Range Report: LaserLyte CK-SW

I mentioned getting and installing the LaserLyte CK-SW laser sight for the Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver; well, this past weekend I actually got a chance to take my Model 34 to the range to test it out. Naturally, I was running late (and thanks to DST, I was also running out of daylight) and forgot the teeny allen wrench that adjusts the laser on the gun, so I had to make do with the rough-sighting I'd done at home when I installed the unit. Once I figured out where it was hitting in relation to the laser dot, it was all set:

Not Bad for a Snubbie

Target was at 25 feet, Model 34 shot single action. If it were the Model 17 I'd be disappointed in that group; for the 34, though, it's pretty darn good. I've got a good feeling that once I get the laser sighted in properly that will tighten up further - oh, darn, I'll just have to go back to the range again. Actually, I'm going to go back at least two more times; once to properly sight the laser in and a second time to see how the zero holds up after shooting it a bit.

Some folks don't care for laser sights on a fighting arm that require an unnatural action or second motion to activate. On semi-automatic pistols this can be mitigated somewhat by having the switch for the laser in a conspicuous place that's easy to access; for revolvers - given the nature of the cylinder - it's far more limited. Add to that the small size of the J-frame, there's not a lot of places the switch can be placed. It does take a conscious effort to turn the laser on; there's simply no getting around that; however this unit does allow standard grips to be used and also does not impact how the gun fits in existing holsters:

IWB

That's a Null IWB holster for the J-frame revolver, inherited with the S&W Model 38. I'm not a real fan of that exposed trigger, but believe it or not this is the only decent IWB holster I have for the J-frame right now (please note the careful phrasing - watch this space for important J-frame holster announcements...)

Pocket Carry

DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. This was bothered more by the adjustable sights on the 34 than the extra width added by the CK-SW. The nylon Nemesis had plenty of give for the CK-SW, and like I said, the adjustable sights gave more trouble with the fit than the CK-SW unit.

I'm planning on sighting it in properly then doing a couple more shoots with the CK-SW on the Model 34 before moving up to the Snubbie from Hell™. So far this little unit is pretty impressive - adding a laser unit to a defensive handgun really helps pick out the POA, and shines especially well for follow-up shots. And not for nothing, but at the end of the range session, once I had really worked out where the rounds were hitting in relation to the laser dot, I was using the Model 34 to break clays on the 25 yard berm. Shooting double action.

The LaserLyte CK-SW is an unobtrusive laser sight for the S&W J-frame that won't break the bank, allows existing grips and holsters to be used, and works pretty well - that's a trifecta of win right there.

That is all.