It's pretty common knowledge that the preponderance of attacks on the law-abiding take place in low-light situations. Visibility is limited, giving the scumbags the additional cover of darkness. Now I don't look forward to any such encounter, preferring to stay clear of areas and situations that might harbor the less-than-savory individuals among us. But at the same time, my ace in the hole will be a readily-available, concealable, totally reliable handgun that will show up in low light situations.

The gun I choose will invariably be a J-frame, loaded with plus-P .38 specials. In situations where it's dark, I think it important that the gun be visible to at least two individuals. Those will be the perp and myself. I want such sights as the gun has to be more visible in low light, and for deterrent effect, I want the would-be attacker to instantly see that I'm armed and ready to defend myself and whoever I might be with.

Studies have shown that in most such encounters, the mere display of the firearm will defuse the situation almost instantly. No one wants to be shot - with anything. But for an assailant to back off, he will first have to see the gun you show you are willing to use if necessary.

A light aluminum or nickel-framed gun should prove ideal. There are other characteristics, of course. As mentioned, reliability will be paramount. The gun should either be hammerless or have a shrouded hammer so it can be drawn quickly without any chance of a hangup in clothing.

Here are my choices. Number one would be a 642, primarily because in addition to meeting all the criteria, it's quite lightweight.



Here are some other J-frames that would qualify as a low-light defense piece.

The Model 640:



A Model 60 with shrouded hammer (Bianchi Lightning grips):



A Model 649:



A nickeled Model 49:



A nickeled Model 40-1:



Certainly any light-colored handgun will be an advantage in darkened situations, but these are my personal options. I would not carry a dark-colored handgun in the evening, although during daytime hours, that might be an advantage.

John

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You might also think about getting some Crimson Trace Laser Grips.

I was not a big believer in them till I got some for the wifes, and my 44 Mag Mountain Gun and a set for a 1911.

On moving/running targets, live and steel they work great.
Using them on something standing still is almost cheating.

I put a set on an AR 15. You can hit an oil can at 100 yards from the hip, once you are sighted in of course.

They are definately worth the money.

I bought the ones for the handguns in 2006, and I just changed the batteries in the 1911 a few days ago, I could tell the beam was a little dimmer. The 44 Mags are still going strong.

I got a free laser with my SIG. Put it on the wife's gun. I was amazed at how much more quickly I could get on target & put followup shots where I wanted them. I'm sold.

This is where everybody comes in with "The battery will go dead! Another thing to fail! etc etc..."

OK.

Just another reason to love stainless guns.........they're pretty obviously weapons when they're brought into play, and the "alleged" deterrent effect is immediate. I have one 45 with a stainless barrel and a coned breech, and the one miscreant I pointed it at lost control of his bladder. It's rather intimidating from the business end!

You have a point, and it's a valid one. I happen to like dark, sneaky guns (a 442) that you can hold down alongside your leg, ready to go. Plus it lets me feel like a ninja.

Perhaps in the interests of harmony, peace and love the solution is to carry two J frames; one stealth one and one shiny one, deployed as the situation dictates.

"Wait for flash."

Duty carry is a 4 inch S&W 686-6 which is pretty hard to miss when it's out of the holster. Back up is a nickel 1⅞ inch S&W 37 (no dash) which catches all sorts of light when it's out of the pocket. I'm thinking about putting the green overmolded lightpipe from HiViz on the 686-6 for lower light use.

ECS

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

I no longer have this particular pistol, but my EDC is a Kimber Pro Carry II with night sights. The recoil spring plug used to be available from Blind Hogg. If someone's close enough to read it, well, you know.

The title of the posts made me think of good- really good- flashlights. Someone mentioned the meer showing of the gun will frequently sotp the attack. If you can get a really bright flashlight up WITH the weapon- first hope is blinding the assailant temporarily for stalling him- and if that bright light (sometimes they think it's a cop) doesn't stop them, you get a good clear look at the target. Told this story before, but a guy's wife was being watched at night when she got off work so he started picking her up. One night the 'follower' moved, started walking towards her fast, and he shined a birhgt light at him- he took off.Obviously it all depends, but to me it's worth my wife and I having one nearby at all times. I got her a super one- has 300 lumens, or 10, 300 lumens sstrobe (we keep it set on strobe) and s.o.s. One of mine is 220 lumens, one in the bedroom is 200. Makes it easy to find stuff, too, like contactlenses.

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Hoodlum sees that and thinks he's seeing the Holland Tunnel and he's Jersey bound!