I am really bustin to get Crimson trace for my LCP, but the $200. tag is making think if they are necessary ? Anybody got them?  what do you think about them? would you buy them again?

Have them on 3 S&W M&P pistols. I love them do not however have it on my LCP. Thought it added to much bulk and was not overly impressed with it.

Crimson Trace has a video that gives you all the reasons to have a laser on your pistol. Most people get them for "just in case I need it."  Will you really need the laser?

I have a laser on a Glock 23 and it works just great. I'll never use it in a gun fight unless unusual circumstances prevail.

All the training schools teach a "reactive, defensive, save your life in under 3 seconds" style of shooting. You carry a pistol to defend your life, not to be the aggressor.

The likely scenario is that a shooting will take place in under 3 seconds, at under 3 feet and with less than 3 rounds fired. (Exceptions make the rule.)

Question: Do you really need a laser for that?

Some folks say, "Well, when the bad guy sees the laser dot on his chest, he'll stand down and I won't have to shoot him." Maybe. Are you really going to wait to find out?

If you have to draw the pistol, are you going to brandish it and hope for the best? Are you going to alert the bad guy that he's go a dot on his chest and wait for a reaction?

If you can't hit a target center of mass under 7 yards (21 feet is many times normal shooting distance) perhaps you may need more practice, not a laser.

I really don't think you need a laser. (You're a grown-up and you get to do what you want, so take my opinion for what it's worth.)

I talk to customers daily who are hanging lights and lasers on their pistols "just in case." When I ask if they are on a special weapons team, they say, well, no. It's just in case.

OK, that's fine. Personally, all the gadgets may get you killed if you're distracted or hesitating in the slightest because of them.

I won a set at an NRA dinner for my 1911 Colt. It took awhile for me to get them put on as I had to have the ambi safety modified for the grips. I love them, I target shoot with them regularly. I have hunted with them and killed game with it.
I don't normally conceal carry my 1911 but I'd feel fine with it. The laser stays on all the time and when you grab the grips they are automatically there. i think it would work fine in a bad situation. But I hope I never know.

The laser is not a detriment. If you have one, great. I'm just saying you don't need one for defensive shooting, especially on an LCP.

YMMV.

Quoted from Rob Longenecker

The laser is not a detriment. If you have one, great. I'm just saying you don't need one for defensive shooting, especially on an LCP.

YMMV.

Last month or so after a USPSA match a friend reshot the last stage of the match. The first official run shot normally with his iron sight, the second run using his CT grips. The run with the laser was much slower and with worse hits.

I think the laser is a LOT more useful on a harder to shoot gun like the LCP. ( but I don't have one on mine and have no plans of getting one)
  

Quoted from Rob Longenecker

Crimson Trace has a video that gives you all the reasons to have a laser on your pistol. Most people get them for "just in case I need it."  Will you really need the laser?

I have a laser on a Glock 23 and it works just great. I'll never use it in a gun fight unless unusual circumstances prevail.

All the training schools teach a "reactive, defensive, save your life in under 3 seconds" style of shooting. You carry a pistol to defend your life, not to be the aggressor.

The likely scenario is that a shooting will take place in under 3 seconds, at under 3 feet and with less than 3 rounds fired. (Exceptions make the rule.)

Question: Do you really need a laser for that?

Some folks say, "Well, when the bad guy sees the laser dot on his chest, he'll stand down and I won't have to shoot him." Maybe. Are you really going to wait to find out?

If you have to draw the pistol, are you going to brandish it and hope for the best? Are you going to alert the bad guy that he's go a dot on his chest and wait for a reaction?

If you can't hit a target center of mass under 7 yards (21 feet is many times normal shooting distance) perhaps you may need more practice, not a laser.

I really don't think you need a laser. (You're a grown-up and you get to do what you want, so take my opinion for what it's worth.)

I talk to customers daily who are hanging lights and lasers on their pistols "just in case." When I ask if they are on a special weapons team, they say, well, no. It's just in case.

OK, that's fine. Personally, all the gadgets may get you killed if you're distracted or hesitating in the slightest because of them.

Excellent post, Rob.

I try to tell guys all the time who contact me about this piece of gear and that piece of gear to simply learn to shoot your gun fast and accurate. Take the $$ you want to drop on a laser and buy some ammo and go train.

I love the Crimson lasers, but think the LCP design is way too bulky. The ones that are built in the grip are awesome!

I have CT grips on several handguns.  They definitely help my aging eyes align the barrel on target.  I've not seen the elephant - knock on head - so I can't vouch for laser effectiveness in that setting.  But I feel more confident with them, which may be illusory, but because confidence is largely subjective, I'll settle for whatever helps.