Shooting a handgun while holding a flashlight

[biku324]

In a basement with no interior lights looking for burglary suspect(s).

Then lock the freakin' basement door from the outside and call police.

 

[S-W4EVER]

I served as a LE Firearms Instructor and I never got really comfortable holding a pistol and a flashlight while shooting at the Range. When weapon lights became available I spent a lot of money on Surefire products, for my service pistol, carbine, and shotgun. A weapon light might give away your location but, like a flashlight they come with on/off switches. You just have to train with them.

(Like we used to say on the job, “Every day is a training day”.)

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

… However if you have the flashlight at your left arms length away from your body the bad guy shoots at the light and either misses or shoots the light out. When you see his shot you fire at it and bang, the bad guy is dead.
Now which scenario are you going to like???

Larry that doesn’t work in real life. No one is teaching that today but I remember when cops thought that was a good idea in 1965.

I’m guessing you have never done a search with a flashlight and firearm.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Then lock the freakin' basement door from the outside and call police.

When you were a cop did you search a basement? I am relating tales of doing the cop thing. Savvy?

 

[biku324]

No. I searched businesses, warehouses, residences, parking lots, parks, trailers, swimming pools (yes, really), aircraft, buses, Amtrack, courthouses, jails, banks, marijuana plantations, greenhouses, hotels, motels, schools, hospitals, and a few dozen other kinds of places.

 

[14daMoney]

In a basement with no interior lights looking for burglary suspect(s).

Uhmm, and nothing screams "HEY, Here I Am!", like passing through a doorway with a flashlight glaring....

oh ya, my recollection of how many searches I'd done, in buildings, outside buildings, in wooded areas, etc. - - -
a couple I guess

Oh ya, if I'd been using my flashlight a few years back on a call I probably wouldn't be here today..... fact!

Time and place, for sure.....

Our team was always instructed wear as little as possible that glows, glitters, jingles or jangles, silence or cover as much as possible.

these were just a couple of items that keep one maybe a bit safer.....

(watch band cover and key holder)

and if I'm not mistaken, many departments today have gone to an embroidered uniform badge in place of a glow-in-the dark silver/gold metal style for a bit more safety's sake. But, I've been wrong before....

 

[rockquarry]

Hard to believe this thread has developed such an extended life. Seems as if few listen to good suggestions. Someone mentioned earlier to hold a flashlight in the weak hand and have your handgun in the other hand. Pretty simple with lots of flexibility. No lights on guns, no Jeff Cooper, no Harries (sp.?) method, etc.

Yes, you can shoot with one hand and it should be practiced regularly to become proficient using the bullseye method. Regrettably, few practice shooting with one hand.

 

[biku324]

Uhmm, and nothing screams "HEY, Here I Am!", like passing through a doorway with a flashlight glaring....

oh ya, my recollection of how many searches I'd done, in buildings, outside buildings, in wooded areas, etc. - - -
a couple I guess

Oh ya, if I'd been using my flashlight a few years back on a call I probably wouldn't be here today..... fact!

Time and place, for sure.....

Our team was always instructed wear as little as possible that glows, glitters, jingles or jangles, silence or cover as much as possible.

these were just a couple of items that keep one maybe a bit safer.....

(watch band cover and key holder)

and if I'm not mistaken, many departments today have gone to an embroidered uniform badge in place of a glow-in-the dark silver/gold metal style for a bit more safety's sake. But, I've been wrong before....
View attachment 757168View attachment 757169

Solid gold.

 

[14daMoney]

Then lock the freakin' basement door from the outside and call police.

sometimes "a man's got to know his limitations", that's when you break out an eye-ball blaster. 15,000 lumens, stick it through the doorway opening first and then turn it on . . . . . . and listen to Anne sing "the sun will come out...", right now

 

[14daMoney]

Solid gold.

ditto

 

[NMPinNYC]

An adult racoon in 3' or deeper water will drown darn near any dog foolish enough to tangle with it.
I've seen the result more than once.

WYT-P
Skyhunter

Like that Twilight Zone episode with the old man and Rip the hound who go out coon hunting one night. That one chokes me up at the end, nothing like the love of a dog and vice versa.

 

[biku324]

sometimes "a man's got to know his limitations", that's when you break out an eye-ball blaster. 15,000 lumens, stick it through the doorway opening first and then turn it on . . . . . . and listen to Anne sing "the sun will come out...", right now View attachment 757174

Or a Def Tec 25.

 

[larry8]

I still don't see where a light at your head is going to protect you. If I were the bad guy I'd shoot at the light and you would be dead.

 

[Gryff]

He sees the flashlight and where does he shoot? but at the light. Bang your dead. However if you have the flashlight at your left arms length away from your body the bad guy shoots at the light and either misses or shoots the light out. When you see his shot you fire at it and bang, the bad guy is dead.
Now which scenario are you going to like???

What this tells you is " NEVER ever have a flashlight near your head, because that is where the bad guy is going to shoot."

I remember that advice in the 1990s. Still makes me chuckle.

 

[hammondo]

If I absolutely had to do this, my preference is next to the firearm i.e. on the near side rather than underhand. I've done both just prefer that method. YMMV

 

[Steve K]

I'd be interested in seeing data on this subject; probably isn't any. In the police academy, 1982, we were taught to hold the flashlight over our head at full arms length. The idea was to not give away your position. Not a bad idea, but it was a little difficult to do that and shoot accurately. I like the light on the pistol rail. You can maintain a two hand position and have confidence in shot placement.

 

[oldfwsshooter]

Last night took my large German Shepherd outside and he immediately jumped on a large raccoon next to our pond. The raccoon made it the water with Max in pursuit. The next sight was the coon had Max under water. I fired a shot from a 642 I keep in my pocket and Max was able to get away and headed to the house. I was holding the flashlight and the coon was swimming away, 15 to 20 feet. I took careful aim and saw the shot splashed a few inches to the left. Careful placement of the next 2 shots got the same results. The last shot I placed to the right and hit him dead center.

My thoughts are the flashlight reflection on the revolver caused this? Has anyone had similar results shooting at night?

No, but as a retired federal officer, the flashlight held in front of you or keeping your laser on, makes you a good target. Don't turn on the laser until you have the target in sight and ready to shoot.