BACKGROUND
I recently added a Ruger LC9 to my small collection (emphasis on small!). After the purchase I purchased a LaserMax for the LC9 on Amazon for about $85. I had debated about a laser for the LC9 – the main thing I didn't like about the Crimson Trace and LaserMax was that the laser housing continued all the way under the trigger guard to the handle. When I "tried" them at the stores, I noted that though the thickness of the extended housing was small, it was enough to mess up my three-finger grip using the supplied pinkie extension for the mags. Of course, given that the switch for the Crimson Trace is at the handle, this couldn't be eliminated. For the LaserMax, however, this seemed primarily aesthetic.
I wasn't willing to go the cost of the Crimson Trace, but figured that I could do the $85 for the LaserMax and take my chance that I would settle into it. (I actually prefer the switch arrangement on the LaserMax to the Crimson Trace design.) For me, the laser will be used primarily as a training aid to visualize what I am doing when pulling the trigger. If I can ever get the wife to the range, I figure it might help there as well. I don't really see it as a likely aid in a self-defense situation.
Well, I installed the LaserMax and did a range trip. Turned out that the loss of grip was of less concern than was the abrading of my trigger finger on the housing of the laser that runs along the inside bottom of the trigger guard. This housing does not fully enclose the inner surface of the trigger guard behind the trigger and the exposed edges rubbed on my trigger finger. After about 50 rounds, I was beginning to be pained by the rubbing.
THE MODIFICATION
The above led to the modification to the LaserMax described below. This is what the standard LaserMax for the LC9 looks like installed:
Essentially, I removed most of the laser housing that extended behind the trigger. Here is a photo of the final product:
This modification used the following tools and could be accomplished with about 30 minutes of work:
I did the initial blunt cut with a thin, abrasive cutoff wheel on the Dremel. Note in the following photo that it is important to pick the location where you are going to make the cutoff:
The preceding is a view of the half of the housing that does not have the electronics installed in it. Notice the hidden channel that you want to miss when you make the cut. The arrow in the next photo points to the original limit of where the housing covered the full trigger guard, so the blunt cut off was made just to the rear of that point.
Once the basic cut was made, I used the Black & Decker Mouse sander with 80 grit sandpaper to do the basic shaping. Here is a photo showing the final contours.
After the basic shaping, I used the polishing wheel on the Dremel to try and smooth the surfaces. In retrospect, I think this was an unnecessary step as it didn't accomplish much! I then used a small piece of 120 grit sandpaper, handheld, to continue smoothing the contour. This worked quite well. Finally, I used the piece of ScotchBrite to buff out the surfaces. This resulted in a fairly good blend to the rest of the housing and to the LC9.
FINAL ASSESSMENT
I am not able to detect any deterioration in the stability of the LaserMax installation on the LC9 after the modifications. This confirms my guess that the extension of the housing is primarily aesthetic.
I think the modification maintains the aesthetics of the installation for the most part -- with it in your hand you don't see the missing portion of the housing anyway. It definitely eliminates the painful rubbing of my trigger finger on the housing extension. As a bonus, I also gain back the small, but critical, extra gripping space on the handle, which for larger hands is a real plus.
As they say, your mileage may vary!
I recently added a Ruger LC9 to my small collection (emphasis on small!). After the purchase I purchased a LaserMax for the LC9 on Amazon for about $85. I had debated about a laser for the LC9 – the main thing I didn't like about the Crimson Trace and LaserMax was that the laser housing continued all the way under the trigger guard to the handle. When I "tried" them at the stores, I noted that though the thickness of the extended housing was small, it was enough to mess up my three-finger grip using the supplied pinkie extension for the mags. Of course, given that the switch for the Crimson Trace is at the handle, this couldn't be eliminated. For the LaserMax, however, this seemed primarily aesthetic.
I wasn't willing to go the cost of the Crimson Trace, but figured that I could do the $85 for the LaserMax and take my chance that I would settle into it. (I actually prefer the switch arrangement on the LaserMax to the Crimson Trace design.) For me, the laser will be used primarily as a training aid to visualize what I am doing when pulling the trigger. If I can ever get the wife to the range, I figure it might help there as well. I don't really see it as a likely aid in a self-defense situation.
Well, I installed the LaserMax and did a range trip. Turned out that the loss of grip was of less concern than was the abrading of my trigger finger on the housing of the laser that runs along the inside bottom of the trigger guard. This housing does not fully enclose the inner surface of the trigger guard behind the trigger and the exposed edges rubbed on my trigger finger. After about 50 rounds, I was beginning to be pained by the rubbing.
THE MODIFICATION
The above led to the modification to the LaserMax described below. This is what the standard LaserMax for the LC9 looks like installed:
Essentially, I removed most of the laser housing that extended behind the trigger. Here is a photo of the final product:
This modification used the following tools and could be accomplished with about 30 minutes of work:
I did the initial blunt cut with a thin, abrasive cutoff wheel on the Dremel. Note in the following photo that it is important to pick the location where you are going to make the cutoff:
The preceding is a view of the half of the housing that does not have the electronics installed in it. Notice the hidden channel that you want to miss when you make the cut. The arrow in the next photo points to the original limit of where the housing covered the full trigger guard, so the blunt cut off was made just to the rear of that point.
Once the basic cut was made, I used the Black & Decker Mouse sander with 80 grit sandpaper to do the basic shaping. Here is a photo showing the final contours.
After the basic shaping, I used the polishing wheel on the Dremel to try and smooth the surfaces. In retrospect, I think this was an unnecessary step as it didn't accomplish much! I then used a small piece of 120 grit sandpaper, handheld, to continue smoothing the contour. This worked quite well. Finally, I used the piece of ScotchBrite to buff out the surfaces. This resulted in a fairly good blend to the rest of the housing and to the LC9.
FINAL ASSESSMENT
I am not able to detect any deterioration in the stability of the LaserMax installation on the LC9 after the modifications. This confirms my guess that the extension of the housing is primarily aesthetic.
I think the modification maintains the aesthetics of the installation for the most part -- with it in your hand you don't see the missing portion of the housing anyway. It definitely eliminates the painful rubbing of my trigger finger on the housing extension. As a bonus, I also gain back the small, but critical, extra gripping space on the handle, which for larger hands is a real plus.
As they say, your mileage may vary!
