Why We Love Crimson Trace!
First impressions aren't always the best.
This was especially true for my first experience with a laser-equipped handgun.
This particular gun had an on/off switch to activate the laser, which I was unsure about.
It felt like one more thing that could break down; and I wasn't positive I would be able to rely on it if the need arose.
The button was in a convenient place, within easy reach of my trigger finger when properly held out straight across the trigger guard before firing.
Actually, for me it was exactly in the right spot.
The button was also easy to press and did not require a lot of pressure to activate the laser.
But something just wasn't right.
For me, it was one more thing to remember to do before pulling the trigger.
If I was going to make use of it at all.
This thought seemed to be echoed in every outside conversation I heard about lasers and handguns.
Yes they add accuracy, but how many buttons and levers do you really want to have to push before you pull the trigger? I began to completely pass over guns that offered this modification.
I knew I wouldn't use it, and in most cases I knew the laser was adding a significant chunk to the price of the handgun; why bother? Earlier this year, I started to notice my accuracy was slipping.
Then slipping turned into all-out MISSING.
I had been so sure of myself, but now my confidence began to hit the floor.
I realized I needed to address issues I had been having with my eyesight and finally went in for an eye exam.
Several trial contact lenses and a pair of glasses later, I returned to the range in hopes I could improve my failing accuracy.
Even with correction, my eyesight is nowhere near perfect; and frustration turned to desperation.
How can I carry a tool meant for protection when I can't be certain my bullet will eliminate a threat and not a nearby innocent life? Then, during a range trip with a borrowed Kimber Solo, I was accidentally introduced to Crimson Trace Laser Grips.
I say accidentally because I wanted to try out the gun despite the grips, and ended up loving the grips more than the handgun itself.
For the first time in MONTHS, my first shot went dead center of the target.
And so did the next one, and the one after that.
Every shot I fired went exactly where I wanted it to go.
The laser was beautifully sighted in and use came with no thought whatsoever.
That's when I realized that not all lasers are created equal.
Crimson Trace is a completely different animal.
What makes this one different is that when you turn on the laser it is always ready, without constantly emitting a beam.
You flip a switch when you put your gun on, and as soon as you hold the gun in a normal firing grip the beam is activated by a tiny button.
When you store your firearm you can choose to flip the switch back to the off position; however if you decide to leave it on so that your laser is always "waiting" you can do so without draining your battery.
Crimson Trace even offers batteries for life when you register your grips.
The grips are installed very similarly to any others, these slip around the backstrap and are screwed into place.
They are available to a massive assortment of handgun models and add no bulk whatsoever.
The only noticeable difference between these grips and a non-functional set is a small bump along the slide where the laser is housed.
A tiny beam follows the length of the slide downrange, displaying a small red dot on the target.
And unlike other lasers I've tried, this laser marks exactly where the bullet is going to hit.
I have heard of some reviewers needing to have their laser sighted in; which is as simple as turning an allen wrench and lining up the laser with your front sights.
(This is of course assuming the sights on your firearm are correct, which is a whole different topic entirely.
) The benefits of adding a set of laser grips to your firearm go beyond accuracy.
In low light settings the laser gives an excellent advantage over nothing at all- and even over the beam of a flashlight which could reveal your position to an attacker with much more blatancy than the laser beam.
This is an excellent tool for anyone wanting to improve their accuracy, especially to those with less than perfect vision like myself.
They also make for wonderful training tools to help boost a new shooter's confidence at the range.
How many women make their first trip and get the "I-can't-do-it's" after firing round after round that goes no where near the intended mark? I'll raise my hand to that.
Granted, nothing should replace awareness, training and preparation; but when an advantage comes with no extra effort I see no reason to avoid taking it! Not only will my next handgun purchase include a set of these grips, I'm seriously considering trading in the see-through pair on my Sig P238 I love so much to make room for a laser.
Call me convinced!
This was especially true for my first experience with a laser-equipped handgun.
This particular gun had an on/off switch to activate the laser, which I was unsure about.
It felt like one more thing that could break down; and I wasn't positive I would be able to rely on it if the need arose.
The button was in a convenient place, within easy reach of my trigger finger when properly held out straight across the trigger guard before firing.
Actually, for me it was exactly in the right spot.
The button was also easy to press and did not require a lot of pressure to activate the laser.
But something just wasn't right.
For me, it was one more thing to remember to do before pulling the trigger.
If I was going to make use of it at all.
This thought seemed to be echoed in every outside conversation I heard about lasers and handguns.
Yes they add accuracy, but how many buttons and levers do you really want to have to push before you pull the trigger? I began to completely pass over guns that offered this modification.
I knew I wouldn't use it, and in most cases I knew the laser was adding a significant chunk to the price of the handgun; why bother? Earlier this year, I started to notice my accuracy was slipping.
Then slipping turned into all-out MISSING.
I had been so sure of myself, but now my confidence began to hit the floor.
I realized I needed to address issues I had been having with my eyesight and finally went in for an eye exam.
Several trial contact lenses and a pair of glasses later, I returned to the range in hopes I could improve my failing accuracy.
Even with correction, my eyesight is nowhere near perfect; and frustration turned to desperation.
How can I carry a tool meant for protection when I can't be certain my bullet will eliminate a threat and not a nearby innocent life? Then, during a range trip with a borrowed Kimber Solo, I was accidentally introduced to Crimson Trace Laser Grips.
I say accidentally because I wanted to try out the gun despite the grips, and ended up loving the grips more than the handgun itself.
For the first time in MONTHS, my first shot went dead center of the target.
And so did the next one, and the one after that.
Every shot I fired went exactly where I wanted it to go.
The laser was beautifully sighted in and use came with no thought whatsoever.
That's when I realized that not all lasers are created equal.
Crimson Trace is a completely different animal.
What makes this one different is that when you turn on the laser it is always ready, without constantly emitting a beam.
You flip a switch when you put your gun on, and as soon as you hold the gun in a normal firing grip the beam is activated by a tiny button.
When you store your firearm you can choose to flip the switch back to the off position; however if you decide to leave it on so that your laser is always "waiting" you can do so without draining your battery.
Crimson Trace even offers batteries for life when you register your grips.
The grips are installed very similarly to any others, these slip around the backstrap and are screwed into place.
They are available to a massive assortment of handgun models and add no bulk whatsoever.
The only noticeable difference between these grips and a non-functional set is a small bump along the slide where the laser is housed.
A tiny beam follows the length of the slide downrange, displaying a small red dot on the target.
And unlike other lasers I've tried, this laser marks exactly where the bullet is going to hit.
I have heard of some reviewers needing to have their laser sighted in; which is as simple as turning an allen wrench and lining up the laser with your front sights.
(This is of course assuming the sights on your firearm are correct, which is a whole different topic entirely.
) The benefits of adding a set of laser grips to your firearm go beyond accuracy.
In low light settings the laser gives an excellent advantage over nothing at all- and even over the beam of a flashlight which could reveal your position to an attacker with much more blatancy than the laser beam.
This is an excellent tool for anyone wanting to improve their accuracy, especially to those with less than perfect vision like myself.
They also make for wonderful training tools to help boost a new shooter's confidence at the range.
How many women make their first trip and get the "I-can't-do-it's" after firing round after round that goes no where near the intended mark? I'll raise my hand to that.
Granted, nothing should replace awareness, training and preparation; but when an advantage comes with no extra effort I see no reason to avoid taking it! Not only will my next handgun purchase include a set of these grips, I'm seriously considering trading in the see-through pair on my Sig P238 I love so much to make room for a laser.
Call me convinced!
