Guns with mounted lights

[Erich]

Anyone out there actually keep a light mounted to a handgun?

I've talked in the past about how I find lights to be wonderfully useful, and how I recommend that everyone keep a blast-y flashlight with a tailcap button (preferably that takes AA batteries and uses a computer-controlled Cree LED) in his back pocket. I recently put a xenon-bulbed cheapie on my Swock (an expensive Surefire would have embarrassed the gun), and I find it to work quite well.

Obviously, we're not talking about a holster gun here, but this thing is great for around the house. I was talking to a cop friend last night about these tactical lights: he's usually pretty darned traditional, but he told me how helpful he's found these to be in house-clearing exercises - said there are tons of uses for a free hand in such events. Now he has rails on every duty gun he carries, and he uses them.

 

[Erich]

Anyone out there actually keep a light mounted to a handgun?

I've talked in the past about how I find lights to be wonderfully useful, and how I recommend that everyone keep a blast-y flashlight with a tailcap button (preferably that takes AA batteries and uses a computer-controlled Cree LED) in his back pocket. I recently put a xenon-bulbed cheapie on my Swock (an expensive Surefire would have embarrassed the gun), and I find it to work quite well.

Obviously, we're not talking about a holster gun here, but this thing is great for around the house. I was talking to a cop friend last night about these tactical lights: he's usually pretty darned traditional, but he told me how helpful he's found these to be in house-clearing exercises - said there are tons of uses for a free hand in such events. Now he has rails on every duty gun he carries, and he uses them.

 

[SW CQB 45]

I likEEE!

I bought an X200 for my SA MC Operator last year and when we went to night quals, I was frustrated with the recoil setting my thumb to snap the lever down to FULL LIGHT ON!

I did not have a holster for a full time light so I was just snapping it off and on.

I bought an TLR1. does not seem as quality as the SF X200, but strong side carry does not allow for the light to be snapped on full time, but its not a quick on and off.

I got a T/E Safariland RLS which is designed to snap on and off and I like the concept and it works fast on my Operator, but I still want the ability of a full time light in my duty rig.

The holster I want is a 6360 with a full time light. Right now, they are not made for my 1911 with a light attached, but I keep being told by our REP, soon....soon. I was told later this year or early next year.

I will probably option for the X200 and a ribbon switch and give that a try.

Yes, I like the concept of a full time light.

 

[captqc]

Two with lights on board, S&W 325 Thunder Ranch .45 ACP and a Sig P226 in .357 Sig. Sorry but no pics at this time. Gary

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Erich,

I'm a big believer in the concept. None of my pistols are set up with rails at this time. If the price drops on the Sigma (yeah, I know about the rebate)I think I'll get one and set it up as you did. I've seen too many instances where the shooter failed to adequately identify their target before discharging their weapon. By the way, if you don't mind my asking, can you give the particulars about your light (brand name, store where it came from , price, etc.)?

Regards,

Dave

 

[Erich]

It's cheap: Sportsman's Guide, $30.

 

[San Francisquito Bill]

My Duty Beretta Vertec has a Surefire X200A, CTC lasergrips, and Trijicon night sights. I see the light as the most important accessory on the gun! I use a Safariland 6280 holster with the Sentry lock and it works well for me. I also have a Don Hume belt holster that carries the pistol w/ light. It works well for court/plain clothes carry but I wouldn't carry the big Beretta off duty in it...It's just too big.

I have one of the Streamlight/Insight X2 lights for my HK P2000SK and am currently making an IWB holster to accomodate the pistol with light mounted. We'll see how that works out and how comfortable it is. I'm also toying with purchasing a Streamlight TL1 or TL2 for my 4513TSW and making an IWB for that. We'll see.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Originally posted by Erich:
It's cheap: Sportsman's Guide, $30.

Thanks, Erich.

Regards,

Dave

 

[38-44HD45]

Nightstand Beretta 92 w/20 round stick: Surefire weaponlight

Glock 20 "hand rifle" with 6" ported bar-Sto barrel and reduced grip, M-6 light/laser combo, for occasional vehicular carry.

 

[kbm6893]

SOld my one and only rail equipted pistol (Beretta PX4) to fund another Beretta 92. I had a TLR-1 on the PX4. Honestly, I think they're rediculous for civilians (and I was a cop). If someone breaks into my house, I'm not going searching for them. I'll grab the kids (next door over) and hunker down with a cell phone and my gun trained on the door. To use the light, you gotta point the weapon at the target, and the light makes an easy target for someone else. I recall my tactics instructor and FTO telling me to hold my light above my head and away from the body, so if someone fired at the light, he's not aiming at my chest. I also think they make a nice looking gun look too "mall ninja". Again, they have a place for a cop trained to clear houses, but no longer for me.

To each his own, though.

 

[khclark]

"Rule #2: Do not point a gun at anything you are not willing to destroy."

Put a light on your gun, and point your gun at everything you see (at least in the dark). Are you willing to destroy everything you see?

 

[M29since14]

"Not a cop and don't play one on TV," but I have to agree with Mr. Clark. I don't see how this phenomenon can be justified. It is tempting, but just seems like one of those things worth resisting.

 

[Erich]

Well, in my house it's pretty simple: there's me, and there's my wife. If my wife is behind me, there's nothing in the house that the gun can't get pointed at.

 

[powerkicker]

My nightstand gun is a SW99 .40 wearing night sights and a M5 light.

 

[powerkicker]

Originally posted by khclark:
"Rule #2: Do not point a gun at anything you are not willing to destroy."

Put a light on your gun, and point your gun at everything you see (at least in the dark). Are you willing to destroy everything you see?

I see where you're going, but perhaps the larger danger is, are you willing to shoot at what you can't see?

At my house, my wife and I sleep in one room. We have no kids. If anyone is in my house at night and my wife is beside me in the bed, yes, I'd say there's a good chance they are not there for my benefit.

 

[khclark]

Regarding shooting in the dark: I'm not saying "don't use a flashlight". I'm saying "don't attach it to your handgun". My light goes in my weak hand, my gun in my strong hand at low ready (finger off trigger) until the need to shoot presents itself.

For the "it's just me and my wife" crowd: Frankly, if that justification works for you, then good on you. But I can "what if" you to death with many hypothetical and some real scenarios in which pointing a gun-mounted flashlight around is, um, shall we say undesirable. Oh, and have fun in court when the plantiff's attorney holds up your "deathblaster" for the jury to see

.

Perhaps ironically, I feel the opposite about long guns intended for home defense. I prefer a light attached to my shotgun (which is strictly an ensconced defender gun for me). It's a two-handed weapon, so where else would you put it? As mentioned above, you've got to be able to ID the threat as a threat. Most self-defense situations happen at night. It's generally dark at night. So, you need a flashlight.

 

[M29since14]

Well, in my house it's pretty simple: there's me, and there's my wife. If my wife is behind me, there's nothing in the house that the gun can't get pointed at.

Good point, and everyone's situation is different.

I guess some of us are just of the frame of mind that we don't want to point a gun at "something" (for the purpose of investigation only) until we have made up our mind that it seems certain it will be necessary to fire. Not meaning to be doctrinaire about this subject just to be annoying, but this is where the modern equipment and technique clash with conventional wisdom.

Have you ever tested that rig to see how many rounds you can fire before it flies off the gun? Just curious. Some mounting systems look at lot more robust than others.

 

[Erich]

Oh, and have fun in court when the plantiff's attorney holds up our "deathblaster" for the jury to see

Thanks for the legal advice, khclark . . . don't know how I ever got along without you.

Some mounting systems look at lot more robust than others.

Definitely a good point.

 

[powerkicker]

A good shoot is just that and if a dirtbag prostitutor is motivated to make an example of you, even an everready flashlight and a RG10 22lr is going to be considered a "Death Blaster" I think.

As for carrying the flashlight separately, I do have a surefire on the nightstand too, but the idea of the light being connected to the weapon makes sense in that one will never be without a light if one has that gun and vice-versa.

My wife grabs my surefire light and uses it for general flashlight use sometimes...she forgets to put it back where she found it on occasion. Even if she forgets, my M5 is still with the gun.

As for going to court over shooting a predator in my home, job one is to survive the encounter. I really think the night sights and flasdhlight on the gun aid that effort.

I will say this, I do not intend a constant-on approach with my light. I will mometarily flash the suspected target to ID, and then engage it with the night sights. The targets basic outline is clearly visible in my home due to ambient light entering from streetlights outside. Searching a house with a light turned on constantly seems like a bad idea. I will stay put until a target presents itself, flash to id and shoot or not as required...at least that's the plan until the bad guy changes it for me LOL!

 

[haggis]

The light on my G34 coincides with point of aim. In addition to identifying who's there, and maybe blinding them, it also makes for quick point shooting.

BTW, it's still two handed. My off hand is working the momentary switch, until it's time for full on.

Buck