Crimson Trace Laserguard Pro vs Streamlight TLR 6 for G26

[Redhat]

I've been thinking of installing a laser light combo and wanted to check here first for opinions.

The CT is quite a bit more expensive but capability wise they both seem close.


Thanks

[BillSWPA]

While I cannot comment specifically in the LaserGuard Pro, years ago I briefly tried a LaserGuard on my G26. It came off after my first trip to the range. I found that the activation button interfered with my grip and I was not able to activate it reliably.

I have Cirmson Trace lasers on a 1911, a Kel-Tex P3AT, a Kel-Tec P-32, and a North American Arms Guardian. The activation switch did not interfere with my grip on any of these, and activated reliably.

The switch, a G26, and my hand just do not all work well together.

[Redhat]

While I cannot comment specifically in the LaserGuard Pro, years ago I briefly tried a LaserGuard on my G26. It came off after my first trip to the range. I found that the activation button interfered with my grip and I was not able to activate it reliably.

I have Cirmson Trace lasers on a 1911, a Kel-Tex P3AT, a Kel-Tec P-32, and a North American Arms Guardian. The activation switch did not interfere with my grip on any of these, and activated reliably.

The switch, a G26, and my hand just do not all work well together.

Thanks, will see how that works out for me. How would you rate the CT brand in general?

[Dov]

I have a TLR6 for my G26's for few years but haven't yet got a pocket holster I like that's compatible with it.

No complaints about it but haven't fired many rounds with it attached.

IIRC I got one because Tamara blogged about Streamlight or CT unit years ago though don't think it was for Glock pistol. Don't remember the details now.

[BillSWPA]

Thanks, will see how that works out for me. How would you rate the CT brand in general?

All of mine are at a very low round count, but I am generally impressed. These lasers are most helpful for mouseguns. At times when you can see the laser, it turns the Kel-Tecs into virtual target pistols. The laser is useful outdoors in poor light and indoors all the time, but e red laser is useless outdoors in good light. The accuracy benefit over iron sights decreases with guns like a G26 or larger.

I put it on the 1911 because it is kept in a lockbox in my bedroom. If I need to grab the gun without glasses, I have a sight system I will be able to see.

[Redhat]

All of mine are at a very low round count, but I am generally impressed. These lasers are most helpful for mouseguns. At times when you can see the laser, it turns the Kel-Tecs into virtual target pistols. The laser is useful outdoors in poor light and indoors all the time, but e red laser is useless outdoors in good light. The accuracy benefit over iron sights decreases with guns like a G26 or larger.

I put it on the 1911 because it is kept in a lockbox in my bedroom. If I need to grab the gun without glasses, I have a sight system I will be able to see.

The need for glasses is why I'm looking into these as well.

[lee n. field]

I've been thinking of installing a laser light combo and wanted to check here first for opinions.

The CT is quite a bit more expensive but capability wise they both seem close.


Thanks

Check holster availability first.

[CraigS]

I haven't tried any of your specific combinations but can offer a few comments that may be helpful. We had a CT laser only on wife's G19-4. It was similar to what you are looking at in that the trigger button was down below the trigger guard on the front of the grip. On the G19 it always seemed to me that the trigger guard didn't have a lot of room in it and the laser made that worse. It would be really nice to find a store where you could take your G26 and be allowed to mount both the CT and the SL. We have had CT lasers on our defense guns for maybe 15 years and have never had a problem. I am huge supporter of CT. I have been shooting idpa for about 6 yrs now at a middle of the overall results level. 4 years ago I tried a night match w/ a CT laser light combo CMR 204 on my Beretta 92. For me that was a game changer. It is only 100 lumen so you aren't going to blind an attacker but, in the dark, it is more than enough to make accurate hits. Looking 100% at the target and almost not even seeing the gun is a monumental change for the better. 3 years ago after another pair of night matches, I decided our night HD pistols needed lights. They both already had CT Laser Grips so I got some CT lights to add on. A few months ago I started looking for the heaviest laser light combo and found the SL TLR-2G w/ a green laser. I will be using it next month in our 2 night matches. I have never tried a pistol w/ a dot sight but everyone I have talked with says the hardest part is switching to target focused shooting so the dot just floats into position. That is not the case w/ a laser. It is absolutely automatic to look at the target. I shoot w/ the gun at almost a normal position, just slightly lower so I am looking over top of it and seeing the dot.

[BillSWPA]

Re: red dot dot v. laser, the red dot has the advantage of visibility in all light conditions.

Without glasses, the dot becomes significantly bigger, but is still useable.

I have a couple of pistols with Trijicon RM07’s and really like the auto-adjust. The few times it does not work well (shooting from a darkened area into a lit area such as using a WML) are also the conditions in which the backup irons are quite visible. The disadvantage is that the amount of distortion looking through the optic is more than I would like (which I understand is the result of coatings which make the dot more visible with lower power). It also requires removing the optic to change the battery, which I understand the new RMR HD avoids.

Others with significantly more dot experience than me do not like auto adjust and set the brightness of the dot at about 1-2 down from full brightness. For me, this results in a red lens in low light that I doubt I would find workable.

I have been very impressed with the lens clarity of Steiner’s pistol optic, but it does not have an auto adjust.

The laser works really well for my intended use, but at some point I will switch to an optic and WML for home defense.

[Default.mp3]

The laser works really well for my intended use, but at some point I will switch to an optic and WML for home defense.It's not an either/or for vis laser versus RDS. You can use both just fine, in fact I find that strongly preferable than using just one sighting system alone.

[Redhat]

Thanks all.

I'm going to test both. Activation switching will probably play a major part and as was mentioned, holster availability.

[Chuck Whitlock]

It's not an either/or for vis laser versus RDS. You can use both just fine, in fact I find that strongly preferable than using just one sighting system alone.
I've thought that in such an instance, I would go with a red optic and green laser.

[CraigS]

Streamlight TLR 1-2 plus later models and Surefire X300 are pretty popular options when looking for light bearing holsters. The Blackhawk Omnivore works surprising well but it is a huge thing which would not be well suited to a G26. Also, if you find a kydex holster for a similar but not exact light, they are pretty easy to re shape w/ a heat gun or hair drier or even a long grill lighter heating from the inside.

[BillSWPA]

If I recall correctly JM Custom Kydex may be able to make a holster for a G26 with the TLR6, but I do not believe it is on their website.

I seriously considered the TLR6 years ago but lack of holster availability was the factor that kept me away. I have yet to find a pocket holster that accommodates a G26 with a TLR6, and the design of the pocket holster is critical for good concealment with this gun.

[Redhat]

If I recall correctly JM Custom Kydex may be able to make a holster for a G26 with the TLR6, but I do not believe it is on their website.

I seriously considered the TLR6 years ago but lack of holster availability was the factor that kept me away. I have yet to find a pocket holster that accommodates a G26 with a TLR6, and the design of the pocket holster is critical for good concealment with this gun.

Pocket holster doesn't factor in to my situation but other types do.

The TLR 6 switching will take some work on my part...not optimal but doable I think. I'm going to try the CT next week and go from there.

[Redhat]

For those who might be interested, here's my take after trying the TLR6 and Laserguard Pro on my G26.

- CT seems to be better build quality but it has much more size / bulk. Even includes a cut-off switch where you can turn the whole unit off to prevent unwanted activation. And speaking of activation, the on/off button on the G26 model is located right at the juncture of the trigger guard and front strap of the grip. This causes it to nudge my fingers downward away from the trigger guard cut-out on an already short grip. If I stay with this, I think I'll have to add the pinky extension or a Gee floor plate.

On the plus side, the light is more powerful and the wind/elev adjustments seem more precise having clicks.

-Streamlight is a smaller, lighter unit costing less $$$. On/Off requires pressing a button located on both left or right side with either thumb or trigger finger which is I feel is more difficult and less sure. Wind/Elev adjustments have no clicks. Batteries can be replaced without taking the unit apart.