I have Lasermax on my Glock 30. I have night sights. They are not mutually exclusive. If I had to have just one I would have the night sights.
The group where I shoot most of my IDPA matches at one time held several night matches. It was during these matches that I developed my opinions. If you have the opportunity, try them.
With night sights you are using the same, instictive simple and FASTER means of sighting you have learned from day one. It is by far the fastest means of target acquistion you can use. It helps to have a flashlight to be certain of the target. If I were to make any single modification to a new stock pistol, it would be the addition of night sights.
This is not to say that lasers do not have a place. Like I said I have one. HOWEVER except for certain circumstances, the night sights will be more useful in CQB (close quarters combat).
The laser does not provide illumination. You still should use a flashlight for target identification.
The laser requires a lot of practice to master as a reliable sighting system. You wouldn't think so at first, after all you just put the dot on the target and pull the trigger. NOT so easy. When shooting in a defensive situation, there is a LOT of movement and that red dot goes sailing all across your field of view. It can be very disorienting and very hard to stabilize. It can be done but it takes lots of practice.
The laser requires an entirely different method of using your eyes. Instead of focus on the target, initially you will be focusing on the red dot. This exposes you to missing something potentially important about the target.
You have an extra function to perform in aiming. The Lasermax requires the use of a switch. TC requires hitting the right spot with your grip.
All of this takes time and is initially much slower. Practice practice practice...in the dark.
There are certain benefits of the laser.
Intimidation factor in enhanced with a red dot on opponents chest..if there is time.
Sighting is possible from odd angles/positions that might not lend themselves to use of conventional sights.
The sighting is pretty accurate but probably not as precise as conventiona night sights due to a certain amount of offset and inherent mechanical variation.
My suggestion would be to:
Get the night sights first, practice with a flashlight. This is an acquired skill on its own. This allows you to learn the use of the light which is a significant increase in skill difficulty.
After you have mastered the use of the flashlight with conventional (night) sights, then try the laser systems. This will require another significant jump in difficulty to add to the existing combination of skills. Do a lot of shooting in the dark, with movement, with moving targets, with cover.
My opinion is that leaping from plain stock sights to the use of a flashlight WITH an entirely new sighting system can be a dangerous leap in an emergency situation...and an emergency situation is what you are gearing up for. If you cannot practice night shooting a lot, forgo the lasers and use the $300 to buy ammo to practice with the flashlight.
Remember YOU NEED TO HAVE THE FLASHLIGHT...lasers do not illuminate. You do not need to shoot the dog when you think you are aiming at a possum...nor the neighbor when you think you are aiming at a burglar.
Hope this is helpful.
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- by CWOOD
- Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:12 pm
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: Crimson Trace or Night Sights?
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