Pistol light/laser discussion...

Layonnn · 08-14-2009, 09:41 PM

I have been looking at a laser/light combo for my pistol to mount at night before i go to bed.

What do you have? What do you like about it what don't you like about it?

Here are some of the ones out on the market.

Streamlight TLR-2 (~$225)

Surefire x400 (~$450)

Sig's STL-900L (~$150)

The Glock laser light (~$225)

Insight M6x (~$275)

Any others out there worth posting?

Briman42487 · 08-14-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

layonnn previously said:

I have been looking at a laser/light combo for my pistol to mount at night before i go to bed.

The TLR-2 has been the one i have had my eyes on.
Anyone have it? Like it, hate it? Let me know.

i recently got to pick up my sig sauer p220r and have been looking at a light for it. i have night sights, and a laser wont really do much for me. my house isnt large and i am confident that i can hit anything within my walls between the eyes. we only talking 10 yards in any location i may be face to face with someone in.

i have a surefire L4 that i love. so naturally i come back to surefire for the x300. cost is def more than the streamlight, and from everything i've heard the build quality with the surefire is much better. people say the streamlights just arent as durable. so i have thought, well my pistol isnt a carry gun, it will sit at home and be my comfort blanket at night. so i shouldnt worry about it lasting in a holster being carried every day. well, wrong.... if i am going to trust something with my life, i want to have 100% confidence in it. my surefire has never let me down. my life doesnt have a price on it. i'll cough up more for a surefire.

DoWork · 08-14-2009, 10:27 PM

yeah i would be interested for something for mine as well. Good thread

Honu · 08-14-2009, 10:43 PM

I say laser separate from the light

night sights and laser and light

once you have and use lasers they are nice

also I say give yourself every advantage you can in a fight !

not saying they have to replace night sights !

Layonnn · 08-14-2009, 10:44 PM

I have heard similar things about the streamlight vs. surefire.
I have a surefire G2 led in desert tan and that is a GREAT flashlight for about 60 bucks. Lights up an entire room. I'll do a quick search and add some pics to the first post, because all threads are better with pics.

Having a seperate laser and light mounted to a pistol? What brands are you referring to that could do this? I am not a fan of the spring/lasers as i have heard countless bad things. Only other option is the lasermax flashing green, that then you have a flashlight mounted onto it, i think.

**KD7NAC_07FJ** · 08-14-2009, 11:00 PM

Well I can tell you a laser on a pistol is not much more then a gimmick. If you've ever actually lased a target with a non-hard mounted weapon you know it is nothing like the movies where the "little red dot" is perfectly still on the target.

The idea being the laser improves accuracy is all but lost with a pistol. Even the steadiest shooter floats his sights. There is way too much movement

The other issue is actually keeping the laser "sighted" properly. It is really hard to do on a pistol. The slightest bump will render the laser worthless for aiming. The TLR2 being externally mounted is very susceptible to getting bumped.

The best one (IMO) is the internal Lasremax system that replaces the spring guide rod. It requires the least amount of adjustment. Crimson trace would be my second choice since Lasermax does not make the spring guide rod version for every weapon.

If you are actually interested in increasing your tatical effectiveness with a side arm you'd be better off with just a light so you can better see what your aiming at. Or better yet hit the range at least monthly and develop your muscle memory.

In either case the old adage holds true, tracers, lasers and lights may point out the enemy but they also point right back at you.

**Hindsight** · 08-14-2009, 11:21 PM

I like gun mounted flashlights but I agree with Wayne that a laser is probably more of a gimmick than anything else.

Most close quarter senarios are going to occur within 7-10 yards...if you simply place the target in your sights at that range, it is likely that you will hit it. Night sights will give you a great advantage.

I think that having a strobe feature on your flashlight would be a better option look for.

Doc

1983FJ60 · 08-14-2009, 11:30 PM

i like tritium night sights. clean, and no one has a target to aim for.

flashlights add weight to the barrel and make my aim a bit off unless i remember to correct for them.

Sean K. · 08-15-2009, 06:27 AM

Quote:

KD7NAC_07FJ previously said:

Well I can tell you a laser on a pistol is not much more then a gimmick. If you've ever actually lased a target with a non-hard mounted weapon you know it is nothing like the movies where the "little red dot" is perfectly still on the target.

The idea being the laser improves accuracy is all but lost with a pistol. Even the steadiest shooter floats his sights. There is way too much movement

The other issue is actually keeping the laser "sighted" properly. It is really hard to do on a pistol. The slightest bump will render the laser worthless for aiming. The TLR2 being externally mounted is very susceptible to getting bumped.

The best one (IMO) is the internal Lasremax system that replaces the spring guide rod. It requires the least amount of adjustment. Crimson trace would be my second choice since Lasermax does not make the spring guide rod version for every weapon.

If you are actually interested in increasing your tatical effectiveness with a side arm you'd be better off with just a light so you can better see what your aiming at. Or better yet hit the range at least monthly and develop your muscle memory.

In either case the old adage holds true, tracers, lasers and lights may point out the enemy but they also point right back at you.

I'd agree. Light on a pistol w/ tritium sights....or a red dot/light on a home defense (HD) M4.

I prefer the red dot/light M4....b/c of balilstics but either will give you the ability to stay concealed in the dark and still put the red dot/tritium on the target without giving away your position or letting the target know it's being tracked. After the first round, it's likely your night vision will be affected, so then you flip on the light for secondary follow ups.

I don't have kids, so I don't need the light to identify who it is moving about the house.....but I MUST check to make sure I know where my wife is before doing anything.

As most of you know....let the threat come to you.....don't go to it.

Lastly, there are mini-red dots available for handguns (if you want to go that route....personally, I'd go tritium sights instead, but it's your choice)....the Burris Fast-fire, Pride Fowler, Tactical Night Vision Systems RDP II, among others all are small "iron dot" mini-red dots. Most will require drilling and tapping of your slide to mount.....again, not something I'd go with, but it's an option.

HTH,
Sean

ippon20 · 08-16-2009, 01:49 PM

For home defense I stay away from lights and lasers. Too much to give away position. I use XS Sights with the large ball on all my handguns. Simple dot the I sight with tritium inserts. Within 10 yards, all you have to do is put the ball on the target and your within a good tolerance. These aren't target sights by any means, but I'm not shooting my Colt Gold Cup at someone breaking into my house.