Reviews for the LG-449?

[Kagetora]

So, has anyone got any information on the new Crimson Trace LG-449 for the SR9c?

I'm thinking I would like to get one, but they look somewhat...fragile. Its tough to tell from the pictures, however.

Some questions:

--Do they attach easily, and detach as well if I feel like not using it?
--How sturdy is it? Does it hold its aimpoint well after a few hundred rounds?
--How about the finger-pad activation? Sturdy? Flimsy?
--Anyone have any general, overall opinions about it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Kagetora]

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

No one owns one, eh? Well, that in itself tells me something...

 

[mbresortguy]

I've been kicking around the idea of picking up the LG449 for my SR9c for a while but, like you, have some questions about the unit. I think I may just go ahead and pop for the unit to play with it. If I do so, I'll do a quick write up on my observations and opinions as well as the installation trials and tribulations (it does appear that the installation is rather quick and easy..) I'll keep you informed thru this thread as to when I order, etc. the unit.

Have fun, enjoy, and be safe!

 

[Kagetora]

That would be great. I wish you the best of luck with it, and I hope its a good product. I like the look of it, and I'm about 99% sure it would slide right into my carry holster when attached to the pistol.

With all the web searching I did, I came across one website that had 4 reviews on it...but they were rather, shall we say, terse. :lol: 3 were positive reviews, one was negative, but from reading the negative one, I don't think he actually owned the product. He just said it "looked" flimsy. Not much help there.

Any info you come up with will be most appreciated!

 

[mbresortguy]

I'll get the LG-449 ordered at the beginning of the week thru my local gun shop, with delivery sometime around 10 days from the date of the order.

I agree.. the unit does look a bit flimsy, but, then again, looks can be a bit deceiving at times. From what I've seen from various sources, the unit mounts securely to the frame/trigger guard in such a manner that any lateral (or other?) movement would be greatly minimized or eliminated. The activation button, on the other hand, might take a bit of getting used to, but then change does not come about easily!

I've long shied away from laser target designators as it's always been my opinion that they were no more than a "crutch", eliminating the requirement to actually gain a proper sight picture, etc. Oh well, times change! Besides, I've always worried about becoming more or less dependent on the "red dot" for shot placement and then, when it really counts, find myself with a weak/dead battery from all my playing with it!

I'll keep you informed.. we'll compare notes and go from there!

Cheers!

 

[Kagetora]

I agree.. the unit does look a bit flimsy, but, then again, looks can be a bit deceiving at times. From what I've seen from various sources, the unit mounts securely to the frame/trigger guard in such a manner that any lateral (or other?) movement would be greatly minimized or eliminated.

Whats interesting is, from the pictures, it only appears to mount to the trigger guard. It seems odd to me that it would rest right up against the rail at the bottom front of the frame, but not use it as a point of attachment for stability.

Or, maybe it does and the pictures are misleading. Will be interesting to find out.

 

[mbresortguy]

The installation information seems to indicate that the LG-449 is comprised of two pieces (left and right) and clamps around the trigger guard with no attachment to the rail at all (unless the two halves "clamp" around the ears of the rail in some fashion which it doesn't appear to do). I just have to wonder about the inherent stability of the module, especially after a number of rounds have been sent down range and it being held together by pressure fit and a total of 3 screws!

The other aspect of the unit that I find rather interesting is it's impact on the SR9c being holstered... I wear my c in a Jac Slide belt holster and it seems as though the LG-449 mounted on an SR9c would still fit, but I guess only a live "form/fit/function" test will tell. I'll get the unit ordered here in a day or so, then (try to..) patiently wait for my new toy to come in so I can play.... If anyone wants to jump in here and beat me to the punch, feel free!!! :lol:

 

[mbresortguy]

Couldn't wait. Got the -449 on order from a website last night (this morning?) so it should be here in a week or so! Once it gets here I'll see if I can't document the whole thing, for posterity if for nothing else!

 

[mbresortguy]

It feels like Christmas as my smiling postLady delivered my LG449 this morning!!

I've already unwrapped, unboxed and installed the unit.. took all of about 10 minutes, total. The unit goes on as advertised, and securely mounts to the trigger guard. The only major challenge I've had with it is keeping the cat from chasing the "dot..." (a rather expensive cat toy IMHO...)

Later this afternoon/evening, I'll disassemble the unit from my SR9c and take some photos of the installation process and final result. Don't expect much as the unit darned near installs itself!

Will be going to the range this evening to check the "out-of-the-box" alignment and should be able to give some info on that as well.

Stay tuned!

Cheers

 

[Kagetora]

Awesomesauce! How are you feeling about its stability/sturdiness...first impressions?

 

[mbresortguy]

The stability/sturdiness of the unit is rather impressive at first blush. I just got back from the range.. too many in front of me to be able to pop any caps this evening, so my c hasn't been fired with the -449 installed. It mounts solidly to the trigger guard (tight enough that I am pleasantly surprised...), but I don't know if it'll maintain that level of integrity after a couple of hundred rounds have been sent downrange (perhaps an addition to the typical cleaning routine will be to snug up the 449's mounting screws as required).

I'm going to try to take some photos tonight and get them posted; however, if I don't get a chance to, I'll make the effort to do so tomorrow.

Bottom line, other than the LG449 being a rather expensive cat toy, for it's intended use I feel that it was worth the $179 purchase price. The one large downside that I have discovered.... with the -449 installed, my SR9c won't fit any of my holsters except for my jac slide rig. Oh well.. it's not like I don't have a couple other holsters in the ol' gun cabinet gathering dust....

Cheers!

 

[justageek]

Just installed a 449 on my wife's new SR9c. Like the other reviews above, I found it to be very easy to install and it seems like it should be sufficiently sturdy with the occasional tightening of the screws. At first I thought it was odd that the mount did not make use of the rail, but after looking it over I can see that the laser body would have to be much fatter. I like it this way.

One thing to note, the laser is mounted about 1.5 inches below the center of the bore. That creates an angle between the beam and the bullet's trajectory. You'll have to pick a specific range to adjust the dot, and it will begin to diverge at other distances due to the angle.

 

[mbresortguy]

Justageek is right on about the offset between the beam source and the barrel. If I remember the specs correctly, I believe the beam is supposed to be "centered" (projectile impact point and "dot" coincide) at 50 feet as set up by the "factory."

The literature also states that the dot should line up with the iron sites at roughly that distance as well. So... theoretically, any shot inside of 50' will be above the dot(with the delta decreasing the closer the distance gets to the 50' mark), and any shot beyond 50' will be below(with the delta increasing as the distance increases beyond the 50' mark.).. basic geometry (or something like that).

It doesn't look like I'll be able to get any photos this evening as my "she-who-must-be-obeyed" keeps adding items to my "honey-do" list. I'll make every effort to get them taken and posted tomorrow.

Cheers!

 

[mbresortguy]

Ok.. have dodged my "she-who-must-be-obeyed" enough to be able to get some photos taken, but don't expect any Ansel Adams quality pics....

The unit comes packaged with an assortment of goodies in a zip-lock bag (two .050 allen wrenches, two lens swabs and the warning decals), associated paperwork (an installation guide and an owners manual), a warranty registration card (registered mine on-line) and a cool CTC decal.

Here is the basic unit laid out, ready for installation:

The right (laser) side of the 449 attached to the trigger guard (and yes, the battery is not yet installed...):

A shot showing the left side of the 449 as it attaches to the right side using the locking tabs that hold the rear part of the unit together:

Once the unit is attached, press both sides together and install the three hex headed screws:

Once the screws are snugged up (don't tighten 'em too tight as they're going into a polymer housing....) the unit is installed and ready to go play (keep the dot out of sight of any cats in the area...). Notice the activation button on the front strap; it's almost totally intuitive to use as it's placed:

This might be a better shot of the installation:

It mounts rather securely, surprisingly enough for being attached to the trigger guard. There is a post on the top front of the unit that fits into the notch of the SR9c rail to provide for some additional stability as well. It seems to be rather well made and functions well. The only thing I haven't done (according to the instructions, anyway..) is to attach the various warning decals to my SR9c. I don't know if they're a "legal" requirement or not, but if they're not, they are staying in the zip-lock bag.

Hope this helps, and I apologize for the quality of the pics.. cheap camera, old, shakey hands, poor eyesight, etc., etc., etc., but I hope you get the gist of the idea.

Cheers!

 

[Kagetora]

Thanks for taking the plunge, and the excellent review and pics! Can't wait to hear about you running a couple hundred rounds through it...

Looks like its time to raid the change jar and scrape up the Amazon gift certificates... :lol:

 

[147 Grain]

I prefer to sight my lasers in at 21' which is the best compromise for most self defense situations. I suspect it would be rare to defend yourself at 50' and would be difficult to justify that your life was in danger at 50'.

The average self defense situation can be summed up using the Rule of 3: 1) Less than 3 yards; 2) 3 rounds or less; and 3) less than 3 seconds.

 

[mbresortguy]

I compeletely agree with that statement! If I remember correctly, the usual rule of thumb is a threat is typically identified at distance of 21' (7 yards) due to the fact that that distance can be covered by the real/perceived threat within the time span it takes the average individual to pull a defensive weapon (in this case, a handgun..), get a full sight picture and pull the bang stick.

Therefore, sighting in the laser designator at 50' (16.6 yards) is a little more than double the distance required. You also have a point that popping someone at a distance of at least 50' would be a really hard to justify as being immediately "life threatening..."

Your "rule of 3's" is a good one to keep in mind as the typical situation usually doesn't develop in a linear manner, it just sort of "happens..."

Now.. can anyone answer the question as to whether or not it's a legal requirement to have to warning decals applied to a weapon that has a laser designator attached? I've been looking and haven't been able to come across an answer yet....

Cheers!

 

[mikeruth]

I have been told that the warning sticker pertains only to the danger of eye damage and is not a requirement of any firearms laws.

 

[mbresortguy]

Mike,

Thanks for the info! I figured as much, but with all the rules and restrictions going on any more regarding firearms, one never knows!!

Besides... if the designator is being pointed at someone, there is a definite reason it's being done and eye damage would probably be rather low on the list of concerns for said individual at that point in time... :lol:

Cheers!!

 

[gramps]

Kyle wrote : "eye damage would probably be rather low on the list of concerns for said individual at that point in time..."
That is an understatement! Ha ha
gramps

 

[mikeruth]

Gramps,

Used to eat at great restaurant down Sparta way when I was going to Tech in the early 70's.

 

[gramps]

Yes, Sparta is home to several fine eateries. Right now I am TDY in Alaska.
gramps

 

[[email protected]]

Great post with photos of Install.

These are my concerns, would love input:

Battery Life, does it require frequent battery changing.
Do you have to dismantle to change battery, and if you do I have a concern on the wear and tear on the bolts.

Thanks ahead for the input.