Podunkadunk, since you mentioned “The analogy of not buying it until after you’ve 10k rounds is crazy”, I have to assume you’re quoting me, and please allow me to rebut.
First, 10,000 rounds was an exaggeration on my part, however the idea is that you’re so familiar with your sidearm and proficient in shooting it, that if using a laser on your sidearm, the laser is an added “feature”, not a “crutch” like I’ve seen some people rely upon.
Funny, I never did read up on the trajectory of a laser.
A question. If you’re using only tritium inserts or “night sights” on your handgun, how many rounds does it take you to shoot in total darkness before you lose your natural “night vision sight” and can no longer “align” your sights (even if you have tritium inserts)?
You should be able to answer that question.
First off, I don’t consider myself anti technology (laser) and I’m assuming you mean me (if I’m incorrect, apologies). A laser is awesome, particularly if you can see the laser beam, your opponent, and where you’re aiming at, including the laser beam, all at the same time when your opponent is in total darkness and cannot see you or the laser. However, any visible light is VISIBLE not only to yourself, but also to your adversary. Do you know at what angle you can “pick up” a beam of light (laser) from a handgun when you’re on the “receiving end”? You’d be surprised.
Also, without an outside sourse of light to actually see where you are shooting, you could littereally have a red dot on someones forehead 30' away and not even know it. One reason why I'd take a light over a laser any time of the day (or night). You need to know what you are shooting at.
As far as an intruder in your own home, perhaps another debate as far as tactics, however for myself, I’m minimizing the variables that increase the likelihood of myself getting injured, which means I get loves ones in a secure place, retreat and take a defensive position with lanes of fire already set up which forces my opponent into those lanes, and minimizes the chances that my opponent knows where I’m at, while I am awaiting for help to arrive.
10,000 rounds is not hard to do as far as practice. Funny, one time I was informing one instructor of mine that I already had 12k through the gun and the year wasn’t even halfway over yet. I’ll never forget the question he asked me, “out of those 12,000 rounds, how many were shot while you were upside down and how many were shot in total darkness?” His point was that people tend to practice what they are used to and comfortable with. Only problem is that when you get hit with the unexpected, you usually aren’t comfortable and don’t practice those scenarios on a regular basis.
Your analogy of the fighter pilot is pretty far off IMO. You would have been better to say “It would be like telling a fighter pilot not to use his HUD (Heads Up Display) while engaging the enemy". Makes more sense, missiles and guns are the actual means to taking your opponent out, the HUD is a means to utilize the weapon systems, such as the laser the means to utilized the gun more effectively.
Yes, I happen to have a variety of scopes for rifles. I have/had ACOGS, EO Techs, Aimpoints and some other “fun” equipment for my AR’s, and interesting enough, I still know how to use the iron sights. Out at a range one day, guy was showing me his AR that he was really proud of. Had ARMS mounts on the flat top, but also had a front and rear iron sight (ARMS as well for the rear) on a mounting plate with a spacer so the sights would co-exist with his Aimpoint (apparently he bought the gun from a guy who built it on his own). Funny, after I put a couple of rounds through it with the Aimpoint on, I turned the devise off to use the iron sights. They (the iron sights) were way off. I asked him if or when he was going to sight the iron sights in and he told me sheepishly that he didn’t know how to! I showed him, but I found it amazing that a guy would spend over a thousand dollars on a gun and not even know or try to find out how to sight in his gun with iron sights. I LOVE to shoot the M1A and FAL with open sights out past 500 yards. Some guys don’t realize the guns are built to do it.
Heck I even have a laser for my side arms. They make a great training devise while dry firing to see what movement you have while shooting, and one drill in particular that I’m fond of for showing people how much they can flinch while shooting and not even realize it (for this, the laser is a GREAT training tool).
You’re absolutely right, to each his own, and if having a laser on your sidearm makes you a better shooter, by all means get one. I’ve just seen to many people use a laser for a crutch, and most of the men whom I admire and respect and what I’d would consider very good with a side arm don’t feel the need for a laser, and from personal experience, feel the same (these men are not paid nor given a laser, we all know manufacturers would never give product away or pay someone to use it to increase sales)
That said, just wanted to mention some of the things/experiences I’ve come across so hopefully my thoughts don’t seem so crazy as you may think.
So, heres mine...