Why would you NOT want a laser?

[williamcm]

I'm going invest in a three gun style scope for my AR, and looking in to a pocket .380 as well. While reading and watching about various products, I noticed people saying they didn't want a laser.

Why not? If fully integrated to the firearm is there any drawback?

I'm choosing a scope for my rifle because I found it to be damn accurate out far with just my iron sights, and thought a laser would be perfect for close work, especially for the pistol.

[P5Ret]

Just my opinion but with a laser some people become too reliant upon the laser, and completely ignore or don't use their sights. While that may or may not be a bad thing, what happens when the batteries go bad, or during daylight when you can't see the laser to begin with? A laser is a good training tool, but not a substitute for proper technique.

[Gene1986]

Because they cant afford it.

[BSlacker]

Before you spend a good amount of money on a laser sight, take a cheap pen pointer outside in the real world and see if you think it will increase your speed or accuracy. Put up a plaid shirt and point at that in full daylight. I work with lasers and it is funny how you can spot the beam on different backgrounds and light or not. You don't get to pick the location or lighting or background so if it doesn't show up your back to the sights but you lost time looking for the beam. The sights are a muscle memory thing the laser has to be picked out. After the first shot the junk in the air will point you out really well.

[williamcm]

Just my opinion but with a laser some people become too reliant upon the laser, and completely ignore or don't use their sights. While that may or may not be a bad thing, what happens when the batteries go bad, or during daylight when you can't see the laser to begin with? A laser is a good training tool, but not a substitute for proper technique.

That's what I thought too; the complacency issue. As for the daylight, I saw one laser that strobed. The effect made it easy to aquisition, at least on the youtube video.

[BSlacker]

at least on the youtube video.

If you have to defend yourself out in the real world you will not be on You Tube with a good set up and all the time to practice and have a set up you have tried before and know works. If you can see the beam they can see you holding it.

[CAL.BAR]

Most of the time you will wind up staring at the laser and losing situational awareness and peripheral vision. "Chasing the laser" is not useful in most situations. Now IDK all the IDPA rules etc, but they are generally never used in such matches. What's more, all the great shooters car do what they do w/o them (from muscle memory and practice) So let that be your guide.

[JDay]

You'd be much better off spending that money on a quality set of night sights.

[NickTheGreek]

I have a laser on one of my $2000 1911s for the cool factor. I don't have a laser on any of my carry guns.

However, tritium sights are a must for any defense firearm. Also, my bedside pistol has a 200 lumen light/strobe on it.

[desertrunner303]

I have a laser sighting on my Phaze Plasma Rifle.

[Jimmy Deuce]

Laser points both ways(in the dark)

[Epaphroditus]

If you can't shoot without it you won't be able to shoot with it. If you can shoot without it then you won't needed it.

If you don't care about shooting then it is a must have.

[The War Wagon]

I have one on my Kimber Ultra-Covert II (Crimson Trace grips), only because it came from the factory that way. I got tired of "chasing the laser," and leave it off now.

I'm actually thinking of selling them - I could use the money, more than I could use a laser!

[stix213]

Some people might not like them because they add weight, that some consider unnecessary. What .380 has an integrated laser though? I've only seen them as a Crimson Trace grip add-on, or a rail add-on.

I like lasers for use in no light situations, but don't see them as a necessary feature, especially on a small carry pistol, though if you see a need then go for it. I keep a TLR-4 (laser/light combo) on my Glock 29 I use for backpacking in case I had to defend myself out in the middle of no where in the dead of night, and I also have the same setup on my USP 45 for home protection at night. All the rest of my handguns do not have lasers.

[fighter4cage]

I have a laser on my small CCW gun and here is my 2 cents:

- The laser is blocked by my top knuckle as I grip the gun blocking the laser output (Crimson Trace)

- It ads another step to your quick draw if it is not already turned on (Most folks do not have it powered up all the time while carrying)

- When holding the laser on you better have a really steady hand cause that little laser point dances all around. It does nothing to help my accuracy.