TO MOUNT OR NOT MOUNT A LIGHT ON A SD-HD GUN

[chief38]

I have often pondered this question and I know there are many here who DO have their high intensity flashlights mounted on their home SD and even on their EDC guns.

I can think of pros & cons for and against. List of SOME below.....

PROS:
* Illuminate your potential target.
*Temporarily blind an Intruder or Perp.
*A convenient place to carry a flashlight for other purposes.

CONS:
*Gives your position away to a BG/Intruder.
* Automatically draws fire - perp will naturally shoot towards the light.
* Extra weight and bulk to carry.
* Could affect your POI
* Another "devise" to think about under stress and have to maintain.
* Special holsters for CCW.

I am sure I left a bunch of things out but these seem to be the main ones that come to mind. I personally always favored holding a flashlight with your weak hand as far away from your body as possible so that if and when the light does draw fire, it is directed away from you - sort of the "old school" method. Admittedly this will leave you with only one hand on your handgun (less control) and be quite awkward with a long gun - I know.

A also have always thought (and practice every single night) that you are much better off leaving a 4 watt night-light on in your home by the front & rear door to illuminate intruders if they enter. You know the layout of your home and he doesn't. You have the advantage knowing all the entries, exits, hallways, rooms etc. and presumably if this occurs in the late hours of the night your eyes will already be night-sight adjusted since it is presumably dark. If you live in a colonial style or two story home, you would presumably be starring down at your intruders and if the bottom floor is illuminated by the 4 watt night-lights, you should have enough light to asses the situation - at the same time the perp. is not aware of your whereabouts or armaments.

So I was just wondering how you guys feel about lighting on firearms. Not that it's gonna change any true die-hards either way, but just a discussion to open up our minds. Have at it.......

 

[snuffy51]

I don't have anything on my revolvers but my hand. Enough nightlights throughout my single level house to see. I practice point shooting constantly at paper plates from 3 to about 10 yards. Can shoot minute of paper plate very well. Anybody gets after me wearing a paper plate on their chest is in trouble. I do think a flashlight is a good target. I like the K.I.S.S. principal. Anything outside the home is not a target.

 

[Inusuit]

Not a fan of lights mounted on handguns for many of the same reasons Chief38 lists as cons. One con he doesn't mention is that I may need the light to identify a potential threat. I would prefer not pointing my pistol at someone until I know they are a threat.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I cannot think of any advantages that a gun mounted light provides versus a hand held and vise versa. Frankly I don't care for them. And I have seen them fall off of guns at the range when they were properly mounted.

Gun mounted lights require the user to constantly manipulate the light with one finger or the other. I don't like to move or alter my grip and prefer to keep all my fingers on the gun.

Gun mounted lights may have their place but only with the proper training and lots of practice. IMO its much easier to use a handheld light.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I would prefer not pointing my pistol at someone until I know they are a threat.

I have a flashlight and my husband has a high-lumen weapon light. For home defense, anyone wandering my home in the dark is a threat, and gets a gun pointed at them with or without light, and as snuffy51 said " Anything outside the home is not a target" and I won't point any light at them, just dial 911.

 

[armorer951]

Weapon light on my home defense handgun.....carry a flashlight with me with my carry gun when away from my home.

 

[cmort666]

I'm never going to put a light on a handgun. That's a personal choice.

For me, a separate flashlight, especially one I can bludgeon somebody with, is a far better choice. I don't like HAVING to point a loaded firearm at something or someone to use a flashlight. I don't plan to point a gun at anything or anyone I don't intend to make holes in... immediately.

 

[Mister X]

I prefer to retain the ability of using a light independent of where I point the muzzle of my gun, so I prefer a handheld flashlight. Plus I use a revolver just as often and want to retain as much commonality as possible. Even if I used a weapon mounted a light, I would still want a handheld and when using a handheld light, I still want to retain the ability to use that hand for other tasks that could be required, so I set-up all my HD lights with full combat rings. It's also an doubles as an impact weapon and retention device.

I frequently see concerns about the unintentionally muzzle flashing/covering a non-threat with a weapon mounted light, but I feel that can be largely mitigated by using the corona of the light when in doubt or there's a need to simply light up an area for some other reason besides identifying a threat.

I wouldn't be overly concerned with giving away position, or drawing firing in a home defense scenario since I would only light up the perp/area momentarily and only when ready to shoot for positive identification, possibly blinding the intruder and for accurate fire...otherwise the light is off. I would use a weapon mounted light the same way. The only issue I see would be if you went searching for a threat or cleared your house in the dark, which you really shouldn't do.

I know the layout and happenings of my home better than any intruder possibly can, so in a lowlight/night defense scenario, I feel I have an substantial advantage.

 

[Motorsporting]

Why not both? One advantage, not mentioned (that I saw) is if you have to carry a child (or use your off-hand for something else). In my case, I have a weapon light and a flashlight. I know if I can't use the flashlight for whatever reason (carrying my child to safety) I'll still be able to use the weapon light to i.d. the target. Instinctive Activation weapon lights, like Crimson Trace's Light Guard, are lightweight, compact, and many kydex holster makers offer a holster. It's around 100 lumens, which is perfect for my house.

 

[Richard Simmons]

As some have already posted, it's a choice. I chose to use a weapon mounted light for HD for several reasons. Some of those reasons are the need to keep a hand available for other things such as opening doors or holding a phone, both things you may want or need to do if you suspect a home intrusion. Try as I might I can't hold a flashlight in one hand, a pistol in the other and open a door or hold a phone easily.

Also something to keep in mind, you don't have to use the light on your handgun unless you want to but it's there if you do. I decided I would rather grab one item rather than two separate items. As far as hand/finger movement goes I can operate the switch on my weapons light with the thumb of my weak hand with a thumb forward grip. I don't have to do anything with my shooting hand except what I'm supposed to. If I want to use the light to illuminate an intruder I can do so without moving my trigger finger so there really is no danger of shooting someone just because I want to shine the light on them.

Those are just some of the reasons I made the decision I did. Everyone else may or may not make the same one.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Options..........


300 lumen flashlight by the bed .......

a 125 lumen streamlight TLR-3 on my Beretta 92..............(not my carry gun...... my ready gun)

several nightlights on the first floor and in the 2nd floor hall!


Beretta C-4 storm 9mm carbine with a TLR-1 300 lumen light.

the Beretta's use the same 15,17,18,20 and 30 rd. magazines.

 

[Moe Mentum]

Not on my carry gun, never.

 

[Squarebutt]

Not on mine, either. Not only don't want to point a loaded gun to light up an unknown person, there's always the chance of pushing the bang switch instead of the light switch in a stressful situation when you're half awake.

 

[GeoJelly]

This has been a helpful thread - Thanks Chief! I had recently ordered a Glock-brand light for my G17 - and, coincidently, just returned it today. Heavy and clunky - turned the G17 into something too big and unwieldy. Plan to use the proceeds of the return (Amazon) to get a CT mini-laser.

As far as the comments about pointing a light and firearm at an unknown person, I have to say that would be the least of my concerns if that unknown person has broken into my house!!

Richard Simmons looks to have a great set up - there's nothing saying he has to use the light - it's there if he needs it! I also noticed that the G35 appears to have a conversion barrel - pretty good looking setup for a Navy guy ...

 

[APS]

I have a light mounted on my HD pistol and there is a handheld light in the pack with it. With either one and light colored carpet/walls, you can ID someone at the other end of the house without even shining it at them directly.

 

[snubbert]

I can imaging plenty situations in which I'd NOT want the gun pointing the same direction as the light!

Hearing things go bump in the night and checking on the kids? When you point the light, that's also where the gun points. Sure you can use the spillover/sidelighting but then you're still pointing your gun in a direction you don't necessarily want it pointed.

I used to like the idea of a light on the gun but now much prefer the idea of fewer things to think about in a stressful situation. Even if a light is mounted and you don't use it, for me I think it's still something to think about. Standalone tactical flashlight is with me at all times, night or day, even when the gun isn't. I'd bet momentary 200 lumens in the bad guy's eyes could turn the tables, and also lights the way for the good guy, maybe enough to let you get the crenulated bezel up in his face. I often think the flashlight is more valuable than the gun. But then I'd never want to be without either.

Gun in strong hand, flashlight in weak hand or in the pocket if there's not an immediate need.

 

[jdesro1911]

I think some people here are not quite clear of the purpose of a weapon mounted light. The WML is for seeing what you are shooting at - nothing more.

A WML does not negate the need for a handheld light - they serve different purposes.

Contrary to what you may see on TV and in the movies, you do NOT use a WML for investigating that bump in the night or for searching - that is what your hand-held light is for.

The WML is for illuminating something that may need to be shot. The WML compliments the handheld, it does not replace it.

 

[dogsoldier]

In 2003 I put a Surefire on my G34 that I used on duty. I had ZERO LEO training on the setup. I didn't like what I observed. I found myself using my G34/Surefire setup as a FLASHLIGHT. NOT good. I sold the Surefire and went back to my G34 and my Pelican Black Knight 40,000CP light.

 

[email4eric]

Good conversation and many well reasoned points of view!

I do have a TLR mounted on my bedside Sig P229 Extreme and like it very much. Using it is instinctive to me now as I've practiced with it. I can illuminate areas well without pointing my weapon at what I'm illuminating due to it's wide illumination pattern. It can be held well below that which I'm trying to see. It's very bright and will illuminate an entire room while pointed down.

I don't have kids so I'm not worried about a teen sneaking in after a night out so perhaps my scenario is simplified and presents less peril than some of the other posters. For me it's simple, effective, bright, and instantly ready and my pistol accommodates it perfectly.

I cannot see carrying a weapon every day with a light mounted on it.

 

[jaaeatax]

I have one on my G19 and it's so bright pointing it at the floor will light up a wide area. I can turn it on or leave it off and operate it with either hand. I also have two hand helds at the bedside. If it's on the pistol, you have the choice I believe