Crimson Trace LG 437 Laser Question

[kmans]

I just purchased a new Kahr CW9 and am considering the Crimson Trace LG 437 laser. In reading reviews on this product, I noticed that it does not come with and on/off switch. Do those of you who have added this laser to your Kahr find it annoying that you have to shoot with the laser on at all times? This is my carry gun so a laser would be nice to have but I do like shooting without it to make sure I maintain my shooting skills. Your comments would be appreciated.

[Bawanna]

That's one feature that I do not like about the CT. I have one on my PM45. It's not so bad since it rides in a back up position on my ankle so if I need it I'm ok with the laser being on.

I do what you want by just covering the laser with a little piece of tape at the range so I can stay proficient with the sights. Even with the laser on it's on the target but I'm not using it to find the target, I use the sights.

[kmans]

Bawanna: Thanks for your response. Using tape is something I did not consider. I have pretty well decided to go for it and install one on my CW9. Thanks again.

[JFootin]

Can't you just leave your middle finger a little loose to keep the laser off?

[Bawanna]

They are a great training aid for dry fire practice and point shooting not to mention just a kick backside time tormenting the cat. Drives em nuts. I always just let it switch off when they pounce and I'm done playing. I think it lets them think they killed it.

Then the next time it's like oh crap another one and the game starts all over. I can be such a tease sometimes.

[Bawanna]

Can't you just leave your middle finger a little loose to keep the laser off?

On that aspect we've recently heard from a long time SWAT guy who trains now and who didn't like weapon lights activated by that middle finger. He said that finger is the most important finger on the grip. You can actually fire the gun using only that middle finger. When you try to not use that finger it really throws things off.

I tried what he suggested and he was spot on. I suppose one could do it at the range practicing but I believe in practicing the same all the time just like it's a real deal. The CT's on my MRI 1911 have a switch to turn off, so while there is a pad there under your finger it doesn't have a negative impact on my grip.

[JFootin]

Yeah, an on/off switch would be good. I wonder why CT doesn't piack up on customer comments and add one, at least as an option?

[carkarrier]

I just purchased a new Kahr CW9 and am considering the Crimson Trace LG 437 laser. In reading reviews on this product, I noticed that it does not come with and on/off switch. Do those of you who have added this laser to your Kahr find it annoying that you have to shoot with the laser on at all times? This is my carry gun so a laser would be nice to have but I do like shooting without it to make sure I maintain my shooting skills. Your comments would be appreciated.
I purchased a LG-437 for my CM9, put it on, used it two days and took it off. I did not like trying to hunt the dot and apply it to the target. I have been a point shooter for years, and sights are not much use except past 20 feet. This was how I trained in LE and I never went back. If you want something for night use, I suggest you buy a CREE XM-L T6 zoomable 1600 lumen flashlight. You can use it in the off hand while searching for the BG. It will point focus enough to blind the BG(temporarily) or the large focus will light up a whole room easily. If you take time to focus on the BG and try to bring the laser dot on target, you have wasted precious time. This is my opinion only. It works for me .

[TheTman]

How do you have trouble finding that red dot? Particularly if you're a point shooter? It's going to be right there where your gun is pointing. If it's halfway dark at all it shines like a diamond in a goats ass. If it's outside in the bright daylight It IS very hard to see and I don't bother looking for it and use the sights. Doesn't matter though, we're all going to shoot in the style we're comfortable with.

[carkarrier]

How do you have trouble finding that red dot? Particularly if you're a point shooter? It's going to be right there where your gun is pointing. If it's halfway dark at all it shines like a diamond in a goats ass. If it's outside in the bright daylight It IS very hard to see and I don't bother looking for it and use the sights. Doesn't matter though, we're all going to shoot in the style we're comfortable with.

I don't know what you consider point shooting, but I am focused on the target only and let my weapon come up to the target. At my age the dot is jitterbugging some and it is a distraction not a help. I am not saying that other folks can't find them useful. That is why I stated it was my opinion. You are right, go with what is comfortable and what works for you.

[kmans]

Yeah, an on/off switch would be good. I wonder why CT doesn't piack up on customer comments and add one, at least as an option?
I asked Crimson Trace this very question. They are aware that customers would like on on/off switch on this laser but they tell me that this style of laser is too small to have one included. Not sure how much space an on/off switch would take but that's their answer.

[Micha2u]

I've got a CT Laser on my CM9 and also have a CT laser grip on a different semi-auto pistol that does have an ON/OFF switch but I never use it.

When I grip either of my laser-equiped handguns the red light is ready to go and that's the way I want it.

To each his own but that my preference.

[TheTman]

Carcarrier, I call point shooting using the gun without the sights and shooting from the hip or wherever the gun is. I have the "wobbles" and that little dot jumps around a lot, but it shows me the general vicinity the bullet should impact. The laser is a relatively new tool, and I think a lot of us older folks have resistance to accepting new things, just part of human nature, How many of us resisted getting a computer until it was almost necessary to have one? I put a CT laserguard on my CW45, and find it immensely useful, It's a little embarrasing to have the dot jumping all over the place at the range, but I'm not there to impress anyone. Crimson Trace has a lot of videos showing how the laser can be a very useful tool, like remaining behind cover and using a peep hole to check out your target, and only exposing your hand enough to get the red dot on the bad guy. I'd have one on all my CC pistols if I could afford it. Your recomendation of that flashlight is very valid. I've never seen that particular model, but it sure sounds nice, 1600 lumens, wow, that would surely temporarily blind a guy if you caught him in the eyes with it and put you at a huge advantage. Plus it should illuminate your sights well enough to use them.
Back to the laser, I really enjoy unloading the gun and using it to point at a target without using the sights, then hitting the laser to see how close I would have been. I'm getting much better at that and much of the time I can hit something the size of a light switch from across the room the first time. Also use it practice on larger items, like a trash can or large stereo speaker something closer to "man" sized, and usually am pretty close to COM when shooting from the hip or low ready position as one might be forced to do in real life situation. That's a nice thing about living on a farm, no neighbors to worry about in case of an ND. I'm very safety minded and have not had an ND YET, although I handle my guns quite frequently. I think my time spent being a Young Hunter Safety trainer has drilled safe handling into my head so it's just 2nd nature to handle a gun in a safe manner.
I hope ND's aren't like riding a motorcycle, where there are those who have crashed and those who are going too. I hope my minor incidents on the bike count as my "crash".
I too resisted getting a laser, saying I haven't needed one for over 40 years and don't need one now, but once I tried one, and practiced with it a little, I was a convert, and want one on every CC pistol that will hold one. The bear of the matter is the laserguard type really limit the holster selection. I'm hoping for laser grips for my Boberg to be made available, but I doubt if that is coming anytime soon. Maybe when they finally hit the dealer's shelves CT will look into it.