Of the two choices, I would go with Crimson Trace. Just make sure you do not become dependant.

 

There it is. No internal modifications makes the choice easy for me.

+1 on the "no dependency".

 

CT for me and my 1911's. Great laser and hold their accuracy real well. Keep in mind, they are factory sighted for about 50' but I have re-sighted mine for about 20' for personal defense. The point of laser vs. point of bullet impact is different the farther away from your target you are. The laser is mounted on the right side of the gun so at some point, the laser and bullet path cross and then your point of impact will most likely be right of the laser point. Thats assuming you actually sight the laser in for a specific distance.

 

I like the CT solution. It's there when you grip the weapon - no extra moves.

 

I'm going to be different. (naturally) I like the laser max. Yes it takes alittle installation but not much. I like having the option of using the laser or not. The button on the laser max can be accessed from either side. Don't need it don't use it. I've had both and I'm sold on the laser max.

 

I just want the best because I might end up betting my life on it working one day.

Then invest in proper training and forget the gadgets.

 

Thats also an excellent statement, there is no substitute for proper training and practice.

 

CT for me...grip and shoot!

 

CT is absolutely top notch.

 

I view a laser first and foremost as a training tool. There is a free DVD available from Crimson Trace available at Crimson Trace :: Shots In The Dark DVD. Laser sights, like anything else can fail at a critical time. Using the laser sight to become a better shooter with your other sights will provide you with a necessary Plan B.

I prefer Crimson Trace because a mechanical failure with a guide rod replacement my also take out your pistol. No Plan B :bawling:

The best price on Crimson Trace is available at Crimson Trace Lasergrips at the Low Price You Deserve.

 

I just came back to say in the contest of dogs, the CT in the better product IMO.

Also, + a bunch on the dependency issue. But I also have one question; If its n your carry gun, doesnt that mean you are dependent?

 

2 reasons for choosing the CT over the LaserMax on the various weapons (LM Not avaliable for the 3in 1911)

1. It does not directly affect the working parts of the weapon, no internal modifications to go wrong at the wrong time. If the laser doesn't work it doesnt work oh well.

2. More of a Combat Zone Issue, we had a constant supply of the CT laser batteries (2032 watch batteries) for computer CMOS, remotes, etc. So the CT batteries are easier to acquire.

 

I would choose the Crimson Trace.

I have used both the CT & the LM on SIG handguns and for your SIG the Crimson Trace would be the better Self Defense use option.
Just my opinion on that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Added Note Concerning LaserMax Parts:
Honestly there is no danger in adding the LaserMax parts to any handgun because the added parts either meet or usually exceed the factory spec OEM parts.

 

From what I've heard...and what I have...CT.
I put them on an extra S&W 637...our rattler gun (w/.38 snake shot).

 

CT...I've heard enough stories about the LM causing or contributing to failures to ever put one on a carry gun.

 

All the above bad is true about the LM...all the good about the CT is true. Go with the CT....but like sixto said practice practice practice train train train. Two is one....one is none.

 

BS! I have over a thousand rounds in my LaserMax-equipped XD45 and it has yet to cause any problems (the gun itself is 100% reliable as well!).

My problems with the Crimson Trace are 1) I don't need even bigger grips, 2) I want to control when the laser comes on, 3) I want the laser to be aligned with the barrel, not down on the side and 4) I don't like the fact that being on the outside subjects it to more abuse. I would hate to accidentally drop a CT-equipped gun, it could be an expensive endeavor.

I have one of the first LaserMax products for the XD-45, and to be honest that did concern me as it was an unproven piece of equipment. However, with much use I have learned that it is a dependable, outstanding addition to my XD!

Cheers! M2

 

spooter66, respectfully I can not agrree on you statements regarding the lser:
Crimson Trace workes well for left or right handed people. If you thumbs get in the way, you may have to adjust your grip. I am right handed and had to lower my right hand index finger. This may not work for everyone, but most people should be able to find a way to make them work.
CT works well in holsters many holsters.
They are very visable in daylight. However, there are some cirsumstances when they are not.
You are dead on about the night sights, they should be used in conjunction with the laser. There are times when you will be able to see one and not the other.
The pros of a lase far outweigh the cons. IMO, a SD pistol should have a laser and night sights. This allows you to cover nearly every lighting need for sighting.
The laser is expecially good for older tired eyes like mine that can not pick up the sight picture as quickly as we used to.

 

Everyone has their opinion on using lasers, it's been hashed out many times before on this forum. Many do and don't like them for all the reasons stated in this thread and others (do a search for crimson trace). If it works for you, go for it. I don't like them for the reasons I stated.

As for changing my grip, thats fine for the range, but in a shooting for my life situation I would rather not have to worry about my thumbs getting in the way. On a sub compact, when using a correct two handed grip there is not a lot of room to be moving the thumbs around. I also would rather not have to worry if its too bright outside to see the little red dot. I want something on my gun that is effective 100% of the time, and thats a set of good night sights.

As for holsters, yes there are plenty of lefty holsters that will work with the CT, there are many that won't. The ones that won't work were designed to have the laser emitter on the outside (right side) of the holster (away from the body). They make the lefty holster a mirror image of a right handed holster, with the cutout for the CT on the outside (left side) of the holster. Too bad you can't move the emitter, it's still stuck on the right side of the gun between the gun and you which is were the belt slide or paddle attaches to the holster. I have a left hand Blackhawk Serpa and a Safariland model 6377 that I can't use with the CT.

For some a laser works very well, if it does, more power to ya and happy shooting. For others it's not the perfect solution and they would rather not use them. Lefties are presented with a few problems they need to keep in mind if choosing the CT.

 

My vote is for the LaserMax. The parts have never failed in the two Glocks that I had them installed. I have the option of either on or off. I think like anything else, it will be a personal preference. I could see an issue with holsters and the CT, with the LM it would not be an issue. Pros and Cons to each.:rofl:

 

I'm an old school shooter that has embraced what a laser can do for you.If you use it during training, you get much quicker feedback in trying to solve minor glitches in trigger pull, flinching, pulling off the target etc. You will also find that point shooting becomes more natural as your brain starts to associate the feel of the natural point with the visible POI. You will find that pointing will become quicker and more accurate without the laser if the need arises.My eyes are also not what they were when I was a young man and the laser helps there too. I'm sold. I have CT on my 1911 and Lasermax on my 642. Money well spent.

 

The strongest points of the LaserMax are that it doesn't change the outside of the weapon and it takes a lot of abuse to break it. The downside is that yes, you are changing out the spring / guiderod. If you install it wrong (read the directions?) you can create malfunctions - like with anything else you do wrong on the weapon.

With Crimson Trace installation is all external. For the polymer frame weapons it does change the grip size. There USED to be a problem with the lenses geting out of focus but they seem to have fixed that in recent years. Since you're adding parts on the outside of the gun you may have holster issues.

My solution: Put lasers on your rifle, not on (or in) your handgun. Get a good set of night sights, carry a flashlight and train to use them properly together. Unless you're intentionally planning to use the laser as an intimidator (which it can't be if it's broad daylight and neither you nor the bad guy can see it) then it serves little purpose. If you DO decide to get one then you need to consider a few things:

What will be your zero distance? Since the laser emitter isn't in the centerline of the barrel you will need to choose a distance at which to zero the laser to your sights - or better yet to the point of impact. Some LaserMax units allow for this while others don't. If your laser unit doesn't allow for zeroing then you have to learn the relationship between the red dot and your POI. And you have to remember it and shoot accordingly under high stress.

Train with it. You DO NOT need another gadget that you're fumbling to manipulate under high stress. If you're not going to train sufficiently to make the laser manipulation second nature - that is to say that you do it without conscious thought - then don't put it on.

Finally, everything electronic fails: the batteries die, a connection breaks, a drop of water gets into it... steel works. If you DO add the laser then great, but don't EVER think it replaces Basic Marksmanship skills.

My two cents worth...

 

spoorter66
Thanks for your reply, I wonder why CT doesn't have left hand versions. I think that makes sense in a pretty obvious way.
Thanks for sharing.

 

I have a laser max, I didn't want anything to interfere with my grip.

 

I have both. CT on my Sig 220 and taurus 605, Lasermax on my XD 45 compact. Both types are good and durable. You really can't go wrong with either. I also believe that if you are in a life threatening situation, and do not regularly get to practice, lasers can only help you find your target and hit your attacker faster than looking for the front sight would.