Self-defense flashlight?!

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MacDanny

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I just completed my class for concealed carry and am moving forward with my application. Had a recent injury that really limits me physically and wanted to have an option for safety - thus my pursuit of a carry permit.
NEVER occurred to me that a flashlight could be an effective defense tool. Funny, because I have a den of Cub Scouts - my sons included - and I am constantly on them if/when a bright LED flashlight goes into someone's eyes at night when we're camping.

Embarrassed that I really didn't consider it given my new limitations. Stopped by the store today and picked one up - had some features that I think will add a "protection" bent like a strobe setting and a good bevel. A bit more expensive than my camping flashlight because of the shock-proof construction but worth it to me. Haven't gotten my permit back yet, but was carrying the flashlight in my pocket tonight as my wife and I were downtown. Clipped right into my pocket. Nobody was the wiser, except me.

Hope that's not a crazy post on a gun forum, just wanted to share a new perspective I have. I actually felt better having that with me downtown. Is that strange?
 
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I also started another thread asking LEO and military about their views about an "us vs. them" attitude I perceive. Didn't expect all the responses. Just read them all - wow. Sorry if it got too heated, that wasn't the intention, but thanks to all the LEO and military who responded. Great info for a guy learning about the issue(s). Appreciate it.
 
MacDanny ... It's a very good topic for discussion. One thing I will add (and yes, I own several Surefire lights). I've read/researched quite a bit about the defensive capabilities of a tactical flashlight ... the first being a means to blind/distract an attacker, the second being a suitable blunt force weapon. With the former, a blinding light will potentially buy enough time to extricate oneself from a bad situation; a definite positive. As to the latter, a sturdy flashlight used as a defensive weapon relegates the "victim" to being a participant in hand-to-hand combat, a place most civilians are not trained to be. If I am able to use my flashlight to club/gouge/jab an attacker, I am way too close for comfort. In such a scenario, I would much prefer pepper spray as a tool than a flashlight. One of the first things taught by qualified self defense instructors is to maximize distance in an attack; in most cases, pepper spray would provide a minimum of 5' to 10' of distance, which is far more than wielding a flashlight. If a person is grabbed by an assailant however, and spray is not possible to use, then the flashlight can serve better than nothing. The best lights are quite costly, but there are more mid-range offerings on the market which should suffice for the average person.
 
I freely admit I've been scared of what's in the dark. It didn't take me long to learn in the early part of my 17 years experiance in law enforcement that bad stuff happens in the dark more often than it seems to in the light of day.

When conducting uniformed duty I always have three different lights on me; a Stinger on my belt, a Streamlight M3 on my Glock, and usually a Surefire in my pocket. Back in my youth as a LEO I had situations in the middle of the day where I've run into buildings and looked under beds or searched closets after I'd left my MagLight in the car. Could be scary stuff. These days lights are as powerful as the old MagLight at a fraction of the size and weight so I take advantage of them.

When in plain clothes or off duty I still pretty much always carry a light with me, maybe two if it's jacket weather. I don't use them for defense, I use them to see what I might need to shoot at.

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A bright flashlight is good.

One thing is for sure.......you shine a Cree XM-L running at 3 amps in someone's eyes he can't look at you, and his night vision will be totalled out for a while.
 
I consider good flashlights to be an indispensable pieces of safety equipment. I almost always have a Surefire LED light on me(usually a C2 2-cell LED), and have them (C2s, G2 Nitrolon LEDs, and Z2s)in our vehicles and all over the house.

A light is good for looking into dark spaces to keep from being surprised, and could be an effective impact weapon if need be.
 
chief38 said:
Ahhh, carrying an ASSAULT FLASHLIGHT, HUH?
Click to expand...

I know, right?!...

mc5aw said:
If I am able to use my flashlight to club/gouge/jab an attacker, I am way too close for comfort. In such a scenario, I would much prefer pepper spray as a tool than a flashlight. One of the first things taught by qualified self defense instructors is to maximize distance in an attack; in most cases, pepper spray would provide a minimum of 5' to 10' of distance, which is far more than wielding a flashlight.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more. Am/was trained in martial arts for 5 years and believe my best "weapon" is between my ears. Have a shoulder separation/dislocation (yup, both) that is rocking my world, however, and an old ankle injury from younger years makes me less able to run as well, so I am in a fix! Thus my move into the CHL/CCW world and non-lethal options.
I got a Fenix PD32 (mid-range, but hopefully good), but did a quick Google search after your post and found the TigerLight. Combo of military pepper spray and a tac light. Anyone have any experience or thoughts? Any good, or a gimic? It's $100, but if it's worth it I'll get one for my car and one for my wife's in a heartbeat!
 
Be careful with storing the spray in the vehicle. Some (not all) have heat restrictions listed with the warnings, and cars in summer can get pretty darn hot. Last thing you want is a can of pepper spray overheating and getting mad at you.
 
You are not being strange at all. The next step is to practice holding one while you're aiming and shooting. I have a small Surefire and was taught the "Rogers Technique" as described in the link. My instructor called it the "cigar technique". At any rate, you will find it to be an interesting exercise at the range.
Handgun Flashlight Hold
 
mc5aw "I've read/researched quite a bit about the defensive capabilities of a tactical flashlight ... the first being a means to blind/distract an attacker"
I've told this before, try and keep it short- guy's wife worked in small strip-mall & got off at 11 pm each night. She noticed an apparently homeless guy eyeing her each night, so hisband decided to pick her up for a week or two. After a few nights sure enough the BG started walking fast, following his wife towards the car. This guy was armed, but we know it's a last method to choose; he had a really good f'light and shined it in the BG's eyes, he took off the other way.
Ever since, my wife has one in her door pocket and her purse. You just never know.
 
Some of the defense lights are ok,I like Surefires myself.
If I'm close enough that I can use a flashlight though,I'd rather go for a 16 oz. slapjack.
Somebody told me they were illegal now.:eek: I reckon I can't always be perfect. They work good.:D
 
I think carrying a flashlight while off-duty or CCW is an absolute must. As a LEO, you never know when you're going to have to pursue an active shooter into a low-light area like for example a storage area of a mall or other facility. Not being able to see your target in low light will either get you killed or open you up to a lot of legal prosecution for shooting someone that was unarmed. I dont know if anyone is familiar with Surfire's flow chart that they put into magazines, but it really opens up your mindset to carrying an illumination tool. My personal favorite is the 5.11 ATAC L1 or PLx. Each are super bright and are easy to carry in your pocket
 
Don't want to throw water on someone's theories, but

In order to really disorient Some of the people I have trained with, would take a concentrated 200 to 300 lumens, to bother them, and then the only response could or even might be a gunshot.

If I were in an area where I could not carry a gun, a large 6 C cell light Mag light would be what I carried-with an LED conversion if you can locate one.

You might destroy their night vision, but I have never needed night vision in order to pull a trigger.

Just the opinion of one old guy:)
 
Great feedback.
Anyone have any exposure or experience with the TigerLight? (combo of military pepper spray and LED flashlight)

Curious. I like the potential, just wondering if it works as advertised.

Also looking into the SureFire flashlights. Thanks for the tip.
 
MacDenny ... You can't go wrong with the SureFires, but they're not exactly cheap. They used to be THE light for "tactical" applications. Nowadays, there are several alternates that are quite serviceable and more cost effective.

I'm not familiar with the TigerLight, but two divergent functions (spray and light) sounds gimmicky ... again, I could be completely off base since I have no experience with the product. I will check it out though, as you've peaked my curiosity.
 
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