Light Or No Light On A Home Defense Pistol?

Every self defense gun (as in, not plinkers or hunting guns) should have a light imo.

Our local range completion had a low light course that really cemented this for me. The guys with a WML were almost universally faster and more accurate than guys trying to run a separate light. Does that mean someone can’t be fast and accurate using a handheld light? Nope, not at all, just that it requires more training to have the same ability in my experience.

As far as pointing a loaded gun at everything, that’s a training issue imo. Most modern WML are putting out 500-1000 lumens. You don’t have to point the light directly at something to illuminate it.

Also, just because you have a WML doesn’t mean you can’t also use a handheld light for times a WML isn’t appropriate in your estimation.

Regarding the weight of lights, I can’t see how this is even a factor. They weigh 4oz or less, with batteries for pistol mounted models and maybe twice that for rifle specific options.

People can do as they like, but I think the advantages are real and the perceived disadvantages overstated. Ymmv.

Yes, because it is attached to the gun and cannot be forgotten, lost, dropped, etc. People see the gun and shoot at it or if they are trained, they shoot at the upper chest and the gun, arms and hands are in the way. What are the odds of a support hand or arm hit causing you to drop the light? Yes, at least you have your gun, but now the light is “gone” if it is off or uncontrolled if it is not. “Gone” is worse than uncontrolled and on since at least you can still see using the splash from the light...but that goes two ways.

Nothing says you cannot have a weapon light mounted and have a second light in your support hand either. Why? If the light has a bezel, then you can use it to aid in punching and smashing if things turn into a FUT (Effed Up Tangle ... ECQC). You do not have to use the weapon light.

As for night sights, they really aid shooting even in low light areas during the day. Look at this sequence:

https://imgur.com/gallery/EjQOW

No light for me as I keep my room and hallway dark and the rest of the house has soft nightlights on at night ,
I also have dogs that will alert me

FL-NC said:

Have you ever tried to use it effectively and safely in the dark?

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Please don't go there.

shafter said:

As a firearms instructor for law enforcement, everyone in my dept is required to qualify in low light conditions with their handheld light and then again with their WML. The scores with the WML are significantly higher than those with a handheld light. Once they try them no one wants to give them up.

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I have never been in law enforcement, but I have noticed lots of square shaped safariland holsters like the ones I used in the mil on most cop's belts nowadays. The square safarilands people use when their sidearm is carried with a mounted light.

Kevin Rohrer said:

Please don't go there.

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"Don't go" where, exactly? Into a gunfight in a low light or no light environment without the means to rapidly identify and accurately engage my target(s)? I definitely don't want to go there. I've been fortunate enough to have a light on my weapon every time something like this has come up, so far. Along with everyone who went there with me.

JO JO said:

No light for me as I keep my room and hallway dark and the rest of the house has soft nightlights on at night ,
I also have dogs that will alert me

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I have electricity too. Until the power goes out. It took some people here a week to get it back a couple months ago from Sally.

I use one.