Is training with lasersight overlooked?

[zachsm]

One of my friends had bought a lasersight for his pistol. At first i thought he got it for self defense purposes, but he told me that he got it for training. I thought it was kind of strange since i assumed it would lead to more of a reliance to the lasersight instead of the traditional ironsights.

However, he showed me his progress. Only two months before (so 3 range sessions)he took benchmark before the laser. The pattern was rough, and only a few hit close to the center at 25 yards

Just this weekend he decided to turn off the laser

at 30 yards all shots were at least 3 2/3 in where he was aiming for

Does anybody else practice with a laser?

 

[Kor]

Any laser(Crimson Trace, LaserMax, or even the cheapo clamp-on-the-trigger-guard-gun-show-specials) will very definitely show the amount of wobble and trigger-jerk a shooter has, and will help reinforce the need for a smooth trigger press and follow-through - I use a LaserGripped revolver to demonstrate same in the CCW classes I teach - but you can accomplish much the same thing in dry-fire practice by trying to keep a penny balanced on top of your front sight as you squeeze the trigger(laying flat, not on-edge, of course - anyone who can actually balance a coin on its edge on a front sight is WAY better than me ).

Nevertheless, it's hard to argue with success, especially with the improvement your friend has experienced. After all, results are what counts...and FWIW, I've noticed the same kind of improvement in trigger-press myself after I put my first LaserGrips on, although training was a secondary motive to defensive use in my case.

 

[pax]

How to practice with a laser: http://www.corneredcat.com/Gear/laserpractice.aspx

The case for lasergrips: http://www.corneredcat.com/Gear/lasergood.aspx

pax

 

[longeyes]

I have a CTC laser on my Colt Sistema. I'd like to have one for my S&W 1911PD. My only complaint is they cost too much!

 

[M2 Carbine]

zachsm
Does anybody else practice with a laser?

I've got Crimson Trace laser grips on a couple S&W 38's, Kimber 45, Beretta 21A 22LR and Streamlight TLR-2 laser/lights on a Rem 12ga, Kel Tec PLR and FN 5.7.
I'm a fan of (good) lasers.

I try to practice with the lasers a couple times a week.
In most cases I've found I'm faster and sometimes more accurate with the laser than iron sights.

I thought it was kind of strange since i assumed it would lead to more of a reliance to the lasersight instead of the traditional ironsights

I don't find this to be a problem. I use the iron sights when I can see them and the laser in low light or darkness.


That's good info on the sites that pax posted.

 

[Trempel]

I don't like them. They make you lazy about using those bumpy thingies on top of your pistol.

 

[chipp]

I've been using laser grips on my j frame. In the last couple of months I Improved tremendously.
When i first got them i didn't like them. I've been practicing point aiming with them and alot of dry firing with snap caps. I hung a target in my living room.
I try to pull through double action without the laser moving. Its very difficult.
With a 2 hand grip i can keep it very steady. One hand...forget it.\
Also have used them alot at the range.

Anyway I went to the range yesterday and shot only with iron sights.
Shot way better then i ever have.

For me when i'm at the range the laser allows my to work on trigger pull alone,
not having to worry about sights.

Its also improved my grip. Just aiming down range 15 yards. and keeping the laser in one spot was difficult at first.

I would think they would save alot of ammo practicing point shooting(if this is what its called). You can draw your weapon and then push the laser button to see how close you were.

 

[chipp]

Pax, thanks for the links!

 

[M2 Carbine]

Trempel
I don't like them. They make you lazy about using those bumpy thingies on top of your pistol.

I find just the opposite is true, as pointed out in chipp's above post.

I shoot 5-7 days a week, during the day.
With the laser, my practice is extended to an additional 1-3 evenings, using the lasers.

Instead of discouraging practicing with iron sights the laser can encourage the shooter to try and match the laser's speed and accuracy when using iron sights.
For instance, using the iron sights I'm trying to improve on this speed and accuracy that I'm getting when using the laser. While at the same time trying to get the SA laser shooting below a second. So, the laser can encourage more and better iron sight shooting.

 

[Trempel]

So, the laser can encourage more and better iron sight shooting.

For dedicated shooters that choose to train that way. I'm don't know how anyone here trains, but in majority of cases I've observed, lasers were treated like a novelty toy by the user. Every time I've seen a guy shooting a pistol with laser sights, at least once you'll get "hey y'all, check this out", while he aims from the hip. I know my step-brother did that with his S&W 586 as did several cops I knew, with their personal pistols. For me personally, the gun sights moved around more when I was trying to keep the laser still, rather than just putting the front sight in the middle of the target and squeezing off a round.
Sergeant and rangemaster at the PD I worked (as a non-sworn employee), absolutelly prohibited lasers on duty weapons for either training or duty. For training, as I already mentioned the lasers were not seen as providing benefit. I asked what about being able to put rounds on target one handed when either injury or something else is preventing you from using sights, and the response I got was at ranges under 10 yards officers received training at point shooting. It was that Sgt's feeling that instead of training instinctive "point and shoot", people would spend way more time on looking for that laser dot on target. For applications in the field, I was told that in a low light situation, and especially if a couple of rounds have already been fired, hence filling the air with a bit of smoke, laser would point out the officer's position and make them a target.

Just my 2c.

 

[DawgFvr]

+1 on what chipp said. For years I've poo-pooed the laser...thinking myself a purist (and a damn good shot too, I might add). Then I started using my snub nose as back-up...and could not hit the broad side of a barn beyond throwing distance. Hmmm, I finally broke down and got the CT LG-105 (pretty inexpensive now) and wow...I not only can hit targets with small groupings at 21 feet...I now know how to sight in this little bugger now. All my shot groups improved...even with my laser-less autos. I have become a better marksman...and quite deadly with the S&W 642 wherein I intend to keep utilizing the laser forever!