Crimnson Trace Laser Grips: Front or Side Activated?

[michigand]

Does anyone have experience with both front and side activated Crimson Trace laser grips?

Is one clearly better than the other?

If they both work equally well, why did Crimson Trace introduce the side activated ones after so many year?

Should hand size factor into my choice?

Thank you in advance for your answers that reflect much more experience than mine.

[bonefamily]

No experience with the lasers themselves, but my guess on why they offer both is to stay competitive. Other mfg's offer front and some side, so my guess is that to offer both would be to make both. People have different preferences.

[loose_holster_dan]

i've owned the side and have shot my dads kimber with the front. i find that i'm engage the sides without thinking about it as much.

[ClydeFrog]

Here's my input(I owned & used a CT laser-aimer for a Taurus snub revolver).

I'd go for a front activation style CT grip, you can use it one handed & it's more ambi-friendly.
Im left handed & had no problems with CT grips. I would also suggest the type with a master switch. You may set it off & drain the battery in some carry formats.
You can turn it on in emergencies or turn it on when you carry a firearm concealed.
Keep in mind that CT lasergrips or any laser-aiming system is meant to augment your basic marksmanship skill(s) not replace them.
You should be 100% ready to go with just the open or fixed weapon sights. A gun fight or critical incident isn't the time to screw around with tools or gadgets.
Training to draw, ID a threat & fire using a lasergrip or Lasermax is ideal.
Crimsontrace; www.crimsontrace.com has a good free 2013 DVD too. Watch it and use the tactics if you buy a Lasergrip.

Clyde

[michigand]

for your comprehensive replies.

[shootniron]

front

[loose_holster_dan]

the side activation ones have pads on both sides for ambi operation. it is positioned right where your middle finger pad should be. easy to press.

[MLeake]

This is just an educated guess, but I suspect the side activated options were made available because some people worry about the possibility of sympathetic reflex (IE fingers tend to squeeze together when any one finger is flexed) causing negligent discharges.

In other words, some people have expressed concern that when the middle finger squeezes the laser activation button, the trigger finger might squeeze the trigger, especially in a stressful situation.

[dgludwig]

I'm of the opinion that each "system" has advantages and (potential) disadvantages. There are times when a quick squeeze gives an instant beam when you want it on in the fastest way possible and, perhaps, other times when a more deliberate deployment might be in order (say when you don't want to give away your position) and the emotion and added adrenalin of the moment might cause you to sqeeze the grip of the gun unintentionally and prematurely.

[BGutzman]

Front is much better... I have both... The problem with side activation is its easy for it to activate while IWB carrying... I just turn the laser off if I do IWB with my side activated P220...

[Zilmo]

I much prefer the front. Very easy social finger activation.

[LewSchiller]

Front.
Never tried a CT side but just yesterday tried a Bodyguard .380 with side laser activation up front.
Didn't care for that at all.