You are much more likely to find low-Vgs-threshold MOSFETs in the lower current ranges.

Another choice is the AO3400
Specs show a rds of 48mOhm at 2.5Vgs
Surface mount SOT23 style.

 

Decided to check this out quickly with a Seeeduino XIAO. Picked a BC33725 transistor, simply the first one out of the box. Multimeter measured Hfe of 260 - spec says 100 to 630. 1K resistor to base, three 10R resistors in series to simulate laser current. Surprised to find the collector/emitter voltage was only 0.09V.
View attachment 299912
Base current of around 2.7 mA, most processors can manage that, works fine.

The Hfe is specified at Vce=1.0V (in the linear region).
Saturation figures are given at Ibe=Ice/10
https://www.onsemi.com/pdf/datasheet/bc337-d.pdf

 

Smiling faces don't make up for exclamations and dumb comments.

My bad, your contribution has been invaluable

 

Surprised to find the collector/emitter voltage was only 0.09V.

Is that even possible?

 

My bad, your contribution has been invaluable

I agree. No value added at all.

I WILL be watching this thread because in the back of my mind I have a similar project with switching a laser at audio frequencies, 20Hz to 20KHz. Don't ask why. I'm not going to be accused of hijacking a thread.

 

With apologies to Indiana Jones "If you want to be a good archeologist, you got to get out of the library!"