Laser aiming devices like "Crimson Trace"

[ADAMS]

I took my wife to the gun range today to celebrate Mother's Day.  She had a really great time (I thank God for every day I am married to this woman).   The range master was showing off his 9mm CZ pistol which had a laser mounted on the grip.  He went on and on about how great it was and how it was superior to "conventional sights." 

I have always thought that those lasers mounted on handguns are sort of a gimmick.  Don't get me wrong.  They are very cool.  And if you use the laser on your Glock in a presentation to your boss on why you deserve a raise, it can surely work wonders but I just don't see a practical advantage in the self defense context.

I admit that I have never used one so perhaps my ignorance has the best of me.  What are your thoughts?

[gasman]

Properly mounted and sighted in and all you have to do is pull the trigger when the red dot gets to the target 

Kida like putting your cross hairs on what you looking to shoot 

[carpsniperg2]

if you call crimson trace they will send you a video that will really open you eyes to lasers i trust my life to there products several of my family's carry guns have them on them. they are very fast and when trained with them and praticed with them you can learn to shoot in situations were normal sight pictures are not possible and learn to clear room and such with a lot less of you showing when you can just use the laser to aim and not have to get the sight pictures and expose yourself more.

[Ratdog68]

I went with this one.  For a tactical advantage... I'll take it ANY day over regular sights.  Low light conditions... what could be better than "point and click" (so to speak).  And... I've shot without for many years.  I likes my Crimson Trace equipped Kimber !

[ADAMS]

OK.  I can see how it would be advantageous in some situations while leaving the option of still just using the conventional sights.

I think I'm going to remain a conventional guy though, at least for now.

[MikeWalking]

   Read an interview with a Prison guard years back. He said just seeing the Red Dot on their chest froze a lot of convicts in place real fast 

I would expect it to have the same effect on a lot of people..

[carpsniperg2]

very true mike it is recorded in a lot of cases that the intimidation of knowing that is were the bullet will be going stops a lot of shootings

[chrisb]

very true mike it is recorded in a lot of cases that the intimidation of knowing that is were the bullet will be going stops a lot of shootings

similar to the internationally known sound of the slide being worked on a pump gun.

[Kent Hunter]

I put a set on the wifes S&W Mod 640 .357 Mag. They do exactly what they say they will. The bullet goes RIGHT where the little red dot is. She loves it.

[cwuwildcat]

very true mike it is recorded in a lot of cases that the intimidation of knowing that is were the bullet will be going stops a lot of shootings

Problem comes in when the dots lighting up their forehead!  No intimidation because they don't know it's there.  You'd have to hand them a mirror and go "look, it's right there.  That's where I'm going to hit ya!"  jk

[shaneman153D]

They make aiming the gun very forgiving, I don't know how you can't like that.   

Imagine you're injured and have to point shoot.

[Bofire]

 :)Can the bad guys see the beam going back to you? Does it show a light at the gun?
Carl

[BigGoonTuna]

when i was taking my field evaluation for hunter's ed, the instructor pulled out a .38 with the crimson trace grip on it.  said it was his favorite grouse hunting gun...set the handle on a stump, put that dot on mr. grouse's head and pull the trigger.

[MikeWalking]

:)Can the bad guys see the beam going back to you? Does it show a light at the gun?
Carl

Depends on the angle etc...if you see the light it's probably hurting your eye...

[WonkyWapiti]

Personally I don't like laser sights.  I'm sure they are fine if that's what you train with all the time.  The problem for me is that if I'm using laser sights the thing starts bouncing all over the place due to recoil and if I am shooting rapid fire I can't concentrate on the target.  I prefer the tried and true front sight technique.

Now I do have coworkers that will put laser sights on their backup guns.  The theory is that if in a fight on the ground or wrestling around the shooter can fire the gun from multiple angles by just aligning the laser and not having to obtain proper sight alignment (ie shooting from the hip, etc).

Now if shooting a rifle in a combat situation I am a firm believer in red dot sights such as Aimpoints that allow you to shoot with both eyes open and thus reduce your tunnel vision.

[high country]

I had a set on my 329pd......too painful on that gun!

[MikeWalking]

little OT maybe....anyone play with these to see what they do shinning through car windows?  I got lasered twice a couple weekends back in Kirkland in my car going over 124th/405. Pencil thin beam bouncing around, Green. Funny thing is a couple times there was a spot 2-4 inches in diameter on the ground...way out in front of me..

[carpsniperg2]

most lasers do refract a bit on angled glass from what i have played with in rigs and self defense situations in training/classes you have to lear to adjust for like a front window shot because of the angle the side windows are a diffrent story they are pretty strait forward not much refraction. same as house window and glass door etc. i have tested 3 laser and all are about the same i think size of beam may very it a little.