Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Are lasers on pistols worth it?

Not only am I stating that they are not a replacement, I'm saying they do a piss poor job of augmenting traditional sights.

They suck. They slow shooters down. And whatever gains can be made by their use (debatable) is negated by the fact that varying light conditions can alter that at any given time.

They suck. They'll always suck.

The only utility I've ever seen from them is in conjunction with Night Vision Goggles.

I can hit things way out there with a Beretta 92 with open sights.

But I can't hit anything with a Ruger LCP open sights. With the laser it is still only 10 ounces loaded in my shirt pocket.

Gives the bad guy a good aiming point.

Laser won’t replace practice.

Have a Crimson Trace on my Sig P938. For me, that pistol is a pocket carry for when I can't carry my EDC/1911. Figure if I have to use it, it's going to be close, fast and fatal. I always train with sights, open or RMR, but it's comforting to know the laser is their if needed.

On the other hand, my wife once tried it and even from 5 yds, she would jerk the trigger enough to miss a full size IPSC, low left, even though she could see the laser on the target a split second prior to jerking. I put my CZ75 Urban Grey Suppresosr Ready in her hands and she went back to lining up the irons and was giggling as she smacked 1/2 dozen 8" rounds over and over. for her birthday, I got her a CZ P-01 Urban Grey Suppressor Ready (aluminum framed compact) and she not only loves it but shoots it well too; with irons!

Is close and fast the right time to look for a laser dot on the target?

Assuming adequate light, lasers are easy and fast to point and shoot with.

I have no idea how this video ended up sideways, but it still illustrates how easy it is to put a laser on target. You just point the gun where you want to shoot, put the dot in place, and yank the trigger. It's as easy as falling off a log. (And to be clear, I am not arguing that lasers should be your first choice for sights on a defensive gun--the variable lighting conditions of the world are a deal breaker.)

Exactly what lasers have been used for on my pistols, shooting around shields while looking thru a viewport. I am a huge fan of white lights (lapg.con weapon light at about $50 is a steal) but have not found a laser super useful for most pistol work.

Another great use of a laser is a training tool. Put the laser on a small object and focus on breaking the trigger without disturbing the laser. It allows one to focus strictly on the trigger press without concern about sight alignment. The drill will quickly isolate problems with the trigger press, often revealing the dreaded low left impacts.

During daylight hours in direct sunlight, it is faster generally speaking to go directly to irons. In low light conditions, for example with a J Frame, the CT grips have proven to be superior.. Same with on a full size gun when moving quickly though a structure/building.

Since most people have a tendency to look at the active dynamic, IE what is causing them concern/scaring them. In other words, the threat, it is very normal for them to not see their front sight, (or any sights at all in real life (or force on force training). A red dot on the threat is very easy to pick up . Put the dot on the threat and pull the trigger. This is also why RDOs such as the RMR have become super popular on handguns . It is essentially the same concept. You do not have to look at your front sight. You look at the threat. put the dot on the threat, squeeze the trigger, and repeat as necessary.

The laser on my S&W 442 made a measurable difference in how fast I was able to make 10-ring hits on a B8 target at 5 yards, weak handed. Between .35 and .50 seconds compared to my S&W 642 which does not have a laser (but does have the front sight painted bright green).

If you think a laser makes no difference, or slows you down, I recommend setting up a drill requiring you to shoot under sub-optimal conditions (weak-handed, on the ground, etc.) and then compare your times and scores with laser and without.