Weapon mounted light on a handgun?

[Fatelvis]

Do you like and use one, or do you prefer a separate light for low light work? Why?

 

[Mikenmel08]

I personally run one, and used properly is a very effective aid. Most people say it gives your intruder a target to shoot back at, but not if used properly.

 

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

I use one on my HD gun....and a handheld in pocket. Better to have too many thing.

 

[SoulLessGinger]

You need a light to ID an intruder in low light. As much as I love my handhelds, they handicap you in a fight.

Weapon lights allow you to shoot two handed and still have light on the target. Or use your other hand for something useful.

 

[One-Time]

I like them personally

 

[Davejb]

On my HD gun yes.

 

[Comedian]

Have one on my duty gun, need a holster (and a gun with a *standard* rail configuration) before I can put one on my off duty gun. I never really got the controversy behind it, since it provides all the tactical benefits of a (small) handheld light except it doesn't eat up a free hand. Just keep in mind that it isn't a replacement for a handheld light.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I have lights or lasers, or lights and lasers on all my defense guns if available.
That includes handguns, rifles and shotguns.

Why?

Being fortunate enough to have a home range where I have experimented and practiced for some years with what works best in low light and darkness I've found that the best, most accurate, fastest system is a gun mounted laser/light like the Streamlight TLR-2 laser/light.
For instance, in this near dark situation..................


..............the target is positively identified with the light and the target can quickly and accurately be hit from about 25 yards using the laser and light.

 

[FruitCake]

Yes a TLR 1S on my G30 and a small bayonet too. The ones that attach to the glocks so when I empty the mag I can poke the intruder to make sure that they are dead.

 

[wow6599]

No - I want to identify my "target" without pointing a loaded .45 or 12 gauge at them.

 

[Zebraranger]

I have the TLR2 laser/light on both of my Beretta's.

 

[RX-178]

I always carry both.

Typically at least one hand held light, and the weapon light on one of my carry guns. I've got one of the subcompact lights/lasers from Insight left over from when I sold my PF-9, so when I get a BUG to replace it, I'd probably keep that on it as well.

 

[9mmforMe]

Mikenmel08,

What would you consider "proper use"?

The argument that it gives your adversary a point of aim/reference seems reasonable to some extent to me. Additionally, the other point stated that you could well be pointing a loaded firearm at a family member or friendly seems compelling also to not use this system and have a separate light.

 

[M2 Carbine]

No - I want to identify my "target" without pointing a loaded .45 or 12 gauge at them.

A good light, like the Streamlight, is so bright that when pointed at the ceiling in a average size room, EVERYTHING in the room is illuminated and can be clearly identified.

Shine the light over the "target" to identify it if you are afraid of accidently pulling the trigger when using the light.

Personally my finger is off the trigger until I identify the threat.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

The argument that it gives your adversary a point of aim/reference seems reasonable to some extent to me.

Don't use it as a search light.

If you have to use it to navigate through darkness (i.e., verify a clear path for movement) use it sparingly and momentarily.

Additionally, the other point stated that you could well be pointing a loaded firearm at a family member or friendly seems compelling also to not use this system and have a separate light.

I advocate using verbal commands, whenever possible, as part of the threat assessment process to minimize the risk.

If verbal commands fail and you find yourself in a situation in which you must illuminate a threat then, instead of shining the beam (muzzle) directly at the person, you can splash the light off the floor, ceiling or wall.

When I use a hand carried flashlight I usually have my pistol mounted in retention position. Depending on the situation, sometimes the muzzle is pointed in the same direction as the beam sometimes it’s not.

 

[scaatylobo]

What part of WRONG dont some get ?.

If any have taken the firearms safety courses [ expect ALL here have ] then one of THE cardinal rules of firearms safety = DO NOT POINT/AIM A FIREARM AT ANY THING YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED OR EXPECT TO DESTROY.

I do not recall that rule being recalled,but many seem to think it is now ok to do so.

Note that there are already more than a few cases of LEO's shooting people with such "lighted" guns.

I tried it and have since left the light off,in fact its sitteing next to me on the puter table [Streamlight M6 ].

Until the RULE's of firearms safety are recalled I will refrain from pointing/aiming my muzzle at NON shoot items/people.

If there is a note of annoyance in my thread,I was LEO and firearms instructor and the ONLY thing that kept many from killing/shooting their own officers = was firearms safety.

 

[swampshooter]

I have both a handheld light and a weapon mounted combo laser/light. Don't plan to use the weapon mounted light unless all else fails. Plan A is to use the handheld light and the laser sight, but at 20 feet or less point shooting will be imployed.

 

[M2 Carbine]

If any have taken the firearms safety courses [ expect ALL here have ] then one of THE cardinal rules of firearms safety = DO NOT POINT/AIM A FIREARM AT ANY THING YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED OR EXPECT TO DESTROY.

As has been pointed out over and over again in these type threads, the weapon/light does not have to be pointed at the "threat" to identify it and in any case keep your finger off the trigger until the "threat" is identified.

If that is too complicated a concept for an individual to understand, LEO or otherwise, perhaps they shouldn't be handling firearms in the first place.

 

[SCBradley]

I carry a Glock 19 w/ TLR-1s and a surefire G2L.

 

[JustinJ]

I have dogs that will attack and likely neutralize a threat so i'll know by the sound of someone getting their ass chewed on that someone is there who shouldnt be. But even if i didnt i agree completely with M2 Carbine. Light spreads so you don't have to point the weapon at the person in question to ID. And to be honest gun rules get somewhat blurred in defensive situations. For better worse cops point guns at people all the time before they intend to shoot them. Another gun rule is never transport a loaded weapon. Most of us realize that aint practical.

 

[Gord]

Note that there are already more than a few cases of LEO's shooting people with such "lighted" guns.

Cite? I've never heard of LEOs shooting anyone by accident while trying to illuminate them with a weapon-mounted light. Not that I'd doubt it could happen...

I do not recall that rule being recalled,but many seem to think it is now ok to do so.

You do realize that Cooper's Four Rules are designed such that you can break one and still be safe as long as the others are followed, right? In this case, "Do not aim at anything you are unwilling to destroy" gets overruled by "Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot." As others have mentioned this has been SOP for years...

(This, of course, doesn't stop some people - whom I regard in rather un-THR terms - from screaming about the "dangers" and "disregard for safety" in any picture depicting a firearm's muzzle end, despite the fact that the gun is not being handled by anyone.)

 

[CoRoMo]

Two words that seem to completely escape the comprehension of way too many folks in these types of threads...

indirect illumination​

As if a flashlight is completely useless, unless you point it directly at the object you need to identify.

 

[md7]

CoRoMo,

The cartoon cracks me up!

OP,

I really don't care one way or the other. I don't have any mounted on my pistols, opting for a handheld Surefire instead. But, I wouldn't argue with or put down someone who chose to go with a mounted light.

 

[JustinJ]

If i'm shooting at an intruder in my home with loved ones also in the house i don't want anything that will hamper my aim such as a handheld flashlight. Bad guys make better bullet stops than sheetrock.

 

[Comedian]

Note that there are already more than a few cases of LEO's shooting people with such "lighted" guns.

I'd also be interested in seeing how many times illuminating someone with a weapon mounted light was cited as the cause for an unjustified LEO shooting.