Weapon mounted lights, safety, and training

[Fred Fuller]

While this article is aimed at law enforcement, the safety and training reminders still apply to armed citizens who use a weapon light as well.
======================================

http://www.activeresponsetraining.n...veResponseTraining+(Active+Response+Training)

Weapon Mounted Lights and a Dirty Little Police Secret
Written by Greg Ellifritz
Posted on 1 July 2014

 

[CTGunner]

What is considered the 'best' way to activate a rail mounted light? My practice has been to utilize the thumb of my support hand to activate the lever momentarily/only as needed. I try to avoid utilizing my trigger finger so that it's always only in one of two places, on the frame or on the trigger. For HD purposes I do not keep a rail mounted light attached but do keep a small surefire handheld with the weapon at all times. With that said I am curious about the best light switch activation method for non LEOs.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

That's correct, use the thumb on your support hand to strobe while moving. The trigger finger is for the trigger only.

 

[short barrel]

The latest generation of gun advocates are missing something. During all the training I had in my gun toting career, it was drilled into me not to shine a light from where your gun is located, because that is the spot your bad guy will shoot at. This training came before handguns had places to mount a light. As soon as the rails became the latest thing, everyone forgot about the old way of keeping yourself safer by not giving away your position with a flashlight. Youngsters won't remember the training that required an officer to hold the flashlight at arms length with his left hand while firing with his right. The theory was, based on actual occurrences, if a policeman was being shot at in the dark, the assailant's fire would be aimed at the light, thereby missing the officer. To give the bad guy something to shoot at was deemed stupid, but since the rails came into being, "stupid" gave way to convenience.

Me, I don't want a light on my gun.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

The latest generation of gun advocates are missing something. During all the training I had in my gun toting career, it was drilled into me not to shine a light from where your gun is located, because that is the spot your bad guy will shoot at. This training came before handguns had places to mount a light. As soon as the rails became the latest thing, everyone forgot about the old way of keeping yourself safer by not giving away your position with a flashlight. Youngsters won't remember the training that required an officer to hold the flashlight at arms length with his left hand while firing with his right. The theory was, based on actual occurrences, if a policeman was being shot at in the dark, the assailant's fire would be aimed at the light, thereby missing the officer. To give the bad guy something to shoot at was deemed stupid, but since the rails came into being, "stupid" gave way to convenience.

Me, I don't want a light on my gun.

With current techniques, it's not much of a concern, and the benefits of a weapon light far surpass not having one.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The latest generation of gun advocates are missing something.

We're not missing something. We are purposely discarding the old method for one that is more efficient

As soon as the rails became the latest thing, everyone forgot about the old way of keeping yourself safer by not giving away your position with a flashlight.

When taken in total, it isn't safer.

I learned to hold my flashlight out top the side and remembered the change to the weapon mounted light (WML)

I was also there when we moved away from holding the light out to the side to the different methods...I learned 3...of holding the light aligned with the gun

To give the bad guy something to shoot at was deemed stupid, but since the rails came into being, "stupid" gave way to convenience.

I wasn't a matter of convenience, it was a matter of officer safety.

They did a lot of studies and interviewed many survivors of officer involved shootings, before they abandoned holding the light out to the side as having more downside than upside when it came to officer safety.

It was deemed that the ability to place your shots more accurately and bringing the incident to an early end was much safer for officers involved. I remember attending two separate Officer Survival schools where the trainers explained why the change was made and the more efficient methods in using handheld lights as well as WML

 

[DT Guy]

I remember when we went from the 'high and away' (I think we called it the 'FBI' technique?) to the Harries, even before weapon mounted lights were a possibility on duty weapons.

Have you ever tried shooting from the 'high and away' position; not pretty, at least in my case. I have much better luck with the Harries technique.

Now, searching for a suspect in the wooods, where you can't have your weapon pointed everywhere you look, or similar? Might make sense then, but if you're getting ready to shoot, it's not even really an option, from what I've seen.


Larry

 

[herrwalther]

What is considered the 'best' way to activate a rail mounted light? My practice has been to utilize the thumb of my support hand to activate the lever momentarily/only as needed. I try to avoid utilizing my trigger finger so that it's always only in one of two places, on the frame or on the trigger.

Based on my personal experiences, it is a close tie of what I consider is the best way to activate a weapon mounted accessory light and/or laser. The more popular is what is pioneered by Crimson Trace: a laser activated merely by gripping an activation switch in a natural manner. The method I prefer is a button or switch that is close to the trigger guard that is activated by the trigger finger. I prefer this method because your finger is (or at least should be) off the trigger anyway when drawing your weapon.

I remember when we went from the 'high and away' (I think we called it the 'FBI' technique?) to the Harries, even before weapon mounted lights were a possibility on duty weapons.

There are several FBI taught techniques for using a separate, hand held light with a firearm. I can only recall two at the moment, the high and away you mention where the light is above your support arm shoulder. And the Cross draw where the support hand holds the flashlight underneath your firearm hand, as the name implies, crossed together.

 

[Jim K]

Q. What is the best way to get a bullet in the head in a dark room?

A. Mount a light on your gun, then hold the gun and light right in front of your face.

Jim

 

[RustyShackelford]

Low light methods, white-lights.....

In 2014, there are many powerful lights & laser type systems.
Officers(and armed citizens/CCW license holders) can learn proper methods to deploy these add-ons. Or not.

I see the merits of things like night sights, lasers, white-lights but they aren't for everyone or every situation.

I'd add a Surefire or light to a home defense weapon. It's even better with the strobe feature.
I like the new green Laser Dazer too but it's not a open source item, yet.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

A few observations:

- Using a weapon light is superior to a handheld when handling a firearm.
- You should not rely solely on a weapon light, or a handheld. I recommend both, and learning how and when to properly use both.
- Using your trigger finger to activate a weapon light is a bad idea, and is not taught by me or anyone I know.
- Using a weapon light properly will not result in becoming an easier target.
- It is not necessary to point your weapon at something to illuminate it with a good weapon light.
- Low light/darkness training from a good instructor is certainly advisable.
- Learn your equipment and your surroundings; what applies to one person may not apply to another.
- When possible, stay put, and only use your light to positively identify an intruder.
- Turning on your house lights is not an alternative to a flashlight. In many situations, it does more harm than good to turn them on.

These are my thoughts based on years of experience working in the dark. There might be things some will not agree with, and that's fine, but I'd recommend at least giving it some thought if you take home defense seriously.

 

[Fred Fuller]

My favorite trainer used to say 'The state of the art is a moving target.'

Unfortunately not everyone moves along with it...

 

[wally]

I'll defer to the expert differences of opinions for LE, but for armed civilians my main issue with weapons mounted lights is if you need a light to see the target you shouldn't be pointing a loaded gun at it without knowing what the target is!

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

I'll defer to the expert differences of opinions for LE, but for armed civilians my main issue with weapons mounted lights is if you need a light to see the target you shouldn't be pointing a loaded gun at it without knowing what the target is!

No, you shouldn't, and that comes down to proper training and proper equipment.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I'll defer to the expert differences of opinions for LE, but for armed civilians my main issue with weapons mounted lights is if you need a light to see the target you shouldn't be pointing a loaded gun at it without knowing what the target is!

I don't disagree with this, however...

1. You should have an additional handheld light.
2. You don't need to point a light at a target to identify it...as already pointed out by SnowBlaZeR2


I'll add that a major difference in LE vs. Non-LE use of lighting is that LE will usually turn on house lights, when possible, for the exact reason a home owner would not...home field advantage

 

[george burns]

I have a light on my nightstand gun only. The reason is I don't want to have to go looking for a flashlight in the dark with someone already either in or trying to get in.
I figure if he's in, it doesn't make much difference where the light is, as he can probably see me with his own light.
Most people who do this kind of thing, already come prepared. If I have to go outside, then the light comes off and can be used in my off hand, or I can then grab a larger Tac light.
Preferably I would like the light in my other hand, in case he decides to shoot at the light. There are some new high powered strobe lights out now that will blind you once you get hit with the beam. that Is what I am looking for, I want the person or people to be off balance as much as possible. If you can't see, you likely are not going to hit me with random fire.

 

[RustyShackelford]

What kills most US law enforcement officers every year?....

Traffic accidents.

I agree that reduced training or resources cut don't really help officers but they need to buck up & practice/train on their own.