While I don’t consider myself to be old, I do remember the onset of gun-mounted lasers, especially since one of the very first wasn’t even mounted on a real gun, but rather on a movie prop. Have any of us forgotten when Schwarzenegger brought the idea of gun-mounted lasers to the masses with a SureFire, then known as Laser Products Corp., laser as the Terminator?

In the real world, lasers were adopted by special operation groups that realized the tactical applications. As time progressed, lasers quickly shrunk in size, increased in power and lowered in price, and by the early 90s, were being used by both police and civilians.

Now, the technology is so advanced that lasers are being put inside gun components like guide rods and grips, with prices less than most handguns.

I have to admit that early on I though gun-mounted lasers were really cool, but that I didn’t really need them. I trained often with my guns, and knew how to shoot. I could see the benefits of lasers for many shooters. I just didn’t need them.

Then, a buddy and fellow NRA Instructor put Crimson Trace Lasergrips on his Glock. After experiencing that combination, I just had to have a laser on my carry gun. In fact, I ended up putting Crimson Trace Lasergrips on my Kimber, a Crimson Trace Laserguard on my LCP and a LaserMax Guide Rod Laser on my Beretta. And when I finally trick out my DPMS, it will have some sort of laser/light combination.

Yes, I know how to use my sights for accurate fire, point shoot out to about 10 yards and flash sight for anything in between, and I still train without a laser, but it is amazing how much a laser improves speed under pressure.