Laser? No Laser?

[jtg452]

I don't have much use for them. They really unnecessary except in a few situations. To be truthful, I think they do more harm than good in most shooter's case. They don't replace the fundamentals of master grip, trigger press and sight alignment (better known as 'learning to shoot straight to begin with'), if you learn the proper techniques, they are unnecessary for instinctive shooting, and I'm not sold on the belief that they are intimidating. Sorry, but if I have a gun pointed at someone and they aren't already intimidated, I really don't think that a little red or green dot of light is going to change their minds.

[walt629]

I had a Glock 33 with a Lasermax guide rod laser replacement. I installed it for quick point accuision. ANd it worked very well in dim light conditions for getting on target real fast from the hip or off stance positions. The problem with that particular type was it could not be adjusted and for what ever reason, the point of laser beam and point of impact were off by about 6" at 15 yards.

I don't have the gun any more and it went bye-bye with the laser in it and I haven't thought about getting another.

If I go back to a laser it would have to be able to be adjustable and I'd go with the newer green laser technology. But I'll wait until they get a better handle on the battery consumption issue with the green lasers.

I think if I was going to get a new rig for my wife, it would have a laser just to give her more of an edge. I think, personally, I'd go in for a high intensity rail light before I'd go for the laser next time.

[walt629]

I don't have much use for them. They really unnecessary except in a few situations. To be truthful, I think they do more harm than good in most shooter's case. They don't replace the fundamentals of master grip, trigger press and sight alignment (better known as 'learning to shoot straight to begin with'), if you learn the proper techniques, they are unnecessary for instinctive shooting, and I'm not sold on the belief that they are intimidating. Sorry, but if I have a gun pointed at someone and they aren't already intimidated, I really don't think that a little red or green dot of light is going to change their minds.

I have to disagree with you. I do agree that there can be NO substitute for the proper understanding and use of shooting fundamentals. No argument from me on that. But, the little dot isn't for intimidation of the bad guys, although that is a very good byproduct of the laser. No. that little dot is for the gun owner, in a panic situation, that has to make a snap shot from the hip, in low light conditions.

I'm just guessing here, but I'd be willing to bet that the majority of gun owners don't practice in stress conditions or have the facility available to shoot from various positions. Not every range will allow you to lie on the floor of the range (from the bed position)or from the hip (darned shooting bench gets in the way)and shoot. So for those of us that do not have these facilities or training available, a laser is an invaluable tool.

And if it's 3 O'clock in the morning, I'm awakened out of a sound sleep by a frantic wife that heard a lamp crash to the floor in the living room and I have to go figure it all out, I want every advantage I can muster. If that comes in the form of a very bright flashlight and a little red dot, then so be it.

[Barbiegun]

I have a taurus tcp 738 380 . It was the first gun I bought. It is small and I think because it is small, it seems to have more recoil and I can hit the target but not allways in the exact spot I think the bullet should go. 'I put a crimson trace on it and it made a huge difference. (Could also be the low site profile) I don't have a laser on my other two guns a 9mm and a 40cal, but can shoot them accurately without adding laser sights.

[aborg]

A laser or flashlight will indicate your position to the intruder (laser less so). For this reason alone I would not use a laser/flashlight. In my opinion, if you own a gun, especially for self/home defense, then you should know how and be practiced in it's use.

There are simple drills to practice "reactive aiming", so to speak. Here is a drill I use: I fire at a series of multiple targets (or if the range is restricted to one target I use quadrants on a single target) as a friend indicates them. I only have time to look and shoot. I start out aiming center mass on the targets and then try with the gun pointing at the ground (still downrange, of course). Thankfully, I have never had to fire at anyone (and hopefully never will) but if the time comes I'm confident I will be ready to fire when necessary. Of course this presupposes proficiency in the fundamentals of using a gun.

Then again I'm also young with steady aim and good eyesight. It ultimately depends upon one's preference.

[PaxMentis]

I have had a laser (LaserLyte sights on a G19) on my carry weapon about 3 years now...out of about 36 years of carry. I have not had the need to use it (or my weapon for that matter) in that time, but there were a few times in the past I would have loved to have it. It is a good training tool to highlight shakiness, jerking when firing and for those who practice train fire.

I would never try to engage it if I were drawing in defense unless I was shooting from cover...but there have been times in my past when I would have really liked to be able to shoot aimed shots from cover without sticking my whole head out from the cover...that is why I wouldn't be without one again if I can help it.

JMO...YMMV

I had to add something after reading a post above...as far as it giving away your position, this would only be an issue at night and if you haven't fired...once you fire, the muzzle flash is far more visible than the laser dot that can't be seen unless you shine it in their eye. It's one of those arguments against I hear all the time that makes me just shake my head.

[walt629]

A laser or flashlight will indicate your position to the intruder (laser less so). For this reason alone I would not use a laser/flashlight. In my opinion, if you own a gun, especially for self/home defense, then you should know how and be practiced in it's use.

There are simple drills to practice "reactive aiming", so to speak. Here is a drill I use: I fire at a series of multiple targets (or if the range is restricted to one target I use quadrants on a single target) as a friend indicates them. I only have time to look and shoot. I start out aiming center mass on the targets and then try with the gun pointing at the ground (still downrange, of course). Thankfully, I have never had to fire at anyone (and hopefully never will) but if the time comes I'm confident I will be ready to fire when necessary. Of course this presupposes proficiency in the fundamentals of using a gun.

Then again I'm also young with steady aim and good eyesight. It ultimately depends upon one's preference.

So you don't like lasers or flash lights, huh. Okay. That's your choice, but try this. Run the drills you describe, but run them in the dark. Turn the range lights out and see how good your target acquisition is without light.

Better yet, run the drills in the dark and have one of your friends (standing way behind you out of harms way) start banging on a trashcan or making some unexpected noise, or scream at you while you're trying to get that target picture, in the dark, without a flashlight.

Let us know how that works out for you.

Oh, by the way, have you ever looked into the beam of a tactical flash light? No? I didn't think so. The light alone can be a paralyzing weapon. A really good tac light can blind a BG enough that he won't be able to see you coming.

I'm just sayin.

[aborg]

So you don't like lasers or flash lights, huh. Okay. That's your choice, but try this. Run the drills you describe, but run them in the dark. Turn the range lights out and see how good your target acquisition is without light.

Better yet, run the drills in the dark and have one of your friends (standing way behind you out of harms way) start banging on a trashcan or making some unexpected noise, or scream at you while you're trying to get that target picture, in the dark, without a flashlight.

Let us know how that works out for you.

Oh, by the way, have you ever looked into the beam of a tactical flash light? No? I didn't think so. The light alone can be a paralyzing weapon. A really good tac light can blind a BG enough that he won't be able to see you coming.

I'm just sayin.

You make great points. I don't think any drill could prepare anyone perfectly. I was just giving an example of what I do to help me prepare. Obviously I have a lot to learn.

[jdamos]

I could definitely see either way. I like lasers and I think there an important part to train and learn with.