Reply With QuotePentagonLight is a good option.Originally Posted by crinkler
That's why I only spent $60 for my Surefire and mount, cause I'm too cheap to spend anymore than that, for something that has limited uses.
PentagonLight is a good option.
Surefire all the way, my mate bought me one for Christmas a few years ago and after knocking around my car, pocket and work gear its still mint.
I'm not LE or Military but I had one on my Glock a while back and I used it for my job (security). Especially working night shift and PD is unavailable (tied up with their own business) and you need with your partner to check building that was/is unsecured/broken in-to .
Weapon lights are one of the best tools one can have while carrying a firearm for a living.
Good holster for a gun with light attached
I would like to ad that many gun owners keep loaded handguns in their homes for personal/family protection. Most of the time stuff like break ins happen at night and that is where a good light comes in very handy. Noting beats weapon mounted light, it's already there with your weapon so there is no need to manipulate your hands with extra work.
I rather have both.
Actually, most break-ins happen at day.
That being said, if it did happen at night, I would rather be able to illuminate something without having to point the gun at it.
1) Non violent planed break-ins.. Yes.
2) The ones that can/will result into violence happen at night since those breaks-ins usually are the result of desperation. There is little or no planning at all.... Day burglaries however are for the most part planned and it's most likely someone that knows you.
3) Certain people with certain issues sleep all day and do their business at night.
For most part violence and murder happens from late evening to early morning hours. All the drug addicts, prostitution, drive by's, burglaries, robberies, rape, etc, etc usually attributed to the dark hours
(especially on the full moon, don't know why)
4) You can illuminate anything you wish with your gun and NOT discharge the weapon if you keep the finger off the trigger, but then again you should not be walking around & checking the place with finger on the trigger to begin with.
Last edited by sergey31; 02-18-2006 at 02:45 AM.
Ok, I'll concede those other points, except this one.
Have you ever point a gun at your daughter's face, just to see if she is ok, because the only light source is on the gun?
Screw the "my finger IS my safety" BS.
That's not we are talking about. We are talking about reality of a home and family and defending them.
How do you think yours or someone else's daughter or wife would react, regardless of whether your finger is on the trigger or not.
Don't have kids.... If you're asleep suddenly awaken and hear unusual noise in the house that you feel that something is not right, there's not much room in comfort department, especially having your BOTH hands tied up with a gun and a flashlight. What if you need to open doors, move things with your other hand, etc etc......
No, that is exactly what were are talking about.Screw the "my finger IS my safety" BS.
That's not we are talking about. We are talking about reality of a home and family and defending them.
Your finger is actually your safety. It all comes down to it..... Or one can kill someone accidentally "period"
I've yet to hear or read of anyone getting shot while the shooter had his finger OFF the trigger.
Judging from you opinion I'm assuming you never operated handgun mounted flashlight, it's one finger/hand operation and you operate it by having FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER and on the lever.
If it would happen in my case (example) they would know before hand that I know what I'm doing with the gun, I would tell them what will happen if someone breaks in the house at night and what my and their procedures would be......How do you think yours or someone else's daughter or wife would react, regardless of whether your finger is on the trigger or not.
But if there was a break-in and "someone" was in the house, Trust me there are bigger things to worry about then me with a handgun mounted flashlight... pointing at whoever, then again I know my family and even in the dark I can recognize them and would NOT even point regular flashlight at their face- last thing I want to do is destroy their night vision.
I know what or who to illuminate with a handgun flashlight. I had competed classes on this (job requirement) and for the most part you can and will use your handgun mounted flashlight to blind the suspect at the certain point and not have it ON before he sees you.
Police officers who do building searches and split up to cover areas, Do they illuminate each other while performing a search? Same principle applies to anyone else. You need to communicate as well if you suddenly see suspect figure in the dark.
I think you are making the whole deal a little too cut and dry. You admit you do not have children. I know my fiancee and what her mindset would be in such a situation. To simply say, this is how things are going to be with no deviation is a pretty big assumption, especially when children and a wife whose main concern is THEIR safety, not hers or mine. What do you do if panic sets in regardless of how much you drill it into them?
I am NOT criticizing YOUR personal choice and I did ask for opinions on the matter. For me its a personal choice not to worry about the light. The flashlight is simply something that gets in the way, an annoyance, and more weight (even if a negligible amount if a higher end light were purchased). After all, I live in a built up, urban environment with plenty of ambient night time light. At night I would never need to actually use a light to move around the home. I would probably be more at an advantage than the perp.
With that said, this is not really a LE discussion. None of my LE friends have a lit sidearm, be it issue or personal. I know its a VERY small sampling of ALL of the LE out there, but that is my personal experience.
Ultimately, I think its sort of like the KISS principle. Keep it simple, regardless of whether its home defense or shooting at the range. The less gadgets, gizmos, and gimmicks, the better, and if you train/practice in that fashion, you are better for it.
Keep it simple, basic, and mundane.
But, that is MY opinion, not necessarily shared by nor valid for others.
Whatever you feel comfortable with..... As a matter of fact I used to think like you regarding weapon mounted flashlights, but after training/use of one I think it's second best tool. No wonder why the business skyrocketed and today you can pretty much can find as many choices as you desire.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the only light it gun-light one should/could use. I carry traditional Stinger flashlight besides my Surefire X200. There are more times where drawing weapon is not appropriate nor needed. As I stated earlier, handgun mounted lights are mainly used to destroy suspects night vision and not only for illuminating purpose.
There's lights that light up entire room instead of a beam/spot, Surefire X200B is pretty good and designed for that.
Many LE agencies would like to equip their officers but it's easier done then said... It takes $$$ for lights/holsters/training/misc stuff, so some just don't have enough funding or even enough justification for it.
In defensive shooting situation, it is taught to hold the flashlight away from the body and at an off angle - so if the intruder is the first to open fire, he/she has a harder time identifying the target from the flashlight's position. That being said, I imagine that point becomes mundane if the light is mounted on the weapon - however, both options have their advantages and sacrifices.
I remember seeing a product somewhere, that would attach an alumnium lip to any SureFire flashlight, so it could be wielded as individual flashlight or become a weapon light in a Double Handed hold on the weapon - I forget the name, but it was called Handtorch or similar?
With that said, I have a Fullframe Automatic in a combination lockcase in my computer table, with a spare magazine and a Surefire 6P in twin pouch on the springloaded door - I got it as a security messure when it was my only gun and big fat placebo now, since I sleep like a sack of 'taters.
Last edited by StukaJr; 02-18-2006 at 09:54 PM.
Not a very good idea to fire handgun in a stressful situation with one hand. If you blind him with a powerful light, he would not be able to aim at the light unless of course you use cheap AA mag light.
If intruder fires first you might not be so lucky regardless on how far away and at a angle you hold your flashlight.That being said, I imagine that point becomes mundane if the light is mounted on the weapon - however, both options have their advantages and sacrifices
Try harder at any situation so the suspect does not open fire first.
There are things to watch out and signs that will give away his motives/intention.
I have personally tried the Surefire X200 before, yes, its definately better than the Streamlight as its LED and indestructable and all, but be VERY careful when opening the battery compartment, as the clip is VERY thin and small. (I almost broke ithehe)
Speaking of LED defensive lights, would the Blackhawk Night-ops with its strobe function be a good choice? I have tried it before... must say im very impressed with it, as it does to a certain extent 'confuses' the enemy from properly judging the distance between you and him. However though the light is 'larger' in terms of size as compared to similar LED lights.
Posting Permissions
