Lazers On Handguns?

[HordesOfKailas]

Without sharing his general enthusiasm for them , I would take Smokey's one concept a step farther.

Align a laser parallel to the bore on purpose. Ie if the laser has a 1in offset as mounted on the gun, have a 1in offset in the impact, so that you have consistant impact at any vaguely practical distance you'd use it.

By the distance that bullet drop bcomes significant factor, that's farther than you'd use the laser.

I have a laser on my parents' Hi-Point 9mm carbine for that exact purpose. They aren't marksmen or highly polished like many of us here, so this is a great way to help them get on target quickly. At HD distances, bullet drop is non-existent and the rail is on the barrel itself. Makes it literally a "point and click" interface.

I do however think that practice and weapon familiarity beats a laser. I practice with all guns that would likely be used in a SD scenario and a laser doesn't do much for me. At the distances it might be handy, the shots are easy. At any distances beyond that, it's probably too faint to be seen.

 

[TheGunnyRet]

I have a Pistol with a Light and one with a LASER. The Laser to me is just another Tool to assist you in a Stressed situation...in daylight your position is obvious. Night Time Not so...but remember at night your in a sleep mode to a Stressed situation when it could occur...generally your Body and Mind needs to assimilate and coming out of sleep your adjustment may take longer. Plus Humans have very poor Night vision...JMO

 

[Biggfoot44]

I know it generalized to the general public. But for 22yrs I've slept in the day, and been up at night.

 

[Striper69]

I got a cheap lazer and it cuts out when I try to use it in the daytime. It's probably poorly made and I may have to return it.

 

[Dialtone]

I have one that replaced the guide rod in my Sig P229. Out side of dry fire practice I rarely turn it on.

 

[TheGunnyRet]

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...

It cuts "Out"? or you can't see it?

A Laser is within "Sun Light" Spectrum. That's why a RED washes out in Daylight and Green is Better for Daylight. Different Wavelengths.

Also the "Wattage" is not very strong BUT IT WILL DAMAGE YOUR EYEBALL...

 

[beretta_maven]

I personally both like and dislike lasers. For range shooting, I find them annoying and distracting. For dry firing practice, I find them very useful. On a home defense gun, I actually love them for a couple of reasons. First, seeing a laser dot appear on one's chest is frightening for most people and could cause an intruder to flee rather than be shot. Two, if you use the laser effectively you can temporarily blind an intruder by shining it in their eyes.

Also, the lasers I like the best are the guide rod lasers (I had one of these on a Beretta Vertec) and the Crimson Trace grip lasers that turn on when you grip the gun. However, I also want an on/off switch on the grip lasers and not all CT lasers have them (my Kimber Solo CT has one, but my P238 CT does not).

 

[outrider58]

How many have tried them?

I got one tonight for my S&W M&P40 that I could put on the rail beneath the barrel. It went on good and works. I won't be able to try to zero it in until late this week cause of the bad weather here.

Opinions?

It's the only way I can hit anything with a Beretta.

 

[outrider58]

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...

It cuts "Out"? or you can't see it?

A Laser is within "Sun Light" Spectrum. That's why a RED washes out in Daylight and Green is Better for Daylight. Different Wavelengths.

Also the "Wattage" is not very strong BUT IT WILL DAMAGE YOUR EYEBALL...

Never use laser sights while viewing through magnified optics(scopes).