Why no lasers?

4425 Views 15 Replies 12 Participants Last post by jlw, Aug 30, 2010

__jb

Discussion Starter · Aug 27, 2010

I've noticed that most of the long-time military types on the forum here don't use laser sights. I know a lot of you add lights to you Glocks, and night sights, but not many of you add laser sights. I would think that lasers might be helpful on a carry weapon... or even for home defense.

Why no lasers?

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Don Glock

· #2 · Aug 27, 2010 (Edited)

if you're robbed, you'll most likely have about a half a second to skin leather and fire a shot. you're not going to have time to look for the little red dot, or line up the 3 glowing dots. in fact, a police officer that teaches a local CCW class tells the students that if you have time to line up your sites for a careful shot, that could be considered premeditated murder because you might have had time to avoid the situation all together.

practicing drawing and firing accurately without aiming (point shooting) is far more useful than a laser or night sites, considering most of these scenarios occur within 10ft

lasers are good for practicing trigger control at the range though. night sites are more useful for LE officers, who are far more likely to require a precise shot at night time than civilians are.

KeithD

· #3 · Aug 27, 2010

I guess it all depends on your state laws, but that officer shouldnt be telling people that. So if im in a store and a guy runs in and sticks a gun in the clerks face, which is bringing deadly force, I cant shoot him? In michigan i can use deadly force even if my lifes not threatened, as long as the person Iam protecting has the legal right to use deadly force in self defense.

That being said, he doesnt see me, im behind the slim jims and can take a well aimed shot to the dudes brain box, im not going to do that cause its premeditated murder??? BS.

All these cops and lawyers want to think like the only defensive encounter is a guy starting at 21 feet and running at your with a knife. There are a billion other more common defensive encounters than that and blanket statements that will make people hesitate will get them killed.

Anyways, lasers are another tool in the box. Mostly I think most people dont like them on Glocks because there really is no good way to mount them like on an M&P. Your either expanding the size of the grip or its 2 slow to turn on and off.

There are a few instances that lasers are great. but most people use them as a crutch and actually slow themselves down by trying to chase the dot around instead of putting rounds on steel.

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99gsspyder

· #4 · Aug 27, 2010

KeithD said:
I guess it all depends on your state laws, but that officer shouldnt be telling people that. So if im in a store and a guy runs in and sticks a gun in the clerks face, which is bringing deadly force, I cant shoot him? In michigan i can use deadly force even if my lifes not threatened, as long as the person Iam protecting has the legal right to use deadly force in self defense.

That being said, he doesnt see me, im behind the slim jims and can take a well aimed shot to the dudes brain box, im not going to do that cause its premeditated murder??? BS.

All these cops and lawyers want to think like the only defensive encounter is a guy starting at 21 feet and running at your with a knife. There are a billion other more common defensive encounters than that and blanket statements that will make people hesitate will get them killed.

Anyways, lasers are another tool in the box. Mostly I think most people dont like them on Glocks because there really is no good way to mount them like on an M&P. Your either expanding the size of the grip or its 2 slow to turn on and off.

There are a few instances that lasers are great. but most people use them as a crutch and actually slow themselves down by trying to chase the dot around instead of putting rounds on steel.

AMEN, That is one of the most true statements Ive seen on here

dirtys0uthfl1

· #5 · Aug 27, 2010

I agree, although Crimson Trace lasers are cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joeywho?

· #6 · Aug 27, 2010

Why I don't have a laser:

- They cost a lot of money (more then a case of 9mm)
- There are VERY few good options out there (Crimson Trace is it for me)
- Depending on the platform that augment the grip in such a way that it is not comfortable nor does it lend well to a good firing grip.
- It's something that requires training to use properly, much like a light. Which ultimately means if I get one it's more training I need to do, and more money that has to be spent.

I really do see the point of a laser, they work for a lot of people and can offer advantages for many situations. I'll never put one on my Glock as it makes the grip downright awful. I'd consider it for my M&P as the grip is actually quite nice, but as stated above it's more money I have to spend. Plus it's not like I can't shoot the gun accurately without the laser. The gun already has sights, which will be sufficient for 99% of situations I may encounter. The light, on the other hand, is something that gun alone can in no way recreate...so I see it as more of a necessity...especially since I don't always carry a pocket light.

When I get some extra time and money I'm going to see about tearing apart a Crimson trace and embedding it into the grip of either an M&P or Glock. This would leave the gun with a much slimmer profile...the issue is figuring out how to make the batteries removable.

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sfguard

· #7 · Aug 27, 2010

I don't like lasers plain and simple answer

Ron White

· #8 · Aug 28, 2010

I prefer lightsabers to lasers. Much more sporting. But in the real world of iron and lead, I don't see the point of a laser.

It's either going to be fast and furious, which leaves you point shooting, or you're aiming and shooting. If you're aiming and shooting you should be using your sights. They will be there for you whether it's the middle of the day, the dead of night, or the dead of battery. Train one way and you won't let yourself down.

Don Glock

· #9 · Aug 28, 2010

KeithD said:
I guess it all depends on your state laws, but that officer shouldnt be telling people that. So if im in a store and a guy runs in and sticks a gun in the clerks face, which is bringing deadly force, I cant shoot him? In michigan i can use deadly force even if my lifes not threatened, as long as the person Iam protecting has the legal right to use deadly force in self defense.

That being said, he doesnt see me, im behind the slim jims and can take a well aimed shot to the dudes brain box, im not going to do that cause its premeditated murder??? BS.

true. i didn't quote him properly. he didn't say it pertains to any situation. of course, a hostage situation is an exeption.

however, most of us will never need to draw our guns, let alone be presented with a hostage situation requiring a precise shot. not to mention if you miss the robber....

__jb

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 28, 2010

Interesting replies... maybe lasers are a fad, or maybe the movies just over emphasize them...

Several of my friends are into lasers... some of them think it will help with accuracy... several of them think there is a psychological advantage to putting the red dot on someones chest...

Joeywho?

· #11 · Aug 28, 2010

Lasers are great for when you can't get a traditional sight picture...shooting from retention, urban prone, etc.

Rob

· #12 · Aug 28, 2010

I don't have one because I heard lasers are dangerous if you stare into it and I wouldn't want to hurt the bad guy's eyes before I shoot him...

Actually, I did have one before on my 19, but it distracted me from using the sights and I was more accurate without it seemed like.

Boomer

· #13 · Aug 28, 2010

Don Glock said:
if you're robbed, you'll most likely have about a half a second to skin leather and fire a shot. you're not going to have time to look for the little red dot, or line up the 3 glowing dots. in fact, a police officer that teaches a local CCW class tells the students that if you have time to line up your sites for a careful shot, that could be considered premeditated murder because you might have had time to avoid the situation all together.

Thats why I like XS Big Dot night sights on my SD guns. Much quicker to make ready.

Tailhunter

· #14 · Aug 28, 2010

Just another thing to break or cause a snafu ..... K.I.S.S.

Joeywho?

· #15 · Aug 29, 2010

Tailhunter said:
Just another thing to break or cause a snafu ..... K.I.S.S.

Then why do we have lights on our pistols and rifles, red dots on our rifles, etc.?

If it breaks oh well, it's like it was never there. If it works then great, you have another tool in your toolbox that you can take out and use should the situation arise. It doesn't exactly render the gun unusable if it fails, unless you use a guide rod laser or something.

jlw

· #16 · Aug 30, 2010

I tried a set of Crimson Trace on a 1911 that I had. Problem was that I couldn't acquire the laser in natural daylight. I have the same issue with many red dot type sights.

I was faster just looking for the front sight.

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