Now, before anyone freaks out, let me elaborate. I'm not saying that carrying a concealed handgun isn't a serious undertaking. It is. Someone carrying a concealed handgun has the ability to easily end another person's life, and should carry that responsibility with the utmost care and diligence. Keep it concealed. Don't look for trouble. Don't show it off to anyone. You know, common sense things.
No, what I mean is the creeping tacticoolness finding a home in the concealed carry world. I started carrying with a P226. Graduated to a S&W 3913, then a SIG P239, then a Kahr P9, and it's been Kahrs ever since.
My carry pistols all have lasers or night sights. My CW380 has a laser, my P9 has night sights and a laser, and my CM9 has a laser. I know there are laser naysayers, but I think they are misinformed about the purpose of the laser. A laser is an auxiliary sighting system. It's designed to augment point shooting. If I'm firing one handed from the hip, the laser marks my POA. It also increases the effective range of tiny handguns.
The average defensive gun use will be at relatively close distance, and might happen when you only have time to make a one handed shot. The laser helps that.
So what's with the trend of people putting RMRs and WMLs on their carry pistols? Not only does it make the pistol a lot harder to conceal, those additions are of questionable tactical value. A red dot optic will help you make fast shots if you can get the pistol to eye level with perfect form---but is useless in anything other than ideal situations. And the light is worse. Are you going to be clearing houses, like an OPERATOR, with your CCW pistol? Nope. If it's your nightstand pistol, the smart play is to gather loved ones in one room, lock the door, and call the police. It's not smart to be seeking out the bad guy---and it makes more sense to light the ROOM, not to highlight yourself.
I think the accessories industry is telling people they NEED to carry some Roland Special, but what they really need is a pistol they will carry everyday. Like a CM9. Laser is up to you.
MM