Crimson Trace of Beaverton, Oregon is the
authority when it comes to innovative and unobtrusive laser
sights for handguns. Now, they have introduced a quality laser
sight for the AR-15 rifle that is also very unobtrusive, with
most of the device contained within the pistol grip of the
weapon. The battery and electronics are all securely contained
within the grip. The laser itself is secured to the carry handle
of the weapon, and will quickly attach to any A-1 or A-2 handle.
While most of my ARs are of flattop
configuration and are set up for hunting, I have one that is
kept strictly for social work, and it has a carry handle with
standard A-1 style sights. Atop the handle is a Trijicon
ACOG scope. I did not want to replace the ACOG to attach
a laser, nor did I want a laser attached elsewhere on the rifle
with a wire running back to a switch, as is commonly done. The
Crimson Trace unit is far superior to the type of laser that
just clamps onto the barrel. There are no external wires to hang
up on things, and the unit is far less likely to be banged up
and damaged or knocked out of alignment. With the sight
attached, the carry handle can still accommodate my large hand
with ease.
The LG-525 is very easy to install, and
comes with detailed instructions. To install the sight, first
the stock pistol grip is detached by removing the slot-headed
bolt. The new grip containing the electronics is installed using
the same bolt. The two grip halves are then bolted together
using two supplied bolts. The laser retainer, a metal bracket,
is then attached with one small bolt to the carry handle, and
the laser locked into place by rotating the cam lock one-quarter
turn. The whole process takes about four minutes.
Adjusting the laser is easily accomplished by
turning the adjustment screws with the supplied Allen wrench. I
adjusted mine to the A-1 sights, and then fired the weapon to
assure that everything was properly sighted in.
A laser on an AR can be very handy, particularly
in close range or low-light situations. While the four power
ACOG has tritium for low-light capability, it is less than ideal
for close range situations. Mounted to the carry handle and
sighted in for 300 yards, at close range the ACOG puts the
bullet impact significantly below the point of aim. In a
situation where close range precision is required, such as a
thug hiding behind a hostage or barricade, the laser can be
sighted to be dead on at anywhere from 25 to 50 yards, and make
that shot very easy to make. With the laser, both eyes can be
kept wide open to constantly assess the situation while keeping
the weapon on target. In a low-light situation, the laser is
visible out to a few hundred yards, depending upon the target
involved. However, at longer ranges, I prefer to switch to the
ACOG for the greater magnification provided. Where the Crimson
Trace laser really excels is at ranges from arms-length out to
about 100 yards, where it is visible even in bright daylight,
again depending upon the target. Indoors, the Crimson Trace
laser is perfect.
Adding this unit to my AR-15 greatly improved
the versatility of the weapon, making it much quicker to get on
target when lighting is dim or the range is close. The weapon is
ready to handle just about any type of predator that may come
along, from a raiding coyote to a drug-crazed felon. If you are
to need a defensive weapon, it is most likely to be at night, or
in a dimly-lit building. Night time is when most criminals
prefer to apply their trade, under the cover of darkness. If you
keep a weapon for defense, it should be set up primarily for
night time use. If you keep an AR-15 for defense, it should be
configured likewise. It should wear a Crimson Trace laser grip.
You never regret buying the best, and I believe that the Crimson
Trace is the best unit on the market.
Check them out online at: www.crimsontrace.com.
Jeff Quinn
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