Lasers on EDC

[Defender]

The ones that are grip activated work best, sometimes too easy to activate.  I’ve got one Shield that  came from the factory with a Crimson Trace green laser/weapons light combo on it.  It’s on the nightstand, but because I don’t like to inadvertently activate it when I grab it, like in an emergency, I won’t grab that one first, I’ll grab my Sig which has a very easy to reach switch under the barrel that I can touch and it activates the laser/flashlight like touching the bottom switch on a handheld flashlight, or push a little harder and it stays on.  For EDC, I’d rather any extra weight I’m lugging around to be ammo.

[deerslayer]

10 hours ago, Tom B said:

 Well, I carry smaller guns IWB, and wear them as low as I can so the butt barely is above my belt. I've had the optic catch on my belt. Something I'd rather not deal with. I'm also of the camp that 99% of encounters happen fast without thinking. Probably no time to even aim, let alone look thru an 

Makes sense if you are trying to get the gun as low as possible.  I like them kinda low but still high enough to easily draw.  

[JustEd]

On 1/9/2025 at 3:37 PM, BigK said:

You guys knocking lasers clearly don't watch movies. Seeing the bad guy covered in red dots from the SWAT team or the sighting system from the alien's shoulder mounted gun on Predator was super cool. I had to have one too. Even the Terminator had one and he's from the future, so they must be good.

Which of the two is made by Sig?

[Alleycat72]

I'm looking at ir lasers and my head is about to explode.

[BigK]

2 hours ago, JustEd said:

Which of the two is made by Sig?

The one with the edible batteries is my guess.

[pop pop]

I know it will deter me if I see a laser dot on my chest at night. 

[nickrodz]

On 1/11/2025 at 2:00 PM, pop pop said:

I know it will deter me if I see a laser dot on my chest at night. 

Who knew all I needed was a laser pointer

[TheFiveO]

As someone who has taught both defensive pistol shooting and red dot classes, I tend to argue against lasers on EDC's. As previous posts have said, generally self-defense shootings are SO CLOSE and personal that they generally devolve into point and shoot scenarios. With a laser dot, you may get a scenario that I often see with new red dot shooters and that is the phenomenon of getting "sucked into the dot" (As Jedi would put it)

What this means is that instead of being "target focused" you are looking for where that pesky red beam of light is. This slows down your natural reactive shooting as now you are looking for that "perfect" dot placement as opposed to trusting your instincts and natural point of aim. 

One thing I have noticed in myself as both a teacher and a student of the gun, I find my natural point shooting and even my shooting with open sights seems to have improved since I began shooting with optics. It is almost as if the optics force to focus on the basics and this translates over to non optics. 

 

[aggiec05]

On 1/26/2025 at 9:53 AM, TheFiveO said:

As someone who has taught both defensive pistol shooting and red dot classes, I tend to argue against lasers on EDC's. As previous posts have said, generally self-defense shootings are SO CLOSE and personal that they generally devolve into point and shoot scenarios. With a laser dot, you may get a scenario that I often see with new red dot shooters and that is the phenomenon of getting "sucked into the dot" (As Jedi would put it)

What this means is that instead of being "target focused" you are looking for where that pesky red beam of light is. This slows down your natural reactive shooting as now you are looking for that "perfect" dot placement as opposed to trusting your instincts and natural point of aim. 

One thing I have noticed in myself as both a teacher and a student of the gun, I find my natural point shooting and even my shooting with open sights seems to have improved since I began shooting with optics. It is almost as if the optics force to focus on the basics and this translates over to non optics. 

 

great perspective.

I tried a laser on a p238 ages ago and could never get used to it. I tend to prefer the optics for all situations, near and far. Finding the holosun dot / 32moa circle has done wonders for quick acquisition and hits up close as well as precision further out.

[Will Carry]

    I have Crimson Trace lasers for my G-19, 1911 and P-238.  Yet I only have one in use right now on my Glock that is on my bedside table. The other two are in the safe.  I took them off my carry guns because if I ever have to draw on someone, I want it to be as simple as possible.  I am kind of old school. No red dot sights, no lasers on my carry guns and no high dollar race guns.  I prefer carrying a J-frame revolver with a P-238 or P-365 as a back up. 

I recently purchased a Charter Arms Bulldog 44sp. I love it! a big fat slow moving bullet. 

Edited February 15 by Will Carry

[TheFiveO]

On 2/1/2025 at 8:40 PM, aggiec05 said:

great perspective.

I tried a laser on a p238 ages ago and could never get used to it. I tend to prefer the optics for all situations, near and far. Finding the holosun dot / 32moa circle has done wonders for quick acquisition and hits up close as well as precision further out.

If you really want to try an instinctive red dot, I recommend the ACSS Vulcan system offered in the Holosun's sold at Primary arms. The huge outer ring reticle drives you to the chevron. It has to be seen to be appreciated. 

 

[10-Ring]

Late to the party. I have the exact setup that the OP asked about.  I've carried it a lot in the 7-8 years that I've had it. I bought it because I got a stupid good deal on it. And it just happened to have a CT laser on it. I find it mostly useless. Personally, I fail to hit target most of the time if I'm using the laser. 

I'll put it this way. If I had to replace the gun, the replacement having the CT laser would have zero bearing on the purchase for me. 

[Roaneman]

While red dots and such are fun to shoot. My perception is that target acquisition is slower than regular sights. 

From an EDC point of view, it simply compounds the concealment issue.

I'll still shoot both. Lasers belong on the range, however.

At least that's my take.  

 

[chances R]

Been an instructor, especially with new shooters around 12 yrs.  Many hours taking (borrowing) from others in regard to SD.  Karl Rehn favors their use if the student practices.  IMO, for SD in low/ambient light they may be a tad quicker.  Truly a point shooting situation.  Understanding the laser will never be without movement.

Also like you, after shooting 'dots' my iron shooting got better.  This also spilled over into my clays shooting.....I know, crazy!  But maybe target focus, or any focus just improved.

[RoyJ]

Different situations call for different methods. I look at lasers as a deterrent. From a psychological standpoint, a bad guy seeing a pistol in your hand and red or green dot at his feet may make him think twice about committing a bad deed. If not, you may already have the drop on him. Although I am not afraid to defend myself, family or friends, I would rather plant a little fear than having to go through the legal hassles of is it self defense.