Laser sights on wrong side

ExactlyMyPoint · September 7th, 2009, 05:33 PM

A friend of mine bought his wife a Glock 19 on my recommendation.

I was over at his house the other day and he showed it to me. He installed a laser sight on it. I believe it was a Crimson Trace laser.

I was "playing" with it (ya, ya, triple checked, unloaded, mag out, etc) and it was very nice. Helped substantially in shot placement. If the BG sees exactly where the bullet will be going, he may think twice.

HOWEVER, my biggest issue is that if my finger is off the trigger and in a properly safe position on the slide, it is blocking the path of the laser. My friend is left handed, so he never noticed this.

I searched CT's sight, and did not notice if they have any lasers with the actual laser on the LEFT side of the slide where my proper finger placement will not block the path of the laser. I would think they would have thought of this.

Most salesmen tell me to just lower my finger a lot to keep the laser unobstructed, but it just seems like bad design given that a majority of shooters are right handed.

automatic slim · September 7th, 2009, 05:35 PM

Since your friend is left handed, I would consider it a non issue.

JSBaker · September 7th, 2009, 05:44 PM

A laser in the left side would interfere with your side when it is holstered. The left side of the firearm needs to be flat.

Ram Rod · September 7th, 2009, 05:48 PM

I think you're 'right' in thinking about this. No pun intended. I do know what you're saying though. I've tried these out at the gun shop, and I just don't like the idea of them coming on when I grip the pistol naturally. Not only that, my grip on my Glocks is so high, my trigger finger knuckle usually blocks it's path (on the Crimson Trace you're talking about). I want something like that to come on when I want it to come on..when on or close to target. I don't want to sweep anything with the laser before hand, as my grip is taken soon from the draw. Don't want to become the pied piper of cats in a defensive situation if you know what I mean. However...aids (terms of assisting devices in one form or another..in this case sighting) are always a compromise.
Maybe CT hasn't thought of it, and in which case, you should contact them with your suggestions, then charge a fee for your R&D, then dedicate a percentage of your profit to this site.

Ram Rod · September 7th, 2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSBaker

A laser in the left side would interfere with your side when it is holstered. The left side of the firearm needs to be flat.

Only if you're right handed.

Rcher · September 7th, 2009, 06:14 PM

The CT laser on my 1911 is just above my index finger. I have at times, noticed that my finger blocked the laser when activated. I have now trained my finger to ride lower so its not in the way of the beam. My finger was riding along the slide instead of along side the trigger guard. It was a bad habit but now a non issue. Now I have no interference with my hands and the laser.

ccw9mm · September 7th, 2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExactlyMyPoint

Glock 19 ... Crimson Trace laser ... left handed

I have not had a CT laser on a pistol before. Nice to know they've designed them lefty, from the get-go.

Quote:

Most salesmen tell me to just lower my finger a lot to keep the laser unobstructed, but it just seems like bad design given that a majority of shooters are right handed.

As a lefty speaking: welcome to my world.

10thmtn · September 7th, 2009, 07:29 PM

I have this same setup on my G19 - no problems blocking the beam.

You could look into the LaserGuard, which I have on my G26 - it puts the laser under the dust cover.

Rexster · September 7th, 2009, 07:33 PM

(1) I don't understand why some think the only "proper" position for one's trigger finger, other than the trigger, is 'way up there on the slide. With my several handguns, the "natural" position varies a bit, sometimes the frame, sometimes the slide. I see some folks strain and struggle to get their trigger fingers up onto that slide.

(2) When my muzzle finds a target, my finger is finding the trigger. In that case, it won't be blocking the laser by the time I need to verify the sight picture, whether using sights or dotting the target. IOW, blocking the laser's beam with the trigger finger is quite simply a non-issue.

(3) Don't use the laser's dot to "walk" the weapon onto the desired point of impact! Point the pistol at the target, then use the laser to verify and/or fine-tune point of aim. As indicated above, by that point in time, the place for the trigger finger is somewhere other than 'way up there on the slide.

I see no reason for the laser to be needed when in a ready position.

Just my $0.02.

goawayfarm · September 7th, 2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccw9mm

I have not had a CT laser on a pistol before. Nice to know they've designed them lefty, from the get-go.

As a lefty speaking: welcome to my world.

They're NOT designed for lefties....I'm a leftie & they don't work for me. I shoot 'high thumbs' & they block the laser!

September 7th, 2009, 05:33 PM	#1
ExactlyMyPoint Distinguished Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,915	Laser sights on wrong side A friend of mine bought his wife a Glock 19 on my recommendation. I was over at his house the other day and he showed it to me. He installed a laser sight on it. I believe it was a Crimson Trace laser. I was "playing" with it (ya, ya, triple checked, unloaded, mag out, etc) and it was very nice. Helped substantially in shot placement. If the BG sees exactly where the bullet will be going, he may think twice. HOWEVER, my biggest issue is that if my finger is off the trigger and in a properly safe position on the slide, it is blocking the path of the laser. My friend is left handed, so he never noticed this. I searched CT's sight, and did not notice if they have any lasers with the actual laser on the LEFT side of the slide where my proper finger placement will not block the path of the laser. I would think they would have thought of this. Most salesmen tell me to just lower my finger a lot to keep the laser unobstructed, but it just seems like bad design given that a majority of shooters are right handed. __________________ Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

September 7th, 2009, 05:35 PM	#2
automatic slim Distinguished Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The western edge of The Confederacy Posts: 1,223	Since your friend is left handed, I would consider it a non issue. __________________ "First gallant South Carolina nobly made the stand." Edge of Darkness

September 7th, 2009, 05:48 PM	#4
Ram Rod VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: crawford county, arkansas Posts: 8,816	I think you're 'right' in thinking about this. No pun intended. I do know what you're saying though. I've tried these out at the gun shop, and I just don't like the idea of them coming on when I grip the pistol naturally. Not only that, my grip on my Glocks is so high, my trigger finger knuckle usually blocks it's path (on the Crimson Trace you're talking about). I want something like that to come on when I want it to come on..when on or close to target. I don't want to sweep anything with the laser before hand, as my grip is taken soon from the draw. Don't want to become the pied piper of cats in a defensive situation if you know what I mean. However...aids (terms of assisting devices in one form or another..in this case sighting) are always a compromise. Maybe CT hasn't thought of it, and in which case, you should contact them with your suggestions, then charge a fee for your R&D, then dedicate a percentage of your profit to this site. __________________ RamRod-----sans remords live, eat, breathe, sleep Glock

September 7th, 2009, 06:14 PM	#6
Rcher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Montana (resident) Utah (currently) Posts: 1,092	The CT laser on my 1911 is just above my index finger. I have at times, noticed that my finger blocked the laser when activated. I have now trained my finger to ride lower so its not in the way of the beam. My finger was riding along the slide instead of along side the trigger guard. It was a bad habit but now a non issue. Now I have no interference with my hands and the laser. __________________ >>----> Keep it Concealed: *"The Element of Surprise is Far Superior than the Target of Fate".*

September 7th, 2009, 07:29 PM	#8
10thmtn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Posts: 661	I have this same setup on my G19 - no problems blocking the beam. You could look into the LaserGuard, which I have on my G26 - it puts the laser under the dust cover. __________________ The People ARE the Militia, and have a DUTY (not just a right) to be both armed and proficient in the use of said arms. Ex-Army officer; Hurricane Andrew Relief, FL, 1992; Operation Restore Hope, Somalia, 1993 NRA Life Member; Range Safety Officer Glock 26, CT Laserguard, Smartcarry

September 7th, 2009, 05:44 PM	#3
JSBaker Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 27	A laser in the left side would interfere with your side when it is holstered. The left side of the firearm needs to be flat.

September 7th, 2009, 07:33 PM	#9
Rexster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SE Texas Posts: 895	(1) I don't understand why some think the only "proper" position for one's trigger finger, other than the trigger, is 'way up there on the slide. With my several handguns, the "natural" position varies a bit, sometimes the frame, sometimes the slide. I see some folks strain and struggle to get their trigger fingers up onto that slide. (2) When my muzzle finds a target, my finger is finding the trigger. In that case, it won't be blocking the laser by the time I need to verify the sight picture, whether using sights or dotting the target. IOW, blocking the laser's beam with the trigger finger is quite simply a non-issue. (3) Don't use the laser's dot to "walk" the weapon onto the desired point of impact! Point the pistol at the target, then use the laser to verify and/or fine-tune point of aim. As indicated above, by that point in time, the place for the trigger finger is somewhere other than 'way up there on the slide. I see no reason for the laser to be needed when in a ready position. Just my $0.02.

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