Crimson Trace Laser Grip --- S&W Model 340PD

[JHT]

Any opinions on Crimson Trace Laser Grips for the S&W Model 340PD?

They currently produce two configurations or sizes/shapes.

The smaller grip is judged to be more concealable than the larger grip for concealed carry applications.

The larger grip purportedly is more comfortable to shoot the light gun with than is the smaller grip.

Any experience or thoughts?  Thanks,

JHT

[rockbilly]

-Either/or is good.  I highly reccomend the Crimson Trace grips, they will make a difference in how effective the gun is at night, or in low light conditions.  I wish I could afford to put them on all my handguns.............but I would have to hock the farm to do it.

[beavdha]

I just picked up a S&W Model 642 with the crimson trace grips.  It's much cheaper to buy it already on the gun than it is to buy the gun and then buy the grips.  I'll let you know how it does when I get a chance to shoot it - probably in a couple of weeks.

[rockbilly]

beavdha.  My first set of Crimson Trace grips came on a used 649, .357.  The gun is dead on at 25 yards, and allows me to detect and shoot a plastic water bottle from that distance in almost total darkness.  I was so impressed that I put them on several other guns (Ouch).  They do help us older folks to shoot better, and allows you to hold the gun in a manner (on the hip) while maintaing the target in full view with both eyes.  All you have to do is place the red dot where you want it an and squeeze the trigger.  And the DeSantis Pocket Holster makes it an excellent carry gun.

[beavdha]

Thanks Rockabilly,  I will need to get one of those desantis pocket holsters for sure.  The S&W will be my summer time concealed carry - my kimber pro raptor will be the late fall and winter carry.  I can conceal the Kimber with the clothes that I wear, but in the summer I will have to go to the smaller gun    Now if my job allowed me to wear my shirt tail out maybe I could get by, but I have to keep my shirt tucked in. 
I looked at the crimson trace for my Kimber but it would require the ambidextrous safety to be modified.

[A.J.]

JHT, you hit the nail on the head. You have a direct trade-off with the grips, the longer the grips, the more controllable and less concealable. You just got to have big pockets. I just bought a 637 with laser grips a couple weeks ago. Haven't fired it yet, but I picked up some snap-caps and have been dry-firing it a lot around the house. That laser sure helps steady your grip. A lot of people frown when they see my "old-fashioned" wheelgun with the exposed hammer, but with just a little care and practice drawing the gun with your thumb over the hammer, with that laser you can easily quadruple your effective range firing single action. just my 2 cents