Since I discovered the LaserLyte laser training system, my home has about the same volume of laser beams bouncing around as your average rock concert or Star Wars movie. That might not be an entirely accurate, however it sure seems that I do a ton of laser training. When cold or rainy days are coming, my indoor laser training train will jump even more.
Back when I started with the LaserLyte trainers, I picked up Universal, 9mm and .223 laser inserts for my guns and have used them to fight boredom, imaginary invaders, zombies, and for plain old defensive training. Later, I added their pistol trainers which accepted the Universal laser insert. The Reaction Tyme Targets delivered a tremendous amount of real world training and a bit of fun.
Along my laser training journey, I added other targets from LaserLyte for a bit different training experience which included its targets and even their laser “can” targets. LaserLyte also offers a .22 LR barrel insert, which delivered a lot of fun from my 10/22 rifles and various .22LR pistols. LaserLyte also introduced the heavily anticipated Trigger Tyme Pistol Trainers with integrated lasers and long running batteries.
LaserLyte
The company was founded in 1987 and had a storied past, starting as Tach Star. In 1996, it merged with Lyte Optics to form LaserLyte. From that point on, the company has been creating one innovation after another, which has now evolved to include a vast array of laser gun sights, laser bore sights, and laser training systems. For LaserLyte, bringing together the boresighting and laser projection into a training system has been a natural progression. The technology found in the Reaction Tyme Trainer Targets, Laser Trainer Target and Target Plinking Cans are pretty sophisticated, but LaserLyte’s execution delivers an elegantly simple package.
Fit, Finish, Feel, Features, & Functions
To utilize the LaserLyte training system, you need two products—LaserLyte targets and a laser insert or Universal insert which are both purchased separately based on your firearm’s caliber. Previously, I reviewed a variety of the Reaction Tyme targets as well as the various LaserLyte trainer inserts. I also reviewed their previous pistol which used the Universal Laser Trainer, however now we have the new model which I believe is about 1,000 billion percent better because the laser is integrated.
The required Universal laser insert for the old model is not particularly reliable and requires the batteries to be removed after use, but does deliver a single laser trainer which can be used in a variety of guns. Having a dedicated laser in the training pistol is worlds better, more reliable, and far less than a pain when you just want to take a couple shots each time you let the dogs out or jump off a conference call.
The new LaserLyte Trainer Trigger Tyme Laser Training Pistol model is available in both a smaller “compact handgun size” and “full sized” and has a built-in laser which has been factory zero’ed. The integrated laser has a long lasting battery which LaserLyte noted will last around 50K trigger pulls. It can then be easily replaced via a simple battery door. This is huge news for a couple reasons. Though LaserLyte’s lasers deliver a long battery life, they are typically dead in around 2,000-3,000 shots, which goes by much faster than you think. The new pistol trainer delivers a very long 50,000-shot battery life which is quite nice if you shoot every night.
The other great feature is that is has an integrated laser which does not require the batteries to be removed after each use. The Universal laser trainer requires the batteries to be removed becuase it is sound activated and always listening. The new pistol training laser only goes off when the trigger is pulled, so you do not need to manage removing the insanely small batteries without losing them like you do on the Universal trainer insert. You can just concentrate on training and shooting.
The two new pistol trainers were based roughly on the G19 “full sized” and G42 “compact sized” pistols. This allows training with a completely safe pistol—anywhere. The full-size version even fits my Crossbreed SuperTuck G19 holster well enough that I can practice drawing with it.
The trigger pull is also greatly improved over the original trainer pistol with a 5.5 lb. trigger. The trigger does stack to the point of the trigger brake, however it feels like something in between a SIG trigger and a striker-fired pistol trigger. It is a good compromise for a trainer analog for a variety of pistol owners. This trigger feel improvement makes the new version’s trigger “feel realistic” versus a trigger in the Trainer Pistol which was designed to make enough noise to set off the Universal laser trainer.
The Trainer Trigger Tyme Laser Trainer Pistols are actually a better deal if you add up the cost of a laser trainer insert and one of LaserLyte’s old style training pistols. All the way around, this a far better product than their original concept, which indicates that LaserLyte is listening closely to what their customers want.
Final Thoughts
The new LaserLyte Trainer Trigger Tyme Laser pistol is a wonderful training tool, valuable home defense training asset, and of course, a ton of fun. This new pistol makes training a lot easier with far less headaches than you would have with other systems. Admittedly, there is a time to train with the same gun you shoot with, and LaserLyte has all the common caliber inserts for your gun. However, striker-fired pistols having to deal with resetting the trigger for each shot cuts down on the realism. Notably the trainers are weighted to resemble real pistols. The full-size version is 15 ounces and the compact version is 12 ounces which corresponds roughly with a real pistol weight.
I will note that this is the best gift you could give a gun person and one which will help them become a better shooter through serious training—all while delivering smiles in the process.
Do you own or have you used a LaserLyte Trainer? Have you incorporated it into your training or simply used it for amusement? Share your answers in the comment section.
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