Range Report -- Crimson Trace lasers at the range

[rogervzv]

I recently installed a Crimson Trace LG401 lasergrip on my Dan Wesson PM7-45 (a Dan Wesson 1911 .45). Finally got it to the range. The results were nothing short of astonishing. Never have I produced such tight and accurate groups. The laser was very easy to align such that very quickly the tight shot groups were centered on the bull's eye.

One cool thing about having a laser: once you have aligned the laser such that the fall of shot is centered on the target, you can then adjust your iron sights so that the laser is centered in the sight picture. Thus you can use the laser to align your sight. Very cool!

According to The History Channel, the modern notch sight was invented in the mid 1800s. It has endured because it is a robust, simple, and effective way to align the barrel. The late 20th century has given us laser sights and Red-Dot sights, which are superior in many respects. The nice thing about the laser is that it can act as a substitute for, or supplement to, your conventional sights; you can always choose which one to use in a given situation. The CT lasergrip does not interfere with that in the least.

The Crimson Trace grips are attractive and ergonomic. The activation switch is at the front of the grip, and is completely intuitive. Squeeze the grip, and there is your laser dot. The grip itself is attractive walnut and looks terrific on the PM7-45. Of course it will fit any ordinary 1911 pistol:

[CAglock20c]

love my CT laser grips on my sig p229r which i use as my ccw pistol at the moment. these lasers are nice because you can adjust them for accuracy, however for my pistol, i had to alter where placing my finger away from trigger when not firing (my original placement was blocking the laser)

[rogervzv]

Haven't had the finger placement issue myself. My schtick is that I only activate the laser when I am preparing to shoot. I have been extremely pleased with the results I have managed to achieve using the CT laser. Truly a sighting system for the 21st century.

[MossbergMan]

Two issues with side mounted ala CT lasers. #1 They have a distance of convergence where the laser crosses the bore line. Meaning you will hit to the right of the dot at close ranges and left at further distances.
#2 They are battery reliant. Murphy is alive and well.
The reason folks seem to shoot better with lasers and dot sights is you focus more on trigger control than sight alignment. Simple as that.
I personally have CT grips on my carry SW 637. I love them, but I also know how to shoot using the pitiful ironsights.
With the two issues in mind, laser auxillary sighting systems are the wave of the future for sure.

[Kodachrome]

I've used laser sights for training newbies. I can see where they are aiming without being too close to them. Have one for a Glock, a Sig and a 1911.
Happy Shooting!

[rogervzv]

The convergence issue deriving from the fact that the laser is side-mounted is true, but much less important than you think. By basic geometry/trigonometry, the angle of difference between the bore and the laser decreases rapidly with distance. I find that if I align the laser for 25 feet, the difference at say, 50 feet is undetectable, again per basic geometry. The margin of error on one's shooting is certainly much greater. Thus, this angle of convergence issue I find to be a non-issue in real life. At very close distances, say ten feet, it is noticeable.

[Jake71]

Laser sights are great til you run out of battery power... then your sights are out of alignment, perhaps at a bad time...

[Moto4Fun]

... By basic geometry/trigonometry, the angle of difference between the bore and the laser decreases rapidly with distance. ...

I think you are mistaken, but what you are implying is valid. The angle doesn't decrease or increase over a given distance. Assuming the bullet path and laser path are a straight line (which technically may NOT be true), the distances will decrease but the angle will be the same as you get further away.

[rogervzv]

I think you are mistaken, but what you are implying is valid. The angle doesn't decrease or increase over a given distance. Assuming the bullet path and laser path are a straight line (which technically may NOT be true), the distances will decrease but the angle will be the same as you get further away.

Picture this triangle:

T
|
|
|
Brl __Laser
The angle between Target - Barrel - Laser is always a right triangle. Angle Barrel-Target-Laser decreases with distance, and angle Target-Laser-Barrel increases with distance. Basic geometry. You can also observe this phenomenon easily with a CT-equipped pistol.

You may have been referring to angle Target Barrel Laser which is, indeed, always essentially a right angle.