Posted: 1/3/2009 3:07:46 PM EDT
| I just picked up a Glock 27 today for my concealed carry and I want to get a laser for it. I know LaserMax makes the guide rod lasers, which is what I want, but man, they are almost $300! Are there any cheaper guide rod lasers out there or is LaserMax the only option? |
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I use the Lasermax guide rods in a G17, G19, G26 and G21SF. I have 5,000+ rounds through these guns and have only had one minor issue. These are hardly new technology and are a well proven design. 87GN clearly doesn't know much about the Lasermax unit....
The US military and many LE agencies have tested these devices extensively and have subsequently adopted them in large numbers. Overall, they are among the most popular handgun lasers. Anything can break, but I fail to see how the laser failing would cause the gun to fail. This logic is no different than saying the same about CTC Lasergrips. The laser has no bearing on gun function. The Lasermax unit is actually an improvement over a standard Glock guide rod as its not polymer, which can melt. Its a much more substantial unit than the OEM peice. Also, the Glock like many modern handguns can function without a guide rod, so long as the spring is intact. Captured guide rods have more to do with assembly than anything else. Anything that would cause your Glock to fail with a Lasermax would amount to a failure with the OEM guide rod. The issue that I experienced was related to the seal around the lense of the laser. It had started to fail and allowed condensation to build up on the lense, diluting the laser beam. Instead of a precise beam, it was a diffuse blob. I could still aim with it though and it never changed the function of the gun. This was also an older unit that had thousands of rounds of .40 S&W ammo through it. Lasermax replaced the seal and upgraded the unit for no cost in about a week. Otherwise, mine have all been problem free, despite serious use. Lasermax's aren't perfect though and I would only use them on a Glock or H&K USP. Everything else I would much rather use Lasergrips. Personally, I am not crazy about the pulsing beam, but with the battery packs being a little pricey I appreciate an increase in battery life. After around 20+ rounds, the laser will begin to dim because of carbon build up. Wipe it off and you are good to go...I don't like that you can't "flick it on and off" like you can with Lasergrips. The Lasermax isn't as easily activated/deactivated. Only the 1911 Lasermax can be user-zeroed. All of mine have been nearly dead on, though I have seen some that "favored" one side or the other. In any case, the bullet practically hits right on top the dot. Lasergrips require an informed user to zero them at a practical and usable range. If you use the Blackhawk SERPA with a Glock, you may need a special swtich to facilitate the use of this holster. Unfortunatly, the Glock Lasergrips cause the gun to sit higher in my hand, which negates the famous low bore axis and it badly interferes with my indexing ability. For these reasons, I believe the Lasermax to be the lesser of two evils. Both have thier drawbacks but to suggest that the Lasermax unit might cause a gun to be less reliable is unfounded and a little ignorant... So long as the recoil spring is appropriate, it won't cause any problems. Freak things happen....Your Lasergrips could impinge upon the lock work of your Sig Sauer. Suffice to say, any guide rod/spring issue you have with a Lasermax that causes the gun to fail will be an issue you have with an OEM unit. |
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I use the Lasermax guide rods in a G17, G19, G26 and G21SF. I have 5,000+ rounds through these guns and have only had one minor issue. These are hardly new technology and are a well proven design. 87GN clearly doesn't know much about the Lasermax unit.... The US military and many LE agencies have tested these devices extensively and have subsequently adopted them in large numbers. Overall, they are among the most popular handgun lasers. Anything can break, but I fail to see how the laser failing would cause the gun to fail. This logic is no different than saying the same about CTC Lasergrips. The laser has no bearing on gun function. The Lasermax unit is actually an improvement over a standard Glock guide rod as its not polymer, which can melt. Its a much more substantial unit than the OEM peice. Also, the Glock like many modern handguns can function without a guide rod, so long as the spring is intact. Captured guide rods have more to do with assembly than anything else. Anything that would cause your Glock to fail with a Lasermax would amount to a failure with the OEM guide rod. The issue that I experienced was related to the seal around the lense of the laser. It had started to fail and allowed condensation to build up on the lense, diluting the laser beam. Instead of a precise beam, it was a diffuse blob. I could still aim with it though and it never changed the function of the gun. This was also an older unit that had thousands of rounds of .40 S&W ammo through it. Lasermax replaced the seal and upgraded the unit for no cost in about a week. Otherwise, mine have all been problem free, despite serious use. Lasermax's aren't perfect though and I would only use them on a Glock or H&K USP. Everything else I would much rather use Lasergrips. Personally, I am not crazy about the pulsing beam, but with the battery packs being a little pricey I appreciate an increase in battery life. After around 20+ rounds, the laser will begin to dim because of carbon build up. Wipe it off and you are good to go...I don't like that you can't "flick it on and off" like you can with Lasergrips. The Lasermax isn't as easily activated/deactivated. Only the 1911 Lasermax can be user-zeroed. All of mine have been nearly dead on, though I have seen some that "favored" one side or the other. In any case, the bullet practically hits right on top the dot. Lasergrips require an informed user to zero them at a practical and usable range. If you use the Blackhawk SERPA with a Glock, you may need a special swtich to facilitate the use of this holster. Unfortunatly, the Glock Lasergrips cause the gun to sit higher in my hand, which negates the famous low bore axis and it badly interferes with my indexing ability. For these reasons, I believe the Lasermax to be the lesser of two evils. Both have thier drawbacks but to suggest that the Lasermax unit might cause a gun to be less reliable is unfounded and a little ignorant... So long as the recoil spring is appropriate, it won't cause any problems. Freak things happen....Your Lasergrips could impinge upon the lock work of your Sig Sauer. Suffice to say, any guide rod/spring issue you have with a Lasermax that causes the gun to fail will be an issue you have with an OEM unit. I have seen a broken Lasermax unit. Keep thinking I don't know what I'm talking about, though. |
| I have three Crimson Trace laser grips on my handguns (S&W 686 Plus, Sig Sauer P220R, and Glock 26) and I only have good things to say about CT grips. I wanted to try the Lasermax guide rod so I got one for my Glock 19. So far so good. But to me, the Crimson Trace is a much better value if you want a laser on your handgun. |
| There have been reports on Glocktalk of the guide rod lasers breaking and tying up the pistol. Have I seen it personally? No, but just like the S&W lock that has been reported to lock itself during firing I won't take the chance on my carry piece. The Crimson Trace laser grip would be my choice. |
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Had a Lasermax laser on a Glock 31 that I put over 3000 rounds through without the slightest problem. Would I buy another one? No, but not because they're supposed to break, just because I ended almost never using it. I probably turned the thing on less than a dozen times to actually shoot with. Personally I'd much sooner spend the money on some good nightsights or a light. |
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tag for feedback. had one many ages ago for my 1911. Wasn't too bad. More of a toy. Now, i've got a Taurus PT92 with a SWR Trident. They don't make trace grips for it. It'a about my only option. um wouldnt the can block the laser Nope. It shoudl clear. My guide rod is slightly below my can. |
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(snip) I have seen a broken Lasermax unit. Keep thinking I don't know what I'm talking about, though. Same here, I would not trust my life to one. If it breaks it will jam the gun. If you absolutely must have a laser (which I do not recommend) than get the CT. My Mother uses a Smith model 36 with the CT grips and is pretty good with them. As long as the battery doesn't die  .
Lasermax would be perfectly fine for a range toy however. |
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There have been reports on Glocktalk of the guide rod lasers breaking and tying up the pistol. Have I seen it personally? No, but just like the S&W lock that has been reported to lock itself during firing I won't take the chance on my carry piece. The Crimson Trace laser grip would be my choice. Firearms instructor John farnam has also had them break in his classes. He no longer allows firearms with lasermax devices. |
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The Laser max recoil rod internal lasers are very reliable and are used by the NYC Transit Police. You should know that they are NOT as bright as the Crimson Trace, TLR-2 Streamlight combo,or Laser Max rail laser because in order to fit inside the recoil rod the apeture had to be made smaller than on an external laser. I find it to be a big difference.
If that plastic cup in the recoil rod laser break you could have a jam. I only bought the rod for a Glock because II do not like the CT unit for the Glock. |
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I have a LaserMax LMS-1131P in my Glock 23. It's seen over 2500 rounds so far and still going strong.
I purchased directly from LaserMax, and got a very nice price , due to their Military Discount, which they offer to Active , Reserist's and Retired. I believe that they also offer a Law Enforcement Discount. I too am somewhat concerned about it breaking, but I'm not going to dwell on it, if it happens I'lll remove it from the pistol and send it back to LaserMax for themto fix. Chief |
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I don't doubt that they can break and have broken. That said, I have them in four of my own Glocks (and had one in a SIG P226 until I got rid of the gun), thousands of rounds through them and, in the case of the G19s, years of CCW, and I've never personally had them malfunction at all, let alone break/bind up the weapon. It may happen tomorrow, but until then I'll go on my own personal years of experience instead of the stories of others (not that I doubt them). YMMV. FWIW, I personally prefer the CTC units (again, I have several of them) for everything except Glocks, but the LaserMax units for Glocks. Again, YMMV. |