I've been trying to figure out how to say my point without writing a book, and can't quite get there without being technical so...
Watch someone try to use one at a range. You'll see the dot wavering all over the paper (if they're lucky). Finally they'll try to shoot as the dot crosses the center of the target ("snatching a shot") and the dot goes flying off the target as the gun recoils. Rinse and repeat. No holes appear in the target.
The only people that might, repeat might be able to use a laser sight effectively is someone whos' shooting skill is high enough that it wouldn't really help them anyway. Yes, this is my opinion, but I do know something about this having competed in action pistol and bullseye pistol for years.
A part of accurate shooting is learning to "shoot within the wobble". This means that you accept that no one can hold the gun perfectly still for more than a fraction of a second, and that you simply have to concentrate on the sight picture and shoot within that minimum arc of movement that you are capable of.
Laser sights are the exact opposite. They encourage you to try to get that perfect shot by waiting for the dot to stand still (It won't), and then try to "snatch" it as it goes near the center. This means you'll jerk the trigger or commit some other foul and miss the shot. Lasers would only be truly usefull at very close ranges, but at that point you would have better reaction times and accuracy using point and shoot instead ie. sights aren't really needed then.
Optical sights work by projecting a dot in the "scope" that only you can see. IMHO it gives you the same advantage that a laser is supposed to give you, with the exception that it works. Dot sights are universally used in bullseye and open class action pistol because you can rapidly acquire the sight picture and shoot accurately. They will still reveal all those bad habits and shaky hands that you have, but you can learn from it and improve instead of getting worse.
Ok, off the soapbox.
