdog]

Gentleman,


Very good remarks on both sides of the fence. For the price I'd hate to spend near $300 on something I don't necessarily need or won't like. I do see a laser being a great option for times of low light due to the 642 not having the ability of having night sights.

 

[16thVACav]

The LG-405 grips really reduce felt recoil if you're firing stout loads.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I am a big fan of the CT LG-405 laser grips for all of my Airweight J-frames. I have a set on my Model 642-1, but have shown my 638-1 with the LG-405 grips, and my all steel Model 649-0 with the older, LG-105 laser grips. In the first photo, the 638 (matte finish) is on top. Note the thumb rest on the LG-105. The LG-405 is made of softer polymer material, while the LG-105 is hard plastic. Notice in the photo with the Model 649 placed on top of the Model 638 that both grips are about the same size, and that both are boot grip sized. In the photo showing the tops of the two revolvers, you should be able to see the channel between the back of the LG-405 grips and the frame of the 642 (on the right).

The soft, polymer material, and the air chamber along the back of the grip, as well as the boot grip length are the best features of the laser grips, and really helps make shooting the Airweight Model 638 more tolerable. The Model 649 is heavier in weight than the 638, and so I saved some dollars by using the LG-105 grips on the 649.

As I recall, I purchased all of my laser grips used from the on-line auction sites for around $150.00 or less. I almost exclusively pocket carry my J-frame snubbies, and cannot carry a revolver with grips larger than the boot grip size. The LG-305 series extend past the bottom of the grip frame giving your shooting hand more grip to grab.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Dave

 

[WC145]

I've had a set of CT LG-105 grips on my 360J for almost 8 years. I carried it on duty as BUG for 6. The benefit to have laser grips is that you can hit a target without having to raise the gun to your line of sight to aim it, that's why I put them on my gun. With the laser grips as long as I can grip the gun and pull the trigger I can put rounds where I want them.

 

[GA_Sheepdog]

What's the best price you guys have found online for an LG405? So far I've found one for $223.

 

[Rpg]

I've no interest in laser sights.

They screw up good sd shooting.

Focus on the front sight is paramount. Lasers involve focusung on the target. They are very slow.

 

[APS]

Got my 405s off of that online auction site from a highly rated dealer and they were about that price. I love the 405 for pocket carry as they have hard sides that slide out a little easier than the 305 softer rubber. The air pocket does reduce recoil... I can shoot round after round of 135gr +P without any issue and simply could not with the factory boot grips.
As others have mentioned, they are great for dry fire practice as well, something that a light gun with a heavy trigger really can benefit from.

 

[GA_Sheepdog]

I've no interest in laser sights.

They screw up good sd shooting.

Focus on the front sight is paramount. Lasers involve focusung on the target. They are very slow.

I totally agree with this. Thats why I never really had an interest in lasers until I got my 642.

 

[GA_Sheepdog]

Until I can decide to justify spending that kind of money. I've decided to also look at the pachmayr compac. I have one question though. Is my gun a round butt or square? If I had to guess it looks kinda square to me.

 

[JohnRippert]

Back when I was younger and had perfect eyesight I always sneered at lasers. Different story now that glasses are necessary. My bedside gun is a 2inch Model 10 with CT grips. Stopping to put my glasses on might not be a option, so........

 

[springer99]

I've no interest in laser sights.

They screw up good sd shooting.

Focus on the front sight is paramount. Lasers involve focusung on the target. They are very slow.

Yes........... I would have agreed. About 10yrs ago.

 

[Edmo]

Reference the pic below, I find that I an able to shoot tight little groups using the Crimson Trace laser grip which came on my 642.

Because I generally pocket carry my 642, I took the laser grips off and put slick boot grips on it (see below). The rubber of my CT grips was too grippy on fabric and the longer grip was too big for my pockets.

My CT grips now ride on my 640 Pro which is carried in a belt holster.

Edmo

 

[mini14jac]

What's the best price you guys have found online for an LG405? So far I've found one for $223.

I posted that I was looking for a used pair of LG 405s and a member on here sent me a message that Crimson Trace was running a $50 rebate in March and April.
I don't know who did that but I'm grateful.

Waited for March 1st and ordered from Optics Planet for $225.
With the rebate my cost will be $175.

I can't find a used pair for that!