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I've had crimson trace laser grips on my kimber 4" 1911 for years. This was my first hand gun and it allowed me to 'sight in my sights for me'. I sighted the laser in at 15 yards and then used it to get my sight picture and alignment straight. That worked like a charm. Nowadays I don't use it at all for practice and I did not use it for a Suarez pistol course I recently did. The only time I use it now is to see if POA and POI are right on and also to check me for steadiness/flinching.

That being said, I think that the laser has two purposes for me: 1) If I have to draw and point it at someone, I'd hope that the combination of looking at that big 'ol 45 caliber hole and realizing that the little red dot indicates that what comes outta that hole will definitely hit them will make the opt out of doing anything else and run away. 2) Allow me to aim WITHOUT my sights. In other words, if I'm in some awkward position such that I cannot bring my sights up (and I have no 'point-shooting training'), then hopefully I will still be able to get rounds on target.

On the down side, it would allow a bad guy to see me in the dark..... or my laser's point of transmission...... and that's not ideal from a tactical point of view in my home since now someone knows I'm aware of them and they know where I am. This may not be an issue with other brands which have to be toggled on/off. The CT grips have a pressure switch on the grip, so as soon as your hand tightens around the gun, it'll come on assuming you've got the power switch on as well.

Anyways, it's an additional tool that both my wife and I have on our carry guns and house gun. Use it for both training and as assistance in what I'm sure will be a time of absolute panic. We have them on all our carry guns (2 pistols and one snubby) and use them appropriately IMHO.