Pistol light out past the muzzle?

[Charlie98]

Complete noob question... I know, but I am not familiar with lights on firearms at all....

I've just picked up a Kahr TP9... with the rail under the frame. I'd like to make this my nightstand gun... and have a light on the way, a Streamlight TLR-1 HL. It's a fairly big light... I expect it to extend past the muzzle. Is this a problem?

 

[LocoGringo]

No problem. I have a Glock 17 at work and we are equipped with Surefire X300 lights that extend beyond the muzzle by about 3/4"-1". It affects nothing. Rock it!

Just make sure that when you clean your gun, you also pay attention to the lens of the light because soot does collect on the lens when you shoot the pistol.

 

[shafter]

No problem. You need to wipe it down because it will get sooty from shooting but it's just fine. It's normal.

 

[herrwalther]

Personal preference but I prefer my weapon lights to be behind the muzzle on both rifles and handguns. Having a light past the muzzle isn't a huge concern. Make sure it is clean and batteries are fresh now and then. Exact same considerations I would recommend as behind the muzzle lights.

 

[JDeere]

Not a fan of past the muzzle. Smaller is better imo, I put Olights on my weapons with lights. So far so good...

 

[Show Me]

Never been a fan of gun lights. Never point a muzzle at something you don't want to destroy? Old school mag light and muzzle control. But barrel lights are the in thing. Look cool though.

 

[JDeere]

Yeah that's they way I used to believe until I tried one for my outside at night hunting weapons. Trying to hold the light and getting a bead on the hogs was problematic. Still handheld the old school way of training in the house as it my EDC and no lights on my EDC. To each his own though,,,

Never been a fan of gun lights. Never point a muzzle at something you don't want to destroy? Old school mag light and muzzle control. But barrel lights are the in thing. Look cool though.

 

[Armored farmer]

I only have a couple of railed handguns, neither light extends past the muzzle.

The Olight Valkyrie is very compact.

I like the light so much that I'm thinking of swapping my nightstand 1911 .45 for the 18rd 9mm with light.

 

[Ks5shooter]

I like this.......not past muzzle.I use these on my Glocks.

Streamlight TLR-6 Kahr Arms Weapon Light with Red Laser

Check out the deal on Streamlight TLR-6 Kahr Arms Weapon Light with Red Laser at MSP - Mounting Solutions Plus

www.mountsplus.com

 

[Twisted Chemist]

This pertains to a question I've been mulling over for sometime. Decades ago I was instructed by a retired Marine in the use of a handgun under various conditions. His methodology for low light shooting was to have the firearm in one hand and your light in the weak hand. The light was to be held slightly to the side of the body, anywhere from jaw level to slightly above scalp height. His reasons were as follows:

1. Don't point a firearm at anything you don't intend to shoot. The flashlight is free to shine were needed.
2. Holding the light away from your center of mass could prevent you from taking a round.
3. The weak hand and flashlight could be used defensibly if needed.

So I keep I high lumen flashlight on the nightstand with my M&P Shield.

 

[TonyAngel]

I run lights past the muzzle and it hasn't been a problem. Just remember to wipe the lens when doing maintenance.

I think weapon lights are a good idea. As for all of the arguments against weapon lights, there's nothing that says you can't have a weapon light for when the situation calls for it AND and handheld light.

 

[wally]

I'm with Twisted Chemist on this issue. But one potential advantage of a slightly protruding light is providing "stand off" so the firearm doesn't go out of battery if in a wrestling for the weapon scenario. I've seen ads for at least one pistol with this "feature" built in as a protrusion at the front of the frame. Non-issue for me as at my age expecting to prevail in such hand to hand combat situations is well behind me, if it ever comes to this, I've lost.

 

[Bazoo]

It doesn't cause any issues, but will need to be wiped clean after shooting.

 

[Old Dog]

It's a fairly big light... I expect it to extend past the muzzle. Is this a problem?

No, not normally. Finding a holster for your particular pistol/WML combination can sometimes be a problem, though.

What @wally said: The possible advantage, granted for unlikely scenarios, is that the WML (absolutely has to be securely mounted, they can loosen up) can conceivably be used as a "stand-off" if one has to deploy the pistol against the body of an assailant -- and could actually prevent failure to return to battery as would happen if the muzzle were against the body. When my last employer started equipping us with WMLs (we began with Streamlight TLR-1s, the old ones, not the excellent HL high-lumen editions), we actually incorporated this into our firearms training when we covered the issue of having to go hands-on...

 

[tarosean]

Decades ago

Decades ago we were all walking around with mag lights. You can light up an entire room at low and ready now-a-days.

Since my SOP for things that go bump in the night involves, opening gates, barns, checking livestock, etc.. WML's are the best thing since sliced bread in my casa.


OP, it will just get dirty quicker reducing its output. No other issues.

 

[doubleh]

I only have one gun with a rail and light. it's a large gun so the light doesn't protrude but I will join in with all the others that say to wipe it down as it can't help picking up some residue. As bright as these little lights are it would have to get pretty nasty to affect the light's performance though.

 

[Armored farmer]

I couldn't have said it better.....

Since my SOP for things that go bump in the night involves, opening gates, barns, checking livestock, etc.. WML's are the best thing since sliced bread in my casa.

....and you just don't turn it on in some situations. Simple.

 

[Charlie98]

Finding a holster for your particular pistol/WML combination can sometimes be a problem, though.

It will probably be used as a bedside handgun, unless I can find a good holster for it. I have 5 other Kahr 9mm's that I use for carry purposes, I don't really intend to carry the new one.

As far as 'pointing my gun' at something... these days it's just me, Mrs 98, the dog, and 2 turtles... if something wakes me up in the middle of the night, it very likely will require due attention.

 

[Lo-Profile]

I have both, not really a fan of lights extending out, but it might help in a CQB situation to keep the slide from going out of battery

 

[Art30/30]

I only have a couple of railed handguns, neither light extends past the muzzle.

The Olight Valkyrie is very compact.

I like the light so much that I'm thinking of swapping my nightstand 1911 .45 for the 18rd 9mm with light.

That’s what I did. I like having a light on my bedside pistol. My EDC does not have a light. This S&W M&P 2.0 is so fun to shoot. It’s only 17 rounds though.

 

[bearcreek]

I expect it to extend past the muzzle. Is this a problem?

Not a problem, other than the lense will cloud up faster. Toothpaste and a tissue works well to clean it.

 

[Steve in NC]

WML AND handheld lights require proper training during low light range time. There is no substitute.

Take your Chapstick out of your pocket and dab your fingertip on the tip and coat the lense thoroughly. It will take secs to clean your lense with a tissue. Done it a few hundred times.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Just past the muzzle is a good thing on a defense pistol, helps keep your gun in battery if a contact shot is needed.