Anyone with experience with a Guide Rod Laser Sight?

[ATDM]

I am trying to figure out, if I want to spend $318 for a Guide Rod Laser Sight for my XDm 4.5". Seems like a brilliant idea, but the reviews are all over the place. Some are hating the quality and functionality, others are questioning some plastic components used to build it.

However, the reviews are just snapshots and are often emotional, written after a short period of use in most cases.

I wanted to find out, if anyone has a more or less lengthy period of experience with these products.

1. Would you recommend it?
2. Is it worth the price?
3. Is there a make you recommend most?

I am on the fence about it, because if I add just another $200, I can get another new gun, but I am intrigued by the idea of it.

Thanks

[carlson1]

I don't like the laser because it takes my eyes off of the sight picture. I get tunnel vision.

[Dave2]

I've got a laser on my P226, but only because it's attached to my rail-mounted light (call me crazy, but I like lighting options). In any case, the flashlight's light washes out the laser's light fairly well. I can still see the dot, but not until well after I could've gotten a normal sight picture. I suppose it could still be useful in odd cases where for whatever reason I couldn't use the sights, but I can't really think of any since the whole idea is not to go around shooting things in the dark.

Ok, maybe if I had to shoot around a corner and I didn't want to expose my head so I use a hallway mirror to see where the laser dot landed, but that's it (and somewhat far-fetched in a home defense scenario, plus I don't have a hallway mirror).

[RogueUSMC]

No experience with lasers but I am not on board withe the whole mounted light thing...

1) in a home invasion situation, the light is a target for the BG.
2) if you are using the light to identify targets, you broke the rules by pointing your gun at something you don't intend to shoot (until you have identified the target, how can you know if you intend to shoot it?)

[ATDM]

I was specifically asking about the GUIDE ROD laser sight, not just any laser sight. Anyone with experience on that.

Thanks anyway...

[Dave2]

I was specifically asking about the GUIDE ROD laser sight, not just any laser sight. Anyone with experience on that.

Thanks anyway...

Nope. I thought about it before realizing that lasers wouldn't do me much good (your situation is probably different, since you're asking about them), but Sig said using one would void the warranty so I didn't do any more research after that.

[CWOOD]

I have a LaserMax guide rod laser for my Glock 30 (45 ACP).

Functionally, regarding the operation of the firearm, it has never had any noticeable effect. Everything worked normally.

As for the plastic parts, the original Glock parts it replaces are also plastic so no issue.

As far as accuracy, I would say that is has good "combat accuracy" in that you will hit a man sized target at a reasonable distance. It may be off an inch or so at 10-15 yards but certainly good enough for self defense situations. The red dot is very eye catching. It also might be some deterrent to some evil doer who sees it on himself.

The LaserMax seems well made and the only negative functional aspect of it is that it can come on by itself.

The times that this happened was when I had it installed during an IDPA match. Firing the Glock 30 seemed to activate it. I do not believe I ever had it "just come ON" in holster or when holding the pistol before firing. It only seemed to happen after firing had started.

If you get one I strongly suggest that you remove it (except for specific practice with the laser) during firing in events like IDPA or IPSC. No sense subjecting the expensive mechanism to such abuse without need.

I hope that answers some of your questions. If you have something specific, feel free to ask.

I realize that you may have been interested in the mechanical aspects of that type of laser, but let me offer some general laser info that I have picked up.

I was really hot on getting the LaserMax and my wife eventually got it for me for Christmas. I used it for a while but frankly, I don't much any more. I haven't in over a year.

I tried it at night time IDPA matches some of our local clubs have had. Between the movement involved, recoil, etc., I found that the red dot dances wildly across the targets and I found it actually distracting, and slower that when I used good night sights and a flashlight. As someone above said, the use of the flashlight is important at night in target identification and acquisition. Good night sights eliminates the need to have your sights illuminated by the flashlight which gives you more options in how you use and hold the flashlight.

My personal experience in the nighttime IDPA matches showed that illumination was really needed to avoid non-threats and to accurately hit the threats, so you do need a light. Also use of good night sights, in conjunction with the flashlight was faster and more natural that using the laser.

This is why I no longer use the Lasermax.

I could be that with more practice I could get more skilled with the laser, but I have not done so.

You didn't ask for a recommendation but I will offer one to whomever might find it useful.

If you do not have night sights, get those first. My personal opinion is that they are the best single modification one can do for a personal defense firearm. I have heard statistics that about 75 % of civilian self defense uses of a firearm occur in low light or no light situations.

They are also VERY good in identifying your pistol's location and attitude on the night stand at night in an emergency.

Second, I would recommend getting a good LED tactical flashlight from one of the major manufacturers...and carry it with you all the time...even during the day.This is especially true if you may go into a building, movie theatre or any place a power failure could cause sudden darkness.

Third, I would recommend that you PRACTICE using the light and new sights in the dark. Like dry firing, except in the dark, if you do not have access to other nighttime shooting opportunities. You will find that hitting the correct target accurately and quickly is exponentially more complicated than you might have imagined. Try it while having to rack the slide to simulate a misfire or while doing a mag change in the dark...while trying to stay concealed.

It is something that can be learned with practice, but it is certainly better to learn it safely before a potential hostile encounter.

These two things can set you back about the price of the LaserMax. Then, if you still feel you want to explore laser sights, give it a try. It might very well come more naturally to you than it did to me.

I apologize for wandering beyond your initial question's topic, but I hope that perhaps someone might read this and find it useful.

Regards,
cwood

[ATDM]

I apologize for wandering beyond your initial question's topic, but I hope that perhaps someone might read this and find it useful.

Regards,
cwood

Thank you so much for taking the time and answering virtually all my concerns about getting it. Having read your post, I have to admit: my only reason for getting it would be just to play with it. It seems so clever to position it inside the gun to make the gun appear "normal." However, I, like you, would simply abandon this $318 toy after a few uses. I would rather put my money toward another gun... Maybe, an AK-47 or a conceal carry gun (I have two I use for conceal carry, but with the XD-S being recalled, I only have one remaining — I'd feel better, if I had one more)...

Thanks!