Opinions on Crimson Trace Grips (J-Frame)

[Bob79]

I'm specifically curious about the smaller, more compact ones, model #LG-205 on a J-frame snub. Any opinions are appreciated, and I'm most concerned with the grip they provide. I currently have the Hogue Bantams with the finger groove (stock), and pretty much love em' as far as the grip they provide.

Also, do you find that once you put them on your snub that you wanted to get them for other guns? Is it tough or wierd to have them on one gun and then shoot w/o them on another?

Thanks a bunch.

 

[SAWBONES]

The little J-frame S&W with the shorter Crimson Trace grips is an excellent "always" gun.
The LG-205 grips have the advantage of being quite compact, and though they're smooth and made of plastic instead of the tacky rubber ones you're using, the LG-205 grips are still very easy to hold onto when drawing and while shooting.
Once you try them, you'll see they're superior. The laser is guaranteed "instant on", with no on-off switch on the base to trouble about, yet the little pushbutton which activates the laser isn't at all prone to being accidentally activated.

It is an eminently carryable and concealable and accessible combination, and can be highly accurate at considerable distances even in poor lighting conditions and under very stressful circumstances.

Lots of folks think aiming-aid lasers on guns are a gimmick, but these work, hold zero, and have a very long battery life. And of course if they poop out, you can still use the sights as usual!

I have several of these little J-frames, generally carrying the 340PD the most, the 642 less, and the Model 60 least.
Loaded with and zeroed for the new Speer Gold Dot 135gr+P JHP .38 Special load, I think this is a really good CCW combination, either as a BUG or even as a primary gun.

Not much capacity, and slow to reload, but 5 reliable, accurate shots, on demand, of .38 Special JHP or LSWCHP will probably be sufficient for most peoples' self-defense needs.

 

[azrael]

CTC lasergrip's are pretty nice...Customer brought a smith J-Frame over to the house the other day that had them installed...

FWIW...Cats dig the laser's as well...Ever seen a Cat start panting like a dog after chasing a dot around for 10 minutes??

 

[MrMurphy]

They provide a good grip.


As to their effectiveness. In a force-on-force scenario I was on the recieving end of a .38 Code Eagle (Simunition type) paint round, fired from a 642 I believe it was (might have been a titanium model) fitted with the Lasergrip.

Instructor barely cleared the pocket and fired as I began to move. I was hit dead on in the left nipple. OW!

Yes. They do work. If he'd gone for a regular sight picture, I'd have had a chance. He was sitting, hand in pocket, I KNEW he had it in his hand, and still couldn't beat it.
They're not for every situation, but they do work in many of them, very well! I also tested it out myself in a night situation (no ammo) and you could see (and presumably hit) 20-30 yards away in near total darkness if you could ID your target.

If I still had a J-frame, I'd have them on it. When I get another, I'll have them on it.

 

[HSMITH]

I think they are a little slick with wet hands, or very cold hands and other unusual situations, but the nature of the construction would make them very easy to modify a little for better traction in adverse conditions. I would like to have a set of my own, I have only used ones owned by others.

I have shot them out to 50 yards in broad daylight and had no problem at all seeing the dot. Hip shots in the X are simple at 15 yards.

The only downside I can think of is that someone downrange that you are not engaging can still very clearly see the source of the laser light, and it might make it easier for them to zero in on you, odds are about like winning the lottery for this scenario to happen though.

If you have the money get them, I really don't think you will be dissappointed. If you are they are easy to sell, and you will only be out a portion of the purchase price.

 

[pax]

Bob79,

As soon as you have them on one gun, you will want them on the others.

Going from a gun that has 'em to a gun that doesn't is kind of like leaving your cell phone at home. You survived for years and years and years without it, you can manage without it, your life doesn't depend on having it ... but dang, life's sure easier when you've got it with you.

pax

 

[reload4me2]

LG205 vs 305

I have the lasergrips on a scandium J frame. If you can afford it, I would go with the rubber grips of the LG305 vs the polymer LG205.

 

[Tamara]

LG-205 LaserGrips are the best thing to happen to the J-frame since Boot Grips. They give you a secure purchase on the weapon, don't snag on clothes or pocket linings, and allow for fast shooting in dynamic <7yd situations from the pocket where you don't want to be waiting for your squinty eyes to find that black sliver of a front sight. Their utility in multiple target engagements has to be experienced to be believed.

 

[V-fib]

I have CT grips on all three of my revs (sp101 642 Taurus 94) I like the LG205’s over the rubber 305’s due to them being smaller and less “sticky†than rubber grips. If your new to using CT’s the “shots in the dark “ video is an excellent training tool.

 

[71Commander]

I bought my wife a 386PD as a Christmas present and she wants the CT grips on it. Only the J frame grips are available from S&W as an option. The L frame size grips have to be ordered directly from CT.

I have found them for 180.00 on other sites.

 

[SapperLeader]

I have a set of the shorter grips on my 642. Awesome grip, doesnt snag in the pocket, allows me to make shots from belly distance out to 15 yards(25 if Im feeling skillfull that day). Any j-frames I own in the future will sport a set.

 

[grey9551]

On 2 revolvers

I have Crimson Tracer grips on 2 revolver.

I have them on a M649 Bodyguard style 357mag and also on a M625 5" 45ACP. They work great on both revolvers. The set on the J frame are the ones with the sticky rubber LG-305. They are a bit longer but, I can still pocket carry with no problem. The set for the M625 are the hard plastic LG-207. Both sets of grips took very very little sighting in. I used a laser bore sighter and these grips a dead on the money.

As for if the affect your ability to shoot without them I would say from my experience the answer is NO. Actually they have greatly improved my ability to point and shoot. They also are a great training aid to help identify your bad habits while sighting and firing your weapon.

Are they for everyone? Probably not. Do they work as advertised heck YES.

Gary

 

[Bob79]

Thanks for the quick responses, I welcome any more.

Seems like there isn't really a downside to them. The only thing I've read bad some where else is that your finger may block the beam.

If you have your finger off the trigger, and along the frame just above the trigger guard, does it block the laser?

I think I should try to find a shop or show that has them on a J-frame and try them out first.

 

[PX15]

Crimson Trace Grips

I have a set on my S/W model 638 and find them excellent for my needs. I am a senior citizen (62) and my eyes aren't so hot anymore, nor is my ability to be as steady as I once was. The Crimson Trace laser grips work as advertised, and I would highly recommend them. If you are into daylight target shooting that's another kettle of fish, (whatever that means), but if you are in need of a concealed weapon with maximum potential to hit what you aim at (at self defense range) this product on a J-Frame will certainly offer that to you. Best Wishes

 

[bubbygator]

I have CT's on all my pistols: 442, 66, BHP, Colt Compact, Kimber UC-2. My 442 is the only one with the hard plastic grips. I use a trick I learned a long time back with Barami Hip-Grips, which are slick plastic. I use tennis grip-tape (gauze-like) to wrap the grip. It affords a bit grabbier grip on the smooth plastic portions of the grip; a nice grip all the way around; and doesn't "catch" on fabric of pocket or shirt. Be a little slack when wrapping over the button so you don't wrap it permanently down - it's really no problem since the tape sticks to itself when wrapping.

I have old eyes - almost quit shooting. With CT's I shoot regularly again & even find I can sight-shoot some again. Using my BHP/CT, I can put 15 fast shots in a 5" diameter circle at 10 yards......... shooting from my hip. Quite a confidence builder. I love CT.