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Crimson Trace Corporation in
Wilsonville, Oregon has been supplying high quality replacement
grips for handguns for several years now that have integral
lasers for easier aiming in low-light conditions. A few years
ago, I thought that lasers on handguns were just a useless
trinket, and many of them were just that. However, since using
LaserGuards from Crimson Trace on many of my handguns, and also
on an AR-15 rifle, I
have become a believer in their usefulness. For more information
on my conversion and the practicality of these high quality
lasers, I refer you to my article titled Shots
in the Dark.
A couple of years ago, Crimson trace undertook
the task of fitting their laser to auto pistols that do not have
removable grip panels, and they have successfully fitted their
laser sights to the Glock
and the Smith & Wesson
M&P series pistols. Instead of taking the easy route
and attaching the laser sights to the accessory rails of these
pistols, Crimson Trace instead made the laser sights more
ergonomic, and easier to use and holster by designing laser
units that attach to the grip area of the pistols.
The latest laser from Crimson Trace is made to
fit the many thousands of Kel-Tec
.32 and .380 auto pocket
guns that are very popular for concealed carry. With
almost all of those little pistols being carried for self
defense, the Kel-Tec is a perfect candidate for a good laser
sight. The fixed sights on the little Kel-Tec are necessarily
small and hard to see, and the Crimson Trace Defender Model
LG-430 is a welcome accessory for the dandy little Kel-Tec
pistols. Purely a defensive firearm, the Kel-Tec is very popular
because it is so small and light that it can always be close at
hand, no matter the weather or occasion. The little guns sell so
well because they work, and they are affordable. The LG-430 only
adds about an ounce of weight, and nothing to the width and bulk
of the little pistols. The Kel-Tec is one defensive pistol that
needs a good laser sight, and I am happy to see Crimson Trace
offering one. The design of the LG-430 attaches the laser unit
to the trigger guard of the Kel-Tec. It is very easy to install,
and takes about two minutes to complete the installation.
Everything needed is included in the kit, and after
installation, adjusting the laser to the point of aim is very
easy to do with the supplied Allen wrench.
After installing the LG-430 onto a Kel-Tec .32,
I walked into the woods where it was too dark to see the sights
on the little pistol, but aiming with the LG-430 made hits very
east out to around forty yards on small rocks and such. Ringing
steel plates at twenty yards was quick and easy with the
laser-equipped Kel-Tec.
Attaching the Crimson Trace LaserGuard to the
Kel-Tec changes the profile enough that most pocket holsters for
the Kel-Tec will not work, but Rob Leahy at Simply
Rugged Holsters is ahead of the game, and already has a
dandy little leather pocket holster ready to go for the Kel-Tec
with the LG-430 laser attached. The holster weighs only one and
one-half ounces, is thin, and keeps the pistol in place in the
pocket. For anyone carrying an auto pistol in the pocket, I
strongly recommend a pocket holster, and the Simply Rugged
holster is the best that I have tried. The holster covers the
trigger, and stays in the pocket when the pistol is drawn. Like
all of Rob’s holsters, they are made with quality and
affordably priced.
For more information and to order the LG-430
LaserGuard, go to www.crimsontrace.com.
To order Simply Rugged holsters, go to www.simplyrugged.com.
If you carry a Kel-Tec pocket auto, I highly
recommend the Crimson Trace LG-430. It offers a real advantage
in a gunfight, and has no downside. Because the question will
come up...no, the LG-430 will not fit the Ruger
LCP, but Crimson Trace has one in the works for that
little pocket pistol as well, and it should be available soon.
Jeff Quinn
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Simply Rugged pocket holster made
for the Crimson Trace-equipped Kel-Tec pistol.
The Crimson Trace-equipped Kel-Tec
completely disappears in a front jeans pocket.
Activation button is protected by,
but not touched by, the holster.
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Click pictures for a larger version.
Crimson Trace LaserGuard for the Kel-Tec pocket pistol.
To attach the LaserGuard, place the right half of the
unit on the trigger guard, then...
...attach the left side with the screws provided.
The laser is easily adjusted to point of aim.
Activation button naturally operates for right-handed or
left-handed shooters.
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