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5 Best Handgun Laser Sights: Light Up Your Targets

Laser sights make aiming your handgun easier, especially in high-stress situations. Here are some of the best and useful ones out there.

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Thinking about mounting a laser sight on your handgun?

It’s a great way to improve your accuracy, especially when squeezing off a round or two on the fly. Plus, they’re fun to operate and look really cool.

Crimson Trace EMP, Activation
Crimson Trace EMP, Activation

Lasers can be very helpful in different scenarios.

We've tested out a few different options and put them together, so you don't have to shop around --- get ready for the light show!

The Quick List

Table of Contents

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Best Handgun Lasers

1. Streamlight TLR-8A - Editor's Pick

Editor's Pick
Streamlight TLR-8A
Prices accurate at time of writing
$218at Amazon
Optics Planet (See Price)
Primary Arms (See Price)

Pros

  • Light and laser combined
  • Compact
  • Intuitive controls

Cons

  • Adjustment screws can be difficult to turn

Specs

  • Output: 5mW red or green laser, 500-lumen white light
  • Battery: CR123A
  • Weight: 3 oz
  • Length: 2.2"
  • Width: 1.2"

If beefing up home defense is your top priority, then the Streamlight TLR-8A is right for you. It can deliver pinpoint accuracy in tactical situations without completely shattering your budget.

There’s a common misconception that laser sights help you see better in the dark.

Streamlight TLR-8 on Glock
An original Streamlight TLR-8 on Glock

While they certainly make it easier to aim in low-light situations, if you can’t make out your target with iron signs, a laser sight isn’t going to make it any brighter. And this is precisely why you’d want the TLR-8 for home defense.

What makes this laser sight special is its ability to give the shooter the best of both worlds.

You get a LED white light that kicks out 500 lumens as well as a coaxial red or green laser. And you have the choice of switching between the white light and the laser, or you can use them together in the same situation.

Target Acquired

With the TLR-8A, you’re able to not only improve your aiming and target acquisition, but you can also use the white light to distinguish between friend and foe.

The sight comes with a key kit that makes it compatible with a variety of different handguns, and it also fits on the Picatinny rail as well.

2. Crimson Trace Lasergrips Series - Best Integrated Laser

Best Integrated Laser
Crimson Trace Lasergrips
Prices accurate at time of writing
$199at Crimson Trace
Optics Planet (See Price)

Pros

  • Mounts to any handgun without rails
  • Slim and low-profile

Cons

  • Momentary activation is difficult

Specs

  • Output: 5mW red or green laser
  • Battery: CR2016 or CR2032 (model-specific)
  • Weight: Model-specific
  • Length: Model-specific
  • Width: Model-specific

If you’re looking for a laser sight that is easy to use and won’t make concealed carry a hassle, then Lasergrips by Crimson Trace might be perfect for you.

Unlike most laser sights that mount under the barrel, the Lasergrips sight mounts to the rear of your grip and projects the beam from the base of the slide.

EMP with Crimson Trace Laser Grip
EMP with Crimson Trace Laser Grip

One of the coolest things about the Lasergrips sight is that you don’t have to worry about fumbling with pressure switches in strange places to activate the laser. 

All you need to do is hold the grip of your gun naturally, and the beam switches on automatically.

The Lasergrips sight is designed to fit snugly onto your grip, where it is pinned into place. Because of how it mounts to the gun, there’s no way that a one-size-fits-all model would work.

Fortunately, Crimson Trace has made 85 models, each compatible with a specific type of handgun.

A Ruger LCR-22 with a set of LaserGrips. (Photo: Lucky Gunner)

Along with some of the most common handguns like 1911s and Glocks, there are also a number of different revolver models that support Lasergrips as well.

What do you think about Crimson Trace's options? Rate them below!

Readers’ Ratings

4.99/5 (2399 Votes)

Your Rating

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3. Crimson Trace Rail Master Pro - Runner Up Light/Laser Combo

Runner Up Light/Laser Combo
Crimson Trace CMR-207G Rail Master Pro
Prices accurate at time of writing
$159at Optics Planet
Amazon (See Price)
Sportsman's Guide (See Price)

Pros

  • More affordable than other light/laser combinations
  • Available with a red or green laser

Cons

  • Almost no native holster compatibility

Specs

  • Output: 5mW green laser, 400-lumen white light
  • Battery: CR123
  • Weight: N/A
  • Length: N/A
  • Width: N/A

The Crimson Trace CMR-207G Rail Master Pro is a flashlight/laser combo with a couple of great features that make it ideal for lights-out work.

First, it has two paddle switches in the rear accessible from either side of the trigger guard.

Crimson Trace RAD Pro Gunsite Glock G19
Rail Master Pro on a Glock 19

A quick stab would turn the light on, and holding the button down would allow momentary control of the 400-lumen beam.

That might be fun enough for some, but the Rail Master Pro also has a laser (red or green, depending on your preference).

Crimson Trace RAD Pro Gunsite Night Shoot
You can see the laser and light working together.

This allows you to do some solid nightwork while also staying on target. We found this model to be pretty easy to use and a great alternative to the Streamlight if you need to save a few extra bucks.

4. LaserMax Guide Rod Lasers - Best Low-Profile Option

Best Low-Profile Option
LaserMax Guide Rod Lasers
Prices accurate at time of writing
$223at Optics Planet
Palmetto State Armory (See Price)
Primary Arms (See Price)

Pros

  • Direct drop-in replacement for OEM recoil spring
  • No affect on holster selection

Cons

  • Laser activation is not intuitive
  • Not adjustable

Specs

  • Output: 5mW red or green laser
  • Battery: LMS-3X393
  • Weight: Model-specific
  • Length: Model-specific
  • Width: Model-specific

If you’re looking for something that’s lightweight and completely out of the way, LaserMax's Guide Rod Lasers are able to give you pinpoint accuracy without any of the unnecessary bulk.

LaserMax’s laser system is nothing new --- it’s been around for quite some time and continues to be one of the best internal laser systems out there.

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Conventional laser sights are mounted to the handgun, usually on a rail system.

lasermax guide rod laser
Lasermax Guide Rod laser sight on 1911.

Guide rod lasers, however, are installed directly into the gun by swapping the factory guide rod with a fully functioning version that’s capable of projecting a laser beam.

The sight comes with an additional takedown lever and spring. And in case you’re wondering, activating your guide rod laser is simple and easy. All you have to do is push the takedown lever to activate and deactivate the laser.

The biggest advantage of the internal sight system comes with holstering your gun.

VP9 LaserMax
LaserMax guide rod of an HK VP9 (Photo: Officer.com)

Because there are no objects being mounted to the outside of the gun, don’t have to worry about any special type of holsters when using the guide rod laser system.

LaserMax makes models for various guns, including Berettas, Sig Sauers, and Glocks. With each model, you get the choice to pick between a red and a green laser.

5. SureFire X400 Ultra Light/Laser Combo - Best Light/Laser Combo

Best Light/Laser Combo
SureFire X400 Ultra Light/Laser Combo
Prices accurate at time of writing
$557at Optics Planet
Amazon (See Price)
Primary Arms (See Price)

Pros

  • Extremely powerful
  • Robust
  • Hybrid beam pattern

Cons

  • Expensive

Specs

  • Output: 5mW red or green laser, 1,000-lumen white light
  • Battery: CR123A
  • Weight: 5 oz
  • Length: 3.7"
  • Width: 1.1"

If you want the best, look no further than the Surefire X400 Ultra.

The X400U is available with either a 5-milliwatt, high-visibility red or green laser. Speaking of high visibility, the light on this unit is an eye-scorching 1000 lumens with a precision TIR lens that produces a tight beam.

The SureFire X400U is at home on any duty gun.

A standard Picatinny mount means the X400U can be mounted to almost any weapon. The high-grade aluminum housing and recoil-proof design mean the SureFire is ready for even the most extreme duty use.

Why Mount a Laser On Your Pistol?

These days, laser sights are sleek, compact, and more powerful than ever.

And since they work great with open and concealed carry pistols, the real question is: why haven’t you considered one yet?

EMP TLR-6, On

Here are some reasons to consider one of these on your pistol:

  • Lasers help with zeroing on the target, especially in situations where you can’t see your sights clearly.
  • They make shooting easier for people with eye-dominance issues.
  • The visual feedback provided by lasers after each shot reduces accuracy problems from mashing the trigger.
  • They allow for easier target acquisition from awkward shooting positions or from behind cover.
Training
No substitute for training

With that said, laser sights should never be a crutch for poor marksmanship.

If you’re new to the world of handguns, you still need to become comfortable with your gun and learn how to properly aim it and manage recoil --- with and without the laser sight.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right one to suit your needs means finding a system that you’re comfortable with using that doesn’t throw the balance or weight distribution of your gun off.

You’ll also want a sight that’s easy to switch on and off --- because having to fumble around to find the on/off switch during a tense situation is the last thing you want to worry about.

Now that we’ve touched on different sights for your pistol, which one do you fancy getting for your gun? Let us know in the comments below, and if you're looking for a light, check out our Best Pistol Lights.

Latest Updates

May 21, 2024: Added supplemental data to each product with more information, and changed the organization of this article.

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Written By

Brandon Harville

Brandon Harville

Author

Brandon has spent the majority of his life hunting in the woods in Georgia and Alabama. Shotguns, rifles, pistols...he's been collecting them all for over a decade. He can tell you everything you ever wanted to know about hunting and recreational shooting. Skeet shooting and duck hunting are his all-time favorite hobbies, but he's more than ready to talk your ear off about collecting and sport shooting as well.

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Conversation

42 Comments

Join the discussion

  • Great article! I’ve been looking into a compact light/laser combo for my handgun and this guide helped a lot.

    Has anyone here tested the VOTATU G2L-G 1000 lumen light and green laser combo? I’ve seen some good specs on it, especially the rechargeable battery and compact design, but I’d love to hear some real-world feedback from someone who has actually run it on a handgun.
    ...
  • Probably not going to be popular stating this, but here goes.

    The only pistol I own that is equipped with a laser is a suppressed CZ Scorpion that has a Night Vision sight and IR illuminator and laser: it’s big and heavy, and intended for clearing my house.

    I had a laser (green) attached to a Staccato P-3 and a Holosun red dot sight; also had a Stccato C2 equipped with a Surefire X400U. A longtime friend and coworker — who also happens to be a sheriff’s deputy in Oregon — advised me against carrying a laser/light equipped pistol, and I had to ask why. He told me that while a laser/light-equipped pistol is useful inside the home, likely a one-one defense confrontation, outside the home, you’re much more likely to be engaged by two or more outside the home these days. Your light and laser give someone a perfect target to shoot at because others can see it, and they know that your eye and the laser are aligned. In other words, you’re giving them a perfect opportunity for a head shot.

    IR lasers and illuminators are much too large for pistols, but, perfect for rifles. Want illustrative proof of this? Check out military, law enforcement, and federal 3-letter organizations: no lights or lasers on pistols, no rifles without lights/lasers, and those are all IR — despite what you see in the movies.
    ...
  • 1
    I'm just now 80 years old and have been using green lasers for the past 15 years. Fortunately I have full-correction cataract-replacement implants that have provided me 20-20 vision for about 8 years now. I like a laser much more than a red dot and more than fiber-optic or night-sight irons replacements, though all of my handguns have one of the latter two. They don't need a brightness adjustment at distance, as do red dots IMO, and they are excellent for shooting around barricades while minimizing exposure of your body. In tactical competition, at old-farts level re times, I shoot best with the lasers partly or primarily because I can take head shots faster and more accurately than shooters without lasers. In my sport, an in-bounds head shot is worth 3 points (max for the target) whereas a torso shot is worth 1 point.

    My sole difference with the article is that it fails to even mention Olight's Baldr S and Baldr Mini products. I have a slew of them and, outside of holster-availability issues, they serve me very well for range time/practice and for indoor competition and are very easily USB rechargeable, even in your truck. They are laser/light combos and cost half of my favorite laser-only product, the Crimson Trace CMR-206 (also unmentioned). Anyhow, thanks for shining light on what I believe is an under-appreciated sighting solution, especially for old farts.
    ...
  • People should be realistic about the use-case for a laser. No, it’s not a crutch for improving accuracy. For me it’s to give me a fighting chance if I’m caught without my glasses, since at 10+ diopters my uncorrected focal length will not allow me to see iron or dot sights. On my home defense gun I usually shoot irons sights for practice, and then confirm zero on the laser before I go home.
    ...

    • Jacki Billings

      For sure! It's always important to understand limitations as well as best use cases. As a fellow glasses-wearer, it's always a good idea to think ahead like you're doing and have a plan for if your glasses aren't available!
      ...
  • I am a glock guy, and I have a laser max in my glock 22, 23, and 27. They are easy to operate and are accurate
    ...
  • 1
    I have a couple of green Crimson Trace hand grip lasers that I use on my 9mm and .45 ACP Kimbers. Lasers work great and enable accurate shots, but go through batteries in no time, even when marginally used. And once used, the batteries rapidly discharge between shooting sessions. I would not dare head to the range or rely on them for home defense unless I had the opportunity to change out batteries first. And yes, I've tried a bunch of different battery brands, from the big name brands to the cheap Chinese knockoffs. Same results with all.
    ...
  • Larry;

    I've tried a lot of lasers on the market, some are crap and others are not. The three brands I've had the most luck with and still work fine are Crimson Trace and LaserMax and a SIghtmark LoPro Green Laser Sight for a rifle. I know this is about handgun lasers but that SIghtmark LoPro Green Laser Sight really impressed me, I put it through every kind of torture I could imagine, dropping it off buildings and submersion in the pool at 12 feet and freezing it in a block of ice and heating it and beating on it and it still held zero and never stopped working so I wish they could do that for a handgun laser too but they don't. But the crimson trace and lasermax handgun lasers have always worked for me and held zero.

    I've tried Armalaser products also, four of them. Each one has failed in some aspect over time. They only replaced one under warranty, the others it was always some excuse mostly they were over-adjusted and on one that just quit they said it was 'treated too roughly' (what ever that means, they never explained) thus user issue (even though it wasn't, it had only been used three range sessions and was never treated roughly). I'm not sure how they determine that, one of the lasers was brand new out of the box and would not adjust period (dot never moved no matter how the screw was adjusted) and they said it was over adjusted and would not cover it under warranty.
    ...
  • If anyone is thinking about purchasing a laser for your pistol, please read what I have to say about my dealings with Armalaser. NOT GOOD!!! I know this is a long review, but this information needs to be out there.

    A couple years back I purchased the TR26G from Armalaser for the Hellcat weapon and everything went well for various times at the gun range. I would fire some rounds using the Laser, then turn it off and finish range time open sights.

    When I got home from the range I removed the slide for cleaning and never touched the Laser. After the cleaning I raised the pistol to look down the sights and noticed that the green dot had for some unknown reason moved about two feet to the right. This was strange as I never touched the Laser during the cleaning process.

    The manual says to move the dot left, turn the windage set screw counterclockwise and to double check. I called Armalaser at 800-680-5020 and talked to Nikki. She verified to turn the set screw out so I did and the dot still did not move. Nikki emailed me a repair order number. They have a 5 year warranty on their TR Lasers which I found out is bogus! After I sent it back for repair I received an email from Chris saying the Laser was over adjusted. Remember--I adjusted counterclockwise as per instructions from Nikki at Armalaser. Unbelievable comment from Chris--"Your laser was over adjusted which cannot be done by turning the screws counterclockwise." Notice the "cannot be done counterclockwise comment?" Also said it was over adjusted before I called the first time, HOW CAN HE TELL THAT? IS THERE A BUILT-IN CALENDAR? My repair cost will be $45--some 5 year warranty. Chris came close to calling me a liar when I told him what Nikki told me.

    I had a 45 before with a Crimson Trace Laserguard and loved it. I went with Armalaser on the Hellcat because it was less money. The TR26 looked like a nice setup as per their website. I did not know that their customer service would screw over their customers when it came to their 5 year warranty repairs and they would not believe other Arrmalaser customer service agents at their worthless company. Cheaper isn't always better and sorry to say I found out the hard way.

    I strongly suggest if you're looking for a pistol laser, DO NOT BUY your laser from Armalaser!!! Please read their other reviews online--there are many bad reviews. I made a mistake by not reading the online reviews prior to purchase. I should have not believed the Armalaser web page.

    I will be purchasing a new laser for my pistol from a reliable laser company with honest customer service personnel.

    This is my honest customer service review.
    ...
  • 3
    I have several Olight Baldr Pro’s. I would recommend giving one a trial.
    ...
  • I've used both red and green lasers. Only the green is useful in daylight. The red gets totally washed out in sunlight. I'm a reasonably good shot and don't need a laser for every day shooting. However, for home self defense, if needed at night, a laser would be a great help in locating the target. It even substitutes for a dim flashlight when you don't want a light showing your position to the perp. I have the green Crimson Trace on my S&W Shield.
    ...

    • Chris Bacon

      Well put, but if you can see them in darkness with your laser, they can see you. Yanno?
      ...

      • Peter

        They can see the laser if it's pointed towards them, but not necessarily the person holding it.
        ...
  • It’s a good thing Crimson Trace brought back their laser grips for the Sig Sauer P226 (no other Sig Sauer pistols) after being absent for about 7 years (bad blood with Sig?). Very accurate and instinctive since it’s mounted in the grip. Hope it still comes with free annual batteries.
    ...