Tactical Flashlights: Tacticool or Practicool?

I'm with chief38 on battery versus rechargeable. I have a couple of Streamlight flashlights and they have been great. Either type eventually runs down. With batteries, I can pop in a new one and not have to wait for it to recharge. Also, had to pull out my corded drill awhile back after the battery packs on my cordless went belly up.

Streamlight Stinger, Scorpion, and ProTac Hl-x. Always liked Streamlight and carry one daily.

Sorry for the dumb question, as I’m not an LEO nor have I ever used a “tactical” flashlight as a defensive weapon. But judging from the comments on here, I’m wondering why such a flashlight would not be a good idea to use as a defensive tool, if not a less lethal one? I understand they can be blinding, which I assume would help, but couldn’t they also help as a less lethal striking tool if the need arose? I realize there are other non-lethal tools available for self defense, such as pepper spray or a walking cane, but wouldn’t it also be useful to carry such a multi-purpose tool as another non-lethal option? Again, I only ask for educational purposes, as I have no practical experience in such situations (using a flashlight as a non-lethal defensive tool) and seek only to learn from others’ experiences and insights.

With that said, I have a Streamlight Pro-Tac that illuminates pretty good with fresh batteries. I also have one of those big, older, old-school Maglite flashlights that take several D batteries that still works. It’s not as bright as the newer, smaller flashlights, but because it’s so big it’s harder to lose - lol. It’s obviously not practical to carry around given its size, so I keep it in my truck in case I need my son to hold it if I need to change a tire at night. Its heft could probably be used as a small club I suppose.

To be honest, I think it's just a sales gimmick. Obviously any flashlight could potentially be used for self-defense in a pinch, and adding some spikes to it doesn't make it any more practical as a weapon.
Also, while you could most certainly temporarily blind, disorient, or otherwise stun an attacker with a bright flash of light, is that really something that you want to trust your life to?

Could it be used to greater affect in self-defense than an ordinary flashlight? I dunno, maybe... But my question would be; Why? Seriously, carry a Pistol, or a Knife, or failing that, maybe try to learn some simple martial arts moves, but don't count on a flashlight for self-defense.
Even if you want a less lethal option, a Stun Gun or Pepper Spray would be better because they simply have a substantially higher probability of incapacitation.

Heck, even if you live somewhere like the United Kingdom where the laws are so hopelessly oppressive when it comes to self-defense that it might as well be that you just plain aren't allowed to defend yourself, I think you're still better off carrying a slip joint knife like an Openel or a plain old ordinary flashlight, because at least if you have to defend yourself with one of those you'll be less likely to have the book thrown at you for carrying a "Deadly Assault Torch" or some other such nonsense.

If you're going to buy a Tactical Flashlight, then do it for its practical advantages over some other flashlights such as those I listed in the OP, or simply because they're cool and you like them, but don't buy them specifically as weapons.
Yes, you can absolutely use one as an improvised weapon, (like any other flashlight) by knocking someone on the head or shining it directly into their eyes, but if you foresee such a potential situation as likely to arise someday, then I would personally recommend being better prepared by carrying a Stun Gun or Pepper Spray over a Tactical Flashlight.

Tactical literally means useful for some kind of fighting. That's really the whole substance. The old 3 and 4 D-cell battery Mag-Lights were extremely tactical because you could use them as clubs, and plenty of LEOs probably did.

So, if you put it in anodized aluminum, maybe black, maybe camouflage, but other colors work, too, if one end has a bezel for cutting, and the other end has a knob of some kind for head knocking or car window breaking, well, there's your tactical flashlight.

It's no different from tactical pens, actually!

Plastic won't do.

And all flashlights, barring something weird, are practical. Pens, too, as a general rule.

The AA 2 cell Fenix tail switch lights have been good for me. They are machined alloy and tough as all get out. Finish holds up well too. They keep getting a little better with new generations. I still have and regularly use a Gen 1 Fenix. I do concur that the aggressive bezel is likely not the best way to go for many; can be rougher on the carrier's clothing than desired.

I carry at least 1 light 24/7; comes in handy for so many things. After dark I'll add 1-2 to the herd.

I have a couple 3 D cell Mag-Lites that have been updated to LED. Good for things beside just being a flashlight. They reside in convenient spots in my vehicles.

This little Streamlight rides in / clipped to my pocket, most of the time. It’s more practical than tactical, unless locating dog poop at night or an iPhone under the car seat is a tactical situation.





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I believe that Surefire and Streamlight are made in the USA and Fenix is Chinese. With things going on the way they are in the world, I'm more and more looking for American made products

BE Mike said:

I believe that Surefire and Streamlight are made in the USA and Fenix is Chinese. With things going on the way they are in the world, I'm more and more looking for American made products

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Not sure about Surefire but at least some of the Streamlights I've looked at recently are made in Communist China.

I have an older Surefire Xenon bulb G2 made of some sort of super tough plastic--it refuses to die and stays in my bird hunting kit.

Maybe I'll lose my tactical card but the lights I keep in my vehicles and use mostly are MagLite LED AA Minis. They're not super expensive and other than the bulb I think entirely made in USA. Since I started using Energizer lithiums I haven't had a problem with leaky batteries.

I thought this was an interesting article on the use of a “tactical” flashlight for self defense:

How to Use a Tactical Flashlight for Self Defense: 3 Common Ways

Of course, this all presumes one is not allowed to carry a firearm or any other weapon, such as at a strict workplace (my workplace is one such place).

Forte Smitten Wesson said:

I've never been much for anything with "Tactical" in its name because its generally just marketing hype targeting Mall Ninjas and Suburban Commandos which offers little in the way of tangible value or practical application.

However, while shopping for a new Flashlight I have repeatedly been exposed to a variety of so-called "Tactical Flashlights" which although they are most definitely aimmed at wannabe operators with their primarily Black, Camo, FDE, and Gray color schemes, molle-compatible holsters, and jagged "strike bezels" on the head, they do appear to have some more tangible, practical features hidden beneath their tactical appearance such as waterproofing, drop resistance, shatter-resistant lenses, and long battery life.

As a result, one of the Flashlights I have been taking a hard look at is an example of a Tactical Flashlight; the ThruNite BSS V4. It has a ridiculously aggressive strike bezel on it, but fortunately it's threaded on and can be easily removed by hand. It seems to be a great Flashlight underneath all of the tactical fluff, Compact, USB Rechargeable, 2500+ Lumines, takes one 18650 or two CR123 batteries, decent battery life, waterproof, impact-resistant, comes with a holster, belt clip, and lanyard for multiple carry options, and isn't too expensive.

Now I'm beginning to question my stance on Tactical Flashlights. Sure, I'm not about to start carrying one everywhere I go as a backup self-defense weapon or anything silly like that, but I can see using one like any other Heavy Duty Flashlight, and won't be quite so quick to write them off as complete gimmicks with no tangible value or practical application.

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Wow. First off: forget anything with its own "teeth." It'll bite you before it bites anyone else.
Are you looking for a gun-mounted light or just a decent, heavy-duty but small flashlight? Gun mount, those TLR series lights are very popular with cops. Not too pricey, either. For the other type, stick to Surefire or Fenix. They both make good, solid, reliable lights that won't cost a months' wages nor will people laugh at you when you bring it out.
There ya go, all you need to know in one paragraph or less.

I prefer Streamlights. I own 4 of them. I carry a one CR123 model in my fanny pack/holster. The three others are a lot brighter, but a lot larger too. Do not have room in my fanny pack. The one I do carry is pretty bright.

GerSan69 said:

Wow. First off: forget anything with its own "teeth." It'll bite you before it bites anyone else.
Are you looking for a gun-mounted light or just a decent, heavy-duty but small flashlight? Gun mount, those TLR series lights are very popular with cops. Not too pricey, either. For the other type, stick to Surefire or Fenix. They both make good, solid, reliable lights that won't cost a months' wages nor will people laugh at you when you bring it out.
There ya go, all you need to know in one paragraph or less.

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You're a bit late.

Had you read further into the thread, you would see that I have already ordered and received the flashlight.
Fortunately, it turned out to be a really good flashlight which I enjoy and have no regrets about purchasing.

The strike bezel is threaded on, and the "teeth" aren't sharpened or anything like that, so you couldn't accidentally cut yourself on them. They're for striking, not cutting nor stabbing.

Also, I'm really not concerned over the prospect of folks laughing when/if I pull it out, seeing as it would most likely only be done in an emergency, (it's not my EDC Flashlight) and if some yokels who just so happen to see me with it feel like snickering over it, then that's there prerogative and I'll be happy to brighten their day with the oh-so-hilarous prop comedy that my flashlight has provided them with.

I have a brass Maratac aaa in the watch pocket of my jeans 24/7. For auto and pre dawn walks, I go to one of my 18650 single cell Malkoff products with hi/lo switches.
Bedside is a Surefire P1 with a Malkoff drop in. Both need no programming and illuminate without a lot of fiddling for the correct mode.
We can talk about the silly lumen wars another time.