Shield to the Range

[GaryS]

My friend took his 9mm Shield with laser to the range today. I went along because I wanted to fire my 457s and my Mossberg MC1sc.

My friend had actually wanted one of those with laser, but they are just no available right now.

I lent him my UpLULA because the springs on the Shield are incredibly tight.

I went and loaded the 457s and started firing. I got through a couple of magazines when he started to frantically wave me over.

I walked over and found that somehow, don't ask me how, he had trapped the web of his shooting hand, the part between the trigger finger and the thumb in the ejection port of the Shield.

I pulled back the slide and released him. He explained what happened, but I still don't understand it.

After he recovered whereupon he commented that you can't see the laser in the daylight. I mentioned that it was really only good for when it's dark, you really don't need it during the day.

He asked me why I hadn't told him that when he was looking for the gun.

My answer, "Would you have listened to me?"

"No."

He is my oldest and closest friend. We've been friends for over 60 years, so I have a good idea of how he thinks. I could have spent an hour explaining why the laser wasn't the magic answer to hitting the target, but it would have been for nought.

I'm still laughing at the sight of his hand stuck in the ejection port.

I regret that I was too busy trying to figure out how to get his hand out to take a picture. It would have lived on the internet forever.

Oh, the Mossberg and the Shield are very similar in design. In fact, if Mossberg didn't have that safe takedown system, S&W probably could have sued them for stealing the design.

 

[Farmer17]

That reminded me of a Youtube video where two old guys are at an indoor range and the guy is trying to fire his 1911 .45 but can't see the laser so he puts his hand in front of the muzzle of his cocked and loaded gun and he still can't see the laser on his hand so he pulls the trigger. Big time ouch!

 

[GaryS]

There was none of that with a magazine in the gun, I can assure you.

I'm not a fan of lasers, so I don't really care if it worked or not.

That reminded me of a Youtube video where two old guys are at an indoor range and the guy is trying to fire his 1911 .45 but can't see the laser so he puts his hand in front of the muzzle of his cocked and loaded gun and he still can't see the laser on his hand so he pulls the trigger. Big time ouch!

 

[TMan51]

That reminded me of a Youtube video where two old guys are at an indoor range and the guy is trying to fire his 1911 .45 but can't see the laser so he puts his hand in front of the muzzle of his cocked and loaded gun and he still can't see the laser on his hand so he pulls the trigger. Big time ouch!

No Way !

Do you have a link to that one?

 

[jdesro1911]

That reminded me of a Youtube video where two old guys are at an indoor range and the guy is trying to fire his 1911 .45 but can't see the laser so he puts his hand in front of the muzzle of his cocked and loaded gun and he still can't see the laser on his hand so he pulls the trigger. Big time ouch!

I've seen that video

I was at the range a while back and someone had one of those Bodyguards with the laser. Same situation - couldn't see the laser in the daytime - but, instead of putting his hand in front, he tips the pistol upwards and looks straight down at the muzzle of a loaded firearm to see if his laser is working.

 

[GaryS]

That's just double stupid. First, the risk of shooting yourself. Second, the risk of permanent eye injury if the laser hits you in the eye.

The way the laser works on the Shield is a bit strange. Tap once, the light is steady. Tap twice, it flashes. I don't know if there is an advantage to the flashing.

I've seen that video

I was at the range a while back and someone had one of those Bodyguards with the laser. Same situation - couldn't see the laser in the daytime - but, instead of putting his hand in front, he tips the pistol upwards and looks straight down at the muzzle of a loaded firearm to see if his laser is working.

 

[jbtrucker]

Bought a CT laser for my Shield several years ago and never used it. I tried selling it with no offers so sold it to pawn shop $20. I bet that snappy little pistol bit him good

 

[cmj8591]

I've seen that video

I was at the range a while back and someone had one of those Bodyguards with the laser. Same situation - couldn't see the laser in the daytime - but, instead of putting his hand in front, he tips the pistol upwards and looks straight down at the muzzle of a loaded firearm to see if his laser is working.

Just remember, there are no life guards at the gene pool!

 

[sotexas]

Just remember, there are no life guards at the gene pool!

That is true and sadly funny. Not a laser fan but I would recommend green since they are easier to see in daylight shooting.

 

[lhump1961]

Caught in the ejection port...is he right handed? For the life of me I can't see how that happens at all but seems for a right handed person it would be next to impossible. I suppose if you have a big meaty hand. But I've never claimed to know everything.

As for lasers I have a couple of CT's but they are grip activated. I like them just fine but not good for sunlit environment. Fortunately the guns still shoot regardless so if the laser helps in certain situations then fine but not dependent on it. I'm not interested in the button activated style as it seems to me it could be clumsy in a self defense situation. But that's just me...others will suit themselves. Haven't carried one of my laser guns in a long time. (Did I say "laser gun"?)

 

[GaryS]

Yes, right handed. He couldn't really explain what he did and I was too busy trying to untrap him to ask.

IF he had asked me before buying, I would have explained the limitations of the laser. But, that's just the way he is sometimes. He gets an idea in his head and no one can dissuade him.

If you're old enough to remember Tutor the Turtle, he sometimes reminds me of him.

Caught in the ejection port...is he right handed? For the life of me I can't see how that happens at all but seems for a right handed person it would be next to impossible. I suppose if you have a big meaty hand. But I've never claimed to know everything.

As for lasers I have a couple of CT's but they are grip activated. I like them just fine but not good for sunlit environment. Fortunately the guns still shoot regardless so if the laser helps in certain situations then fine but not dependent on it. I'm not interested in the button activated style as it seems to me it could be clumsy in a self defense situation. But that's just me...others will suit themselves. Haven't carried one of my laser guns in a long time. (Did I say "laser gun"?)

 

[donhov]

Just a guess but might he have had his hand over the port as he tried to cock the weapon. I guess visually I can see that but don't know how he wouldn't notice his hand in the port. It's hard to explain what I'm trying to describe but with the gun in hand try placing your hand on the slide incorrectly and I think you can re create the way it happened. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Doug M.]

He likely had his hand in the area of the ejection port for some reason (likely not a good one) and either released the slide or did not pull it back well enough to lock.

Laser? Meh. The PC 4" Shield with the RDS is far more useful under almost all conditions, IMHO.

 

[ThrowinRocks]

I can see my green laser in the daylight with no problems.

 

[GaryS]

His shield has a red laser. Green lasers seem to be brighter, but I don't know that the Shield comes with that option.

I can see my green laser in the daylight with no problems.

 

[ThrowinRocks]

Yes they have the green laser.

 

[kbm6893]

Green lasers are easier to see in daylight. Darkness it doesn't matter. It's why they were designed. They used to be more expensive but I don't know know.

I have a Crimson Trace laser grip on my house gun, a 681 no dash. More for the wife. I used to have them on a 642 and a Beretta 92. I used to giggle when I could make a head shot from the hip at 15 yards. I know you should not rely on them but they make hitting the target faster and easier.

But I won't have them on a polymer gun. I like laser GRIPS, the kind that don't require a finger press a button, don't require different holsters, and don't add size and weight to a carry gun. The lasers on plastic guns look like tumors to me. The grip is instant on, not use your trigger finger to push it on, then maybe even choose your function, steady or flashing, then back to trigger. And the ones that do allow for grip to activate on plastic guns are even more hideous looking.