IMHO 100-140 lumens is as bright as I want to go for lights that might be used to light up a BG indoors. They're plenty bright enough to light up the object of interest yet not powerful enough tp light you (the good guy) up due to reflection and backsplash off of light colored walls.
Carry a Flashlight
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Creature
And if you ever find yourself with a flashlight attached to your gun that developes a faulty switch, switches on, won't switch off, etc while you are stalking some badguys in your home just remember that all you have to do is; "quickly throw it away" from you.
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Je Suis Prest
They are. Read the little slips of paper that come in the boxes with them sometime.
And if you ever find yourself with a flashlight attached to your gun that developes a faulty switch, switches on, won't switch off, etc while you are stalking some badguys in your home just remember that all you have to do is; "quickly throw it away" from you.
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Je Suis Prest
MisterMike
Member
Yes, the little lights give you some self-defense options. When I travel overseas, I carry a little Fenix LED light. Apart from the utility of having a flashlight, it gives you a little better chance of successfully defending yourself. The light is bright enough to blind/disorient an attacker at night and the crenellated bezel can inflict enough pain to help you out of a tight spot.
mcdonl
Member
I like both. Both have a place.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
I could see how a traditional flashlight with a switch-on/switch-off switch could stick in the "on" position, but most quality tactical lights don't work that way.
I would argue that a mounted tactical light (not a conventional flashlight) on a long gun makes far more sense than assuming that (1) the HD gun will never be needed in poor light or with the power off, (2) the homeowner will always have far superior night vision than a violent intruder whose eyes may be ten or twenty years younger than the homeowner's, and/or (3) if the homeowner needs a light, he/she can hold it in their third hand.
IMO, having a mounted light doesn't obligate you to use it foolishly, and it does give you the option to use it if you really and truly need it.
brandon_mcg
Member
i have a light mounted on my scatter gun. i have turned off all the lights in my home and had my wife shine it at my face. This gives you a upper hand as the light is blinding.
i usually keep a mini mag light in my truck; however, i am contemplating a change as i dislike the fact that i have to twist the head as opposed to just hitting a switch.
i usually keep a mini mag light in my truck; however, i am contemplating a change as i dislike the fact that i have to twist the head as opposed to just hitting a switch.
OregonJohnny
Member
You can find modern lights that use 1 AA battery (instead of the Mini Mag's 2), have a "clicky" tailcap switch (instead of the Mini Mag's "twisty"), and put out MUCH more light than a Mini Mag. I'm not saying that Maglite's aren't great tools, I own 3 of them. But flashlights are kind of like computers - every 2 or 3 years, a major leap is taken in technology, and they get exponentially better.
Start by looking at brands such as Fenix, Nitecore, Jetbeam, and Streamlight. Once you start seeing what is out there and available in modern flashlight technology, it can open a whole new hobby (or addiction).
robmkivseries70
Member
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Quote,"i usually keep a mini mag light in my truck; however, i am contemplating a change as i dislike the fact that i have to twist the head as opposed to just hitting a switch. "
I feel the same way, but don't see a good way to carry a Mini-Mag with the switch in the end cap.
Best,
Rob
I feel the same way, but don't see a good way to carry a Mini-Mag with the switch in the end cap.
Best,
Rob
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
A Surefire G2/G3 LED (and similar) allow you to disable the tailcap push switch by twisting the tailcap counterclockwise, or alternatively to lock the light "on" by twisting the tailcap clockwise. I'm sure they're not the only ones.
If you're talking about how to carry it in your hand, I use a reverse grip with my thumb on the tailcap, when using it as a handheld.
highorder
Member
That and "cigar style" carry. I really like the smaller diameter of the Surefire E series, Nitecore, Fenix, etc lights for that reason. The only reasons I can see for carrying a larger diameter light are weapon mount compatibility or using high capacity Li-ion cells like 18650's.
Kurt S.
Member
Oregon Johnny said:
If I have my pants on, I have a pocket folder (Unless I'm on a plane
)and some kind of pocket flashlight with me.
If I have my pants on, I have a pocket folder (Unless I'm on a plane
)and some kind of pocket flashlight with me.robmkivseries70
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Hi Ben,
It's the belt carry issue, using the Mini Mag nylon carrier in conjunction with a "tail cap" switch. The nylon carrier with the bottom cut out might work; though, I have had some problems turning the light on "as it is" getting in / out of a car seat.:banghead: This is a light that was allowed to be carried on board the last time I flew, I'd like to keep it as non threatening looking as possible. Is there a new carrier out there?
Best,
Rob
It's the belt carry issue, using the Mini Mag nylon carrier in conjunction with a "tail cap" switch. The nylon carrier with the bottom cut out might work; though, I have had some problems turning the light on "as it is" getting in / out of a car seat.:banghead: This is a light that was allowed to be carried on board the last time I flew, I'd like to keep it as non threatening looking as possible. Is there a new carrier out there?
Best,
Rob
I started keeping one on or near me about 20 years when going to weekend UTA while in the AF Reserve. They would most often billet us in off base motels, some with room access via indoor halls only. I felt a good light would be very desirable in case of fire or anything involving a power outage. It was a mini mag light now. Today I keep a small Surefire in my breifcase , one by my bedside and recently got identical models for my wife.
I cannot remember exact model numbers but one uses 3 cr 123 batteries and has two light levels, the upper around 100 lumens. The other is a two cell with one light level and was advertised as less light , but in reality is brighter. In either case they light up better outside better than a 5 d cell mag light.
I cannot remember exact model numbers but one uses 3 cr 123 batteries and has two light levels, the upper around 100 lumens. The other is a two cell with one light level and was advertised as less light , but in reality is brighter. In either case they light up better outside better than a 5 d cell mag light.
I carry at least 2 flashlights.
Usually a Surefire 6PX Pro LED (200 lumens high, 15 lumens low), backed up by a Pelican M1 LED. However, at times I may carry other Surefire LEDs as primarys (2x123 models). I also have been known to carry one of Fenix's various 1x123 LEDs as a backup.
More info on flashlights here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forum.php
Usually a Surefire 6PX Pro LED (200 lumens high, 15 lumens low), backed up by a Pelican M1 LED. However, at times I may carry other Surefire LEDs as primarys (2x123 models). I also have been known to carry one of Fenix's various 1x123 LEDs as a backup.
More info on flashlights here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forum.php
NMGonzo
Member
I never go walking in the afternoon without a flashlight.
Sometimes I feel adventurous and go bother the coyotes (cannis latrans) by the river.
Sometimes I feel adventurous and go bother the coyotes (cannis latrans) by the river.
braceyourself07
Member
I usually carry a Fenix PD30 (220 lumens) clipped to my belt or on the edge of my front pants pocket weak side. Really small flashlight for its brightness. Runs off of two CR123 batteries. The ONE day that I didn't have it with me, I was at a local indoor pistol range and the power went out for a few minutes.
I find it incredibly useful... now that it's eastern standard time, when I come home from work it's quite dark and it helps to see into my mailbox. Have it with me when taking the dog out, etc... Once you start carrying one, you'll wonder how you lived without it. Kind of like a pocket knife.
I find it incredibly useful... now that it's eastern standard time, when I come home from work it's quite dark and it helps to see into my mailbox. Have it with me when taking the dog out, etc... Once you start carrying one, you'll wonder how you lived without it. Kind of like a pocket knife.
I carry a Streamlight Microstream. It takes a single AAA battery, which is easy to come by, and you never know when you may need alight unexpectedly (regardless of self defense situations). It has an LED bulb and good battery life, and 20lumens isn't bad for such a tiny light.
therewolf
member
I kinda thought most gun buyers carry a penlight with them to check barrel rifling anyways...
firefighter65
Member
I recently purchase the Maratac AAA. Great little light for the money. So far no complaints here. And I would never leave home without a light in my pocket.
BenEzra
However I assess risks weighing likelyhood against consequences. And generally I do not consider low risks with potentially very high consequences as good choices. I am sometimes more likely to accept a high risk with very low consequences than a low risk with high consequences.
A flashlight used in conjuction with a handgun, handheld, makes very good sense to me. Techniques are simple, and in the event of a malfunction you can indeed just toss it.
When it comes to identifying a target and possibly actual shooting, before you switch on, you have to have a good idea where your target is to begin with. Otherwise fishing with your light is going to severely increase your exposure.
The crux of the matter is that once the defender switches on, his or her presence and position is potentially marked, and there may be more than one intruder - not necessarily in close proximity to each other. Even a single intruder may be using concealment that may render your light ineffective at the crucial moment, and making you a sitting duck for them.
The bottom line is that any light, handheld or mounted should be used only when absolutely necessary. A stealth approach to handling intruders is the best general tactic IMO; using the five senses, as little movement as possible, and moving very slowly.
Low light shooting is a useful skill, and not that hard to master at closer distances.
If you can afford a high quality light, the leap to a lower priced night optic is worth thinking about if you have a good sized yard or property. Not a night sight, but one of the handheld night viewing scopes. The cheapest are good for 100 yards or so, and used carefully they may have utility inside a dwelling as well.
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Je Suis Prest
They may not use the older sliding or toggled switches, but anything that moves can also potentially not move when it is supposed to, or move when not intended. There really is no such thing as a failsafe switching mechanism. I would agree that the current better quality lights are unlikely to malfunction.
However I assess risks weighing likelyhood against consequences. And generally I do not consider low risks with potentially very high consequences as good choices. I am sometimes more likely to accept a high risk with very low consequences than a low risk with high consequences.
A flashlight used in conjuction with a handgun, handheld, makes very good sense to me. Techniques are simple, and in the event of a malfunction you can indeed just toss it.
Low light is a variable in itself in that there is low light and there is no light, and in between in fractions. And it may vary from one location to the next relative to the defender's position at any time. What the defender can, should and should not do depends on exactly how much light there is in any specific circumstance.
When it comes to identifying a target and possibly actual shooting, before you switch on, you have to have a good idea where your target is to begin with. Otherwise fishing with your light is going to severely increase your exposure.
The crux of the matter is that once the defender switches on, his or her presence and position is potentially marked, and there may be more than one intruder - not necessarily in close proximity to each other. Even a single intruder may be using concealment that may render your light ineffective at the crucial moment, and making you a sitting duck for them.
The bottom line is that any light, handheld or mounted should be used only when absolutely necessary. A stealth approach to handling intruders is the best general tactic IMO; using the five senses, as little movement as possible, and moving very slowly.
Low light shooting is a useful skill, and not that hard to master at closer distances.
If you can afford a high quality light, the leap to a lower priced night optic is worth thinking about if you have a good sized yard or property. Not a night sight, but one of the handheld night viewing scopes. The cheapest are good for 100 yards or so, and used carefully they may have utility inside a dwelling as well.
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Je Suis Prest
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Tailcap "clicky" tac lights using incandescent lamps can end up turned on when packed in bags with other gear if you don't protect the tailcap or twist back the tailcap enough to make certain that shifting gear won't turn on your light. This can result in heat damage to materials pushed up against the lens.
LED lights won't have this problem since they don't generate enough heat to scorch or burn materials.
I learned both these lessons through personal experience. Luckily I only lost a sock that my Surefire had been shoved against.
I believe strongly enough in always having a flashlight that I have small lights on keys, jackets, bags and usually in my pocket. Fumbling around in the dark is not as safe as being able to see where you're putting your feet and hands and what your head might encounter. Having a more powerful light for the highly unlikely self defense situation is simply having another tool in the tool box. Identifying threats and possibly disorienting an attacker are prudent measures, but having something that can be used for a quick impact tool is not to be overlooked.
LED lights won't have this problem since they don't generate enough heat to scorch or burn materials.
I learned both these lessons through personal experience. Luckily I only lost a sock that my Surefire had been shoved against.
I believe strongly enough in always having a flashlight that I have small lights on keys, jackets, bags and usually in my pocket. Fumbling around in the dark is not as safe as being able to see where you're putting your feet and hands and what your head might encounter. Having a more powerful light for the highly unlikely self defense situation is simply having another tool in the tool box. Identifying threats and possibly disorienting an attacker are prudent measures, but having something that can be used for a quick impact tool is not to be overlooked.
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