Billmanweh
Member
If you have a handgun with a rail, isn't a weapon mounted light like a Surefire X200 the way to go? Is there any advantage to a handheld-only flashlight?
weapon mounted light on a handgun...
- Thread starter Billmanweh
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It boils down to a matter of preferences, but here's a few advantages that justify my choice to use a handheld light:
1) It can be held away from my body, rather than acting as a neon bullseye to my center of mass to any potential threats.
2) Just as you never use the scope of a rifle as a pair of binoculars, you never use a weaponlight as just a flashlight.
2a) In the course of my day, I find myself abundantly more likely to use a flashlight than a weapon (though I have both). Keeping the flashlight in a holster of it's own keeps me from having to draw my gun to seperate the light from it, or violate the second item I listed.
3) It's easy to find holsters for all of my guns. Choices become significantly narrowed for holsters with lights attached, particularly for concealed carry.
A good consideration might be investing in some night sights for your firearm instead. No batteries or parts to crap out, easy to find your gun and aim in the dark without painting yourself as a target, easier for low light shooting, and in no-light shooting, NS plus a handheld flashlight are a great combo. Like I said it's a matter of personal preference, and the mounted lights have a better place in certain roles (night stand gun) than others (everyday concealed carry). Good luck with your choice.
1) It can be held away from my body, rather than acting as a neon bullseye to my center of mass to any potential threats.
2) Just as you never use the scope of a rifle as a pair of binoculars, you never use a weaponlight as just a flashlight.
2a) In the course of my day, I find myself abundantly more likely to use a flashlight than a weapon (though I have both). Keeping the flashlight in a holster of it's own keeps me from having to draw my gun to seperate the light from it, or violate the second item I listed.
3) It's easy to find holsters for all of my guns. Choices become significantly narrowed for holsters with lights attached, particularly for concealed carry.
A good consideration might be investing in some night sights for your firearm instead. No batteries or parts to crap out, easy to find your gun and aim in the dark without painting yourself as a target, easier for low light shooting, and in no-light shooting, NS plus a handheld flashlight are a great combo. Like I said it's a matter of personal preference, and the mounted lights have a better place in certain roles (night stand gun) than others (everyday concealed carry). Good luck with your choice.
Billmanweh
Member
I wasn't really thinking in terms of a carry gun, but the point about holster choices being limited is a good one.
Maybe the ideal set-up would be both a handheld flashlight and a weapon mounted light.
But aside from the carry/holster issues, couldn't you just remove the light from the gun and use it the same way you would a regular flashlight? At least you have that option, versus the handheld light which can't be mounted on the gun. I guess I'm just thinking that there isn't anything you can do with a small flashlight that you can't do with a Surefire X200, but the reverse can't be said.
Maybe the ideal set-up would be both a handheld flashlight and a weapon mounted light.
But aside from the carry/holster issues, couldn't you just remove the light from the gun and use it the same way you would a regular flashlight? At least you have that option, versus the handheld light which can't be mounted on the gun. I guess I'm just thinking that there isn't anything you can do with a small flashlight that you can't do with a Surefire X200, but the reverse can't be said.
atek3
Member
a weapon mounted light is far easier to shoot fast and accurately with as compared using either the harries flashlight technique or the 'other one' (where the light is pinched between the two fingers of the week hand)
atek3
atek3
Black Majik
Member
how bout' some pics of people's setups too? 
Billmanweh
Member
give me another week and I'll have a picture of a Surefire X200 on my Glock 34.
Billmanweh
I forgot to ask, what's the rig and what will it be used for? Strictly home defense? Duty weapon? Good point from atek, and in addition there's no denying the cool factor of a good setup. Oh, and if you are going to have a weapon mounted light, surefire would be one of the better ways to go.
I forgot to ask, what's the rig and what will it be used for? Strictly home defense? Duty weapon? Good point from atek, and in addition there's no denying the cool factor of a good setup. Oh, and if you are going to have a weapon mounted light, surefire would be one of the better ways to go.
Billmanweh
Member
I've got a Glock 34 and possibly a Kimber TLE/RL. Strictly as a "nightstand gun", but I was considering getting a second SF X200 for a Glock 19 to have in the car.
I just can't see the downside, but I'm sure there are things I haven't thought of as well.
I just can't see the downside, but I'm sure there are things I haven't thought of as well.
i like the idea of being able to use a handheld light separate from my weapon. it doesn't have to act as a homing device for the BG's shots. i dont't have to draw my weapon when i only need the light (this would be a no-no in alot of situations), and if i'm holding a BG at bay i can still scan the rest of the room without moving my weapon from him/her.
as with most, it's personal preferance.
the biggest advantage for a handheld to me is the holster selection and everyday carry concealability.
brian
as with most, it's personal preferance.
the biggest advantage for a handheld to me is the holster selection and everyday carry concealability.
brian
Shawn Dodson
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Light from a weapon mounted light can be "splashed" onto a threat to identify it without pointing the weapon directly at the person.
For handheld lights, current technique is to bring it to the chin in the support hand.
Light on (as briefly as possible), ID the threat, light off, move off line of attack and engage if threat is ID'd as a target.
Verbal challenge, from a position of advantage, to ID the threat in lieu of using a flashlight may further reduce risk to friendlies.
Light can also be used for deception, confusion and to cause indecision.
For handheld lights, current technique is to bring it to the chin in the support hand.
Light on (as briefly as possible), ID the threat, light off, move off line of attack and engage if threat is ID'd as a target.
Verbal challenge, from a position of advantage, to ID the threat in lieu of using a flashlight may further reduce risk to friendlies.
Light can also be used for deception, confusion and to cause indecision.
psyospec, as well as others, IMO nailed it with:
Now, that being said, my wife and I have an understanding about coming home "un-announced".
On the flip side... if I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that my family was 'ok' and there were only bad guys beyond the door, my weapon of choice would be my AR with a mounted Surefire.
If I had a weapon mounted light, and had to search the house in the dark after hearing a strange noise, it would make me sick to think that I just pointed my .45 at my wife just for needing some light on the subject. Thus, I have a Surefire Z2(?) with a lanyard on the nightstand as well as my urban defense weapon... completely separate.
Now, that being said, my wife and I have an understanding about coming home "un-announced".
On the flip side... if I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that my family was 'ok' and there were only bad guys beyond the door, my weapon of choice would be my AR with a mounted Surefire.
igor
Member
I'd love to have both at home, for reasons stated above.
Which reminds me, would anyone have experience/info to share on the Taurus 92/100 series new models that have rails?
Which reminds me, would anyone have experience/info to share on the Taurus 92/100 series new models that have rails?
Alfadog
Member
I've tried the "current technique" and find it MUCH inferior to the Harries. In addition to not supporting the weapon at all, this techniquue throws too much light on the shooting hand and the back of the gun, making it harder to see the less brightly illuminated target area (for me, at least). The "current technique" may have some advantage, but I do not know what it is.
And think about the "light on, ID threat, light off, move" concept. What do you think the "threat" is going to do while you are turning off the light and moving? The threat may do any number of things while you turn of the light and move, but I think standing still and waiting to be lit up again and/or shot is the least likely. I believe it is far better to keep the threat illuminated once aquired.
I don't have a problem with this, but there are those who bemoan the fact that someone shooting at the weapon-mounted light will hit you in the chest. Moving the light up by your head is not an improvement.
They'll get their rears back into bed or else!
Shawn Dodson
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I used to use Harries too but discarded it in favor of the "raise to chin" technique for close engagements. For me, at least, it's quicker to get into, less fatiguing for prolonged periods, integrates well with my unarmed techniques, allows for better (safer) muzzle control, and works well for me marksmanship-wise to a distance of about 15 yards.
I agree -- in many situations there's no need to extinguish the light. Distance, the possibility of multiple threats and your physical positioning are factors to consider as to whether or not to keep the light on target or to extinguish and move.
I agree -- in many situations there's no need to extinguish the light. Distance, the possibility of multiple threats and your physical positioning are factors to consider as to whether or not to keep the light on target or to extinguish and move.
Mulliga
Member
Is there any advantage in terms of point-shooting with a weapon-mounted light? I don't know if I'd mess around with acquiring a sight picture in a true home defense scenario - things in the real world seem to happen too fast for that. Would it better to just light up the BG and then keep pulling the trigger?
Alfadog
Member
If you don't have time to acquire your sight picture, what makes you think you'll have time to miss? I believe in using the sights at anything beyond bad breath distance.
Oh, and by the way, GO SEMINOLES!
i don't put lights on my weapon for one reason. wherever you point the the light your weapon is pointed also. i think hand held surefires are the way to go, they are much more versatile. i would hate to hear a bump in the night , get up with my weapon and sweep my daughter as she is in the fridge getting a late night snack.
this is just my opinion. i think rails are crap and not rully needed. sure it looks cool and there might be some usefull applications for some folks. for the vast majority of us though, i think these lights/lasers just clutter up your weapon
L
Logistar
Guest
How I see it...
Pros
Light is there if you decide it is appropriate to deploy.
I can remove light or install light instantly. No need to look for separate light or tie up 2 hands.
Threat may be from animal (maybe you are camping). Weapon light sounds good there.
Possibly less muzzle rise - that would be good.
Cons
Yes, it could give away your position. That is a judgement call I would have to make.
I prefer the option - not that I HAVE to use it.
BTW - maybe you will consider me dangerous. I know you need a positive ID before you fire. I had an intruder once. I was COM on the intruder who managed to get the door open in the dark. (He was silhouetted by an outside light.) When I punched the house lights on with my elbow it was my brother-in-law. COM but finger remained outside trigger guard. No problem.
If you get your finger inside the guard early they maybe it is a REALLY bad idea to use a weapon mounted light. It's what you feel most comfortable with. You have to know yourself and your equipment.
Pros
Light is there if you decide it is appropriate to deploy.
I can remove light or install light instantly. No need to look for separate light or tie up 2 hands.
Threat may be from animal (maybe you are camping). Weapon light sounds good there.
Possibly less muzzle rise - that would be good.
Cons
Yes, it could give away your position. That is a judgement call I would have to make.
I prefer the option - not that I HAVE to use it.
BTW - maybe you will consider me dangerous. I know you need a positive ID before you fire. I had an intruder once. I was COM on the intruder who managed to get the door open in the dark. (He was silhouetted by an outside light.) When I punched the house lights on with my elbow it was my brother-in-law. COM but finger remained outside trigger guard. No problem.
If you get your finger inside the guard early they maybe it is a REALLY bad idea to use a weapon mounted light. It's what you feel most comfortable with. You have to know yourself and your equipment.
SapperLeader
Member
For concealed carry I dont want a weaponmounted light, but for a house or woods gun I do like the option. I dont have a weaponmounted light now, but do wish to purchase one for my bedside gun. It is a XD-9 with 24/7 sights, and If I put the weaponmounted light on it, I dont have to fumble for anything inthe dark, its just open the safepacker, draw the gun, turn the light on. I do have a light sitting by the bed, but it often gets knocked over and rolls around.
Ghost_Point
Member
I use the light laser combo so you don't need the gun right in front of you to shoot. Also the light has a easy on off or steady on feature. Plus the combo can have laser or light or both. With the light on the gun you will have more controll with both hands on the gun. but having an extra flash light is also a good idea. You should never point a gun at someone your not going to shoot but I wouldn't feel like I broke I rule if while I swept the house I went across my family. What if you shine the hand held on the person to see if was your family and then you got shot? The main thing to do whatever it is you'll do is be sure of your target! Always be sure of your target and who or what may be behind the target!
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