Who uses a weaponlight on their medium-size CCW?

I just carry a flashlight

Pocket flashlight and weaponlight. Viridian C5L. Will be switching it up to a TLR8 rather soon. Probably.

I do not carry a gun with a weapon light.

cogun4hire said:

The unused space from the end of the muzzle to the end of the light (about an 1.3 inches) has me thinking of "investing" in a g34 with chopped, G19 sized grip. I have CCW'd my G34 with TLR-1 and I just think the longer full size grip pokes out too far for OWB carry. Any insight or experiences is appreciated!

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I see your logic. However, considering the way Glock is working these days, if you wait long enough, Glock will probably make this gun for you at some point in the future, maybe a Glock 63 or so...

I don’t like extra bulk on my carry gun. I do keep one on my bedside gun though.

I do, but rarely, if I’m going to a place that is less than savoury after dark. I have a tlr1 like you, on a g19 and I find that it’s width and overall bulk is usually just too much to conceal. If I were going to carry a light more consistently it would be something flush with the muzzle of a G19 and narrower than the tlr1. I’ve been hemming and hawing about adding a tlr6 to my shield but can’t justify the cost of the light and a new holster to add a device that I think only has a little practical value.

Put me down in the light on gun camp:

I have a Streamlight TLR-3 on my full sized SIG P250 45 that is my nightstand gun. I carry a Eagletac d25c clicky flashlight in my weak side pocket when I Carry my SIG P365.

Just a flashlight for me.

My reasons:
• Like the gun itself, it's better to have and not need, than to need and not have. And, the penalty for having is nill in this case -- no noticeable bulk in terms of holster, a small one-time cost, and that's it.

• Having trained in low light, I can do an okay job shooting with a handheld torch. But when it comes time to reload, open doors, or operate a radio/phone while holding the gun, the WML really shines.

• It gets dark early in the winter where I live.

• Sometimes my EDC gun goes on the night stand at the end of the day.

I carry a handheld light in addition to the WML, and the two serve different purposes. The handheld light is an information gathering tool: Who's over there? What's in that guy's hand? Crap, did the cat's toy go under the couch again? The WML is a thread engagement tool: Someone is shooting up the movie theater, breaking down my door, or coming at me in a dark parking garage saying they're going to kill me.

I switched to WML's for HD many years ago... I got tired of opening doors, gates, barns, etc. for things that "went bump in the night" when dealing with a flashlight plus a handgun.
Ive only got one gun holster that accepts a WML and really only use it when heading to the range. I was never happy with the holster build and they are not really easy to find.

Short answer is yes. Have trained starting at dusk all the way to complete darkness. I carry a WML light and a separate handheld with Trijicon XR-HD sights on all of my pistols. So I have redundancy but also can apply to different situation if needed. I always train with the WML on the weapon all the times now for the past year or more. Make sure you have the balance of your gun figured out and the light doesn't induce failures and what not. Plus always checking for drawing and re-holstering issues.

I use a S&W M2.0 Compact 3.6 or S&W Gen1 40c with Inforce APLc or a Shield with TLR6. I don't like a lot of lumens on WML lights. In practicing clearing my own house, you even shine a white painted surface with much over 200-300 lumens and you are blinded for a bit. Definitely get the big white spots for a bit. Even with less than 200-300 lumens you can get that.
So my handheld goes to 1100 for situations where lumens are absolutely needed. But you need to train shooting with the external light also so you aren't muzzle sweeping your offhand and still able to hit what you are shooting at with a single strong hand hold.

Great subject. Interested in hearing about everyone else's thoughts and setups.

Steve

Surefire Xc1 on my Glock 23 setup for night.

I don’t, but I’m a minimalist with daily stuff. Clothes, wallet, keys, knife, phone, gun. Keep it light and slim. Plenty of other stuff in my vehicles, office, etc.

My only lowlight item these days is a front night sight, but a gold bead would be 90% as useful. If it’s so dark I need a WML to illuminate a target, I won’t be in public. I’m never anywhere a WML would help now that I’m really thinking about it.

My HD guns all have lights and have come in handy. That’s an essential to me.

So, daily carry - no WML.
HD guns - WML for sure.

Mounted lights aren't my thing, but this article may be helpful.

https://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/search?q=dark+star+gear

cogun4hire said:

I really appreciate your insight. After seeing multiple "compact WML's", I may need to invest in something like a TLR-7. I also occasionally carry a small streamlight flashlight for the reasons you stated.

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Glad it's helpful! I'm currently deciding on a light for a Glock 29 that will be carried while trail running or hiking in bear country. While I went with something compact for my 9mm EDC, for the 1cm gun being used outdoors I'll probably go with something brighter like a Surefire XH35.

To my way of thinking, nothing says, “here I am, shoot at me,” like a WML. I think I’ll pass.

Flashlight clipped in my off-hand pocket.

But all my carbines have lights.

Anchorite said:

To my way of thinking, nothing says, “here I am, shoot at me,” like a WML. I think I’ll pass.

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Right on. I feel the same way . If you don't mind getting shot carry a lite and that will pin point your location like right now......

Get some low light training before posting please.
https://www.tdiohio.com/level-iv-v-handgun/

There's no light to shoot at if it's turned off.

And if you shoot at where my light was last turned on, you'll soon find the end of my barrel pressed against your temple, since you spent 5 seconds shooting a blank wall.

Light and move, but ya'll haven't been taught that yet, I'll bet.

Anchorite said:

To my way of thinking, nothing says, “here I am, shoot at me,” like a WML. I think I’ll pass.

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If that was my impression of how to use a WML, I'd agree with you. Fortunately, most reputable instructors would advise using the light in short bursts of ~1 second, and combined with moving where possible/prudent.

Anchorite said:

To my way of thinking, nothing says, “here I am, shoot at me,” like a WML. I think I’ll pass.

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go into a dimly lit room and try staring into a 300+ lumen WML.. see how that works out for your aim.

psyopspec said:

If that was my impression of how to use a WML, I'd agree with you. Fortunately, most reputable instructors would advise using the light in short bursts of ~1 second, and combined with moving where possible/prudent.

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Something of interest I found:

https://www.vickerstactical.com/weapon-lights.html