Glock 17 Lasers

[BRANDON7766]

I am debating on some accessories for my Glock 17. I Have/will have this weekend.

Extended mag release
Extended Slide stop
Trijicon Night Sights
Hogue Strap (I like)
looking at a TLR3 Light.

what would be a good laser to put on? I know the the ones on the grip are nice but I lose my cheapo Hogue strap that I actually DO like. If I go an undermounted laser the gun gets very bulky and a TLR3 is about as much as I can handle. The firing pin replacement laser souns nice but it is any good? talk me into something or out of something guys...looking for opinions.

[tac]

I have a lasermax in my G26 and I am very happy with it. The best part is that it you can buy standard gear such as holsters without worrying about the fit.

[Artery]

I've got a lasermax in my G22 and it works well, but don't expect to be able to see it in the daylight. The only problem I've had is the tab that indexes the battery cover to the laser housing broke on mine, so I have to sort of line it up by hand. I can't explain this well over the internet but other owners probably can understand what I mean. If the battery cover isn't indexed properly the POA of the laser will be off. Still overall I'm happy with it.

[Echidin]

Have you considered any of the GTLs?

[correllaaron]

I have a Lasermax for sale for a Glock 17 if you are interested!

AC

[Richie Caketown]

you need a TLR-2 you just dont know it yet

[Purple K]

Take a look at Crimson Trace lasers.

[tacticalcity]

Lasers (especially visible lasers) are more of a Hollywood thing than a real world thing. They look cool on film.

Lasers on a handgun lead to very bad habbits. In order to see the laser you are lowering the position of the handgun instead of lining it up in line with your shoulders and head. Muscle memory gets all messed up. Its not as ideal for controlling recoil and getting follow up shots off and on target. You also end up relying on the laser over the iron sights, making you less effective with irons. The two are just different enough that the muscle memory for one is completely different than for the other. If the battery dies, or the device simply fails, you are no longer as effective. Another downside is, if you work in a team, and you all use lasers, and you are all pointed in at a target, and all lasers are on the guy's head, but one of you is on the hostages head, how do you know which one of you is off the mark? Do you take the shot? What if the situation requires one of you to take the shot or the hostage dies? How do you know you are not the one off the mark? There are countless scenerios like this one. The most obvious complaint is the announce your intentions to the entire world. That red dot forcasts your intentions, and can lead the bad guys right to you. Less of an issue with a handgun than a rifle, but you get my point. Best to focus on learning how to use your iron sights. For night or low light, install tritium night sights like those made from Trijicon. They extended your effectiveness while still relying on the same muscle memory during the day.

There are plenty of people who will think I am nuts for having this opinion. Many of them are probably about to post away. No worries, I am not and will not be offended. I am by no means an expert. However, the above theory is not my own, nor are the examples I chose to illustrate it. I learned it/them while receiving firearms training from professionals who's shooting ability meant the difference between lives being saved or lost. Guys who had first hand experience with the downsides of visible lasers on duty weapons. Every instructor I've met and discussed the issue with has been anti-visible laser, and only in favor of IR night vision lasers as a way of pointing out a possible hostile target to your teammates and not as an aiming device. As in, "Check out that tube shaped thing over their, is it debries or a bad guy?" I have yet to meet an instructor that favors visible lasors or any laser as an actual aiming device over irons, red dots, or scopes in any type of firearm.

It's certainly not the end of the world if you choose to install a laser on your gun. They are definately cool and fun. Just figured you should be aware of the argument against them.