Who used a tactical light on HD gun

SavageSmoker · Jul 28, 2012

I know this can be a polarizing issue, but who here uses a small tactical light on the rail of their home defense gun? I just purchased a M&P .40 FS (209300) and am researching laser and light options. I like having the option of a laser for night time HD and have just kept a small tactical light in the night stand. Downside is, if I have to use the light I end up sacrificing a solid grip on my firearm. I have been partial to Crimson Trace for lasers but am looking at the Streamlight TLR-4 with has both laser and light. Anyone have experience with this? Does it work well, hold zero, should I skip it all together? Pros and cons of lights?
Thx...Brian

Photog · Jul 28, 2012

How does one tell if a small flashlight is "tactical" as opposed to just a small flashlight? I mean other than the fact that the word "tactical" is used in the description and they add 40%+ to the price. I used a friend's in a night shoot, but can't be sure it was a genuine, certified, SOF, operator wannabe "tactical" light.

Sebago Son · Jul 28, 2012

I have them on my "Serious" long guns.

But so far I've not seen the need on any one of my HD handguns.

Drew

SavageSmoker · Jul 28, 2012

Good question. I'm thinking just means they charge more to buy them. From a firearms standpoint, most lights are found in the tactical category, therefore referred to as " tactical" lights. The small "tactical" light I keep in my nightstand is a small rubberized 3 watt LED flashlight I got at Menards for $20 and that little thing is bright! In fact, I would put it against any Surefire or Streamlight that cost 5x as much.

Now that we have the semantics cleared up...on to the original question please.

SavageSmoker · Jul 28, 2012

Nice long guns. I have thought about putting one on my M&P 15-22 but just don't see myself target shooting or plinking in the dark...although that might be fun.

kodiakpb · Jul 28, 2012

I do...I carry with it as well

Spartikus · Jul 28, 2012

SavageSmoker said:
I know this can be a polarizing issue, but who here uses a small tactical light on the rail of their home defense gun? I just purchased a M&P .40 FS (209300) and am researching laser and light options. I like having the option of a laser for night time HD and have just kept a small tactical light in the night stand. Downside is, if I have to use the light I end up sacrificing a solid grip on my firearm. I have been partial to Crimson Trace for lasers but am looking at the Streamlight TLR-4 with has both laser and light. Anyone have experience with this? Does it work well, hold zero, should I skip it all together? Pros and cons of lights?
Thx...Brian

I have the TLR4 on my M&P9c and love it! I'm still all about iron sights but my thought is if I'm in the dark and need a light I'm good to go. Also I figure that if a person has a red dot on their chest they know they're done for and may keep you from having to pull the trigger. This is definitely a personal decision but that's what I have decided for myself.

oldafsp · Jul 28, 2012

This is something I have issues with...

Maybe it's my old school training or I am just not up on the new "Tactical" way of doing things.

I personally don't see an advantage, rather a large disadvantage to both lasers and weapon mounted lights for home defense/personal protection.

I would not give my position away by the use of a laser in any situation. Several people I know have them, and I have noticed a disturbing trend to focus on the laser instead of your entire surroundings when doing shoot and move drills....

A weapon mounted light cannot be brought to bear on "off sight picture" targets. A quick swing of a high powered tac flashlight toward a side threat to identify and disorient another assailant is a valuable tool.

Just my views on this subject...

Your results many vary....

Sebago Son · Jul 28, 2012

I live out in the sticks. My alarm system (Miss Katie Dog) keeps me posted whenever anything gets close to the house. When she alerts it's awfully handy to grab the Remington 870 with it's SureFire foreend and sweep the yard with it's beam. Usually it's some sort of critter that doesn't need to be shot.

If, however, someone were to get by my light sleeping or Miss Katie Dog's ears and actually get into the house, I'm not going to need a light. It will be a fast, ugly, close quarters fight and I don't want anything on my handgun that's going to slow me down, get in the way, of screw up as I deploy.

Just my thinking....

Drew

ksmedman · Jul 28, 2012

I have a S&W Micro 90 on my XD45 bedside gun.
Also have a light on my 'go to' AR.

pmbspyder · Jul 28, 2012

I have one and I think they are absolutely necessary. I get the "element of surprise" argument, but who wants to shoot a family member at 2am because they wanted to maintain that element? Just my $.02.

As far as the lights go, skip the trl 3 an 4. Their attachment guides are polymer and have been shown to break a lot when over tightened or from holding up to handgun recoil. Go with trl 1s for just a weapon light, or a trl 2 for both. If you just want a laser I don't know much about that area...

kodiakpb · Jul 28, 2012

I don't use visible lasers. I have been using weapon mounted lights for most of my career. They are an advantage. The caveat is you need to know what you are doing and how to use them.

crofoot629 · Jul 28, 2012

I think weapon mounted lights give you a great advantage.

There's too much made of having the "training"'to use them correctly.
There a stinking flashlight. Use it how how see best up to your level of training. Lots of folks can barely run their guns, yet they're better off with poor training and a gun than no gun.

Fwiw I'm a retired Leo, and have six Thunder Ranch trips also. I'm no expert however. Generally speaking get a weapon mounted light for everything you intend to fight with.

I have weapon mounted white lights on my AR's, Glocks, and 870. I don't have any experience with lasers. However with either night sights or Aimpoint Dot on all of my fighting guns, don't see the need for a laser.

Emory

k-dog · Jul 28, 2012

I use a Streamlight TLR-3 on my HD gun a SIG P220. Now the reason is a while back my buddy and I responded to his wife calling locked in a room scared cause someone had gotten int he house when we both got there in 5 minutes it was pitch black in the house and outside the only thing i could see is the sights and thats it so i bought the tac light the next day.

As for the trl-3s strength I have fired hundreds of 230gr rounds though that pistol with it on and have yet to have an issue. I test the light once a week adn change out the battery no matter what every two months

SSGT Pride · Jul 28, 2012

pmbspyder said:
I have one and I think they are absolutely necessary. I get the "element of surprise" argument, but who wants to shoot a family member at 2am because they wanted to maintain that element? Just my $.02.

As far as the lights go, skip the trl 3 an 4. Their attachment guides are polymer and have been shown to break a lot when over tightened or from holding up to handgun recoil. Go with trl 1s for just a weapon light, or a trl 2 for both. If you just want a laser I don't know much about that area...

DITTO! on not wanting shooting family members!

I keep my MP .40 by my bed and have the TLR 3 Streamlight. I like the combo and if you install it per instructions it never comes loose and wont break. I left mine on last time at the range and fired 250 rounds with no problem except the lens had a bit of powder on it.

I get them for less than 40$ each so no big deal if one fails.

I have several MP's and the 40 is the only one I use for a nightstand gun. Of course I have no children in the house so no problem there.

Ive got a few lasers laying around but I don't use em...I put one on a gun for my wife when I'm not at home....usually the MP.45 with no thumb safety.

Ernie

Garland · Jul 28, 2012

I have an NcStar light/laser combo on my HD gun, an M&P9.

andyo5 · Jul 28, 2012

I have a TLR1 on my 1911. No laser.
I want to see who I am pointing the gun at before I shoot, hence the flashlight-like TLR.
The laser is an aiming device only. It will not help you identify your target in the dark. But it will potentially give him your location.
That's my theory, anyhow.

blujax01 · Jul 28, 2012

I just scored an S&W Micro 90 for $37 (cheap!) courtesy of the eagle eye of a forum member who saw it on a closeout web site (Woot).
I like it. I have previously trained holding a tac light "cigar style" and this is much mo' better.

mewisemajic · Jul 28, 2012

I have an older Streamlight M3 "Tactical" light that quite a few years and it is still working for me.

JaPes · Jul 28, 2012

I have a Streamlight TLR-4 on my M&P 9fs. It works just fine. Momentary & constant switch. Settings for laser only, light only, and laser & light.

If I ever need to buy another, I want one that has the same features with the addition of pulse on the laser & light.

blujax01 said:
I just scored an S&W Micro 90 for $37 (cheap!) courtesy of the eagle eye of a forum member who saw it on a closeout web site (Woot).
I like it.

I have the same light mounted to my M&P 15-Sport & Franken-AR. The S&W Micro 90 is one heck of a value.

Who used a tactical light on HD gun

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