Some optics maker is going to put a 'low batt' light on their red dots like some 80s camcorder and make a fortune.
Lasers for EDC, yay or nay?
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Some optics maker is going to put a 'low batt' light on their red dots like some 80s camcorder and make a fortune.
contender
Well-Known Member
A good & honest question by the OP.
For the sake of discussion, let's leave out the "what if's" of the legal issue above.
I'm a firearms instructor. And when discussing options a shooter has,, such as lasers, red dots, etc,, I always stress a few key points.
(A) An electronic device can possibly fail.
(B) An electronic device is not a substitute for good quality practice with standard sights.
(C) In a defensive situation, most people not used to actual combat,, will develop a bit of tunnel vision & often focus upon the threat & not their sights.
(D) A defensive situation will most often be point blank, and also potentially in an off balance or very awkward position,, NOT like standing up at the range.
(E) The mind in a defensive situation will often not be capable of thinking fast enough to react as we MIGHT think we'd react.
(F) Any & all things that can help a person use their firearm when absolutely necessary effectively is a good thing.
(G) Lasers are an accessory,, that can POSSIBLY be very beneficial is such things as long as you, as the owner does NOT rely upon it solely. Especially if you are on the ground, under physical attack, only have you weak or off hand usable, and need to employ deadly force.
(H) Only you as an educated individual can decide if an accessory like a laser is something you MAY want to have available as an accessory for that "Just in case" attack. Get all the knowledge you can 7 make your OWN decisions.
(I) A laser easily allows you to aim & hit a target without having to bring up the gun to eye level to make sure of a hit.
And to the OP,, you mentioned your finger blocks the laser unless it's on the trigger. You sound like you are placing your trigger finger up on the frame, and not directly in line with the trigger,, while it's outside the trigger guard. That's a simple thing to fix,, to retrain your hand to place your trigger finger to a direct line to the trigger,,, not above it.
I follow all this with the comment that a person needs to practice a lot,, and NOT just standing erect, on a range, gun in both hands, pointed outward towards a target. I strongly suggest single hand shooting with both the strong hand AND weak hand. That and odd positions to shoot from,, while NOT using the sights. Basically learning to instinctively point shoot. AND do so with both hands. A good example is when I use my weak hand, (left) and hold it at waist level, turning sideways, and bending forward,, and shooting a target at 5 ft. I wear a welding apron to also show muzzle blast & powder burns to the students when doing this.
Lastly,, I walk through an actual physical attack, upon my mother, in her store, where she'd been sprayed in the face with pepper spray, then attacked. I explain how she was able to dig her gun out,, but due to the attack, and her loss of sight,, wasn't able to get it into battery. (Semi-auto, empty chamber, safety on.) She wound up on the floor, sprayed in the face (3) times total, and while unable to use her gun, was able to keep it away from the thug. She was injured, and such,, but survived. She retired the little semi-auto, and got a Ruger SP-101,, .357,, and added a CT laser. All she'd need to do after that,, would be get the gun out & start pulling the trigger. Laser or not,, she had what SHE felt was comfortable to her. She did not want to practice as much as I suggested.
Each person makes their own decisions.
For the sake of discussion, let's leave out the "what if's" of the legal issue above.
I'm a firearms instructor. And when discussing options a shooter has,, such as lasers, red dots, etc,, I always stress a few key points.
(A) An electronic device can possibly fail.
(B) An electronic device is not a substitute for good quality practice with standard sights.
(C) In a defensive situation, most people not used to actual combat,, will develop a bit of tunnel vision & often focus upon the threat & not their sights.
(D) A defensive situation will most often be point blank, and also potentially in an off balance or very awkward position,, NOT like standing up at the range.
(E) The mind in a defensive situation will often not be capable of thinking fast enough to react as we MIGHT think we'd react.
(F) Any & all things that can help a person use their firearm when absolutely necessary effectively is a good thing.
(G) Lasers are an accessory,, that can POSSIBLY be very beneficial is such things as long as you, as the owner does NOT rely upon it solely. Especially if you are on the ground, under physical attack, only have you weak or off hand usable, and need to employ deadly force.
(H) Only you as an educated individual can decide if an accessory like a laser is something you MAY want to have available as an accessory for that "Just in case" attack. Get all the knowledge you can 7 make your OWN decisions.
(I) A laser easily allows you to aim & hit a target without having to bring up the gun to eye level to make sure of a hit.
And to the OP,, you mentioned your finger blocks the laser unless it's on the trigger. You sound like you are placing your trigger finger up on the frame, and not directly in line with the trigger,, while it's outside the trigger guard. That's a simple thing to fix,, to retrain your hand to place your trigger finger to a direct line to the trigger,,, not above it.
I follow all this with the comment that a person needs to practice a lot,, and NOT just standing erect, on a range, gun in both hands, pointed outward towards a target. I strongly suggest single hand shooting with both the strong hand AND weak hand. That and odd positions to shoot from,, while NOT using the sights. Basically learning to instinctively point shoot. AND do so with both hands. A good example is when I use my weak hand, (left) and hold it at waist level, turning sideways, and bending forward,, and shooting a target at 5 ft. I wear a welding apron to also show muzzle blast & powder burns to the students when doing this.
Lastly,, I walk through an actual physical attack, upon my mother, in her store, where she'd been sprayed in the face with pepper spray, then attacked. I explain how she was able to dig her gun out,, but due to the attack, and her loss of sight,, wasn't able to get it into battery. (Semi-auto, empty chamber, safety on.) She wound up on the floor, sprayed in the face (3) times total, and while unable to use her gun, was able to keep it away from the thug. She was injured, and such,, but survived. She retired the little semi-auto, and got a Ruger SP-101,, .357,, and added a CT laser. All she'd need to do after that,, would be get the gun out & start pulling the trigger. Laser or not,, she had what SHE felt was comfortable to her. She did not want to practice as much as I suggested.
Each person makes their own decisions.