Both literally and figuratively speaking, this is a NEW Look
at CTC Lasergrips. New this time is the Combat Overmold
Lasergrips for the Smith & Wesson J-frame, round butt
revolvers. New this time also is a new use to which I put the
CTC Lasergrips to the test.
CTC Model LG-305
This model fits all Smith & Wesson J-frame round butt
revolvers.
Note the new larger size and the new rubber over mold feature
for more comfort in use with the .357 Magnum chambering now
available in the S&W J-Frame revolver. This grip is far more
comfortable to use and allows greater accuracy than the
original CTC Lasergrip did when combined with the more
powerful .357 Magnum chambering as is my S&W 60 3" with
adjustable sights. Also new is an ON/OFF switch on the bottom
like the larger grips previously tested for the K, L and
N-Frame S&W revolvers.
This I suppose makes the gun very slightly less concealable
but I feel the greater control and increased accuracy with
which I was able to shoot more than makes up for that slight
loss which maybe more perceived than real anyway. Still there
are all the great features that made me like the CTC
Lasergrip in the first test. The laser dot is bright enough
to be seen easily even in broad daylight and as long as your
target isn't in direct full sunlight you'll see the laser's
dot. At night I've still not been able to determine a maximum
distance of the dot. While in Texas for a hog hunt back in
March of 2001 I was able to shine it out to over 1/4 mile and
it was still easily visible altho at such range I'd have no
idea just how the dot and the bullet's point of impact relate
to each other.
This new overmold feature is great. I love it and this is the
grip that will stay on my personal S&W 60 3", count on it. I
also recommended to CTC that they hurry up and add the rubber
overmold feature to all their grips. Yes IT IS that good an
idea in my opinion.
Also tested was the round butt version for S&W K, L and
N-Frame revolvers with round butt. This one gives somewhat
less control under violent recoil than does the square butt
version I tested before. I noticed that especially as the
ammunition of choice for the night time hog hunt in Texas was
Randy Garrett's 310 grain cast bullet at 1350 fps from the
S&W Classic DX. Now that ammo has got some more kick to it.
The smooth sides and reduced profile of the round butt grip
were really obvious to me with this level of recoil. Accuracy
was still obtainable but it took more concentration that with
the square butt and lesser recoil of the test combination
last time.
Still with both guns I was able to easily match and in most
cases exceed the level of accuracy obtainable with the
factory iron sights. In the case of the little 3" S&W 60 I
was much more accurate with the laser dot as my sighting
device than with the very short sight radius of the factory
irons. This was less pronounced with the larger Classic DX as
it has an 8-3/8" barrel, but still the laser dot provides an
excellent aiming method and accuracy is as good as I am able
to hold.
NOTE: Both S&W revolvers are PRE AGREEMENT!
In Texas on the hog hunt I was easily able to see to
correctly place the laser dot even on a moonless night to far
greater distances than the gun was sighted for. Weather
played havoc with our hunt and no hogs were taken since none
were sighted but placing the dot on the coons and deer
visiting the feeders confirmed that had a shot been presented
it would have been easily made. For those of you in states
that allow night hunting of hogs and various predators and
varmints I think the laser is the ultimate night sight for
such use. Handgunners should really take a serious look at
the CTC Lasergrip for this use.
For those who can't use a laser for hunting or who can't hunt
at night there is still a hunting use of it. On the way into
your hunting area in the dark and on your way back to your
vehicle in the dark after shooting light ends is the time. If
packs of wild dogs or other vermin of the type are a
potential problem in your area as they are in mine the ease
of use of the laser in darkness is comforting on those walks
thru country so infested. A rattlesnake in the dark is
another good reason for the laser on your self defense gun.
For those who shoot mice or rats in the dark in your barns or
corn cribs why not give the CTC Lasergrip a try on your rat
gun? Yeah it will make it even easier to connect with those
rampaging rodents.
I rate the Crimson Trace Corporation Lasergrips a real winner
and highly recommend them for your consideration. They
deserve a thumbs up
and the Graybeard Seal of Approval.
Visit Crimson Trace Corporation online by clicking their
name.
Crimson Trace Corporation
8089 SW Cirrus Dr.
Beaverton, OR 97008
800-442-2406
Local 503-627-9992
Fax 503-627-0166