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My new protege' "Mr. S" asked me what I thought...

I told him you could...Its your money, but until I got good (comfortable)enough without either, I stayed away from both of them...

I think he has the right spirit, and I told him you do what you want...We'll both see how it goes...

I told him if it makes you feel better, get a light...There are some things some folks here (Especially LEO's and instructors) could bring you up to speed on in regards to lights...

A laser at this point would only demonstrate how much caffiene you've been dumping into your body on a daily basis...I hate how a laser does that!!!

I think he got the point...

I figure getting used to the idea of carrying, and developing a good safety mindset along with consistant muscle mechanics are some of the first things you need to develop in and as a new shooter...

Of course accuracy and developing a consistant sight picture is right up there too...

He's still impressed with CaptDave's 5 shot Texas Star demo...

I was too...

"Mr. S" wants to get that good too...I told him the sky is no limit!

A light is a necessity, I believe. It does not have to be weapon mounted for handguns.

A laser is a GREAT training aid, if not used as a replacement for the sights.

Lasers for actual use......ehhh, to each his own I guess. however, I found that from 15 yards and in I can point shoot and hit a man sized target 100%. YMMV

I think a beginning shooter should stick to the basics: iron sights. And if he doesn't get a .22 revolver or autoloader, he's going to blow a whole bunch of money on ammo before he is a decent shot. We're talking less than 2¢ each for .22 rimfire, versus 12¢ for 9 mm or more than that for larger calibers.

This is just my opinion, and I'm nobody special.

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:I think a beginning shooter should stick to the basics: iron sights. And if he doesn't get a .22 revolver or autoloader, he's going to blow a whole bunch of money on ammo before he is a decent shot. We're talking less than 2¢ each for .22 rimfire, versus 12¢ for 9 mm or more than that for larger calibers.

This is just my opinion, and I'm nobody special.

- Jim

I still start people on revolvers some. It allows easy, repetitive dry fire, and I can load random bullets in the cylinder to show if they are anticipating recoil. I can usually have a person shooting acceptably in 50-100 rounds.

You can do the same with semi-autos, you just need more time and a little imagination.

It may be just me, but I have found that unless the new shooter is extremely sensitive to recoil/noise I get no advantage in starting them on .22. In fact, once they move up to larger calibers I have to retrain due to the more significant recoil.

I have switched to a laser gun the few times the shooter just did not grasp that they were jerking and pushing against recoil. Once they "get it" the laser is turned off. ;)

Steve,

I bought the Glock light/laser combo, and it is on the bottom of my Kimber Warrior.
Last year, when we pulled up to the hunting camp, my buddy whipped out his new 3-D MagLite, and it was *dimmer* than my TacLight.
Also, I used it to locate a deer that he lost as it was shot at sundown. Bright Bright Bright! (Note: Using a weapon-mounted flashlight has some serious drawbacks to consider!)

In house, it is the Bedroom Defense Gun.
I leave it switched over to laser at night. Yeah, I got the Meprolights on the Kimber, but the 'red dot of impact' is soooo much easier to aim when you are are disoriented.
I figure anyone hit with a laser in the dark, is gonna have an accident in their pants where they stand. I sure would!

I *guarantee* the Tac light is bright enough that you will be blinded if hit directly in the eyes with it. Detached from my gun, this was tested on several willing test-cases, who promptly screamed, threw up their arms over their face, and fell over nearby furniture. I figure that is a "yes."

~Bill

I tried a laser on my Glock and found I shoot a lot better without it. Just can't get used to not looking down the iron sites. One of my shooting partners tried it on my gun and could have drove a nail with it so I know it was me and not the sites out of alignment.
He finally bought the laser from me.

Now, if I could only get sites large enough for these bad eyes to see that would still fit my holster, I'll be fine

RPBrown wrote:Now, if I could only get sites large enough for these bad eyes to see that would still fit my holster, I'll be fine

Here ya go:

http://www.xssights.com/store/handgun.html

Absolutely get a light first he doesn't have one. Handheld lights are fine for a handgun. Long-guns should have a mounted light.