Do lasers really help

[gryphnrider]

Was looking at getting a new carry 9mm and just want to know how important lasers are for helping with accurate targeting

 

[EyeCarry]

JMO. For carry? Daytime: I'm not sold, relying, or wasting time turning one on. Nighttime/home/some delay time, probably pushing the button.

 

[flightsimmer]

I have a Ruger LCP with an attached Crimson Trace laser. When I draw the weapon and grip it the laser comes on automatically, no fuss.

 

[EyeCarry]

I have a Ruger LCP with an attached Crimson Trace laser. When I draw the weapon and grip it the laser comes on automatically, no fuss.

That would be preferable if relying on, or using it in addition to sights.

 

[76Too]

I was never sold on the idea until I actually used one. I bought a ‘shield’ with one on it, and swapped my EDC holster so I could accommodate and become more proficient with it. With some practice, I’m able to flick it on during my draw and it helps me figure out what I’m potentially shooting at a lot faster than trying to pick up the sights.

 

[JCSR]

A laser is something I wouldn't want to be defending in court.

 

[jinks]

The value of laser attachments is to provide an axillary sighting system. Most of the lasers are mounted below the barrel, and to see the dot over the sights, they must be adjusted for a specific distance. Learn to use the sighting system for accuracy.

 

[IUKalash429]

Depends who you ask. To the young fool with a Glock fotey in the lane next to me at Shoot Point Blank, blowing smoke off the muzzle between extendo clip blasts while shining his laser all over the ceiling, I'd say hell yeah.

To me, whose target was shot all to hell with .40 S&W holes, I'd say probably not.

 

[flightsimmer]

A laser is something I wouldn't want to be defending in court.

And just why is that?

 

[CitizenX]

You'll definitely see just how shaky your hold is, and probably spend more time finding the dot with your eye in a scenario that isn't uniformly lit and black and white, like an indoor shooting range. Highly defined iron sights or red dot would be IMO a better option.

 

[CitizenX]

A laser is something I wouldn't want to be defending in court.

I didn't know there were laws against having accuracy with a weapon. I can see where not having accuracy could get someone in trouble.

 

[flightsimmer]

You'll definitely see just how shaky your hold is, and probably spend more time finding the dot with your eye in a scenario that isn't uniformly lit and black and white, like an indoor shooting range. Highly defined iron sights or red dot would be IMO a better option.

There is no room for a red dot site on many pocket guns including the LCP.

Many are good only for short distances like say up to 7 yards and I have never had a problem seeing the laser day or night and if your aiming at the center of mass an inch or two off from the primary sight is not going to matter much.

 

[DadSmith]

I tried a laser on my pistol but found my eyes still locked onto the front sight and not the laser. I suggest getting a good night sight for the front sight of your handgun.

 

[flightsimmer]

I tried a laser on my pistol but found my eyes still locked onto the front sight and not the laser. I suggest getting a good night sight for the front sight of your handgun.

If you shoot from the hip so to speak you won't need your iron sights.

 

[MCgrease08]

Wouldn't be something I would gravitate towards personally. I had a S&W Bodyguard revolver for a while that had one. I hardly ever used it. Tried it at the range a bit, but it wasn't grip activated so there wouldn't have been time to switch it on during a defensive use.

I think in a low light situation they have a place. I took Obi John's low light class in December and one guy was running a green laser on a full sized gun. Seemed to work out OK for him. It is interesting to see how much that dot moves when shooting. It's not like the red line of death you see in the movies when the bad guy gets smoked after seeing it climbing up his chest.

Now a laser on a rifle, that's another story. I am a big fan of my Streamlight with integrated laser. I have it zeroed at 50 yards and at that distance in low light situations I can hip fire and ring 8" steel plates all night long. Talk about cheating. Man that's fun.

 

[MontereyC6]

Through countless classes, a few with a laser on a Sig P229, I have come to the realization that lasers are really not for me. The only advantage they might help with is shooting from unorthodox positions where you can not get on your sites.

 

[Twangbanger]

What problem do you hope to solve with the laser?

If you're trying to find a way around learning to use sights, there should be a reason for that which you can articulate.

 

[bwframe]

YMMV, but in my experience the laser is slow for accomplished shooters. At least it was for me and those I have observed.

 

[flightsimmer]

At 6 to 12 feet you might not have the time to use iron sights. Of course you could just point or hip shoot.

 

[Vigilant]

IR lasers are awesome, slaved with a visible laser. But that’s a niche application.