Laser Grips

[Chickenman]

Just asking- I am sending my Kimber in for some cosmetic work and an ambi safety. This is my full time carry weapon. I was at Carter Country and held a Kimber with Laser grips and - well I liked them. With ambi need a smith to put these on so I was thinking why not put a pair on while at Kimbers.

Price and all the macho stuff aside pros and cons please for a person that is just a fair gun hand.

[srothstein]

Tactically, the first thing to remember is that a laser can be seen in both directions.

I think they will help, but many people feel you might become dependent on the laser and not be able to hit the target when it does not work. I am not a subscriber to that theory, feeling if you learned how to shoot properly, you will retain the skill. It may be a little rusty, but it won't go away totally.

I compare them to any other sighting aid, such as a scope. I start the kids on iron sights so they learn the basics properly, then move them up to a scope when they can shoot. They can always go back to iron if they desire or have to. You can always turn the laser off for practice too.

[Wildscar]

Murphys Law. When you really really need them the battey will run out.

But they do look cool. The only reason I have mine is casue I couldn't pass on the great deal that was offered and it was my birthday too.

[Tajovo]

Very nice Wildscar!

[jimlongley]

Tactically, the first thing to remember is that a laser can be seen in both directions.

I think they will help, but many people feel you might become dependent on the laser and not be able to hit the target when it does not work. I am not a subscriber to that theory, feeling if you learned how to shoot properly, you will retain the skill. It may be a little rusty, but it won't go away totally.

I compare them to any other sighting aid, such as a scope. I start the kids on iron sights so they learn the basics properly, then move them up to a scope when they can shoot. They can always go back to iron if they desire or have to. You can always turn the laser off for practice too.

I did some lengthy experimentation with my laser grips after my wife gave them to me as a gift, and found that only a few degrees off axis they are not very visible, the only time they might be seen in both directions would be if they were shining in the target's face, and even that might not be such a tactical disadvantage due to the possible intimidation factor. I have a series of digital photos that I took during my experiments, using an IDPA target with a camera mounted at eye level and then aiming at various parts of the target at several ranges, and in most of them where the point of aim was away from the head the laser was not visible at all or there was just a little bright red dot on the gun where the laser diode showed.

I used to practice with both my iron sights and laser and do so sporadically now (I don't shoot IDPA any more) but never found myself becoming dependent on them, which may be more of a testament to my practice regimen as it existed. One time I started an IDPA match and had forgotten to turn off the laser, and found myself using the iron sights while I wondered who was trying to irritate me by shining that laser on the targets.

That said, my laser is on my "night fighter" bedside gun, and the way I tactically clear my house in the dark, I consider it to be an advantage.

Wildscar, how did you get that laser to show that way, mist in the air or photoshop?

[BigDan]

I know Lasermax makes a green laser that evidently can be seen during the day...
http://www.lasermax.com/

I personally feel you should only use learn to shoot properly first, to ensure you can make proper shot placements in case of equipment failure of the laser (battery, etc.). Do train with them to ensure you know where you will hit if you rely on them. That way, in high-stress situations you can use the laser and be sure to know where you shots will go. I personally don't run any optic accessories on my defensive pistol because I want to limit the things that can fail me when the time comes I may need to use it.

[legend]

I have the lasergrips on my bedside gun (Sig 229) and love them! Whenever my wife or I take the gun to the range we turn the laser off and don't use it (Except to check it's alignment).

The way I see it, you might never need the laser. But then, there could be some significant tactical advantages to having a laser. When it counts, I would rather have every tactical advantage I can!

My lasergrips has the button on the left side of the grip. I activate it with the ring finger on my right hand. It works well because I can flex/relax that finger without affecting my grip, so I can turn on/off the laser whenever I want without affecting my shot placement. I MUCH prefer this to the lasergrips with the button in the very front of the grip (Which I can't actuate as easly without affecting shot placement) or the laser in the guide-rod of the gun (Where I have to move my trigger finger to actuate it).

[BigDan]

My apologies... I thought the Lasermax grip laser that was similar came in a green laser. Only the rail-mounted one comes in green. =-/

[DoubleJ]

I'm all for them. if you see the laser begin to fade, or is not as big a dot, or isn't as bright as it was.......








change the batteries.



They (lasers) are GREAT for showing you how your aim is affected during trigger pull and recoil.
and the cats love'em!

[longhorn_92]

I'm all for them. if you see the laser begin to fade, or is not as big a dot, or isn't as bright as it was.......








change the batteries.



They (lasers) are GREAT for showing you how your aim is affected during trigger pull and recoil.
and the cats love'em!

You're not kidding! Who needs television when you have a laser and a cat?.....

[Wildscar]

Wildscar, how did you get that laser to show that way, mist in the air or photoshop?

You mean you can't see yours. Then they must be broked...

j/k I used paintshop to add it in.

[mgood]

I am sending my Kimber in for some cosmetic work and an ambi safety. . . .
With ambi need a smith to put these on so I was thinking why not put a pair on while at Kimbers.

The regular ambidextrous safety will not clear the laser on the Crimson Trace Lasergrips.
But Kimber has a special ambi safety that's shorter on the off side for just this purpose.
I'm about to order an Ultra CDP with the short safety because I'm planning to add the Lasergrips in the future.

[flb_78]

I say put em on if got the extra coin to spend. You can use them to help in drawing and aiming instinctively. Unload the gun, pick a target that would be center of mass on a potential bad guy, close your eyes, draw your gun and aim, open your eyes and see how far you're off. Practice until it's 2nd nature to draw and aim without looking.

[jimlongley]

Wildscar, how did you get that laser to show that way, mist in the air or photoshop?

You mean you can't see yours. Then they must be broked...

j/k I used paintshop to add it in.

Having played, not much, with lasers in my misspent adulthood, I was curious, I have taken pics of lasers shinging through mist and fog generator output as well as a thin cloud of baby powder.

[TexasComputerDude]

They (lasers) are GREAT for showing you how your aim is affected during trigger pull and recoil.
and the cats love'em!

Your so going to shoot your cat one of these days...