The way I was taught to shoot accurately you can't do both.
Really happy the dog is ok...
Really happy the dog is ok...
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Shooting a handgun while holding a flashlight
- Thread starter RT44nut
- Start date
Very true! In water, dogs don’t have a chance.
We tested weapons mounted lights and I was never a fan. Bulky, and you tended to use your gun as a flashlight. Never a good idea. There are several solid techniques for shooting a handgun with a separate flashlight that have been taught for decades. I’m very comfortable with a flashlight. I’d advise looking up a few instructional videos on flashlight techniques and trying them out yourself. It’s a skill learned through practice. Good job protecting your pup.
He has taken down many a coon!
mscampbell2734
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SGT ROCK 11B
Member
Bring more gun. My dog alerted to a varmint at the Chicken Coop at oh dark thirty and my six inch S&W Model 29 took care of business with two shots. (second shot was to end its suffering)
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
Holding a revolver and a flashlight. This now I do it.
The close to the clubhouse ranges at my club face east. This time of year, late autumn/fall, the sun tracks well to the north, on the left hand side of the ranges. This creates the effect that when the sights are alighed properly there is more sunlight down the left hand side. Instinct is to move the front sight to the left to get the light equal down each side, moving the point of impact left.
A few years ago, about this time of year, I was running a match. One of the shooters suddenly found his group had moved to the left significantly. I told him about the effect the sun would have at the time of morning and he didn't believe me. I told him to stand in the shadow on the left hand side of the range, and his point of impact immediately moved back to the target centre.
Yesterday I was sighting in a new load in one of my .45ACP 1911's. It was mid morning and my first group went well to the left of centre. It came back again when I concentrated on the sight, not the light.
I guess holding a torch in your left hand close to the gun at night would have the same effect.
For several years now we have had a WML attached to our Glock 17 duty pistols. There have been stories of cops whose flashlights have given up functioning while they were armed, drawing their Glocks to use the WML. Not recommended and actively discouraged by the brass for obvious reasons.
A few years ago, about this time of year, I was running a match. One of the shooters suddenly found his group had moved to the left significantly. I told him about the effect the sun would have at the time of morning and he didn't believe me. I told him to stand in the shadow on the left hand side of the range, and his point of impact immediately moved back to the target centre.
Yesterday I was sighting in a new load in one of my .45ACP 1911's. It was mid morning and my first group went well to the left of centre. It came back again when I concentrated on the sight, not the light.
I guess holding a torch in your left hand close to the gun at night would have the same effect.
For several years now we have had a WML attached to our Glock 17 duty pistols. There have been stories of cops whose flashlights have given up functioning while they were armed, drawing their Glocks to use the WML. Not recommended and actively discouraged by the brass for obvious reasons.
Sgt. Buzzard
Member
The photo above shows the Harries technique. This was the preferred method that I taught in the police academy for 18 years. It works great on various targets. It was required by the State Police Training Commission for basic training.
However, I also told the recruits of my own poop hits the turbo under extream stress that when I observed a sawed off double barrel coming up at me at from VERY close range from inside a car I threw the flashlight in the suspects face while forming a very tight two handed grip.and shoving the model 10 barrel well inside said suspects right ear. At the same time I was screaming "SHOTGUN" to alert my partner at the driver's side. He too shoved his model 10 into the driver's left ear. Deeply.
Arrests were safely made. We were on a 3AM stake out of area bars during the Christmas robbery season. Even when you're there for just that reason, the flashlight training is pure B/S when a 12 guage and an adrenaline dump is involved. Just sayin'. YMMV.
However, I also told the recruits of my own poop hits the turbo under extream stress that when I observed a sawed off double barrel coming up at me at from VERY close range from inside a car I threw the flashlight in the suspects face while forming a very tight two handed grip.and shoving the model 10 barrel well inside said suspects right ear. At the same time I was screaming "SHOTGUN" to alert my partner at the driver's side. He too shoved his model 10 into the driver's left ear. Deeply.
Arrests were safely made. We were on a 3AM stake out of area bars during the Christmas robbery season. Even when you're there for just that reason, the flashlight training is pure B/S when a 12 guage and an adrenaline dump is involved. Just sayin'. YMMV.
Biku325 makes some excellent points about WMLs. Just as a historical note, they got started back in the early days (~1970) of counter terrorist teams. Dynamic entry teams needed a way to quicky ID those who needed shooting and wearable night vision didn't exist. Handguns generally weren't being used in those situations, so a hand held light was a problem. One bolted to the MP5 (or cultural equivalent) was the answer. I'll also point out that evil doer reactions after experiencing a "distraction device" aren't real swift.
The first generally accepted law enforcement version (that I know of) involved a light for shotguns. It was pretty much the only way to use both a shotgun and a light.
The first generally accepted law enforcement version (that I know of) involved a light for shotguns. It was pretty much the only way to use both a shotgun and a light.
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Sgt. Buzzard
Member
I was the range officer when the vice squad came down with flashlight mounted shotguns for qualifications. They bought and put them on themselves. It seemed like a good idea, until the first shot or two.
Those early day lights extinguished themselves under 12 gauge pump recoil. It was about five more years until design caught up.
Those early day lights extinguished themselves under 12 gauge pump recoil. It was about five more years until design caught up.
The problem I see is not able to control the dog, which I can understand but shallow angle shooting at water?
Where did the ricochets go?
More valuable to citizen self-defense than any gadget is an open mind and situational awareness. Something goes bump in the night outside your position? Turn on every outside light whose switches you can reach from cover. Something moving inside your house? Same tactic but from inside a room not the same as the noise.
The goal is to stop the action - flooding the location with light without being seen can be extremely helpful in ridding yourself of intruders without rounds out.
The goal is to stop the action - flooding the location with light without being seen can be extremely helpful in ridding yourself of intruders without rounds out.
By getting them into the water, where they climb on their heads and drown them. That coon knew exactly what he was doing.How does a 30 lbs. racoon get the best of a 90 lbs. German Shepherd?
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