To laser or not to laser

[JBowl1]

P9 is my primary concealed carry piece. Should I spend $150 and put a laser on it? Thoughts? Your experience??

[jeepster09]

I only think lasers are good on larger non-concealable type guns. Most of the small Kahrs lose concealability when adding laser.

[CPO15]

My only experience was with an LCR w/ CT grip. Not an easy gun for target practice with or without the laser. I found the laser's constant, jiggly small movement to be both a distraction and an inducement to snatch the trigger; both leading to inaccurate shooting. Maybe I didn't give the gun and laser enough of a chance, maybe I assumed it would allow me to magically hit the X ring. I just HAD to have a laser and now that's out of my system.

But, I have read they cannot be beat for low light situations and in shooting from cover/concealment.

[Barth]

I have one of the early Laser Max models for my Sig P220.
The laser replaces the guide rod so the gun is the same size.
It looks cool and impresses my friends.
But the on/off switch isn't easy to use.
I ended up taking it off and never use it.
Today a prefer a good set of NS and logging lots of range time.

[ripley16]

A laser is another tool, and a very good one in certain circumstances. Todays lasers are long lived, stay accurate and are tiny enough to have little impact on concealment. A laser allows for well aimed shots from many unconventional positions.

Another advantage a laser offers that many people overlook is the ability to maintain a full field of vision by holding the pistol a little bit below a normal sightline.

IMHO a laser serves a purpose, have very little down side, and they are well worth the money on carry guns.

[Short Bus]

I agree with CPO15 and Barth. I had a Laser Max that came on my LC9. That was a big part of the reason I bout the LC9 and what a let down it was. I would much rather have NS!!!

[ripley16]

I would much rather have NS!!!

Why not have both?

[queevil]

I think one of the biggest misconceptions about lasers is that they're meant to increase the accuracy of the person behind the weapon. It simply isn't true. My resesrch leads me to believe that lasers are meant as a tool to be used in a close quarters, fast paced high stress situation where the average person who is put in a position of having to use their weapon in self defense won't have time to even use their sights before they have to pull the trigger. When the bloodstream is all of a sudden flooded with adrenaline from stress, the first thing that goes out the window is fine motor skills. Unless a person has a high level of training in stressful combat situations such as a close quarters gun fight, their system will he bombarded with adrenaline. This is supposed to be the kind of situation where a laser could prove useful because it allows the weapon to be a point and shoot weapon rather than an aim and shoot weapon. It seems that the former would be faster than the latter. It would be wonderful if we all had the time and money to invest in training that could condition us to deal with the reality of a high stress, up close and personal gun fight but most of us don't. In that respect I feel that a laser could a useful tool, BUT ONLY if the user is willing to practice with it in the way that it's meant to be used ie. drawing it from a holster, placing the dot center mass and firing two shots quickly.

Once when I was at the range a shooter had some kind of a really damn nice Kimber with what I believe was a CT laser grip. At any given range, even from 7 yards his target looked as if it had been hit with buckshot from a smoothbore with a really wide open choke. He was PISSED OFF! I think the reason for his dismay is that he was expecting the laser to somehow turn his weapon into a tackdriver regardless of his lack of fundamental technique. He wanted the to perform a function that it was never meant to.

All of that considered, I've contemplated buying a CT laser grip for my K40 covert provided that the mk model will fit.

I handled a Glock 21 with the Laser Max guide rod. If the came up with a more intuitive and natural way to activate it would be great, but having to engage the takedown button activate the beam just felt clumsy to me.

[ESAFO]

I think one of the biggest misconceptions about lasers is that they're meant to increase the accuracy of the person behind the weapon. It simply isn't true. My resesrch leads me to believe that lasers are meant as a tool to be used in a close quarters, fast paced high stress situation where the average person who is put in a position of having to use their weapon in self defense won't have time to even use their sights before they have to pull the trigger. When the bloodstream is all of a sudden flooded with adrenaline from stress, the first thing that goes out the window is fine motor skills. Unless a person has a high level of training in stressful combat situations such as a close quarters gun fight, their system will he bombarded with adrenaline. This is supposed to be the kind of situation where a laser could prove useful because it allows the weapon to be a point and shoot weapon rather than an aim and shoot weapon. It seems that the former would be faster than the latter. It would be wonderful if we all had the time and money to invest in training that could condition us to deal with the reality of a high stress, up close and personal gun fight but most of us don't. In that respect I feel that a laser could a useful tool, BUT ONLY if the user is willing to practice with it in the way that it's meant to be used ie. drawing it from a holster, placing the dot center mass and firing two shots quickly.
very well said, truthfull & to the point....
it's your money so you enjoy spending it how you wish, personally i would put that money intended for the laser towards another gun you can never have enough guns.

[knkali]

Lasers.................had a few and removed most of them. Still have one on my MP 9 though.

I agree with the above poster that they are good for shooting in unconventional positions but unless you have good trigger control, they are useless. You can get rid of the classic sight picture when shooting and the laser will show you where the muzzle is pointing, but a lot can happen between wanting to pull the trigger and actually doing so. Unless they develop laser guided bullets, the laser has limits. In stressful situations and you need to go from concealment to on target as fast as possible, the laser will not be effective IMHO. Too much jiggle and movement in real life so finding that small dot to asses your line of fire is not practical. Yes, I could take my laser equipped .45 Kimber and at 15 yards make the X into a hole but I was setting up my shots--in short I had time.
To summarize:
Lasers are great for unconventional positions where the gun has to be positioned away from your line of sight and the target.
Laser are great at allowing you to practice trigger control at the range.
Lasers are not great in high stress up close situations but if it is up close you probably dont need one anyways.
Training with your sights, trigger control, and being familiar with your weapon system is paramount and a laser will not make up for lack of training.

[TheTman]

I'd have a laser on all my guns if I could afford it. The biggest drawback to me is they limit holster selection so much. I had one on my CW45, and it did not affect the concealibility at all. They are a useful tool IMHO. They are also useful for improving your point shooting, by aiming the gun then hitting the laser to see where the shot would have gone.
My favoriite is the CT laser, with the buntton below your middle finger so it comes un when you draw your weapon. Not so sure I like the ones that have a button to push with your trigger finger before they come on.

[Short Bus]

Why not have both?
I would rather use the money for ammo, IF I COULD FIND IT :31:

[JBowl1]

Thank you all very much for your time and thoughts. This is a great forum/website.

[Craig1056]

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/medium/87853267.jpg

Put a Crimson Trace on the CM9 a while back. Still fits in my pocket holster fine. Will say it defiantly helps when you are doing some quick fire drills.