carry pistol light?

[Bill681911]

on a carry pistol how many people would consider mounting a light to the gun (TRL-7)
or another new small gun mounted lights ???

 

[starling]

Semi permanent.. probably not. Quick detatchable sure. Keep it in a belt pouch and use it like a flashlight.

Unless you have two of the same pistols. One set up for nightime use.. Light/lazer etc. And one set up for normal daytime. Then again you are stuck with taking it off your pistol if you need a flashlight... unless you carry two flashlights. I wont wear a batbelt with every gadget imaginable so I tend to minimize as much as possible. My running watch has a bright flashlight so I tend to use that a lot.

A lot depends on how you carry. Something like a shoulder holster it doesnt really matter. Carrying on or in the waist they add some bulk for normal daytime carry. Unless you get a tiny one.

Home security or say out on a farm/rural type place. Yes.. for sure. Never know when you might walk up on a Skunk.

 

[Armored farmer]

I carry a pocket flashlight seven days per week, so I don't carry one on my edc gun. I do, however, have one on my nightstand gun.

 

[The_Quartermaster]

*TLR-7 and for compacts it's the perfect light for me to have on them. Full size I prefer the TLR-1 HL still. I like my EDC lights to be Streamlight and my rifle lights to be Surefire on the cheap or Modlite's if the funds allow. Still want to give the Cloud Defensive Rein 2.0 a chance though, and want to try their new pistol light if it ever get's released.

 

[JTQ]

I'm usually in the minority on this question, I prefer no mounted light.

From Tucker Gun Leather https://tuckergunleather.com/faq/

Q. Does Tucker recommend carrying a defensive pistol with a light attached to an accessory rail?

A. Tucker says, "If you're on a SWAT team, go for it. If not, your pistol is a quick-response tool for a sudden and extreme self-defense situation. If you have a light on the gun, you may find it distracting enough to slow down your response."

 

[JTQ]

A couple of data points from Tom Givens, someone who has studied the civilian use of firearms probably as much as anybody. One of his points is to not confuse the LE/MIL needs with the civilian concealed carrier needs.

https://civiliandefender.com/2016/04/01/low-light-red-sights-and-tom-givens-glock-35/

...in the 60 plus defensive shootings his students have been involved in, the lighting (or lack of lighting) was a factor in the outcome in exactly ZERO cases.

https://rangemaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02_RFTS-Newsletter.pdf

 

[JTQ]

If your mind is made up to carry a gun with a mounted light, you may want to start with a holster you prefer and see what gun/light combinations they offer. It may help you with your choice of light. There are a lot of good lights available, but not all holsters are available for all gun/light combinations.

 

[Armored farmer]

Deleted double post

 

[The_Quartermaster]

I'm usually in the minority on this question, I prefer no mounted light.

From Tucker Gun Leather https://tuckergunleather.com/faq/

A couple of data points from Tom Givens, someone who as studied the civilian use of firearms probably as much as anybody. One of his points is to not confuse the LE/MIL needs with the civilian concealed carrier needs.

https://civiliandefender.com/2016/04/01/low-light-red-sights-and-tom-givens-glock-35/


https://rangemaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02_RFTS-Newsletter.pdf

You are free to do as you do and not want one, I don't care really what someone else decides on that is different than me. However when it becomes an agenda tell others negligently that it's not needed is misleading information.

You don't have it there to operate and be high speed, mil, or police. You have it on there so you can PID at the last second and not shoot your wife, your kid, your family members, friends, dogs, or cat. And it also helps to stun any intruder when getting 500 to 1,000 lumens and gives you an edge in defensive countermeasures before deciding to shoot or not. Plus it's better to use a WML instead of the FBI technique in conjunction with.

https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/c...-alex-rupp-manslaughter-plea-deal/7308363001/

 

[The_Quartermaster]

If your mind is made up to carry a gun with a mounted light, you may want to start with a holster you prefer and see what gun/light combinations they offer. It may help you with your choice of light. There are a lot of good lights available, but not all holsters are available for all gun/light combinations.

You can find custom holster makers and you can also make your own using kydex and watching tutorials.

 

[JTQ]

You can find custom holster makers ...

Yes you can, but if you're thinking about mounting a light, and you haven't picked one yet, starting with the holster you want may lead you to a light to choose.

For instance, if you'd like to carry a G17 in a JM Custom Kydex IWB #3 ( https://www.jmcustomkydex.com/p/IWB3-LB.html ), see what lights are listed for that holster with the G17. He offers a lot of options. Choose some odd-ball light that is not listed may complicate your holster search.

 

[The_Quartermaster]

Yes you can, but if you're thinking about mounting a light, and you haven't picked one yet, starting with the holster you want may lead you to a light to choose.

For instance, if you'd like to carry a G17 in a JM Custom Kydex IWB #3 ( https://www.jmcustomkydex.com/p/IWB3-LB.html ), see what lights are listed for that holster with the G17. He offers a lot of options. Choose some odd-ball light that is not listed may complicate your holster search.

The lights being offered are mainstream. If you're choosing an oddball just because or to stay as cheap as possible despite having the money for it, well that's on you and not the manufacturer. This really isn't a problem unless the buyer wants it to be one.

 

[JTQ]

If you're choosing an oddball just because or to stay as cheap as possible despite having the money for it, well that's on you and not the manufacturer. This really isn't a problem unless the buyer wants it to be one.

I see you're new to the forum. We get an awful lot of threads on the forum from folks looking for a holster for a gun/light combination that isn't common.

They may have bought a light on sale somewhere or perhaps that's the light that was available at their local store. I'm just giving information that may be helpful for someone who may be in the process of choosing a light.

Choosing a common gun/light combination that is covered by a preferred holster maker will make your life easier.

 

[dweis]

I would not mount a light on a carry pistol. I prefer to carry a separate small flashlight on my belt. My carry light has an adjustable beam, a strobe function, and a hardened bezel that is scalloped to make it a good defensive tool. If I ever need a light in a self defense situation when I might have to scan an area I do not want to be pointing my gun at a person when I light them up. By keeping my light in my left hand with arm bent at elbow and raised chest high I can place my right hand across the arm and keep the muzzle pointed downward. If I see a hostile it only takes a flip of my wrist to adjust the gun for firing. If I see a friendly I will not be pointing a gun directly at him. In any event I will be able to see and ready to shoot.

 

[trackskippy]

I have a couple of handguns around the house that have a light mounted, and they are handy, but I dont use one on my carry gun.

I do carry a Streamlight ProTac HLX in my pocket which gets used on a daily basis, and works fine for this too. Not necessarily as quick and handy as one on the gun, but it still works fine.

As far as having to point the gun with a light on it at someone to light them up, thats not necessary. You can still point the gun in a safe direction and inside, still light up the room with most lights. Outside, even at some distance, you can still see well enough without directly pointing the gun to see and make an ID.

 

[12Bravo20]

Whether you decide to use a WML or not is a personal choice that only you can make. Using a WML or a hand held light both work. And both methods have their pros and cons. You have to look at the pros and cons of both and then decide what will work best for you.

For me personally, I am good with either type of light. Some of my carry guns have lights mounted and some do not. Same goes with my rifles and shotguns.

Here is one suggestion that I have for everyone, no matter what light you use. Get some cheap LED night lights and place them in every room of your house. They give off enough light to help without being too bright.

I see you're new to the forum. We get an awful lot of threads on the forum from folks looking for a holster for a gun/light combination that isn't common.

They may have bought a light on sale somewhere or perhaps that's the light that was available at their local store. I'm just giving information that may be helpful for someone who may be in the process of choosing a light.

Choosing a common gun/light combination that is covered by a preferred holster maker will make your life easier.

I can say that the selection of holsters available for the different WML has definitely increased over the last few years. There are more available now than even two years ago.

The bad is that there are a lot of new companies that decided to get into the kydex holster business so the quality goes from cheaply made out of thin material to outstanding quality. Do you homework before purchase to save some headaches.

 

[Old Dog]

No WMLs for me on carry pistols. I don't have to clear rooms or buildings these days. Tom Givens' data is pretty compelling, if you're a civilian concealed-carrier.

I do have a couple pistols in the house with Surefire X-300U lights attached. And one with a Streamlight TL-1HD (probably the best value WML I've used). But with trained dogs in the house and an alarm system, it's difficult to imagine any scenario that I would be so surprised that I couldn't get positive ID on any (possible) intruder. All of my exterior, and some of my interior lights are either on motion sensors or timers.

As I don't tend to go out on pitch black, dark nights anymore I've not yet had cause to regret my current choices. Even out in the mountains and woods, I've found a hand-held light more practical. When I worked patrol, I never responded to a situation where I felt the need for a WML (my department didn't issue them at the time). Having trained for almost 40 years with the Harries technique, I don't feel disadvantaged without a WML.

Then there's that pesky Rule 2 about not pointing your firearm at anything that you do not intend to destroy. Yes, we are aware of the awesomeness and massive lumen output of current offerings and that you can splash light all over a room without the muzzle covering a person. But if the only light you have on you is attached to your handgun, well... That's what you're using when your daughter enters your house at 3:00 a.m., having decided to come home from college for Thanksgiving weekend a day early? Or you hear sounds in the alley next to your house and go out armed to confront the raccoon in your neighbor's trashcan?

I do carry a Streamlight ProTac HLX in my pocket which gets used on a daily basis, and works fine for this too.

Great little lights!

WMLs are a personal choice. I'm good with my choice as I opt for effective concealment and a simpler system.

However when it becomes an agenda tell others negligently that it's not needed is misleading information.

Haven't detected anyone in this thread with an agenda or "telling others negligently." If you're referring to the Givens' data, suggest you look him up and research his history.

 

[Rexster]

on a carry pistol how many people would consider mounting a light to the gun (TRL-7)
or another new small gun mounted lights ???

I can only speculate on the “how many people” part. Personally, I am not inclined to have a light on a pistol that is worn concealed, under my clothing, but am fairly religious about bringing a Surefire LX2, or similar light, with me.

I am not against “weapon-mounted lights.” I have been known to mount a Surefire X200-series or X300-series light, on a SIG P229R, and later on Glocks, which were my duty pistols. I tend to have one of these lights mounted on a suitable pistol, in the home/area defense role.

 

[herrwalther]

I have a TLR-7 on my EDC firearm. I also carry a pocket flashlight. Because there are many, many times a day when I need a flashlight and not a gun. But if I need a gun, I want to be able to operate both with one hand if needed.

 

[WrongHanded]

A pistol light can be a great addition if you spend appreciable time out after dark, or before sunrise. The 300 lumens from this TLR-1 is more than enough for me. Though I also carry a separate flashlight.

I've practiced switching it on through my draw stroke to the point that when the gun comes out of the holster in low light, the light goes on. So no extra hassles there.

If I did it again, I'd probably get a TLR-8A light/laser combo.

 

[Mot45acp]

I was against WMLs (for me) for the longest time. What changed my point a view was a bump in the night scenario.

When I was in just underwear investigating said bump, hand held in left, pistol in right, I came across my arch nemesis. A closed and locked door presenting me with the choice of either having to put light down or pistol down in order to unlock and open the door. I don't have tactical underwear with pockets!

This caused me to change my tactics and training. I like having a hand free for interacting with my environment. Instead of trying to remember two different tactics, I now train with using the spill of the beam keeping my muzzle low.

My current set up is a G19 with TLR7. But if the Sig Macro keeps up its track record, that may replace it soon. I carry it, then it goes to the nightstand. I do also carry a small streamlight, like someone else mentioned, I need my flashlight more times than I need my gun.

 

[ClicheBro]

A couple of data points from Tom Givens, someone who has studied

Tactics developed by cherry picking statistics are trash.

 

[The_Quartermaster]

Choosing a common gun/light combination that is covered by a preferred holster maker will make your life easier.

That was my point to begin with here all along.

 

[TarDevil]

Gun in one hand, flashlight in the other.

That might be my son I illuminate.

 

[crestoncowboy]

I use olight on my rifle for predators. I do have a tlr-1 on my bedside gun in a vaultek. Other than that I have no light. The olight is insanely bright. On par with the best of spotlight from a few years back. Lol

Well I have a surefire or streamlight, I don't recall which, forearm on a mossberg as well.