LaserMax vs Crimson Trace??

[Apeman88]

I'm thinking about getting a laser for my Sig 229... I know... many will say best to rely on the iron sights... but I WANT ONE

Anyone have experience with both LaserMax and Crimson Trace? Which is better? Will LaserMax's internal config make the gun less reliable or less accurate? Love to hear some feedback before I pop $300+ down on one.

Thanks!

Ken

[Sig226]

I wouldn't touch the LaserMax if my life depended on it---oh wait it does. :-)

Anyhow, the LM is really a poor product when compared to the CrimsonTrace, or MX3 or 6.

The LM has been said to drop reliability due to replacing internal parts. I've also seen the wear put on the guide rod after a few hundred shots, and it seems more that what a normal guide rod would have for the same amount of shooting. Finally, because of it's location---it WILL get dirty quicker than the other options----and most likely this will happen when you need it most.

If your looking for a laser only---no light--- then the CT grips are the way to go. They are comfy (I find them to be), the laser is easily turned on/off, and on some models can even be switched of semi-permanently if you do not want to mark your target.

I personally use a M6x on my P226 and LOVE IT. I get a light and a laser of the unit, it's rock solid, doesn't replace ANY internal parts, and can easily, and quickly be removed. I also find that it has the added benefit of adding weight to the barrel to allow for quicker double-taps----but that is mostly due to my poor shooting skill. :-)

Anyhow, don't get the LaserMax, and you will be happy....But consider the Streamlight M6/M6x before going the CT grips route---just to be sure that's what you want.


Oh, and for all the people that say lasers have no place on pistols---they are full of it. In fact after I put a laser on my pistol I found I could quickly see where i was erroring while at the range due to the "light trail" the laser made on the target as I flinched, anticipated, pushed, etc... It is a training tool, as much as it can be a life saver. Just remeber to practice with those irons still.

FWIW
Enjoy

[choochboost]

On recent threads I've read on the same topic, the Crimson Trace laser is reported to be much brighter than Laser Max.

[rips31]

interesting. this question is often asked on sigforum and prob 99% of the ppl there would go with lasermax.

[grammaton76]

Here's the #1 reason i went with a Crimson Trace laser on mine.

The Lasermax has NO adjustment. At all. Period. It's a laser which has been epoxied in, and is only guaranteed to be something like within 1" or 2" at 20' of distance.

The CT laser is actually adjustable, and you can dial it in to be pretty close at 25' (which is what I did.

The one thing Lasermax does have over CT, is that your gun still fits into any holster it would fit into before, without any modification. CT grips are thicker than Sig stock grips, and that presents a little annoyance but not much.

Next up, another big difference is that if you haven't replaced your recoil guide rod with a Lasermax, you're free to replace it with a Sprinco recoil buffer, as I've done. Mine's laser-sighted AND better at follow-up shots than the stock 229.

[kantstudien]

Another problem with LM is that their CS is piss-poor. Someone I know needs to get his LM replaced, and they are giving him a hell of a hard time. Now I know what not to buy. Stick with Crimson Trace.

[Apeman88]

Cool! Thanks for the feedback... I like the idea of all internal but from all the feedback... I'll go with CT.

Ken

[hkfooey]

+1 on the CT. I heard story about the mis-alignment on the LM - only after 500 rounds.

I had it installed on my 1911 with X200.

[DVSg3]

Another thing to think about is the MX3 or 6 can be moved to another gun with a rail. The CT would have to go on a same model gun (ie. 1911). As expensive as these laser units are, I would opt for one that I can use on any gun I buy with a rail. Holstering is the only problem with the rail lights/lasers. But if it is a bedside gun, that doesn't matter. My 2 cents. D.

[pepsi2451]

+1 for CT

My Sig P226 came with them factory installed. I haven't tried anything else but I do like my CT grips. The laser is bright and I like the way the grips feel.