Pistol Laser Sights

Yankee Clipper

Looking for advice/recommendations on pistol laser sights! The lasermax units look very nice, and would compliment my Taurus PT99, but are quite expensive. Are they worth the money?
Within the group of "universal fit" laser sights available, are there any brands to avoid?

nmyers

Save your money.

Unless you are on a SWAT team, laser sights are of little use. Worthless in daylight (you can't see the dot), worthless in absolute darkness (you can't identify your target), they are of value only in rare situations where the amount of light is just "right".

If, as a civilian, you intend to use a laser to intimidate a perp, then you need to rethink whether or not you should have a firearm.

On the other hand, if you just want something that looks "neat" or "cool", go ahead & buy whatever looks the "bad-est".

Neal

CFPython

I've got Crimson Trace laser grips on my S&W 37. In bright Fla. sunlight at 2 in the afternoon, the dot is clearly visible at 25 yards. Our SWAT guys have even remarked that it's a better laser than what they have on their MP5s. The model 37 is my back up gun, and I have the laser on it in case I get into a struggle and can't use the sights. We have the option of putting them on our duty Glocks, but I don't see the need. The Glocks are nightsighted and we can attach a tac-light to the rails for target identification.

"One day lad, all this will be yours."
"What, the curtains?"

gotstolefrom

I was curious too and got a low end, but decent laser. It adjusted to POI and worked fine, but I felt the need to 'baby it'. Once the 'new' wore off I took it off and loaned it to a friend. Drawbacks have been noted, and there are more. I enjoyed the experience, but I don't see me wanting to use it again.



If we do not hang together,
We will most certainly hang separately.

fishermanben

I've had one also. My advice, buy an inexpensive one. If you like it, buy a nicer one.
Ben

www.RightFieldSucks.com

cussedemgun

Yankee Clipper;

nmyers gave you GOOD straight sound advice.
may I add, what you see as intimidation, the law calls "assault with a deadly weapon" if you point a gun at someone ,why would you want to give proof by way of a laser dot.
most states outlaw any light source for hunting, so a laser is no good for hunting.
my idea, laser sights are of very limited use. in a true combat situation, do you really want that laser pointing back to you?

"all I really need to know I learned in kindergarten" Robert Fulghum


anyone who says "nobody needs a full auto" has never been in front of a brown bear charge

NORTHERN-SEAL

Hello Yankee, let me star by making one fact clear only an individual with no urban combat experience will bluntly disregard the advantages of a laser sight on hand guns combat situations.

Is a fact that in day light lasers of the best quality (650 nm) are limited to approximately 15 yards, now in low light or darkness they give you the advantage of quick target acquisition over open sight even night sights, as a manner of fact you don't even need to race the gun in front of your face to acquire the target and in a real life combat situation especially defensive some times you don't have the luxury of racing your gun level with your face.

Couple of thing to keep in mind when you shopping for a pistol laser:
How they mount to the gun, adjustment range and retention, material of manufacturing, switch accessibility, carrying holster and warranty and how they fit to your gun. It looks and feels as part of it or awkward?.

Units that mount to the trigger guard are very weak if you bang them accidentally they lose adjustment (Laser Light LDI UL2001) and some of them have the tendency to snag into everything in the most inappropriate moments (Laserlyte).

Units like the Crimson Trace Lasergrips and LaserMax that have limited windage adjustment to compensate for shooters tendency to twist the wrist to the left when firing (very common habit) or firearm tendency, remember the greater the distance to the target the worst it. Also the later have the tendency of getting the laser lent cover with powder carbon residue after firing so you have to be carefully cleaning it after every use.

Switches the number one problem is accessibility when an individuals life is a stake and bullets are whistling over his head he do not have the luxury of wasting precious time trying to operating them any where that will divert his attention from the trigger, cables are a liability for combat they have the tendency to snag and break in the most inopportune moments.

Last but not least, a holster that will accommodate the gun with a laser installed, unless you plan to carry it in your hands all the time.

So in synthesis make sure that the laser attaches to the trigger guard and the frame for a solid fit, switches are accessible, will retain adjustment under heavy recoil and banging, have a good adjustment range, fit in a holster and have a good warranty.

Keeping all this facts in mind I will recommend you to take a look at the only two designs that to be near this essential requirements one is LDI BA-2 SPP and the other is the CAT PISTOL LASER.


Northern SEAL

JackBwr

I've got a Streamlight M6 on my glock 22/home def. pistol. It's a combo, very bright, adj. light over a laser. 3 setting selector switch for just light, just laser or, (the one I leave it on) light and laser at the same time. It burns down the batteries quicker but in a pitch dark room, it is the brightest flash light I've owned (short of a spot light) and the laser is very visible. It can be turned on with your trigger finger, either side (ambidextrious). Or briefly on by just tapping it up with your finger for a second and it will go back off when you let up. Also works left or right. Takes two of those short batteries (sorry I don't remember what they are). I love it though. VERY light weight. I think batteries weigh more than the unit. Sure a laser is worthless in pure darkness but not when combined with a light. You will need a weaver type mounting rail for one. I've seen these priced as high as 400 dollars on websites...I got mine for 250 on ebay brand new. I think its worth it. FYI, Fobus makes great holsters for pistols with an M3 or the M6 attached.

dandy

I have the Lasermax on my Glock 19. No complaints. Dandy

cbxjeff

I have considered buying one but I'm not convinced they are really practical - considering the cost. That hasn't stopped me in the past though!

Try a red-dot. Sure a completely different animal but I have one on a 22LR and one on a 9mm and really like them. I sight them in with a laser bore sight. They seem to hold their adjustment and are inexpensive.

Just a thought.

cbxjeff<P>It's too late for me, save yourself. <br>

mateomasfeo

quote:Originally posted by CFPython
I've got Crimson Trace laser grips on my S&W 37. In bright Fla. sunlight at 2 in the afternoon, the dot is clearly visible at 25 yards. Our SWAT guys have even remarked that it's a better laser than what they have on their MP5s. The model 37 is my back up gun, and I have the laser on it in case I get into a struggle and can't use the sights. We have the option of putting them on our duty Glocks, but I don't see the need. The Glocks are nightsighted and we can attach a tac-light to the rails for target identification.

"One day lad, all this will be yours."
"What, the curtains?"


I agree. I have crimson trace, and I certainly didn't put in on to scare perps...





Mateomasfeo

"I am what I am!" - Popeye

stuart

got a lasermax on a G27...pricy and not effective in sunlight....is effective out of the nightstand in the middle of the night...not intended to scare anybody, just point and click...

boltthrower

My Aimpoint is heavy, my red dot is light. I dont much care for either of them. I'm more accurate with open sites, and theres less weight.