How do you mount a light to a no-rail pistol?

[November]

I'm interested in mounting a compact light (Streamlight or Surefire) to my Ruger P94 for HD purposes and am wondering how to do it. Does anyone make rails that can be installed (drilled and tapped) onto an existing frame? Is one brand of light better than another? Thanks.

 

[Zundfolge]

I believe I've seen lights that clamp to the front of the trigger guard.
EDIT: here's one http://www.appliedlaser.com/tls-4p.htm


I think Surefire makes one that the mount replaces the slide stop pin (not sure if they make one for your Ruger though).


There are also smaller "tactical" flashlights (made by Surefire and others) that can be held while holding a handgun too ... like so:

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

Another way to do it(the harries technique), done by michael harries himself. I think the cop in the previous pic is not doing his particular technique right.

 

[Okiecruffler]

Duct tape

You can attach anything to anything with duct tape.

 

[Gocart]

IMO, your best option is to trade the Ruger for a gun with rails and buy a light to fit it - then you'll also be able to find a compatible holster.

Second best option is to get training in lowlight shooting using the hand-held flashlight techniques that have been described above, and more.

If all else fails, use the duct tape, but go to the range and practice with the modifications before you trust your life to it.

 

[Majic]

Duct tape works fine with polymer pistols, but us dyed in the wool blue steel and wood guys use bailing wire.

 

[Gocart]

Touche' Majic

 

[XLMiguel]

A good gunsmith can certainly make you a rail that can be drilled/tapped and fitted to your gun, and I've seem dohickies advertised in the gun rags that replace the magazine floorplate with a clip that holds a maglite (no pun intended) or similar small flashlight. However, it might be more economic and expeditious to trade/upgrade to a gun that is so equiped from the factory.

 

[Soap]

I just keep my E2E right next to old slabsides. I don't want a weapon mounted light for HD since I don't want to be forced to point my weapon at whatever I'm lighting up. Light splashing the ground with a Surefire weaponlight is a way to prevent this but I'd just rather have independent full control of where my light points and where my barrel points. YMMV of course.

 

[Gocart]

Daniel, a weapon mounted light does not prevent you from using a handheld light. If I'm searching with my gun drawn, I'd rather concentrate on aiming one object (gun with mounted light) instead of two (gun in one hand, light in the other). Even if you use the commonly accepted lowlight firing techniques, the gun is pointed at whatever the light is pointed at.

Some leo agencies have been known to deny patrol officers the opportunity to carry weapon-mounted lights on their duty pistols for fear that they would use them for a flashlight. a gun with a light on it is not a flashlight, it's a gun. I have a hard time believing any responsible adult would confuse the two. Idiots would, but they need to be fired.

 

[Pylon]

All hail the duct tape technique!

We're not worthy! We're not worthy!

-Pylon

 

[4v50 Gary]

Okiecruffer: I tried duct tape but the slide won't slide now. Or if it does, I get sluggish ejection/extraction.

 

[November]

Do most lights for pistols attach with a picatinny style rail or a weaver rail? (I'm not clear on the difference) I guess I'm asking if the rails on pistols with the rails molded into the frame are "picatinny" style or "weaver" or something else so I know where to start.

 

[DigMe]

Okiecruffer: I tried duct tape but the slide won't slide now. Or if it does, I get sluggish ejection/extraction.

Try super glue and save the duct tape for attaching a trauma plate to your back.

brad cook

 

[Soap]

Gocart- Yeah that is true. But in my particular adaptation of the Harries, I point the light in different up/down directions from the orientation of the handgun barrel. It probably wouldn't work for everyone but that is how I do it. If I had a light on the handgun it would just sit there on "Off" all the time anyway.

 

[5x5]

Surefire p111 - mounts to the trigger guard and has a tape switch.

 

[BluesBear]

A hot glue gun works good.
GE Silicone seal works better.

Duct tape is still the best though.
(hint - check with a commercial theatrical lighting company for tactical black gaffers tape - aka black duct tape)