Lasers. Where did they go?

***WhiteShark*** · Posted On: 5/27/2010 4:24pm

I've only ever been a casual follower of the gun industry so maybe this is really obvious to everyone else. What happened to lasers on guns? I feel like several years ago they were all over the place. Now i feel like I can barely find any for my XD-9.

My wife considers our XD-9 her gun and she just wants to be able to shoot people inside the house. She goes to the range semi-regularly but would like more confidence in getting lead on the target. I thought she might like a laser and she really took to the idea.

Now that I'm looking for one I feel like my options are pretty limited and they all seem the same despite wide price ranges.

Are they a bad idea? Are they just out of style?

**money** · Posted On: 5/27/2010 6:41pm

Originally Posted by WhiteShark

I've only ever been a casual follower of the gun industry so maybe this is really obvious to everyone else. What happened to lasers on guns? I feel like several years ago they were all over the place. Now i feel like I can barely find any for my XD-9.

My wife considers our XD-9 her gun and she just wants to be able to shoot people inside the house. She goes to the range semi-regularly but would like more confidence in getting lead on the target. I thought she might like a laser and she really took to the idea.

Now that I'm looking for one I feel like my options are pretty limited and they all seem the same despite wide price ranges.

Are they a bad idea? Are they just out of style?

I am curious as well. I have just recently gotten into shooting, but most references I've seen to lasers so far has been more for training purposes like dry-fire practice.

**Wounded Ronin** · Posted On: 5/27/2010 7:29pm

An XD is a giggle gun. :)

I have never used a laser. I'm not sure I see the point. If I'm looking at the pretty red dot, how can I be properly using the sights at the same time? You're not supposed to be focusing on the target.

**IMightBeWrong** · Posted On: 5/27/2010 8:08pm

Crimson Trace Grips are the best product in Lasers IMO. I don't find them to be all that important personally, but on some weapons I like them, particularly small weapons like the Ruger LCP where a good sight picture can be difficult to acquire. For most CCW pistols, I wouldn't use one. However, it is a pretty good home defense option. If I were you I'd look into a Streamlight TLR-2 or something similar (Light+Laser), or maybe a laser grip and TLR-3 combo if you're willing to spend a little more. Lights are EXTREMELY valuable for home defense due to their increased capabilities for target identification.

***WhiteShark*** · Posted On: 5/27/2010 8:42pm

Why is an XD a giggle gun? Should I be offended? If so, GONG SAU!

So lights are cool? The lights seem so big and overkill on a handgun.

**Anna Kovacs** · Posted On: 5/27/2010 8:56pm

I've got lasers on my rifle and on our pistol. They're pretty rad. Makes shooting smaller groups easier and I can see how they'd probably help with fast target acquisition for under trained shooters like me.

**ronin497** · Posted On: 5/28/2010 3:41am

Crimson Trace on a home defense piece is a good idea, particularly if you've got a revolver like the SP101. Those sights are just this side of useless in low-light conditions.

CT's are also good in that their operation is practically brainless - no switch to remember to flip; or at least it's that way on the Ruger LCR.

However, I'd doubt that most of us, when confronted with a situation where defensive use of a firearm is imminent, will get into a perfect Weaver and focus on the front sight post and control our breathing just so. Odds are, IMHO, that you're going to do little more than point the gun and pull the trigger until until the target drops. Not sure where even a laser sight would offer an advantage in the adrenaline-soaked "Oh ****" moment.

Still, if you have it, like it, are comfortable shooting and operating it, why the hell not?

**Vorpal** · Posted On: 5/28/2010 7:54am

[quote=Wounded Ronin;2378141]An XD is a giggle gun. :)

quote]

Not if you're standing in front of it.

***WhiteShark*** · Posted On: 5/28/2010 9:17am

I ruled out the Crimson trace because it makes the grip bigger and my wife has small hands. She is pretty maxxed out with just the XD.

Right now I am considering (in this order):
1) http://www.lasermax.com/product.php?id=104
2) http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=81
3) http://www.insighttechgear.com/products-x2l.htm

**money** · Posted On: 5/28/2010 9:42am

Originally Posted by WhiteShark

I ruled out the Crimson trace because it makes the grip bigger and my wife has small hands. She is pretty maxxed out with just the XD.

Right now I am considering (in this order):
1) http://www.lasermax.com/product.php?id=104
2) http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=81
3) http://www.insighttechgear.com/products-x2l.htm

What about this one? Pretty interesting in that it replaces your existing guide rod and adds nothing to the profile of the gun.

http://www.lasermax.com/category.php?id=7