[h=1]Lasers: Yea or Nay?[/h] By John Caile // 11/03/2017


Look through just about any magazine or website devoted to gun owners, especially if it has a focus on self-defense, and you will find ads for laser sights. Lasers have generated a lot of interest for a number of reasons, not the least of which is their prominence in TV and movies.
Special forces operators advance through darkened hallways, their (usually red) beams sweeping left and right as they seek out terrorists or similar threats. SWAT team members are likewise often shown using lasers on more “normal” bad guys.
Less often shown are laser-equipped pistols. High-intensity weapons lights are seen more often on handguns, especially those used in Hollywood depictions of police, although lasers do occasionally make an appearance there as well.
But how useful are these high-tech (and admittedly “cool”) devices for the average man or woman who keeps a gun on his or her nightstand for in-home protection? And what about those of us who routinely carry a gun outside the home?
Like most tools, if used properly, they can be helpful; in the home, that red beam can be a great deterrent to an invader. And miniaturization of lasers has made them more practical for carry guns. But mistakenly believing that a laser is some sort of “magic bullet” can lead to neglecting more important things like live-fire practice at the range.
One of the questions I nearly always ask in conversations with people I run into in gun stores and at gun shows is, “So, how often do you go to the range?” When the answer comes back, “Not that often,” I usually inquire as to why not. There are, of course, the usual excuses: expense, no time, “I travel a lot,” etc.
But since lasers came on the scene, I have lost count of the number of people who responded to my “Why not?” question with something like, “Well, I have a laser,” as if having one means they don’t need to practice. Big mistake.
One of the primary causes of this attitude is that too many people believe the hype that “you just put the red dot on the bad guy, and you’re home free” — an instant “Jason Bourne” or “John Wick.” But watch anyone at the gun range trying to do that with a laser and you will notice how difficult it is (and that’s against a motionless paper target).
Now imagine you’re in a dimly lit parking garage, facing an assailant who is moving rapidly and erratically — easier said than done. Just ask any combat veteran how much more difficult things become when you are under attack. If you think you will be able to concentrate on that tiny, wildly bouncing red dot, think again.


Now, I am not saying you shouldn’t own a laser. I’m just suggesting that you view it realistically, as an auxiliary tool, not a substitute for skill. In fact, a laser can be used to actually improve your skill — doing dry-firing exercises at home. The technique is to point your (unloaded!) gun at some target object — a door, a lamp, a TV — and then activate the laser to see if your impact point is where you thought it was. Here again, regular and frequent repetition is key.


In summary, I have nothing against lasers. They have their place. Just remember that when the worst happens, skill will be what saves your life.


Be smart. Be safe. Practice, practice, practice.

 

Mark Flowers

Screaming toward retirement age my eyesight is not what it used to be. I fully agree with the author, practice is critical. I feel compelled to provide my two cents here for the novices who are considering their carry weapon and what accessories to include.
First, my old boss, US Army SF retired, (yes he survived 14 years in the SF), always frowned on lasers because he advised looking for the dot took precious time away from target acquisition. Combat situations last seconds, and what is done/not done in those seconds could mean who wins, you or the bad guy.
Second, on one of my toys, Kel-Tec PLR16 I mounted a green dot, thought it would help with distance shots. Just before the battery failed my Marine friend, who was skeptical about the application, was firing the pistol and using the laser was all over the target. Turning the laser off and using iron sights he grouped well with the pistol. While cleaning the pistol I removed the battery and discovered recoil had shook the laser loose from the adjusting screws, which had been carefully tightened after sighting in. (This is not my carry weapon, I depend on a 1911, and Glock with a LCP2 backup).
While at the range I see shooters using lasers and the dot wandering around the target. Their shot groups also seem to be everywhere. I know everybody has not been shooting 40 plus years and are just trying to figure it all out.
To summarize, even if you decide to have a red dot with a flashlight and a laser, Go Practice! Use your weak hand and one hand and become proficient with all. The recent article I read saddened me when I heard there are CCW folks out there that have Never fired their weapon. Stay Safe!

 

gunner

I like night sights, however, if you cannot see your sights you cannot see your target. I never had a night sight or a laser in Nam, if they had been invented the Marine Corps didn't bother to supply us with any, after all, everything we used to fight the war with was made by the lowest bidder! I do have a couple of lasers on a couple of hand guns and I'm not even sure why I have them other than the cool factor. Again, if you can only see your laser in the dark how will you know what you are shooting? Now, night vision scopes are another thing, you can see your target and you can see your sight, usually a dot on an Aim Point.
Let's be real, do you actually think that you can hold a laser more steady on target than a red dot scope, you have to remember that however far you are away from the target your laser is effected by that distance. I have friends who swear by them, however when we shoot they are never able to shoot as well with the laser as they can with my red dot, nor can I shoot as well with the laser, even your heart beat will show in the movement of the laser as will your breathing. As far as thinking that pointing a laser on a guys chest will have any more effect than racking the slide on a pump shot gun, think again.
If lasers work for you, I am glad, good for you, I have not found anything to be useful unless you can see the sights and the target, if you cannot see either one then you are fighting like we had to in Nam, after the first few shots your night vision is gone, as soon as the flairs go up then you get all the goofy shadows. That's why full auto was invented!
America does not own the night due to lasers but to night vision which is expensive but worth every penny from what the Marines coming home have told me. Throw in infra red and you can see through walls by the heat signature, even in day light with a .50 BMG. All I know is the laser seems to be more dangerous to shine in someone's eye, if you can see an eye to shine it on, I think you will get into more trouble shining it in their eyes than you will by just shooting them, take your pick!