Just (imho) for a great non-defensive use for the laser sights, I've found that they both work well for dry-firing feedback. Sight-alignment (and acceptible wobble), trigger control (esp. double action) and followthrough (I've caught myself pulling the pistol away just as the hammer falls). Caveat: From my experience, because the laser is such a cool toy, you deliberately have to tell yourself when you start and finish dry-firing since the laser grabs your attention.
Just fyi, my P229 CT can be seen up to 800 yds away and the Laser Max (G27), about 100 yds...I was just being a dweeb (tested in a very safe place on a flat, white surface, along with laser rangefinder)
Oh yeah. My Laser Max came with a damaged lens, then the switch/safety spring became soft (intermittent problems) both which their Service Dept. was great about. The CT so for has given me no problems.
Ciao!