Laser / Light Options for CCW

[skt239]

Hello all,

I have been looking around at laser options for my EDC, a M&P 9c and was looking for some input from fellow forum members. Before the M&P, I carried a S&W 637 (J-frame revolver) with a Crimson Trace laser grip (defender model) and loved it. When I originally picked up the M&P, it came with a the Crimson Trace laser grips but were far to big for my hands to be useful.

I'd like to try out something new and have been looking at a few different makes and models. I'm mainly interested in the Viridian C5L-R and the Crimson Trace Rail Masters. The Viridian has a laser and light while the Crimson Trace is just a laser.

Is anyone using one of these or any rail mounted laser or laser/light combo on their EDC? If so, what's your brand and who makes the holster? I'm not looking to debate the merits of a carrying a laser or light as I've already made up my mind on that issue. Any recommendations, resources, reviews and pictures are appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[herrwalther]

I use the Viridian C5L (green laser) on my EDC firearm. White Hat Holsters has a drop down option for ordering kydex with the cuts made for the C5L.

I like the Viridian for plenty of reasons over Crimson Trace. Namely I like the Viridian will go on anything with a rail instead of dropping $300 for model specific lasers, sans light.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Laser aimers & white lights....

I like the Surefire X300. It's bright but doesn't offer the strobe feature like the Vridian X series. Some like the Streamlight models. I don't like the big side screw. It looks like it would scuff & scrape anything it gets near, .
Safariland and Wright Leather Works do CCW holsters & duty rigs for pistols with add-ons. I like the Wright Leather Works Predator holster. I like the coffee leather color. The shop prices seem to jump every 2/3 months so I wouldn't wait.
Hodges Custom Kydex has some nice OWB style Kydex holsters if you like that format. Blade-tech, www.blade-tech.com is well made too. They offer many styles & attachments. I like the Blade-tech magazine holders too.
See; www.policehq.com www.galls.com www.midwayusa.com www.copsplus.com www.uscav.com www.brownells.com www.grafs.com www.surefire.com www.natchezss.com www.crimsontrace.com .

RS

 

[JTQ]

Finding a holster will be a big deal. I know Viridian offers holsters for guns with their light/laser, but most others don't. I'm not familiar with the Crimson Trace product, and I don't know if anybody offers a holster for them.

There are many more holster options guns with Surefire and Streamlight products. However, most of those will be kydex holsters. While there are many leather duty holsters for guns with mounted lights, there are very few leather concealment holsters made for guns with mounted lights.

 

[ku4hx]

I favor CTC lasers (nine times in fact) and most are grip mounted. The three that aren't are on wife's LC9, my LC9s and my Gen 4 Glock 20. The one on the G20 was originally bought for my Gen4 19 but it fits the Gen 4 G20 perfectly.

My LC9s with LG-412 will likely be my carry piece if it continues to function as it has already. I already have a nice simple little IWB holster for it (Ready Holster) and it suits me well. For the grip mounted lasers, holsters have been generally easy to find.

I've found all my guns with CTC lasers to work fine concealed assuming you get the right holster ... for me full size Glocks excepted. Being a big boy at 285# I can conceal most anything. Actually I think skinny guys can too but you'll have to ask them.

 

[herrwalther]

Finding a holster will be a big deal. I know Viridian offers holsters for guns with their light/laser, but most others don't. I'm not familiar with the Crimson Trace product, and I don't know if anybody offers a holster for them.

The Crimson Trace products are much more popular than Viridian. Typically, from what I have found, if a company makes a holster for Viridian they can or do make one for Crimson Trace. Most of Crimson Trace revolves around laser grips which don't require changes to a holster 99% of the time. As their laser grips wrap around the grip and do not go near the barrel or slide.

I have used the Crimson Trace lasers on Ruger Pseries pistols. One came on my used Ruger P94. They don't fit my hand very well so I ended up selling off the CT grips before the firearm. Rail mounted lasers do no have the "instinctive activation" that CT likes t brag about. But if you mount a rail mounted laser properly, it is a better option. Many firearms have multi-slotted rails that allow the laser to be mounted as close or as far from the trigger guard as possible. On the draw, your finger should be right there on the activation button anyway.

My Virdian C5L is quite old. But what they came out with was called ECR, which allows the light/laser to be turned on during the draw by the holster. I prefer not to have this but it seems quite popular as all their devices are ECR capable. Viridian has partnered with several holster makers including Galco to make ECR capable holsters for Viridian.

 

[JTQ]

herrwalther wrote,
Most of Crimson Trace revolves around laser grips which don't require changes to a holster 99% of the time. As their laser grips wrap around the grip and do not go near the barrel or slide.

I'm aware of Crimson Trace laser grips and they usually don't impact holster choice. However, the OP asked about…

...the Crimson Trace Rail Masters.

I assume their use will impact holster selection. I'm somewhat of a holster hound, and I can't think of anybody that makes a holster for that device. It is from Crimson Trace, a major player in the market place, so those holsters will be coming, but I suspect it will be tough to find a holster for that product in the near future.

If I had to bet, without looking, I'd guess Blade-Tech, or possibly Raven Concealment Systems would probably be the first kids on the block offering holsters for that system.

 

[Big Shrek]

So many options to play with...but I LOVE green lasers...anything you can use in daylight is a bonus!!

I've got a cheapy NCStar green laser/light combo, its accurate and hasn't failed after two years.
Replace the batteries every six months...its the smart thing to do.
It was like $50 back then...it lives on my Glock 20SF hunting pistol.

Upside, Inexpensive and not bad for the price...
got no problems trusting it after dropping many a critter in the backyard garden...
Downside, its ugly and large...custom holster only. You make it...LOL
I removed some stitching from a Blackhawk military M-9A1 holster & resewed to fit.


I've also got a Laserlyte Rear Sight laser (red) as they don't offer green at this time...
which is idiotic, IMHO...green is far better than red...anyway, its on my Wifey's Taurus 24/7 Pro-C compact.
batteries have lasted over a year so far, got a new set coming in the mail in a few days
They are the lightest and least intrusive laser sights available so far!

Upside, No real changes to the weapon and easy, normal holster selection...price ain't bad
Downside, I prefer micro-adjust sights instead of drift sights...but who cares after you set 'em...


Crimson Trace has been around longer than most...they do have a following & great training vids,
but Viridian has the brighter green laser at this time...
both are great choices

Whatever you get, look for one that does an Automatic Off after like 5-10 minutes...
saves the battery in case you screw up and leave it on...

 

[skt239]

Thanks for the replies, guys. It's something I will consider to ponder and research until if find a holster / light combo that I really like.