Crimson Trace and Light/LASER combos

[E4 No More]

I am a 48 year old former Marine and "Police Sniper" for a suburb of Kansas City, MO, called Claycomo. I left the department in 1993 after 5.5 years of service, and up until almost a year ago I have been unarmed. Under a year ago I purchased a S&W M&P .45 for home defense, (I don't care for shotguns for home defense). For my birthday last August I bought a M&P 9mm compact for concealed carry and attended the concealed carry class in Murfreesboro. I guess I still have a few months to wait before I get my permit out of Tennessee.

I now wear bifocals and find sighting effectively/quickly to be difficult. I was a better instinct shooter anyways when it came to pistols, but I've been entertaining the idea of getting a LASER/light combo for the .45 and a Crimson Trace grip for the 9mm for concealed carry. I'm not worried about giving away my position because I wouldn't activate the LASER until I've already made the judgement to pull the trigger, and the light would need to be bright enough to dazzle the intruder.

Questions:

1. Are the Crimson Trace LASER grips worth $240?

2. Is there something better for concealed carry?

3. What LASER/light combo is recommended for the .45?

[Guest GT_Rat]

Here's an earlier post. You might have an issue using the CT grips on the M&P if they just slip over the stock grip.

Link

EDIT: Looking at CT's site they aren't slip on but a replacement of the S&W grip insert so maybe a non-issue.

Edited September 26, 2008 by GT_Rat

[E4 No More]

Here's an earlier post. You might have an issue using the CT grips on the M&P if they just slip over the stock grip.

Link

EDIT: Looking at CT's site they aren't slip on but a replacement of the S&W grip insert so maybe a non-issue.

I saw that before I posted this thread, and I thought the same thing. The palm swell on the M&P locks in at the top and then has a locking "rod" that extends through it from the bottom. The losing center is a bit disconcerting, but it may be the style of replacement. Thanks for your help.

[Guest Major Pain]

Not sure how they fit the M&P but I have a set on a J-frame Smith and very pleased with them. I got mine slightly used on this forum for $175 and they were well worth that to me.--MP

[Guest c.a.s.]

Robb Allen (blog.robballen.com) attended a course in which they used Crimson Trace Grips, and has a thing about them at his place. They might not be on the first page.

[Schadenfreude]

1. I have had a set on a 1911 for at least 5 years they have never failed to work, never lost zero, & the gun has been fired several hundred rounds.

Are they worth $240 - not sure what I paid but I would say they were worth the money.

2. You might consider lasermax, however I don't think they currently make anything for an M&P.

3. As for a light laser combo I always have a handheld surefire handy, no experience with the combo units out there.

[Oh Shoot]

Whoops, I posted something over in the Welcome forum, where this topic was already rolling...

Maybe they should be modded over to here, for more folks to find the discussion?

- OS