Suggestions, Crimson Trace for beginner?

[Kanester]

Hi all- I have the ability to purchase a Crimson Trace laser sight grip for about $142 before mail in rebate ($92 total with $50 rebate) for my Glock 17. I am a newer shooter, and although my funds are limited, I thought this might be a good tool for me to practice dry fire shooting at my home. What are your thoughts? Worth it? I am trying to correct problems with my trigger control. When dry firing, I can tell I am moving the gun with each squeeze, I figure having a dot on the wall would help me correct it/improve. I obviously will still focus on using the traditional sights.

My justification is that with ammo/range fees, for the cost of a 1 range trip I can have something that I can practice with over and over in my spare time. At least thats how I plan explaining it to the wife if I do in fact get it.

[RenegadeRebel]

Check out the laserlyte laser ammo. It will suit your needs better.

[Kanester]

Check out the laserlyte laser ammo. It will suit your needs better.

I was looking at that last night, it looks like from midway USA which is the cheapest I could find the laser cartridge and target would be over $230shipped. Looked like a useful trainer, but in the end it would be more than double the price. And the Crimson Trace could actually be useful in a SHTF situation, not just for training.

[zfields]

Laser sights are dumb.


You will get better practice with snap caps and a dime / quarter.

[RenegadeRebel]

Who said you need to buy the target?

The laser will work perfectly well on a wall...

[Cokebottle]

CT is nice, but you need to be proficient with irons.
Don't rely on technology that can and will let you down when you need it most.

Learn to shoot with irons. Buy a membership at the local range and put 5000 rounds into the paper. When you're putting 100 out of 100 rounds into the 9-ring on a human target at 15 yards, hook up with a local "run and gun" group and learn to shoot in the most realistic situaton you can simulate.

After that, if you still feel the need for a laser sight, go for it.

[MrOrange]

Yes, by all means, for exactly the reasons you've stated.

Crimson trace Lasergrips are the best thing to happen to self-defense sidearms since the self-contained metallic cartridge.

[c3 rolling]

+1 on buying the crimson trace for dry practice and other needs.

[Kanester]

Who said you need to buy the target?

The laser will work perfectly well on a wall...

This is true, but a laserlyte cartridge is $80+ shipping, when I can get a CT grip for $92 shipped after rebate. It seems like that makes more sense to me, but your right about the laserlyte products, they all seem to get great reviews.

[gobi fish]

CT is nice, but you need to be proficient with irons.
Don't rely on technology that can and will let you down when you need it most.
.

so very true! buy a .22 if you need more pratice on the cheap!

[GuillermoAntonio]

Hi all- I have the ability to purchase a Crimson Trace laser sight grip for about $142 before mail in rebate ($92 total with $50 rebate) for my Glock 17. I am a newer shooter, and although my funds are limited, I thought this might be a good tool for me to practice dry fire shooting at my home. What are your thoughts? Worth it? I am trying to correct problems with my trigger control. When dry firing, I can tell I am moving the gun with each squeeze, I figure having a dot on the wall would help me correct it/improve. I obviously will still focus on using the traditional sights.

My justification is that with ammo/range fees, for the cost of a 1 range trip I can have something that I can practice with over and over in my spare time. At least thats how I plan explaining it to the wife if I do in fact get it.

To me this sounds like the perfect excuse to buy something cool that you dont really need (at least for the stated purpose).
But it also sounds like something I would do
ohh and btw, snap caps are the s**t!

[llamatrnr]

Do it; if you get into any kind of sf/hd scene (yes, yes, of course; let's pray it never it's gonna happen, etc., etc) the guy with the best reflexes wins, and will have little, if any, to do with how big a hole you can make on a stationary target at 21 ft. with 10 rounds, and everything to do with being lined up instinctively, to train your body to get to that physical setup that will make the shot count (God forbid, you have to pu . . . .)

Dry-firing aside, consider: drawing and aiming; should really come before "firing", right? There are really not too many things that come to mind that are simpler than pulling a trigger; when is the deal-maker/breaker. Try this: carry your handgun at every opportunity, and surprise yourself with "Bad Guy, 3 o'clock!!!!" Put that front sight on him. NOW!! Quickly!! Do it!!! (off to the left a foot or so? over his head a yard or so?) Instincts will often fail you (and me). I shot a little left of where I thought I was aiming until a golfnut pal changed my stance - my default body position was based on other needs than shooting, positions I'd been taught for baseball, bowling, tennis, golf . . .
The laser is priceless in that it will show your your natural position, and you simply adjust until that natural position until it is right where you want it - muscle memory.

I am going to refrain from commenting on the "man up, dude" nonsense

[j1133s]

Hi all- I have the ability to purchase a Crimson Trace laser sight grip for about $142 before mail in rebate ($92 total with $50 rebate) for my Glock 17. I am a newer shooter, and although my funds are limited, I thought this might be a good tool for me to practice dry fire shooting at my home. What are your thoughts? Worth it? I am trying to correct problems with my trigger control. When dry firing, I can tell I am moving the gun with each squeeze, I figure having a dot on the wall would help me correct it/improve. I obviously will still focus on using the traditional sights.

My justification is that with ammo/range fees, for the cost of a 1 range trip I can have something that I can practice with over and over in my spare time. At least thats how I plan explaining it to the wife if I do in fact get it.

I'd get it for that price just to have it on my gun. I don't own one but I've used it a few times and really like it. I can see how it can help in many defensive situations.

As for dry fire practice, you don't really need a laser. But if you do use it, check how long the batteries last w/ constant use.

The best way to improve is to hook up w/ an experience shooter who can spot your mistakes. Read up on the fundamentals and practice it; fewer but more focused rounds down range is way better than 1000's of useless rounds fired. Learn accuracy first; then rapid fire.

[cutty01]

where pray tell are you getting it for that cheap. The cheapest I could find it is for $238. Please share your source.

[BC9696]

CT is BS...have it on my LCR & Glock 22 but don't use it. Two reasons:
1. As an aiming aid it actually throws my aim off...totally unreliable compared to traditional shooting disiplines.
2. Reveals your position in the SHTF situation and I'd rather not advertise where I am.

Now the one situation it might be helpful is in a CQ where I have the drop on the guy and he sees his chest lit up...might think it is better to run away than fight. Beyond that it's just a gizmo IMHO.