Although laser sights on concealed carry firearms have been around for almost half a century, debate continues over whether these devices are indispensable accessories or unnecessary gimmicks. The answer lies with the individual gun owner who best knows if a laser supports their self-defense objectives. Keep reading as we explore the real-world benefits of laser sights and take an upfront look at the drawbacks of lasers on pistols. In the end, you’ll be able to make a confident decision about whether this technology works with your carry setup and skill set.
Situational Advantages
Arguably, the most significant benefit of using a laser sight is when conditions limit the functionality of iron sights.
Low-Light Scenarios
Approximately 90% of law enforcement-related shootings occur in low-light scenarios. So, it’s reasonable to assume that civilians face the same obstacles. No matter who you are, iron sights are harder to use at night or under dimly lit conditions. Tritium sights still depend on ambient lighting and can be hard to align under stress. A laser projects a bright dot directly on the target with minimal alignment requirements.
At the same time, this visual confirmation minimizes the chance of a mistake, a critical consideration in a home defense encounter. The last thing you want to do is confuse a family member's movement with an intruder's. A laser can help you identify and engage only legitimate threats.
It is vital to understand that lasers aren’t perfect for all lighting conditions. In the daytime, red lasers tend to wash out and are difficult to see outdoors. Green lasers are more visible in the daylight but require higher power consumption.
Under Stress
No matter how much time you spend at the range, these calm and controlled conditions can’t fully prepare you for the stress of an actual defensive encounter. Your heart rate jumps, your hands might be less steady, and your vision can be affected. These factors can make sight alignment more challenging. Let’s look at specific examples:
A rise in stress hormones impairs the fine motor skills and depth perception necessary for accurate targeting.
The onset of tunnel vision increases targeting difficulties.
The cognitive load of aligning the front and rear sights while targeting can be overwhelming when combined with outside elements (stress).
On the other hand, a laser sight simplifies the process. If you can see the dot, you know where the muzzle is aimed. This frees up mental bandwidth for decisions like whether to shoot, where to move, and how to control the scene.
Shooting Positions
The reality of defending yourself can involve being forced into an awkward position that makes targeting more difficult. Whether behind cover, on your back, or leaning around a corner, a laser supports accurate aiming when using iron sights alone isn’t always possible.
Vision and Mobility Challenges
It’s a fact that our vision changes over time. For some, this means that using iron sights becomes harder. Presbyopia (farsightedness) makes it difficult to focus on the front sight, and corrective lenses don’t always support sight alignment. Add in the other effects of aging, like arthritis and physical impairments, and bringing a gun to eye level isn’t always possible. A laser can overcome these issues by projecting an aiming point when traditional iron sight usage isn’t practical or feasible.
Training Benefits: Real-Time Feedback
Regular and consistent training is the basis for developing superior marksmanship and self-defense skills. A handgun laser sight supports these objectives, especially when you can’t or don’t want to shoot live ammo.
Dry-Fire and Draw Practice
Dry-fire practice provides two immediate benefits: skill enhancement and cost savings. Without burning through pricey ammunition, you can quickly determine if you have a jerky trigger pull or tend to flinch when firing. You’ll also be able to spot if the muzzle dips as the shot breaks. These bad habits can be easily identified and corrected using a laser sight. In addition, using a laser during draw practice lets you confirm consistent presentation, a critical step for refining your technique and developing muscle memory.
Target Transitions and Trigger Control
A laser sight is ideal for practicing transitions between multiple targets. You’ll instantly see how the muzzle tracks from one object to the next, enabling more efficient movement. A laser also supports trigger control refinements by making small mistakes more obvious. You can better manage follow-up shots during live fire exercises by observing the dot movement during recoil.
Teaching Aid
Professional instructors find lasers useful teaching tools as they can easily indicate muzzle direction and spot bad habits early on. These qualities are also helpful at home when introducing proper gun handling and targeting techniques to a novice family member.
Addressing Myths
Let’s set the record straight on some common misconceptions about handgun laser sights.
Gives Away Your Position
Laser sights have a bad reputation for supposedly revealing your position during a critical time. The truth is quite different from reality. This criticism comes from movies that show bright beams cutting through smoke-filled air. Yet, that’s far from reality. Modern laser sights don’t project visible light streams under normal conditions. Usually, only the dot on the target is visible.
It’s possible for a faint beam to appear in dusty, foggy, or smoky conditions, but that’s not the typical setting for a self-defense scenario. These encounters happen so quickly that an assailant is unlikely to react to the dot to the point of identifying your location.
Battery and Reliability
Regular maintenance, testing, and replacement are the best ways to avoid a dead car battery. The same is true for a handgun laser sight. Stay on top of upkeep, and you’re unlikely to run into reliability issues. Reputable laser sight brands are engineered for durability and dependability, which isn’t always true with cheap units. Select a quality laser sight that can run for hours on a single set of batteries and get in the habit of replacing the cells every six months (or more frequently, depending on usage).
Dependence
It’s reasonable to worry about becoming dependent on laser sights and forsaking fundamental shooting skills; it’s easy for technology to become a crutch. This is a risk; IF you let it happen. So, avoiding this trap is essential by balancing your training with and without a laser. Remember, a laser should enhance your capabilities, not replace them.
Cost-Benefit Considerations
While a quality handgun laser sight isn’t cheap, it doesn’t have to break the bank. You’ll also likely need a new holster for the upgrade, so keep that cost in mind. Before taking this step, ask yourself a few critical questions to determine if the investment in a laser sight is worthwhile:
Is regular training a regular component of your handgun ownership experience?
Are you looking to improve and refine your skills?
Do you often carry in environments where iron sight usage may be limited?
Can you integrate laser sight upkeep, including battery replacement, into your handgun maintenance routine?
Are you willing to invest in a quality laser sight rather than a bargain model?
Are you okay with your carry gun being slightly bulkier?
Discover the ArmaLaser Advantage
ArmaLaser offers a complete line of laser sights for a wide range of popular handguns, with options for red or green lasers. Visit the ArmaLaser store to also find custom-crafted, laser-compatible holsters for your CCW needs. Customer support is available online or at (800) 680-5020.
The ArmaLaser blog is a free resource covering insightful topics on concealed carry, self-defense, laser sights, and more.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for educational purposes only and is based on correct firearm handling and lawful use. This information is not a substitute for proper training.
