Lights or lasers?

[theboyscout]

Home protection having to move around outside better to have a light or laser on you gun? Or both, or combination of holding a light and your gun with laser. Which do you prefer and who makes what you use?

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I used to use a handgun with no light, and a flashlight in the offhand (underneath). I decided to pickup a pistol light. My thought after playing with some LEO buddy's, is that it's better to have one there and attached to keep me from losing one or the other in a panic. And there are no laws that say that I must have the light on at all times. I am aware that lights can be bullet magnets and that using a light requires me to point my handgun where I am investigating. But... I still keep my unattached light next to my handgun. 2 lights are better than none.

I bought a budget Dagger Defense light from Amazon for around $30. I didn't wanna spend alot of money for something I wasn't going to use. I haven't tested it yet and am waiting to send some rounds down range before I rely on it. So far, their customer service has been fantastic, sending me two emails to make sure I am satisfied with my purchase.

 

[Zerodefect]

I use a Surefire Xc1 (Glock 23) or X300 (Glock 35). Make sure you can find a holster combo for whatever light and pistol you choose. Bravo and Ravens are good holster brands.

They aren't primary lights. I still use a Surefire E2D LED light for searching. You can't search too well with a pistol, and follow basic safety rules.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Ideally, you have both a handheld and weapon mounted light. Right now I just have a couple decent handheld lights because I had a bunch of stuff stolen out of my truck while I was moving last year and haven't replaced the M3X. It is safer to search with the handheld light but once a threat has been identified, easier to maintain control of the handgun and engage accurately with the weapon mounted light.

Obviously it pays to practice. And tactics matter. Used properly, a purpose built weapon light is less bullet magnet and more force multiplier and less-lethal weapon.

And I absolutely feel that regardless of whether you choose a shotgun or carbine, if you have a long gun for home defense, it should have a white light on it.

 

[bannockburn]

I have both with my SIG STL-900L laser/light module. I like having the option of using either one; also the light has a very effective strobe setting on it. Fits perfectly on my P229 and is a relatively compact and lightweight unit.

 

[FL-NC]

TLR-1 light/laser combo on gun, surefire 6P with wrist lanyard in hand. Not always appropriate to point a gun at things you want to illuminate. Wrist lanyard makes it possible to work with weak hand to open doors, reload, etc.

 

[JTQ]

Rangemaster "Functioning in Low Light" http://rangemaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02_RFTS-Newsletter.pdf

 

[Danoobie]

My issue has been finding holsters for pistols with lights on the rail.
Right now most of the lights are clunky, and the holsters are expensive,
when you can find them. I'm kind of anticipating what's going to be
available, a couple years up the road.

 

[JTQ]

My issue has been finding holsters for pistols with lights on the rail.
Right now most of the lights are clunky, and the holsters are expensive,
when you can find them.

Mounted lights aren't my thing, but nearly all kydex makers produce a holster for a gun with a mounted light.

Heck, RCS Gear has an overrun sale on G19 with X300U (whatever variation of SureFire that is) holsters for $50 right now.

http://raven-concealment-systems1.m...0.1059656416.1506346240-1530917991.1468056516

 

[bassjam]

A light for sure, but lasers aren't really my thing. That being said, I have a Streamlight TLR-4 light/laser combo, but only because I picked it up new at an auction for $20. The crappy part is I don't currently have a firearm with a rail on it, so a Fenix PD35 stays next to my nightstand gun and the Streamlight is only being used to play with the cat.

 

[FL-NC]

My issue has been finding holsters for pistols with lights on the rail.
Right now most of the lights are clunky, and the holsters are expensive,
when you can find them. I'm kind of anticipating what's going to be
available, a couple years up the road.

That's just part of the game. My unit spent THOUSANDS on holster/light combos over the years- as you upgrade lights, you need to change holsters, and vice versa. We exclusively issued safariland (pricey) and lights were either surefire or ITI. Depending what you are using it for, which will determine things like retention requirements and the method to attach it to a belt (or whatever) you may want to look at a custom kydex maker or try it yourself.

 

[Ks5shooter]

SIG STL-900L X2