Who used a tactical light on HD gun

[bxny10455]

Here's a TLR-3 on a M&P 45c

 

[oldtexan]

I think it's useful to have white lights on all home defense weapons, both handguns and long guns. I also have and use handheld lights. The handhelds are for searching for and IDing a potential threat when using a handgun, and as a backup to the weapon-mounted light during engagements; the light on the handgun is for engaging the threat, and if applicable, controlling the threat until police arrive (one hand for handgun and mounted light, other hand for phone). Lights on long guns fill all these roles.

My handhelds and weapon-mounted lights are Surefires. If your lights are for serious purposes, then don't buy cheap junk.

Re lasers: they can be useful in certain instances such as in low light engagements, engaging very fleeting targets, making engagements in circumstances where you can't bring the weapon's sights to eyeline, for shooters with compromised vision, as a training aid to identify poor trigger technique, etc. I don't use them as much as I once did, because I find they actually slow down my target engagement. I seem to take more time searching for the dot than finding the sights. I think that lasers increase rather than reduce the training load.

 

[blujax01]

I think it's useful to have white lights on all home defense weapons, both handguns and long guns. I also have and use handheld lights. The handhelds are for searching for and IDing a potential threat when using a handgun, and as a backup to the weapon-mounted light during engagements; the light on the handgun is for engaging the threat, and if applicable, controlling the threat until police arrive (one hand for handgun and mounted light, other hand for phone). Lights on long guns fill all these roles.

My handhelds and weapon-mounted lights are Surefires. If your lights are for serious purposes, then don't buy cheap junk.

Re lasers: they can be useful in certain instances such as in low light engagements, engaging very fleeting targets, making engagements in circumstances where you can't bring the weapon's sights to eyeline, for shooters with compromised vision, as a training aid to identify poor trigger technique, etc. I don't use them as much as I once did, because I find they actually slow down my target engagement. I seem to take more time searching for the dot than finding the sights. I think that lasers increase rather than reduce the training load.

Yeah, the Wife and I both put Crimson Trace lasers on our guns a couple of years ago when we got serious about self defense. They are of great help to the novice and to those with vision issues but as we train more and more, I agree they're not necessary.
But who knew we would take to shooting as much as we have, right? I don't think it was wasted money.
For someone who is never going to practice past the first outing after they get a gun, they offer an advantage. And someone who doesn't practice is going to need all the help they can get!

 

[gzimm]

If your going to spend the money, get the TLR2 that is metal and not the TLR4 which has lots of breaking issues reported on the forums.

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

I have a TLR-2 light/laser combo on my nightstand gun (4006TSW). In my case, if I don't get my glasses on or lose them in a scuffle the laser shows me what I'm going to hit if I have to pull the trigger. The light can be pointed at a ceiling or wall and the reflection lights up an area pretty well without having to point the gun at someone (if a family member wandering around the house at oh-dark-thirty is a concern). It also leaves my off-hand available for a number of tasks such as opening/closing/locking/unlocking doors, using a phone, using a light switch, carrying a spare mag, or any number of other things. To avoid giving my position away I would simply hold off on turning the light/laser on until I thought that I had a target, after all, I can navigate my own home in complete darkness with no problem, an advantage that a burglar would not have. JMO
Edit to Add: I've never had a problem with the TLR-2 laser holding zero, but because the laser is below the bore axis of the gun you will hit slightly high or low depending upon how far off you are from the range at which you have sighted the laser. It's not enough to make a difference at any distance within my home.

 

[SavageSmoker]

Well, I found a TLR-4 on Amazon with free shipping for $107 so I ordered it. However, now I am concerned with the breakage issues as described above. It may find its way on to the tactical rail of my M&P 15-22, since it has far less recoil and I am not using it for HD. Once I am able to hit the range again (post back surgery right now) I want to get several hundred rounds through the new pistol using the factory sights before adding any lasers. A TLR-1 or new CT light might be okay for light for now. I guess I will re-evaluate in a few months. Thanks for all of the helpful insight!

 

[trane fan]

My night stand is home to my M&P FS 40 Pro Series with an Insight rail light

 

[mlapaglia]

I have a S&W Micro 90 on my 9C along with a Crimson Trace hand grip Laser. I can turn the light on or off with my finger or the thumb of my left hand. It saves me from having a second light in my hand.

 

[Lost Lake]

I have the TRL1s on an M&P40 in the nightstand. Several times I have heard a bump in the night or the dog is on alert and I really like having that light on as I sweep the house. I have a big house with a lot of places a BG could hole up so I need to be able to see in dark corners, storage racks, etc.

I don't give a thought to revealing my position by having a light. If a bad guy is hiding quietly he will know where I am light or not. I also think when a bad guy sees a light coming he's going to bolt.

 

[yeti]

I currently have a TLR1 on my .45, it is convenient. The momentary on/off feature is what I like.
I also have a small powerful fist sized flashlight.
I can see both sides of the weapon mounted v. separate debate.

 

[45times6]

I went through several changes on this subject.

First, I felt uneasy about mounting a light to my HD handgun, because I didn't like the idea of pointing a weapon in the direction of the unknown just to I.D. what was there. I realized, though, that I could keep the handgun at the low ready and there was enough "bounce" from the light on the floor to identify what's there.

In the second stage, though, no matter how much I practiced shooting with the mounted light on, it seemed as though I was visually keying in on the light more than on my sights. I suppose at in-home distances, they might be more or less the same thing, but I didn't like it. (Side note: Possibly a narrowly-focused flashlight beam might cover the spread/pattern of a shotgun at these distances...? Who knows, I'm probably not going to test it)

Ultimately -- and I know that this might seem like overkill -- I've decided to keep the light mounted on my handgun, but use a hand-held flashlight instead. Why? I prefer having a light in my off hand, and practice that way, but in the event that I need that free hand to help lead my kids to a safer room, out of the house, etc., I can then switch to the weapon-mounted light.

 

[AZ115]

+1 on the Streamlight TLR-4

I use the TLR-4 on my 40c. Works very well and the light will blind you!

 

[had2]

Crimson Trace LaserGrip and Light

CT makes both a laser grip and light for the FS M&P and for the compact. These integrate very well with the weapon and add very little to the form factor, weight and balance of the gun. There are no switches to turn on or off (although a manual off is provided for both, if desired). Operation is very intuitive by separate pressure switches. Regarding the concern that you might give away your location, this ignores the fact that in a dark environment, you need to identify the potential target. Absent getting on some night vision equipment at 3 AM, you will need some illumination to avoid firing on a friendly. The laser and light can be operated independently and momentarily. If you ID a bad guy, what could be more intimidating than putting the red laser dot on the middle of his chest, leaving no doubt as to where that round would go. You can fire without having to check sights. I see this as the way to go.

 

[Nitrous SSC]

Every night before I go to bed my M5 gets clicked onto my 3913TSW.

 

[kbm6893]

Nope. Had one once and realized how stupid the gun and I looked with it. Not to mention you have to point the weapon in the direction of the intruder, so you're now pointing a gun at your son or daughter who are sneaking back in after curfew. I prefer a small Surefire in my off hand, held away from the body. Someone sees the light, they shoot at that. That's the way we were taught when I went through the police academy. Either hold it far left or high above your head in our off hand. Sure, they have an application if you're clearing houses, but in the event of an intruder, I'm hunkered down, calling 911, LOUDLY announcing to the intruder I have a gun (with 911 still on the line so they're recording it), and if he's dumb enough to keep coming, I'll deal with him.

 

[walkin' trails]

I believe that weapons lights have their uses and are a great tool to have in the tool box. That said, I've seen some people who have them take on the notion that is the only light they need to have available. If you're going to mount one on your weapon, carry a hand held to back it up. I don't like them for pistols I'm going to carry conceal, regardless of size, but mainly because they still manage to come packages that make them that much harder to conceal. I've used the TRL-1, the Surefire X200, and recently bought a TRL-3. I sort of like the idea of my TRL-3 being mounted on my .223 more than on my handgun. Nice, light, and slim package for a long gun. Still bulky for a handgun. Anyway, that's just my opinion...

 

[Nakanokalronin]

My HD handgun and long gun always have a TLR-1 attached. For those that might say you have to point the weapon at what you want to see, you can illuminate an entire room with the light pointed at the floor. Having your gun and light in one hand is very good when you may just have to grab someone and shuffle them back to another room, turn on light switches and open doors. Having both my hands full in a home defense situation is not ideal IMHO.

That being said, I also have a secondary stand alone light that I will grab as well.

 

[Cano]

I use the TLR-1S at home but not when i carry.
Awesome light and leaves the other hand free.

 

[Arik]

I have an HKUSP USP9 with an HK light on it.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[mlapaglia]

As stated above I have a S&W Micro 90 on my 9C along with a Crimson Trace hand grip Laser. Last night I got the standard, "Honey there is someone in the garage". Grabbing the 9C I went to check it out and the wife was correct, well almost. On the dark side of the car was 2 racoons. That must have snuck in before we closed the garage for the evening. Having a feast on the dog food. I tried really hard to justify shooting one of them for the fur but just couldn't come up with a valid reason, "Honest officer he looked like he was attacking me". The point being was the light mounted on the gun allowed me to have one hand free to grab a broom and shoo them out the newly opened garage door. Without the light on the gun I would have to put the gun away to grab the broom. We do have a problem with rabies in racoons in the area so had it come at me I would have fired. All in all I was glad to have the light on the 9C.

FYI the wife had a great laugh at me with the gun going to fight the "vicious gang of Racoons". As she pointed out, "They must be bad guys, they were wearing masks".