Tac light or not?

[XD40inTX]

For the last thirty years or so I've refused to put a "tactical light" on my handgun. The reason is simple:

Gun Safety Rule #2: Never point a gun at anything you're not willing to destroy.

So I've got a light hanging under the XD40 that stays on my bedside table. I wake up in the middle of the night and see a shadowy figure moving around in my bedroom. I want to strobe the figure to identify it before I decide what my next step is, but I can't point the light at it without pointing the gun at it. Do I want to do that in what is already a high-stress, adrenalin-fueled situation?

Not really. That's why the light is laying next to the gun, not on it.

Am I being overly cautious? I'd be interested in some thoughts.

 

[Jyezahn]

Let me ask you this, are there other people in your house that may mistakenly end up wandering into your room at night? If so, then I can understand your reasoning. If not, then it's a matter of whether or not you want the intruder to be able to see you before you have your gun ready. Generally, having a light on your pistol is fine as long as you don't put your finger on the trigger until you're ready to shoot. You want to be able to see and clear your residence in the safest way possible for you, not for the intruder.

 

[MichiganScott]

I've got a weapon mounted light and a tactical flashlight right next to the gun. The flashlight is for identification and the weapon mounted light is for illumination of the target.

However, except at point blank range, the weapon light has an intense center section and a very large corona around it that could be used for identification without pointing the pistol directly at what you want to identify.

 

[XD40inTX]

...the weapon light has an intense center section and a very large corona around it that could be used for identification without pointing the pistol directly at what you want to identify.

A very good point. I hadn't thought of that. Thanks.

In answer to the first question--yes, we often have visitors staying overnight. We have three grandchildren and many out-of-town friends and relatives. It's rare to go two weeks without someone staying overnight.

 

[Denversteve]

Am I being overly cautious? I'd be interested in some thoughts.

Absolutely not. Rules are rules and while you are evaluating your subject you are being observed in your own light. Plus it renders your gun bigger.

 

[Spike 7.62]

It's all about what you are comfortable with. For example, I don't ever carry with a round chambered. Why? Just because it makes me uncomfortable. I am willing to trade the time and effort needed to rack the slide for my comfort. You are trading your ability to efficiently re-load and maintain a 2 handed grip on your firearm for the ability to spotlight a suspect without aiming your weapon at them. It isn't right or wrong, it's whatever works for you. Just make sure that it does work.

Me personally, I intend to buy a TLR-1 for my M&P 40

 

[Lineman73]

Gun Mounted....NOT!

You are absolutely right!! While the tac light may make you look real cool, like an operator on a swat team, the bottom line is simply that it is an unsafe act to be pointing your pistol/light at the "thing that went bump in the night"! While it may be a home invader, it could just as easily be your granddaughter wanting a drink of water!! In addition, the pistol will no longer fit in standard holsters and it changes the balance of the pistol. If you do not practice with the light in place, it could affect you shooting.

I have lived a long time believing in the rules of firearm safety. I'm not going to change now! My light stays BESIDE the pistol, not on it!!

 

[Jyezahn]

You are absolutely right!! While the tac light may make you look real cool, like an operator on a swat team, the bottom line is simply that it is an unsafe act to be pointing your pistol/light at the "thing that went bump in the night"! While it may be a home invader, it could just as easily be your granddaughter wanting a drink of water!! In addition, the pistol will no longer fit in standard holsters and it changes the balance of the pistol. If you do not practice with the light in place, it could affect you shooting.

I have lived a long time believing in the rules of firearm safety. I'm not going to change now! My light says BESIDE the pistol, not on it!!

For some, sure, it's a "coolness" thing. For others, it's about using that rail for its intended purpose of attaching a light or a laser. And for others, it's about what's comfortable for them. Myself, I had a tac-light on my duty weapon in the Air Force. I am used to that kind of thing, and am comfortable pointing it where I want to see (if I feel there's a threat), without worrying about an accidental discharge because my finger stays off the trigger unless I intend to fire. It sure isn't about "looking cool" in the least. I'd much rather have one hand free to clear a jam if needed. As for fitting in a holster, there are MANY holsters nowadays that cater to pistols with mounted lights. You can even make your own out of kydex.

 

[LimaCharlie]

No tacticool lights, lasers, or night vision unless you are SWAT or military clearing buildings. There are a lot of people playing dress up Barbie with their guns now days. Give me a stock non-rail 5” 1911 with night sights and I am happy.

 

[crofoot629]

I have weapon mounted lights on all my fighting guns.
Strobe is bs.

And I've pointed loaded guns at lots of people without shooting them.
Your mileage may very.

Emory

 

[seattle911]

Definitely, as pointed out here, a personal choice after you carefully weigh the pros and cons, as you are doing. I only recently came to the light on gun camp after long resisting it. However, I only do it with my HD gun, I find it impractical and not advisable for a carry weapon. For LE, I can see it but for my uses, no.

 

[cbvanb]

I have weapon mounted lights on all my fighting guns.
Strobe is bs.

And I've pointed loaded guns at lots of people without shooting them.
Your mileage may very.

Emory

My sentiments exactly. In a home invasion or burglary distances are going to be close and once an invader knows he's been discovered things are going to get very tense, very fast. Having your weapon in a firm shooting grip, target well lit and identified as hostile gives you the edge.
Most quality weapon mounted lights have a large circumference of light, you can safely illuminate someone without directly aiming your weapon at them, if that's a concern.

 

[Jyezahn]

No tacticool lights, lasers, or night vision unless you are SWAT or military clearing buildings.

Are you sure you're not Diane Feinstein or Piers Morgan? And no AR-15's or other military style rifles either huh? Lights, lasers, and even night vision are not relegated to only LE and military. What if someone needs a light for say, um, home defense? Or a laser because they can't maintain a good sight picture with standard sights? Or night vision for night time hunting? "Civilians don't need them"? Heard that too much lately. SMH.

 

[checkmyswag]

the weapon light has an intense center section and a very large corona around it that could be used for identification without pointing the pistol directly at what you want to identify.

Not sure what's super tactical or taught in schools now, but I prefer to have the gun at the low ready until I identify a target.

 

[32_d3gr33s]

I just picked up a Viridian tac light for my 9c. I already have the Crimson trace grips so i just wanted the light. Think it flows perfectly with the gun. Also came across a deal on the viridian website. If both the light and gun were purchased recently you can get a FREE holster. I paid 8 bucks for shipping but got the holster today and its not bad. Not the best holster out there but for 8 bucks cant beat it.

 

[williaty]

I firmly believe that the weaponlight mounted to the gun shouldn't be the only light you have for exactly the reason you mention: you don't want to be forced to put the gun on the object you want to illuminate. However, once you've confirmed that it is in fact time to start pulling the trigger, I want to have both hands on the gun in a proper firing grip and have my hands free for magazine changes or malfunction clearance. In that, nothing is better than the rail-mounted weaponlight.

Here is how I've been training, and it works pretty well for me. I hear something in the house I need to investigate. I pick up the M&P9 with X300 in my strong hand and hold it, finger on the slide, in a compressed high ready, barrel pointed down at an angle. I pick up a Surefire Z2X in my left hand, and use that to look around (using the Hackathorne/Vickers "flashbulb" method), tracking my light with my body so I'm pointed where the light is showing. If I identify that I need to shoot, my left hand opens, the light falls and is caught by the lanyard, and I establish a two handed grip on the gun while my right index finger sweeps the switch on the X300 on its way to the trigger.

Thus, I've got the best of both worlds: a light that can be pointed without the gun and a light that leaves my hands solely on the gun. Additionally, the Z2X has a Combat Ring on it so that I actually can hold it with the gun using the Graham method, should the X300 **** out.

Finally, I do have one last trick I love. Surefire makes a product called the F04 Diffuser. Here's what it does to the beam from a X300.

Bare X300

X300 with F04 Diffuser

BIG advantage! I get much better visibility, don't risk someone hiding just outisde the beam of the X300, and I don't have to have the gun pointed anywhere near what I need to light up!