Laser or Light for HD?

[DFW1911]

if you have ever tried to fight at night without a light, you will see very fast why a light is more important of the 2.

I agree with this statement. I have a light mounted on one of my HD weapons. Do I really need it? Probably not because I live in a townhouse that is so bright due to streetlights I think you could read

However, the hallways are dark, thus the light .

 

[M2 Carbine]

Excuse me, it's getting late. Time to go get some laser/light practice.

 

[Buck Snort]

Leave enough lights on in your house at nite so you don't need a big bright light on your gun and then use your laser sight for target acquisition and you're good to go.

 

[Buck Snort]

DeepSouth sez: "Lasers aren't needed in close quarters, such as HD."

Hogwash.

 

[Buck Snort]

"...but I generaly would not put my faith in electronic sighting aids in a real life and death situation."

Luddites abound.

 

[Buck Snort]

"Lasers and lights can be useful, but they can give your position away..."

HOW MUCH BRAIN POWER DOES IT TAKE to figure out that you don't have to turn on the laser until you're ready to shoot!! You've got a real good idea where the perp is, you point the gun in his general direction, activate the laser, make one small quick adjustment and start send'n lead in his direction. Hey folks, this ain't thermonuclear physics we're dealing with here!!

 

[Dwrice]

I would say have both. Then you can use one or the other or both depending on what you need.

 

[smithmax]

Why are people so obsessed with "surprising" the bad guy? If I think there is a person in my house, I'm going to start yelling for them to get out, and tell them I have a gun. Your first goal should be getting them out of your home, not sneaking up on them so you can shoot them.

I voted for laser because I've never been in a house that is pitch black at night, there's usually enough moonlight or street lighting coming in to ID anything. Plus it is easier for me to use a laser sight when my heart rate is up than it is use regular sights.

 

[possum]

Leave enough lights on in your house at nite so you don't need a big bright light on your gun and then use your laser sight for target acquisition and you're good to go.

I know this is gonna sound like one of those far fethced what ifs, but when is a likely time that people would try to break and enter? during a natural disaster possibly, when th epower might be out? just one reason that you might not have lights at all in your house.

Btw the light does more for you then just let you see the intruder. i persoanlly can move through my house in complete darkness, because it is my house. a bg can't. as well every second in a time is life incident is 1 sec closer to your death. you need all the advantage you can get. Hit the light, it obscures the bg's vision, destroys his night vision, as well as disrupts his O.O.D.A loop and gives you a little more time, and alot more advantage.

 

[167]

Both light and laser are useful, I think it is hard to argue one to be more useful than the other unless given a specific set of circumstances, and we weren't. But, when put into the context of being mounted to the weapon (as the OP suggested) a laser is more inclined to that use. A light has far greater usefullness detached from the weapon (exception being long guns), and a laser isn't much use detached from a weapon. If I have to chose one to put on the gun, it will be a laser, and I will hold the flashlight in my hand where I can get more effective use from it anyway.

A weapon mounted light is a good tool, but not as good a tool as a handheld light, or a weapon mounted laser. If you can get all three, get all three, but we weren't provided that option.

As for the argument that a laser gives you nothing because you can point shoot without the laser. That argument assumes the gunfight will be as imagined, which it may not be. The very reason we have a firearm for self defense (whether in the home or elsewhere) is on the low percentage chance we will need it. So why back myself into a corner by not using that same logic in how a prepare for a fight? It also does not take into account the effect of greater accuracy. Can I get solid hits point shooting at close range, absolutely, can I get better hits with a laser at close range, absolutely. I will take the better hits if allowed to.

Just my opinion, based on my experience with lasers, weapon lights, and handheld lights. Your mileage my vary as the saying goes.

 

[Weevil]

I have a laser and night sights on my HD pistol. I may never need either one but if I do I got 'em.

As others have mentioned I prefer to carry a handheld light. It's a good size Mag-Lite so if I need to it also can be used as a CQB weapon or dropped if I need a two handed grip on the pistol.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Lets say there is a power outage during a tornado or other disaster, and bad guys, being who they are, take advantage of this and choose this time to break into your home.

You have a pistol, and handheld light, and a cell phone to call the police. Try to hold and use all three.

 

[strambo]

My HD gun is a shotgun right now...kinda hard to use it with a handheld light...and hard to ID a target with a laser, so it has a light. Of course, I won't trigger the light until I'm ready to trigger a round, then move and re-engage as necessary.

With a pistol, a good hand held light at least would be a must, laser-optional. JMO

As far as using light, phone and gun...light and gun 1st, cell phone after (or before if they aren't inside yet).

 

[Ala Dan]

StreamLight TLR-1 mounted on a full size, original XD-45 ACP~!