Has anyone ever done a target study contrasting a 2 inch or even 1 inch barrel .38 special with laser vs. 4-6” barrel with no laser? My understanding of the reason for the longer barrel is higher accuracy. If that is accomplished with a simple laser, it is a much lighter & smaller carry.
Sounds like something we can do. Have both. (2” .38 Rossi and 4” .38 Rossi). I was thinking about getting one of those grip laser’s for the wife’s carry (pictured one like it above).
The thing about the laser, however, is much faster target acquisition in high stress situations. You aren’t dealing with much distance when talking about home or personal defense situation, 15 yards max with the probability of it being much closer so I think except for range play, the increased accuracy of the 4” is moot.
(imho) most decisions of to fire or not to fire are made with five feet or less, or the decision is made when the aggressor fires first. This has been my understanding. To answer your question, I have not an answer. There possibly has been a study yet one which I have not read. Accuracy at five feet or less and/or twenty-five feet or less is due to practice with or without a laser. Practice is important as well as safety. Proper training does not instill safety and only the person holding the firearm can practice the required safety. The laser is a tool, same as the firearm is a tool. Without proper training and practice, both the firearm and a lasered firearm are useless (imho).