So. who actually uses their rail? lowlightdiscussion

[ABPOS]

I'm thinking about getting a streamlight TLR-1 either high lumen or not for my M&P .45 full sized. Would love to hear thoughts on people that use a light on their pistol.

Invariably almost any thread I've seen on this matter a lot of folks will say they don't like weapon mounted lights because you're pointing the gun at whatever you need to see. Which may include your family.

The way I see it is if it's real dark, just having the weapon at the low ready will help you identify anything in a room, as long as it isn't overly big (the room). And the added benefit of have more control on your gun outweighs this concern. But then again, I can see the point. I currently have a good hand held light for HD, and all the pistols I've had up until this point have not had a rail. But I think I'm going to be using my M&P .45 for HD and CCW (winter carry) and I'm liking the idea of having an onboard light for HD.

What do you guys think or do? And if anyone has any input on the the Streamlight TLR-1, HL or not HL, that would be great.

Thanks

 

[RobzGuns]

I use a separate Off-Pistol light. But then, I have night lights in the main rooms and hallway, so unless there's a power outage, the only reason for a tactical light, is to blind the intruder with 300+ Lumen.

I found that bouncing a light (even my cell phone) off the ceiling illuminates a room very easily.

The only thing I use the rail for, is to mount a very cheap (under $50) laser to for Dry Fire practice... Basically to see how much the laser 'dances' during trigger press.

 

[McE]

First off, people who claim weapon lights are a bad idea because you're pointing at something to see it, are full of bologna. A light pointed in any ol direction inside a room will light it up.
Some also argue as if the light is always on. Obviously, it is not. You control it.

Plain and simple, weapon lights are a 'better to have and not need' etc type of thing. Have a weapon light, and a separate handheld light. Should you need a free hand to open a door, pick something up, work a phone, fend off an attack, tap/rack or reload, pick your nose or scratch your butt, you still have a functioning light.

At worst, the weapon light adds weight to reduce muzzle flip. There just aren't any downsides.

I have M&P45's, and I also have some TLR-4G's, TLR-3, TLR-1HL, and a few other no-name weapon lights. Had a TLR-1 once upon a time but I didn't care for its length while not being much brighter than the 3/4's. The TLR-3/4's fit great, and don't extend past the muzzle on the M&P45 full size, which I prefer so I don't have to clean up all that gunshot residue off the light/lens. However, the TLR-1HL is a great light, I removed the focusing lens in it so it projects just a large, smooth round spotlight. My biggest gripe with it is the blue tint to the light, but it's usable. Wrapping some electrical tape around the bezel that takes the muzzle blast protects it, but the lens will still need a cleaning after shooting.
All of these do not need to be pointed at something to identify it. The splash area and reflections off of surfaces is plenty for indoors.

 

[Pre 29]

Surefire on my Glock 20 in the bedroom.

 

[bigggbbruce]

I don't need a light for in the house.

But I walk my 12 acres in the dark nightly. I've scared up animals that in turn scared me.

I am adding a light to my rail so I can have a two handed grip if I need it.

 

[Wee Hooker]

My M&P 45 FS proved itself reliable enough to displace a model 66 revolver as my bedroom gun. IMHO, the icing on the cake was the ability to attach a LED light to the rail. ( I live in the country where it gets BLACK at night.)

I still keep a back-up Maglight in the bedside safe with the M&P , but it never gets used any more. I'm really sold on the ability to keep both hands on the weapon while pointing it into a (very) well lit area. I'm betting the appreciation for that grip would deepen if I was actually firing hot 45 acp rounds at something important in the black of the night.

 

[Warren Sear]

If someone were going to be shooting at me, I hope he would be using a weapon mounted light.

 

[MichiganScott]

I have an older model TLR-1 on my FS9 at my bedside. My wife has a TLR-3 on her bedside gun, a 9C. Both guns have older model Polytac's alongside them.

Careful with the lumen output on your weapons light if used inside. A high lumen flashlight bounced off a white wall will blind you and can be physically painful in the middle of the night. That's the reason I mentioned that my TLR-1 and the Polytac's are older models. If the TLR-1 ever goes out, I'll replace it with a 120 lumen TLR-3.

 

[ABPOS]

Yeah, I'm on the fence about the HL or not. The rooms in my house aren't overly big. Our living room, which is the biggest is I think like 12 x 16 or 14 x 18. Something like that. And the hall isn't overly long. Maybe 25'. I might be OK with just the regular ole TLR-1.

McE. I didn't even know about the 3 or 4 model. I know they made a laser light model. But I'll have to look those up. I'm kind of a miser or just cheap because we don't have a lot of extra money, so the cheapest model that works well is a lot of times what I end up with. But I'll look into those.

This is some great feedback. I think one of the comments was made to say they're a bad idea and make you a better target when on. But I think identifying a target early and fast is the way to go. Most guys that have to use a gun for a living use a WML, so...... Either they're all stupid or there is some benefit.

 

[Saudade]

I bought a rail mounted light too. If fact , I bought several. As others have said I leave certain lights on at night (40w CFLs) so my home is never in complete darkness.

For me, the light seems to add to much weight up front as well as more mass so my HD gun (a Sig SP2022) feels more front heavy and sluggish. My M9A1 does feel more balanced with the light but it's not for HD.

I have thought about the "convenience" of grabbing one thing instead of two, but then thought if I don't have time to grab two, I may not have time to turn the light on anyway.

So I don't use a weapon mounted light.

 

[McE]

As others have mentioned and I forgot to mention, and I think the biggest reason for a weapon light-
you're a better shot with both hands on the gun. This is true for everyone.
For the smart alecks, yes, you're still a better shot with a weapon light than even if you finagle a small flashlight between your fingers in a two-handed grip.
The improvement in successfully landing your shot and follow up shots by having control of your gun far outweighs those other concerns about giving away your position/flagging/etc.

I'd recommend the TLR-3 if you're on a budget, and even if you weren't. I keep my TLR-4G on light-only mode anyway and wouldn't miss the laser if it wasn't there.

 

[bigggbbruce]

If someone were going to be shooting at me, I hope he would be using a weapon mounted light.

You're funny..

Put it on strobe and you'll feel differently. You may think you can hit the light.

 

[shell627]

I am a big fan of weapon mounted lights.You should not shoot something you can not identify.I Shoot better with both hands on whatever weapon I am using.I have been using a light on my handgun since the mid to late 90's.I have a light on my shotgun,rifle and work and house handguns.And I have trained in other flashlight methods using a light in off hand. Weapon mounted light is more efficient .

 

[Ranger514]

For those who think a WML makes a person using one a target: yes, it does if you leave it activated and remained in a static position with the flashlight beam homing in on your presence. The whole idea is to use the light in a tactical manner with a quick activation to temporarily blind an intruder/aggressor, enabling you to identify the threat level; then, either deactivate the light, and quickly MOVE to a new position...or flash and fire at the threat, deactivate, and MOVE to a new position. It ain't rocket science. My bedside G19 is equipped with a tactical SureFire, and will remain so. If used properly, the WML is a great tool.

 

[Mister X]

One under-appreciated benefit of a weapon mounted light is that it will effectively act as a stand-off in a close-quarter struggle providing it extends past the muzzle.

 

[RobzGuns]

Most guys that have to use a gun for a living use a WML, so...... Either they're all stupid or there is some benefit.

Well... Those that Clear a building for a living are expecting only bad guys in those buildings and do routinely practice instantaneous threat/No threat recognition. A bit different from civilian home owners with Crumb Snatchers and midnight munchers in the house.

 

[shell627]

Well the reason for a weapon mounted light .Is if you flash the light on and it is your child,teenager sneaking in or out dog or spouse. You can see who it is and not shoot them.

 

[McE]

One under-appreciated benefit of a weapon mounted light is that it will effectively act as a stand-off in a close-quarter struggle providing it extends past the muzzle.

Some say under appreciated, others say over stated.

I side with the latter.

 

[Rastoff]

I had a TLR-1 on my M&P 45, but I took it off and traded it for a knife. I use the knife every day.

My biggest beef with this kind of light is they require using your trigger finger for activation. The trigger finger should only be on the frame or trigger. Yes, you can use your support hand, but then can't use that hand for other things.

Used properly, a light in the support hand can provide just as stable a platform.

 

[Bob O]

When the game is over, I'm headed to bed with this:



As can be seen, the light can be used in the same manner as a laser for in-the-house distances.