The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Good vs. bad of installing a laser sight on pistol?

Pendragon · December 10, 2001, 05:44 AM

The negatives are:

Peeps think the laser will do everything for them - all they do is pull the trigger - but you can still pull the gun off target with poor technique.

People also will rely completely on the laser and not learn to properly use the sights. If the laser fails, they are in a sad place.

It may be too bright to see your red dot.

The laser may give you away at night when you dont want it to.

How many times have you heard a gun fight survivor say "if it was not for that laser, I would have been dead"? (I have never heard that) Most of the time you hear "I just heard my training say 'seek cover' and 'FRONT SIGHT FRONT SIGHT FRONT SIGHT!'

Thats what you hear.

Hardware is no substitute for software - learn to use the sights.

Probably the only legit tactical reason I can see for using a laser is that in a team (swat, etc) situation, you can see your buddies lasers and people can know who is shooting/aiming at what.

December 10, 2001, 05:44 AM	#3
Pendragon Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2001 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,153	The negatives are: Peeps think the laser will do everything for them - all they do is pull the trigger - but you can still pull the gun off target with poor technique. People also will rely completely on the laser and not learn to properly use the sights. If the laser fails, they are in a sad place. It may be too bright to see your red dot. The laser may give you away at night when you dont want it to. How many times have you heard a gun fight survivor say "if it was not for that laser, I would have been dead"? (I have never heard that) Most of the time you hear "I just heard my training say 'seek cover' and 'FRONT SIGHT FRONT SIGHT FRONT SIGHT!' Thats what you hear. Hardware is no substitute for software - learn to use the sights. Probably the only legit tactical reason I can see for using a laser is that in a team (swat, etc) situation, you can see your buddies lasers and people can know who is shooting/aiming at what.