Crimson Trace LaserGrips in Iraq

[Jeff OTMG]

I know many of the people are this board are fans of the Crimson Trace LaserGrip so I thought that I would post this so all can see that they are being used successfully in Iraq. Also note that the questionable intimidation factor is confirmed.

http://www.crimsontrace.com/letter/revolind.html

Crimson Trace -

My name is SSG Sieler. I am currently deployed in Tikrit Northern Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with B Company 2-4 Aviation Regiment 4th Infantry Division.

I purchased one of your outstanding sighting systems to go with my Aviation Life Support Equipment. I use it everyday and must say that it is one of the best combat multipliers I have in this combat theater. I must honestly say it has saved lives over here. Not only those of U.S. services members but also the lives of Iraqis.

Often we are faced with tense situations where the "little red dot" makes the difference between the use of deadly force or the power of intimidation. Even with the language barrier the little red dot speaks volumes for us.

I'm sure you have had soldiers here try to contact you to purchase ones for themselves, as everyone I run into loves mine. The environment here is extremely inhospitable and my M-9 takes a beating on a daily basis. The OPTEMPO in Army Aviation here is staggering and all the aircrews carry the Berretta 9mm. Many soldiers here have bolt-on personal sighting devices but none are as transparent in use, (your grips fit just like the original equipment and never hinder operations as others do) or nearly as durable. Mine has outlasted all the others.

Once again I would like to thank you for an outstanding product. It has made my job that much easier. I have no idea how I ever got along without it.


SSG SIELER
US ARMY

 

[Ledbetter]

If that's not an endorsement I don't know what is. They ought to come standard issue.

I own two pair, one for my house gun (Springfield Mil Spec) and one for my wife's house gun (S&W 649). Been thinking of getting a third pair for my carry .45, a Colt Officers model. SSG Sieler may have just helped me make up my mind.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

what are they for? i mean, if you have sights on your gun, you have something that's faster to use, and cannot be backtracked in dusty environments.


if you have a flashlight, you can identify your target AND see your sights.

 

[Boats]

I was a skeptic, until I bought some from a friend in financial distress.

Properly indexed, there is no dot hunting, they will be right at point of aim. They can also be adjusted so that the sights are POA and the dot POI at a set distance. Mine are sighted in for POI on the longest shot possible in my house, about 25 yards.

Pros:

No ugly accessory rail on the dustcover required, allowing standard holsters.
They allow firing while very well covered. With practice, there is no need to get your head behind the sights around corners or door jambs.
One hand use still allows for a flashlight.
Drastically improved my weakside shooting, especially on one-handed grips such as door jambs or corners, allowing better use of cover and the weaker sighting eye.
Laser is bright enough not to be drowned out by a flashlight.
They have never failed to come on when demanded.
Battery life is excellent.
Immersion proof for at least short periods. (Don't ask how I know).
They make range sessions more interesting.
The dot seems to intimidate in the sense that everyone I have ever talked to about this "feature," or let handle my laser equipped weapon, has agreed that the dot lessens any thoughts that they might be harboring that they wouldn't be hit if they so much as twitched when covered by the weapon.
CTC has top notch customer service.

Cons:
Expensive. (Still a better solution than competing products)
They're kind of ugly.
The texture of the grips could be better.
They do rely on batteries, so do not become overly dependent on it.
They are less than ideal contrasted against certain lighting conditions and colors or textures.
If you shoot a cannister of talcum powder, the BG will know where your shot came from, otherwise, this "drawback" is pretty far fetched. (Won't your surefire use be giving you away?)
If rain gets on the lens you have a red penlight, but it is well housed against this.
It could break, though it is pretty rugged.
The sighting adjustment wrenches are tiny and easy to lose. (CTC will mail you new ones for free).
If you remove your grips for service or cleaning of the weapon, you will have to re-zero the laser grip.

I'm keeping mine and if I ever change carry guns, it will be the second accessory I buy after leather.

 

[spacemanspiff]

Immersion proof for at least short periods. (Don't ask how I know).

dropped it in the toilet, huh?

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

I'll stick to my sights, since i can have whatever grips i want, and don't have a problem with weak handed shooting, since my weak hand with pistol is my strong hand with rifle.

 

[Boats]

Wasn't trying to sell you any, but they aren't teats on a boar.

 

[Jeff White]

Let's not overlook their value as a training aid. Easy for the student to watch how the weapon moves when they grip wrong, jerk the trigger etc.

Jeff

 

[jsalcedo]

Last time I looked they were $549 a set

I would be hard pressed to buy laser grips when I could buy a new gun instead.

If they were given to me I would not object.

 

[bubbygator]

I paid $279.99 retail from my range for my Browning HP lasergrips. If your use of "pair" means 2 sets, that would be about right.

I've posted other places about my like for the Crimson Trace. I'm about to buy a S&W 642 & put a lasergrip on it to see if it will replace my Glock-26 as my carry gun. (although nothing can 'replace' a Glock

)

 

[OEF_VET]

I've got a set on my S&W 686 and love them. I paid about $190 plus shipping from Cheaper Than Dirt, but that was spring of '02. I don't use them solely, or even primarily. They are just another tool, much like the gun itself. Lasergrips, ACOG's, Surefires, are all just tools; not the 'Holy Grail' or the 'second coming of Christ'. They are just another way of getting a job done. Of course, that's just my opinion, based on my personal preferences, YMMV.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Remember always, we are your friends...

The "little red dot" becomes the international symbol of cooperation.

 

[JDSlack]

I like 'em, and I've seen very decent prices on several auction sites (MUCH better than quoted here), you may have to hunt for the style you want tho'.

 

[Jeff OTMG]

I have always liked the CT grips owning 2 sets and about to add 2 more. The training aid issue is a MAJOR feature of the grips. My point in posting this was for the many people who question the intimidation value of the little red dot. In the past I have been told by officers that it is an effective deterent, but this was an independent source. No, it does not work every time, but apparently it does work frequently.

 

[Zach S]

I've thought about them, but for the price, thats a lot of cash that could go towards ammo and practice.

 

[Edward429451]

Even with the language barrier the little red dot speaks volumes for us.

CT's are too expensive at $279.. I bet they'd be good for building muscle memory practicing point shooting though.

thats a lot of ammo and practice.

You say that like its a bad thing.

 

[Zach S]

You say that like its a bad thing.

Its not. Yeah, it sounded weird, so i edited, hehe