Light on your conceal carry. What happened to me, last night.

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Orion8472

Orion8472

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I was over at my sister's, last night. Where my car was parked was rather dark. My sister and I walked out to the curb to take care of the trash bin, and while doing so, her husband kinda crouched in the dark area at my car, and as we were walking back, I saw his form, was pretty certain it was him, . . .but he quick pops out to "scare us" [my sister, mostly]. Now, I recognized his body shape and figured it was him, so never went for my carry gun. But IF it had been someone else, . . . or if I hadn't quickly recognized the situation, something bad COULD have happened.

So, it got me wondering if I SHOULD have a tac light on my gun. Not sure what to think on this. If I HAD a light on my gun, in that situation, I would have drawn on my brother in law. I could have a small flashlight on my belt to identify dangers, . . . but if it had been an attacker, that time to "pull a flashlight to identify who it was", could have been time used to pull a gun, if the attacker started to move towards us. I suppose a person could grab both from their belt.

My brother in law was about 5 yards by the time we saw him.

What is your thoughts on this?
 
Check out Fenix, Nitecore, Olight, 4Sevens, etc lights. Cashy, but high quality. Most have a fast strobe feature that is sure to disorient just about anyone. I carry a Nitecore D10 (discontinued, replaced with D11) nearly 24/7.
These are mainly handheld, not weapon mount, but there are a few I believe.
 
Our duty guns have mounted lights. Heres your problem. You saw something that looked kinda funny. You needed a light. You didn't need a gun. If the only light you have is on your gun, you wind up pointing your gun at things, and people, that don't need shooting.

During a building search, Officers constantly use thier gun/light to look for door, light switches, steps etc. Its human nature. They don't "feel" they are pointing thier gun, they are pointing thier light.

Our lights have the toggle switch in front of the trigger. At five yards, faced with a real threat, there is now way I am going to remember to toggle the switch to use the light. If its the kind with the pressure switch, then yes, the light will be on.

In my opinion, the gun light is most effective when you are on the "offense" looking for the threat, in defense, I'll bet you rarely will ever use the light.

Did that make sense? I think there is certainly value to a weapon mounted light and, there is no harm at all to having one, just realize the limitations.

And, tell your BIL to knock that crap off before somebody pokes a hole in him.
 
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A bright flashlight in the eyes at night really screws up vision. I'd think that a flashlight on the belt would've been adequate here. While the BG, or your brother-in-law, was trying to see there'd have been time to draw if required.
 
Forget having a light on your carry gun, bring a pocket light and learn to fight without your gun so that, if someone gets the drop on you, your gun isn't your only hope. Everyone should carry a pocket light, and it should be in your hand when walking through a populated area in the dark.

If someone jumps out at you, do you really think you'll have time to draw the gun, turn the light on, shine your light on him, identify the target, then fire? What if it's an undercover cop, who now has someone pointing a gun at him, and smokes you in defense?

Even if you do get a shot off on an ambusher, reality has shown that you're likely going to be in a hand to hand fight against a target who is now bleeding on you. What if he has a weapon? Krav Maga, fillipino martial arts, and others focus on fighting people who are armed, the best schools treat all hands as if there was a weapon present, seen or not.

The pocket light that is already in your hand makes an excellent impact weapon, way harder than any fist, and doesn't escalate things by pointing guns at people before you identify them.
 
I see what you're saying. Maybe it is a good idea to just have my carry flashlight in my palm when I'm in a dark area to better identify what's what. I definitely don't want to be pointing a gun when there is no reason to.

Thanks for the input. I'll just pick up a good light with a tactical switch and pocket clip. That way, if it is another innocent situation, it is just a light pointing at the person.

My BIL was probably not thinking clearly. He DID have a Crown and Coke. :D
 
I don't see how a light on your pistol would have helped in that situation.

The smart thing to do would have been to quickly back up and pull her away the instant you noticed the guy.
Distance is always your friend.
 
Separate light and gun would be better for EDC/CCW. More holsters fit, also.

A weapon mounted light should not be used as a replacement for a flashlight. Violates rule 2 even though you're trying to satisify #3. If you already have a light on your gun, it's still better to have one in your hand. You can always get rid of that one if you need both hands. BTW, I am a firm believer in weapon mounted light/lasers - just another tool.
 
I remember what a LEO told me many years ago when I was buddy riding with him. Never have the light in front of you because they might have a gun and shoot at the light. Always have the light at the side and as far away as possible from your body.
 
Get yourself a Streamlight Microstream. It's a small (single AAA battery) LED flashlight equipped with a KISS-simple tailcap switch. It's inexpensive (about $20), bright, and you can clip it inside your front pants pocket and not even notice it's there. I've been carrying one for almost 2 years. (It replaced the SureFire E2 that I carried for years.) It's my EDC flashlight.

433002_L1
 
Streamlight Microstream.
Click to expand...
A big +1 on that!!

I bought one a while back, then went back and bought the larger Stylus Pro.

Both are so small, I carry one or the other in my shirt pocket all the time.

Momentary or clicker tailcap.
Runs forever on 2 AAA batterys.

433001_L2


rc
 
gun light

I agree with what everybody has been saying that a gun with a light will not replace a good flash light at night.I am all in favor of gun lasers but not to use as a flashlight.
 
The little streamlight microstream and stylus are great entry level led lights. And I wouldn't shy away frow either. But as with anything, for a few more bucks there is much better to be had. I wouldn't get terribly hung up on the "tactical" switch. Just do a bit of research, and buy something that meets your needs. Good lighs are as addictive as guns and knives. I have nearly a dozen "good" lights, and still buy another now and then. Chances are that after your first, your idea of what meets your needs will change. And then more, better, different lighs will follow. I have stuck with AA lights since an early (expensive) foray into CR123's. They have since gotten much cheaper, and 18650 rechargables have become available. In fact, my 18650 compatible light is in the mail. Candle power forum is a good place to do some research. Alot like here, but for lights.
 
For defense use, I suggest avoiding flashlights with unnecessary features and modes, e.g., strobe, SOS, dazzle, high/low power, turn/twist operated switch, etc.

Keep it KISS-simple: Press for on, release for off.
 
I happen to agree. But many believe that the strobe is the way to go. I can see how a bright strobe, properly deployed could be a deterent.
 
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For defense use the light is simply to ID a threat as friend or foe.

A multi-mode switch increases decision-making, slows reaction time, and risks putting the light in an unwanted mode that increases your vulnerability.
 
I searched out a second 1st gen D10 so I had a spare when my original dies. The 2nd gen added the strobe and sos features. Familiarity with your light goes a long way, I use mine several times a day. But that is for work use. If I bought one expecting only to use it in self defense, it would be the most KISS I could find. But mosst folks will find out quickly, how handy a light in the pocket can be. And which features and interface they prefer.
 
If he was a bad guy, and only five yards away and in motion, you'd never have time to switch on the light, ID him and fire.

Go kick your brother-in-law's butt to teach him not to pull fool stunts like that.
 
your first reflex should have been the heel of your hand to his nose as you drew your gun.

by that time you would know you dont have to shoot your BIL and your BIL will know not to play stupid games with somebody elses safety.
 
Jerry, I think he was more about scaring his wife.

I have a few lights, but they turn on with a twist of the head, not a click switch, but I can see the benefit of having a switch for one handed operation. I'm going to have to look for something.
 
NO light on gun

I have not heard the recall of the #1
RULE of gun safety that states NEVER POINT/AIM YOU GUN AT ANYTHING you dont intend to shoot.

When they repeal that RULE, then I will put a light where it does not belong - on a DEADLY WEAPON.

If you train for at least a THOUSAND repetitions with a light mounted gun,fine as you might not have an N.D.

Otherwise I point to all the N.D.'s that happen and add another item into the mix to further confuse a deadly situation.

I carry a shooting light at all times,but its not attached to my weapon,makes it a bit easier to take out when a light is needed too.

Kind of like having a knife that is sheeple friendly.

Many [ most ? ] will ignore my post as they 'know better'.

Good for you.
 
Even though you dont have to put sights on your target to identify it with a mounted light, a light mounted on your weapon is not a replacement for a handheld light. Everyone who mounts a light should look into a no/low light traing class.
 
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