Flashlight for defense

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In my opinion, a light that is to compliment a firearm should be simple to operate, be reliable, and be fairly bright. It should also be portable enough that you can carry it without too much difficulty.

I also believe in paying good money for a good flashlight. I firmly believe that a flashlight saved my grandmother's life many years ago, and the fact that I had a good flashlight with me kept me out of a potentially bad situation when I was playing the role of good samaritan earlier this year. A gun can get me out of a jam, but my flashlight has played a preventative role on two occassions.
I have two flashlights that compliment my weapon very well in the picture below. The anglehead is a Firstlight Tomahawk. The black light is a modified Surefire Z2. It has a Malkoff M60 and a Surefire loop. After this photo was taken, I removed the bezel on the Surefire because it hurt the profile of the beam. Both lights can run on rechargeable batteries-if needed.

They are both very bright, but not so bright that they cause a lot of back reflection. I hate seeing photos of flashlights with beams that are so bright that you can't easily identify the target because they become lost in a blinding white aura.

DSC00442.jpg
 
My only "high-end" light is a Surefire E2D LED Defender (strike bezel), although I have used many other Surefires, and have owned many disappointing lights, both LED and bulb. Of all the lights I've ever used, the E2D is definitely my favorite, and also the most useful in the largest spectrum of scenarios. 5 lumens for 76 hours, or 120 lumens for 2 hours. Small, streamlined body. Bright white, perfectly-focused beam. Then there's the strike bezel. Sure, in a pinch, it can be used as weapon. But it may have some other uses as well. From Surefire's website:

"Crenellated Strike Bezel™ Also Good for Gripping Ice
Last winter, I was out on the lake, testing for a good place to drill a hole through the ice for ice-fishing. The ice suddenly cracked and gave way, completely submerging me in the freezing-cold water. When I reemerged, I gasped for air, ripped open the front pocket of my jacket, and pulled out my E2D Defender®. I used its crenellated bezel to get a good grip in the surface ice and pull myself out.

I would've been fish food had it not been for that little gem of a flashlight.

Tyler M.
East Petersburg, PA"
 
Flashlights

Thanks everyone for your input. I sinally purchased a Fenix OD30 for my wife and s Surefire E2D Defender for myself. Both seem awsome!
Best regards,
JimK66
 
alaskanativeson
Senior Member
I have quite a range of flashlights. I have several Pelicans because in the winter up here I really don't want to have to hold a metal light.....
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After I put an LED into a C-cell mag lite for my wife, she complained about the ice cold barrel in the winter. So I got some of that 'tool handle' plastic dip (from Home Depot) and painted most of the light. I put about 4 coats on it and it's done the job for her. She reports that insulation factor keeps her hands from freezing.

Nite-eze also makes a neoprene handle/jacket for the C/D cell mag lights too. I've got one on my Dcell that rides in my truck.
 
I'm not sure why some people think s "strike bezel" would be a gimick....I can undersand the court rational but if I'm defending myself with a tool that I bought legaly and have not modified myself I have a hard time beleiving that somehow I will become the bad guy in court!

If I had to use a flashlight to strike someone I'd rather have a "strike bezel" style as it will inflict more damage should the blow be glancing or less then perfect.

If the impact is straight on and well delivered there is probably not a lot of difference but if somehow during and event the defendee is not able to deliver a perfect solid blow I'd give the advantage to the tool with the serrated end.....
 
One comment on strike bezels, semi off topic- Since the chance that I'll have to actually use them is very small, it should be noted they can be rather inconvenient depending on how you carry the light. I hear carrying them "down" in a pocket can tear a whole in the bottom over time, so I carry mine "up" in the back pocket and it sticks out a little. I'm always afraid I'll gouge a friend's couch or something sitting down. It would be absolutely horrible trying to explain how there's a hole in their couch because I thought it necessary to carry a scary tactical light everywhere.

On the shopping side, the biggest problem I have with my cheapo surefire knockoff from ebay is the pocket clip is terrible. Just FYI.
 
Leadhead - as others have stated, unless you're gouging the face I don't really see how a glancing blow with the striker would do a whole lot. Sure, it'll draw blood, but if you're wailing on someone with a portable lighting device chances are that you'll need to do more than just draw blood.

As far as your perspective on becoming a bad guy in court, well, I disagree based on plenty of real scenarios (not involving strike bezels) where someone was already in a "questionable" position - for example, no witnesses on their side of the fight and a bunch of witnesses supporting the guy who started it. A strike bezel could potentially be construed as a deadly weapon, whereas a regular bezel would not.
 
I'm not sure I understand the hundred dollar flashlight thing.
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I'm not sure I do either, given that there are a lot of good (albeit still expensive when compared to your mini-mag) options out there these days for considerably less. While maglights are well built and easy to find, I can justify a more expensive flashlight based entirely on superior performance. Heck, my keychain light, which is a Fenix E01, kicks out more usable light over short distances than a mini-mag without the LED kit. 15 bucks for a keychain light seems expensive, and I guess it is, but I am totally and completely satisfied with the performance and quality of that light.

In terms of weaponry, I suspect any flashlight with a metal body of some sort would fill the bill. I mean, how fancy does it need to be to whack someone? I keep a D-cell maglite around the house for exactly that reason. Frankly, if your main goal is to use it as a defensible weapon, I agree with Carl. Maglites are cheap, and I imagine they hurt as much as any other more expensive light. If you are looking for an excellent light that can also be used as a skullcracker, well, that is a pretty long list of choices.
 
LEDs are very tolerant to impact and generally quite bright if you are spending ~$20 or more. Metal is metal, and I see no difference between a Surefire and a knockoff.
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There's also no difference between a Glock and a Lorcin when you oversimplify the comparison.
 
I carry a 4d mag in my taxi.

Ive had to get out of the car on numerous occasions to settle a disagreement.

Never had to use it as a weapon, but it seems to work great as a deterrent. Or maybe its because Im 6' 2" 250#.;)

J
 
Actually, I have been thinking about getting a light specifically to leave in my car, mostly for illumination but also as a little "attitude adjustment" device if necessary. I figure that would give me 2 lower levels of force at my disposal. Bright light and improvised club are good options, because I really really REALLY don't want to have to use a handgun on a roadrager. A big D-cell light seems to fit the bill. Do you guys have any recommendations? The only ones I know of are the maglites, though obviously they're pretty well proven to work. Are there any other good products out there I should take a look at, either other D-cell lights or things similarly sized?
 
I got a new S-F 6P (incandescent) shipped off evil-bay for <$40 last year, intent on putting an aftermarket LED head in it. The incandescent lamp puts out 55-60 Lumens of yellowish light for 50 minutes on two CR123s. Adding a S-F P60L, a bargain then for <$30 with s/t, effectively made it a 6P LED - which I already had. Great car lights - over ten year shelf life in wide temp ranges on those cells - and the light could be handy in a defensive encounter.

I will always have a one or two CR123 cell light for emergencies - the cells are too dependable and the energy storage/size-mass is unreal. The best examples are actually from S-F - and $21/12. Some stores have Duracells - not as good as S-F - for ~$5/ea! I bought 3 doz CR123s - 3 boxes - for <$70 shipped 2nd Day from S-F 2/08. I had two 6p LEDs and a single cell Fenix, adding a S-F E1b Backup 5/08 and an E2DL 9/08. I use my lights frequently - and am finally into the second box... probably because someone needed to 'borrow' some!

The E1b is not a real head conker - unless you swap tail switches with the E2DL - like I did so the E2DL would fit in my KSF sheath with a fb knife. The benefit the S_Fs have is that they are well made, dependable, and disorientingly bright. The little Fenix I bought is blinding on Turbo - and irritating on strobe/Turbo - when you find the setting - and if the threads were properly lubed (It is much more sensitive than the S-F's.). The E1b is dependable - and my EDC as a pocket light. They went up 9/08 - you can likely get an E2DL cheaper. I don't skimp on my EDC CCWs, either.

Stainz

PS I like the utility, in an emergency, of the S-F E-series going on high the first click. My main use is at night - double clicking for 'low' so I can avoid cats & kittens in the dark of night as I find the bathroom.
 
If I had to use a flashlight to strike someone I'd rather have a "strike bezel" style as it will inflict more damage should the blow be glancing or less then perfect.
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I just have seen no evidence of this. It will definitely tend to cut more, but that's not automatically preferable.

John
 
Neither have I John,
Purely speculation on my part....I agree with the others that it is more practical to have a regular bezel for pocket use and for most of what I use a flashlight for.

Somehow though I still feel that for striking or applying pressure on an attacker the serrated bezel is not necessarily a bad concept....

I guess given the choice .....I'd rather be hit by a smooth one then a serrated.


Perhaps if your attacker has a blood disease and you've got open wounds your self then spilling blood might be a bad thing but that's a bit of a stretch.
 
I don't know about you guys, but I'm not going to be hitting anyone with the flashlight.
I am going to be using the flashlight to make sure they can't see the other hand/foot coming their way at high velocity.
 
Well, there definitely are advantages to using even a small flashlight as an impact tool. All the force of a blow can be focused on a much smaller point, which is helpfully made of metal. There are diminishing returns, though. If you get too fine with your point, you're just left with a knife. Which is actually less useful as an impact tool.
 
You certainly raise a good point, John.
If someone really didn't want to let go of something important of mine, a good rap from the flashlight to the back of the hand would be useful in helping them decide to let go.

However, I think breaking skin and chipping/hurting bone with a more focused blow is less desirable when trying to hit someone in the head.
I still think a surprise blow from behind a blinding light or an unseen, speeding foot to the bojangles would be much more effective than a flashlight to the face.
 
Just a little off-topic (kinda) flashlight tidbit, countycomm now has an amazing deal on a 1xAAA light that throws out either 60 or 80 noninflated (read: fenix and other asian brands inflate by 20-30%) lumens on high, 18 on medium, and 1 on low. I'm getting one soon. Could be a good all-purpose non-weaponized light.
 
Lee I would have to agree about the bezele. Like using a 1/2 inch pocket knife. I have one on my EL but I don't think you would get more than superficial cuts. I can guarantee the are not a striking weapon. I've seen guys hit with 5 and 6 cell Mag lights and not go down. Some had to send them back to get the batteries out of the light:evil:.

My preference is firearm, light, and cane. I would not recomend light less than 3dmaglight If I plan to use it as a club.



Jim
 
I keep a Streamlight Stylus Pro on me at work, keep a 4 C cell maglite in the car. I've got the ubiquitous Surefire's, Scorpion's, Mini-Mags, and some cheap lights from Dr LED I found on Ebay. I'll switch them up from time to time, but the Stylus is small has a metal barrel and a pocket clip that Mini Mags do not. It's more than sturdy enough to use as a kubotan if needed.
 
I was a bouncer for 9 1/2 years and I'll tell you right now, that Surefire E2D Defender is a terrific light. Sturdy as hell, bright enough to blind you with your eyes closed (I can personally attest to this) and the gouges at either end are perfect for disarming, smashing or just plain "convincing" your adversary to do anything you want them to do. Again I'm speaking from personal experience on this one and out of any flashlight I've ever owned that would be the one I want on me at all times. Plus since they use lithium batteries you can always count on maximum output in brightness until those batteries are done.
 
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