Crimson Trace consensus?

[dp13]

I searched but did not find anything other than WTS/WTB threads for the however many pages.

What is the general consensus on lasers for a pistol? Is it worth it or just get some tritium sights?

Thanks for your time.

[Greg Bell]

I am completely sold on them. Every time I go to a low light class I feel like a cheater.

[dp13]

Thank you, I was hoping for a red or yellow named response.

Much obliged.

[warpedcamshaft]

I am a Crimson Trace user... and my opinion is that they are very good, and I agree that they are incredible in low light.

They are useful with a couple of caveats I have discovered with time:

1: They require additional training to utilize properly. It seems some people I have encountered think of them as a magic device that will require less training overall, but this has not been my experience... It takes time to adapt to the laser and be able to transition back to the irons in bright light or if a failure occurs with the device.

2: You must treat the laser as your front sight... and focus on it visually and mentally while you break your shot. This takes practice and conditioning if you have spent a large amount of time with a front sight in front of your eyeball.

[dp13]

Thanks again. As a guy who had 20+ years of MA training, I understand training less is never a good thing.

[Averageman]

[QUOTE=warpedcamshaft;1758497]
They are useful with a couple of caveats I have discovered with time:

1: They require additional training to utilize properly. It seems some people I have encountered think of them as a magic device that will require less training overall, but this has not been my experience... It takes time to adapt to the laser and be able to transition back to the irons in bright light or if a failure occurs with the device.QUOTE]

This is for the most part my observation. I have two firends that have crimson trace lasers on pistols.
One guy experianced the complete wash out of the laser when transitioning from dark to light and had second thoughts as to the viability of using it at all for his puposes.
The second guy is an otherwise very intelligent guy, just not a very experianced shooter. He thinks the crimson trace is an excuse not to practise.
It's a tool that some folks mistake as the ONLY tool they will ever need.
Great marketing though...

[SeriousStudent]

Crimson Trace 405's on the 642 in my left front pocket as I type this.

My nightstand G17 has a Surefire X300 and a CT grip on it as well.

[denn1911]

Crimson Trace is the way to go. Although you may never have any issues, they have great customer service.

[SteveL]

I have them on both of my M&Ps and IMO they are worth the money. I have never done a low light class with them, but just trying to aim your pistol in the dark with them vs. without them makes their usefulness very clear. The drawback is that they can give away your location if you're not careful with them. Use them sparingly, like you would a flashlight.

IMO, besides low light, they could also prove invaluable should you ever find yourself in a gunfight and are unable to bring your gun up to attain proper sight alignment due to shooting around cover or while injured. Hopefully I'll never have to test this theory first-hand though.

This is for the most part my observation. I have two firends that have crimson trace lasers on pistols.
One guy experianced the complete wash out of the laser when transitioning from dark to light and had second thoughts as to the viability of using it at all for his puposes.
The second guy is an otherwise very intelligent guy, just not a very experianced shooter. He thinks the crimson trace is an excuse not to practise.
It's a tool that some folks mistake as the ONLY tool they will ever need.
Great marketing though...

The first time I tried shooting with mine I was shocked at how much WORSE I shot with them than I do without them. They definitely require training/acclimation time to get used to them. However, they can be a valuable training tool all by themselves. When used for dry fire practice, a laser will show you how badly you're pulling off target when you pull the trigger. If your trigger fundamentals are bad the laser will show it. Your friend who thinks that putting a laser grip on his gun suddenly made him G2G is woefully unprepared.

[BoringGuy45]

The first time I tried shooting with mine I was shocked at how much WORSE I shot with them than I do without them. They definitely require training/acclimation time to get used to them. However, they can be a valuable training tool all by themselves. When used for dry fire practice, a laser will show you how badly you're pulling off target when you pull the trigger. If your trigger fundamentals are bad the laser will show it. Your friend who thinks that putting a laser grip on his gun suddenly made him G2G is woefully unprepared.

Haha, that sounds like sooo many customers I had: "I don't have time to train, so I just need to be able to shoot without thinking." Can't tell you how many times I heard something like that!