LIGHT ON A SEMI-AUTO

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Depends which ones. Some of the earlier 40 cal glocks had issues with the light causing the frame to flex a bit weird and cause reliability issues, but generally speaking it won't cause any problems.
 
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Adds weight.

Adds bulk.

Gives a criminal a perfect target to shoot at - the light! If you are aiming the pistol, the light is between your eyes!

Need a special holster to carry it.

Just another thing to think about when you should not have too.

These are just my opinions and many may not agree. That's there right and I am just stating what does and does not work for me.

I keep a 4 Watt night light on after dark on every floor. That is enough for me to see but still difficult for someone not familiar with my home. Helps illuminate the way for me when I sneak down for a midnight snack too! LOL The night lights are dim but since I know my own home - more than adequate for us. Not so adequate for someone breaking in and not knowing the layout of our home.
 
As noted, some of the G***ks have issues. M&Ps don't, I'd expect any metal frame gun wouldn't.

At least indoors, there's generally enough reflected light from flashlights that worrying about where the flashlight is located is pointless. In either case, you're plainly visible. A separate flashlight is still a good idea for general illumination, better for outdoor search..

The holster comment is true and is a necessary item if you're contemplating it for duty use*. Home defense it's not an issue. Adding weight can be a good thing for recoil control.

*While you might consider just a separate way to carry the light until you need it, if you have only one hand available at some point, you still need some way to safely holster/store the firearm to free up the gun hand. Clamping it in your teeth ain't gonna cut it, nor is dropping it in a thigh pocket.
 
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Speaking from experience and from research, but not any agency training etc, I have decided against a flashlight on my handgun for two reasons.

First, as has been mentioned, it gives the bad guy something to shoot at... if i hold the light away from myself I can still see what I need with it.

Second, I don't want my light and my gun so closely connected... using the gun as a flashlight seems like an accident waiting to happen, and from what I have been able to gather from my research, that seems to be a concern to those agencies who are now taking their lights off of their guns. I feel well equipped if I have a good flashlight in one hand, and a good handgun in the other. My complete carry package includes a good strong pocketknife, one that opens easily with one hand... it's a shame I don't have three hands! :rolleyes:

Froggie
 
LostintheOzone said:
Everyone is missing one thing. If you train using both hands when you shoot you will want a light on you pistol. Either that or you better start training shooting with one hand.

I don't know anyone that trains with one hand.
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I'm ambivalent on the subject of WMLs. They have pros and cons. I don't use one because the way my home is laid out, and the fact I live alone, simplifies target identification in the dark. I also keep a handheld flashlight next to my nightstand gun if needed. I typically have one or two flashlights on me when out and about. But I can see situations where they'd be handy (pun intended... :p ).

The big issue here is that WMLs are meant primarily for target verification, i.e. you've identified a potential target and need to confirm it before pulling the trigger. Having a WML on your gun doesn't negate the need for a handheld flashlight.

As far as reliability, regardless of make/model gun and/or light, you should test it with the light mounted and using your SD ammo of choice. That way you can see if there might be any reliability issues as well get a feel for how the added weight affects handling.

Just my opinion.
 
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Those that I use are weapons mounted and USB rechargeable. I HATE specialty batteries used in many weapons lights because they are a) expensive, and b) not readily available. I do not have lights on many weapons but I do on two and in each case I choose the Olight with the ratcheting attachment so I could really fine tune the placement of the switches and have USB recharging for them.
 
In my neck of woods, there are almost no uniformed and few plainclothes officers that do not have WMLs in their holsters. To JimmyJ’s original question, that is a piece of evidence.

I would test extensively. My recollection on the Glock 22 issues it had to do with specific bullet weights primarily. Basically a harmonics issue between all the variables involved. That is what I do when adding new equipment or making alterations.

— please see the better, more detailed post later in the thread on Glock 22 issues —
 
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LostintheOzone said:
Everyone is missing one thing. If you train using both hands when you shoot you will want a light on you pistol. Either that or you better start training shooting with one hand.

I don't know anyone that trains with one hand.
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Again - just my opinion......

Anyone training to shoot with solely with two hands and never trains with one is severely handicapping themselves!!! There are multiple circumstances that could arise in a home where you might only have one hand to shoot with. Not only train with one hand - train with your weak hand as well.

In a perfect world, two handed is better - no question. In a real world we sometimes do not have that option!
 
I never carried one on any of my handguns but I was given one as a present and now put it on my nightstand gun each night. It also has a laser. I am divided about the use of one for the reasons stated by others above. As an LE we trained with the various hand held flashlight techniques and I was quite comfortable with that approach.
 
LostintheOzone said:
Everyone is missing one thing. If you train using both hands when you shoot you will want a light on you pistol. Either that or you better start training shooting with one hand.
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There is the Harries technique, which is the first flashlight technique I learned. At the time it made sense as I was predominantly using the Weaver stance and the two work well together.
 
PPS1980 said:
Those that I use are weapons mounted and USB rechargeable. I HATE specialty batteries used in many weapons lights because they are a) expensive, and b) not readily available. I do not have lights on many weapons but I do on two and in each case I choose the Olight with the ratcheting attachment so I could really fine tune the placement of the switches and have USB recharging for them.
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Yep, rechargeable Olight is da bomb. I have one on my P-30. They were doing a special on those not long ago and I think I paid about 70 for it and it came with a nice mini flashlight.
 
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The research being done by hard use folks indicates pretty clearly that lights and RDS on pistols are the way to go. I'll admit I do not have any pistols with lights as I have not trained that way - but all but one of my my long guns do. The correct answer to the issue of potentially using the WML as a flashlight is to carry a flashlight. I do - pretty much every second. If I was still in LE, I would have and train with a WML and RDS; the advantages are huge.

Glocks in .40 were documented from about 2007 on to have very serious problems with WML - the old 10-8 forums had a pretty ugly discussion of the problem, and Glock's lack of response. The 22/23 platform was deeply flawed even without lights, and nothing done to address it worked reliably, but there was a time when the previously reliable 9mm platforms were screwed up by the efforts to address the issue.
 
LostintheOzone said:
Yep, rechargeable Olight is da bomb. I have one on my P-30. They were doing a special on those not long ago and I think I paid about 70 for it and it came with a nice mini flashlight.
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I've been a customer of their's for a while and got a pre-sale invite on the last sale for the PL-Mini Valkyrie. I had some coupon cash with them and walked out with the light for $34 :D Their S-curve mini-flashlights are great too - clip in pocket but the reversed curve also allows clipping to the bill of your cap ;) So far their stuff has taken a beating and keeps working.
 
LostintheOzone said:
Everyone is missing one thing. If you train using both hands when you shoot you will want a light on you pistol. Either that or you better start training shooting with one hand.

I don't know anyone that trains with one hand.
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I make it a point to do one hand shooting every time I go to the range. I have a drill I do where I shoot a mag with 2 hands, WHO, SHO, I do this at 7, 15, 20, and 25 yrds. thats 120 rounds.
 
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