Weapon mounted lights....

[waterhouse]

If I plan on using a gun for defense, handgun, shotgun, rifle, it has a light on it. I also have several handheld lights I can use in conjunction with any weapon mounted light.

 

[old lady new shooter]

You can easily use the two light (handheld and WML) with your long gun if you have a sling. Every long gun used for defensive purposes needs a sling. You wouldn’t have a pistol without a holster.

This idea is very interesting to me right now because I have decided I would prefer an AR for home defense. In the thread I started in the rifles section there has been some discussion of using a WML and an issue was raised that is making me reconsider how manageable one would be... I practiced a lot with a flashlight and a handgun but my only use of the lanyard at the time was that I slept with the flashlight lanyarded to my support wrist to avoid having to fish for it in the case of a break-in. (That was in my old house, much different environment than here.) If you could post more detail about how to use a flashlight lanyarded to your support wrist with a long gun, I would be very interested.

 

[old lady new shooter]

As a civilian the only situation a WML makes any sense and LEGAL purpose is inside your home. The only scenario in which this would further make any sense is if you were "clearing" your home, which just about every proffesional SD advocate on the the planet advocates against, wisely so.

If BG is in your house shooting at you (or for that matter advancing with a knife), don't you want to see him well enough to shoot back and not miss? I know how to use a flashlight with a handgun, but I didn't think the idea was very practical for an AR... waiting for Jeff to post more about doing it with the flashlight on its lanyard.

 

[old lady new shooter]

My concern with weapon-mounted lights stems from three concerns. The first is that I am concerned with providing a threat with a single point to aim at. However, this concern is somewhat mitigated by the reality that, while it is a single point, it is very had to aim at a bright light.

My next two concerns remain the same. The first is the gun handling issue that results from pointing the firearm at the "unknown," be it a racoon, legitimate threat, child or police officer.

The final issue remains the concern for accidental discharge when attempting to activate the light. When pushing and pulling controls on a firearm there is a risk of a mix-up. People on various gun boards have pohooed this concern in the past when I brought it up. However, a bit of research has shown that this is not an uncommon issue. I strongly recommend looking at this report by the Los Angelis County Sheriffs department. The relevant part starts on page 35. The simple facts are that there is cause for concern.

One thing that they recommend is the removal of pressure plates behind the trigger and recommend only having light control buttons or toggles forward of the trigger. However, there are pages of documented unintended discharges, that resulted in shooting someone, in that report. Even if you are entirely sold on weapon-mounted lights, it is worth a read.

Thank you very much for that reference!

 

[308reloader]

Not sure if I'm resurrecting an old thread here, but I wanted to add my two-cents.
I've seen nothing in here aside from speculation and opinion regarding how, especially from one person, WMLs have little to no place in the civilian industry and how a handheld light would be better! The same could be said about spare ammunition as well. If you know how to use the ammunition you have, why need more...?!
As a private citizen with children, I can see multiple reasons to advocate for a WML rather than to disregard it or dissuade it's use. If I'm in my house, with multiple children in the home, there IS a need to clear the house. I need to check and make sure my children are accounted for. Yes, I can check their rooms with a handheld flashlight and would do so. But once I confront the SOB rummaging through whatever it is he's found in my home, the WML would come into play because likely as not, me hollering at the individual and giving verbal commands would awaken one or more of the children to see what is going on. Especially since a couple of them are inquisitive teenagers. My young daughter is there as well. If I need to push one of them out of the way, I need a free hand to do so.
Also, if I'm confronted in the dark, in public with others accompanying me, or even my dog, a free hand is preferred. Besides, I think it goes without saying that two hands on a gun are better than one, if circumstances allow for it.
Point being, LE/Military aren't the only ones who have uses for WMLs. Hence the reason they're so popular in the civilian market. The biggest thing I take away from this discussion is that none of us will ever be in the same situation, nor will we ever be able to rewind time, should something happen and do it over. You do what is best for you. If someone prefers a WML then fantastic. Best piece of advice I can come up with, as a former LEO and Correctional Officer/SERT member, learn to use both. Don't rely on one over the other. They both have their place.

 

[Alte Schule]

At 69 my vision in low light ain't what it use to be so all of my home defense weapons, pistol, rifle & shotgun(s), have mounted lights. I will admit that if I buy a firearm with a rail it's getting a light, laser and optic. I have several mil surp and older firearms that don't have rails so they go without but if there is a way to mount a light, laser or optic (besides glue or tape) I'll do it.

If something goes bump in the night my German Shepard's will get to the source, inside or out, before I do. Children are long gone and my youngest grandchild is 19. I have an app on my phone (Life 360) that alerts me anytime one of my immediate family members gets within 100 yds of my place so no surprises.

I carry a Model 36 snub 90% of the time when I'm out and about. No mounted light on that. I do carry a Streamlight Mirostream in my pants pocket.

 

[redcon1]

I like a light for dispatching varmints at night. In those cases, I have one light on the firearm and one in my hand. My Ruger Mark IV tactical .22 critter gitter keeps a CT railmaster green laser on the lower rail and a 45° offset flashlight mounted on the top rail which, because of the offset allows the iron sights to be used or an RMR which I used to use but removed. The offset flashlight is intended to go underneath the firearm but thanks to the design of the Ruger Mark IV, it's more useful to me mounted upside down on the top rail. of course the pistol is suppressed so the neighbors don't hear me exterminating varmints at 2 in the morning. Good times.

 

[psyopspec]

Not sure if I'm resurrecting an old thread here, but I wanted to add my two-cents.
I've seen nothing in here aside from speculation and opinion regarding how, especially from one person, WMLs have little to no place in the civilian industry and how a handheld light would be better! The same could be said about spare ammunition as well. If you know how to use the ammunition you have, why need more...?!
As a private citizen with children, I can see multiple reasons to advocate for a WML rather than to disregard it or dissuade it's use. If I'm in my house, with multiple children in the home, there IS a need to clear the house. I need to check and make sure my children are accounted for. Yes, I can check their rooms with a handheld flashlight and would do so. But once I confront the SOB rummaging through whatever it is he's found in my home, the WML would come into play because likely as not, me hollering at the individual and giving verbal commands would awaken one or more of the children to see what is going on. Especially since a couple of them are inquisitive teenagers. My young daughter is there as well. If I need to push one of them out of the way, I need a free hand to do so.
Also, if I'm confronted in the dark, in public with others accompanying me, or even my dog, a free hand is preferred. Besides, I think it goes without saying that two hands on a gun are better than one, if circumstances allow for it.
Point being, LE/Military aren't the only ones who have uses for WMLs. Hence the reason they're so popular in the civilian market. The biggest thing I take away from this discussion is that none of us will ever be in the same situation, nor will we ever be able to rewind time, should something happen and do it over. You do what is best for you. If someone prefers a WML then fantastic. Best piece of advice I can come up with, as a former LEO and Correctional Officer/SERT member, learn to use both. Don't rely on one over the other. They both have their place.

If that's the case, not only have you resurrected an old thread, but you've either not read it or not read it all that carefully.