FLASHLIGHTS MOUNTED ON SD GUNS - GOOD OR DANGEROUS?

[waffles]

So you want to carry two lights and a gun? If you have ever spent any amount of time in a duty belt, you would do everything you can to lessen the load and keep the amount of equipment to a minimum.

A TLR1, a fairly standard full size light, is an extra 4.8oz. A good standard metal double CR123A handheld is a hair under 4. For comparison, six rounds of .357 158gr run about 3.5oz. A leatherman wave is over 8oz. A fully loaded Glock 17 magazine is 8oz. For the advantages it gives you, the weight penalty is minimal and absolutely worth it. And yes, absolutely every officer I've spoken to or seen carrying a WML has a separate handheld light. My full size (modern definition mind you, not a "totally not an impact weapon" d cell maglight) light is what I based the 4oz figure on, but you can get lights that are plenty bright for half the weight with ease.

The industry has developed technology that allows for better target identification, among other things, prior to shooting someone. We've all had enough exposure to publicized shootings of unarmed people who officers mistakenly thought were armed, even if that was the only situation this helped for an extra 4oz is more than worth it.

Also, adding this in, the "bat belt" problem of carrying so much on the belt is a real one. I don't think this is the place to save weight, though I absolutely agree having everything on a gun belt is stupid and harms individual officers in addition to contributing to higher medical costs for the department. I don't love the look of external vests with stuff mounted, but that option or load bearing suspenders should absolutely be allowed if not mandated.

 

[Screwball]

So you want to carry two lights and a gun? If you have ever spent any amount of time in a duty belt, you would do everything you can to lessen the load and keep the amount of equipment to a minimum.

I would be all for that extra weight… being it increases effectiveness.

If I really worried about weight, I wouldn’t need to carry a second pair of cuffs or a taser on my belt. Hell, could get rid of the extra magazine on my vest. All that stuff is present because if I need it, it is going to be useful. The handcuff key that is attached to my rear keeper might be a little extra weight… but if I’m ever in a situation where my gun belt was ripped off and I’m cuffed… feel that is a good thing to possibly have on my body or very nearby. Same with the get the hell off me knife in my cargo pocket.

OC… that was gone as soon as I got out of the academy (not only since I fought thru the exposure easily, but our port isn’t really optimal for OC; wind, close proximity to other officers, etc). The glove pouch that I had to wear throughout the academy? Yep, went bye-bye after graduation. Dumb weight, like three pairs of multi tools… that is something I’d suggest to reconsider. A weapon light in the hands of someone who is trained in it… not really in the same ballpark.

The one thing I always questioned, is why people are so quick to recommend a light on a long gun, which I feel training is just as important (most issues transmit across both weapon types), but argue pistol lights are not needed. If either gun comes out, and it’s dark… do you really want to fumble with a handheld and a gun? Unsure about most, but if my gun is clearing the holster… it’s for a legitimate reason. Handheld in my weak hand… I’d prefer that being dropped like a bad habit if I need to draw on someone. Well, at least if I have illumination on the gun. That’s my biggest issue with work fighting it.

That being said, I have two carry guns that do not have a weapon light; my duty gun and my LCP. Everything else I carry, to include my J-frame, has a weapon light. Been like that for years… prior to L/E. I moved away from my Glock 30S/TLR-7, since it was really close to my duty gun (Glock 19), and I’m not going to carry one with a light and one without. Hell, even taking a light on/off my duty gun… which is allowed… is not something I prefer to do.

 

[geekeye]

reading some of the responses from/about LEOs, who seem to have a much bigger issue with pointing their lights directly at people/objects, i am tempted to say that there is a distinction to be made between indoor and outdoor use of a light. indoors (home defense), with walls, a ceiling, and no other distracting light sources, it really doesn't take much to light up the whole room from a low or high ready, but outdoors, where distances are longer, there are fewer reflective surfaces, and things like street lamps in the distance, causing your pupils to contract to fight the glare, i can see how there would be a tendency to shine your light directly at whatever you want to look at.


so taking that into consideration, it might be beneficial to discuss home defense (nightstand guns) and carry/duty guns separately, and not try to make a one size fits all argument.

 

[mscampbell2734]

I'm not looking to start a huge debate and sidetrack this but I will say policy, training and discipline are all part of an organization's culture, meaning how they view themselves, how they view the world and how they approach their profession, or even if they consider what they do a profession or just a job.

All of these facts come into play as situations become more and more stressful and complex and decision making cycles become shorter and shorter.