If you learn to point shoot at, what you say is "short range self defense" you are more apt to get off the first defense shot much quicker than activating a laser and acquiring a target with same. Bottom line, IMO, is that many people purchase these devices and somehow magically think it is the cure for their lack of training and woe be the day they find out it is not so. The ads and videos by mfgrs always make this out as the perfect solution, when in fact, like any firearm use, it is all about the training. Close quarters? I just do not see its purpose.
What do you think of lasers?
- Thread starter Zoomie72
- Start date
If you learn to point shoot at, what you say is "short range self defense" you are more apt to get off the first defense shot much quicker than activating a laser and acquiring a target with same. Bottom line, IMO, is that many people purchase these devices and somehow magically think it is the cure for their lack of training and woe be the day they find out it is not so. The ads and videos by mfgrs always make this out as the perfect solution, when in fact, like any firearm use, it is all about the training. Close quarters? I just do not see its purpose.
JaegerMann
JaegerMann
Lasers are of minimal use as a sighting technology, folks tend to loose focus chasing the dot and their aim actually suffers as a result. BUT they are excellent training tools. Get some snap caps, and a target the size of a silver dollar, or lid of a small jar, playing card etc you can start larger and work to smaller and smaller targets. Put it 10+ feet away. With the weapon cleared and chambered with snap caps. Turn on the laser and with slow careful movements put the laser on target and with the chambered snap caps, slowly pull the trigger 10 times holding the laser on target the entire time. Do not be terribly surprised if you see the laser going all over hell and gone the first couple times you try this. Turn off the laser. Rest for 30 seconds plus then repeat with the laser off but keeping your iron sights on the target. Repeat at least 3-4 times per session. Do this twice a day, inside a week you will see significant tightening of your groups shooting, due to the training feedback on the laser and helping build muscle memory for proper grip. In a couple weeks you will get down to aiming at light switch plates and holding sights/laser steady on the tip of the switch. When you have your grip trained in like this add sessions , going from snap point, and draw to proper hold and on target holding the laser on target through the drill.
With this training you will find you can actually use the laser tactically, but to be honest to me it is more a light on the target with target intimidation as a bonus than an actual sight, even when I use the laser I still mainly work the iron sights. So with snap caps and appropriate care when training they are a great training tool, they have a great intimidation factor on a target (though the first thing the target should see is the muzzle flash) but I don't advocate them as a primary sight.
That said green lasers are better than red lasers for either application. Visible in full daylight, and blinding to the target at night
With this training you will find you can actually use the laser tactically, but to be honest to me it is more a light on the target with target intimidation as a bonus than an actual sight, even when I use the laser I still mainly work the iron sights. So with snap caps and appropriate care when training they are a great training tool, they have a great intimidation factor on a target (though the first thing the target should see is the muzzle flash) but I don't advocate them as a primary sight.
That said green lasers are better than red lasers for either application. Visible in full daylight, and blinding to the target at night
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My thinking is that it is foolish to rely on one system when there are others available to take care of the what-ifs. My daughter has Army marksmanship ribbons for the M-16 and for a pistol (I forget which one she said). She also has a laser on her carry pistol because she knows there are situations where a laser would be advantageous, sometimes even a lifesaver.
Capt. Frank
New member
"worthless, use sights" I would like to ask you, what do you do when you can not see your sights? This is when a laser shines (no pun intended), so they are not worthless!
Deanimator
New member
I don't like lights, lasers or anything else on a self-defense handgun. I want nothing more complicated than night sights.
A reward for bad behavior. Interesting, but totally stupid.
I really like my crimson trace. No, I'm not using it to avoid training. I qualified for my chcl using a semiautomatic with no laser without missing a shot. However, using my laser, I can fire with both eyes open without using precious seconds lining up my sights. Assuming you are talking about the grips there is the added bonus that they work when a button is held down by your middle finger so you don't have to mess with switches or have it on when you don't need it. I'm a strong believer that time is of utmost importance in self defense. I use a double action revolver so I don't have to spend time with hammers, safeties, slides. I carry iwb so I am not slowed by excess clothing/inconvenient locations. My safe is biometric so I don't fumble around with keys. I have a laser so I don't spend time sighting.
whodat2710
New member
You ever get one of those multi-tools like a Leatherman? It has a lot of gadgets on it, and some you may never use. You don't remove them from the knife, even though it would make it lighter to carry, because it might come in handy in some unforeseen circumstance. Having a laser on a gun is just that, a tool. For that tool to be useful you need to practice with it just like you would regular sights. To think it will magically make you hit your target is insane. The simple fact that it MIGHT be useful in a life or death situation means that I have it available. Just like I carry a pocket knife, or a flashlight at night, you never know.
You do understand, I hope, my implication was to focus the little dot on the back of its fuzzy little head, not before its fuzzy little peeing paws as a playtoy....
Peggy Reist
New member
The green ones are supposedly better, but also more expensive, and they run the batteries down faster. So it's a trade-off.
Capt. Frank
New member
Peggy is correct, I might add, that red lasers are very difficult to see in daylight, green lasers are better in daylight.
Firefighterchen
OC for Tactical Advantage
stratsrock
New member
I have a CT on my LC9 for EDC. I look at it as a tool for possible deterrent and prevention of engagement. I mainly practice close quarters SD shooting so the laser and sights are secondary to an accurate point and shoot encounter. At the range I find it sometimes distracting and cover it with black tape. It's another tool in the tool bag that has its place. But like most situations you have to practice multiple scenarios.
The laser on the bodyguard is not useful because you have to turn it on. If I were going to invest in one it would be the Crimson Trace that comes on automatically. They are VERY distracting when attempting to use the sights but ok when shooting from the hip. Having said that, when shooting from the hip your target is most likely to close to need the sights anyway. I don't use one for that reason.
I have CT lasers on all of my guns, all but one come on when you grip your gun for a shot, so no, they don't slow you down. In fact, they may possibly allow you to be on target faster than iron sights. And for those who think the red dot will let the BGs know where you are, they would have to know it's a laser and not one of the many other red lights you can see at night. Once your red laser is on target it lights it up enough that you can tell the difference between a BG or Grandma; the greens really light things up. The only problem I see with green at night is that they light up a line between the gun and the target, red lasers don't. If it's dark enough that you can't tell the difference between the BG and Grandma, iron sights are totally worthless, so are night sights. Lasers are tools just like iron sights and night sights are tools. You never know when it might be to your advantage to have one on your gun, especially if it's a PD gun at home. I've even got a green on one of my compound bows.
