Is muzzle flash a good or bad thing in home defense situations?

OK I see a couple of responses to my suggestion that the muzzle flash from one's own firearm can have benifit by allowing a glimpse of your opponent. Well my friends I'll just go ahead and stand by that. I have an exercize you might try. Stand at the range with your target at social distance in complete darkness. Draw and fire one shot where you remember the target to be. The target will be illuminated by that shot, you fire a follow-up shot. You should be able to correct your sight picture with the light from the muzzle flash.

Now I'm not advocating shooting in the pitch black darkness, or firing shots for illumination. And certainly not advocating shooting at sounds in the dark.

But other people will, and if a "perpetrator" fires at you in the dark perhaps shooting at a sound your making... you can return fire. His muzzle flash will give away his general position, and justify you returning fire.

This exercize was taught to me during police training.

Glenn D
 
It's not the idea that muzzle flash could, in theory, in isolated, very specific situations, be potentially beneficial that's a problem. It's the idea that muzzle flash IS an advantage, that it IS A REASON to choose a particular gun. As if muzzle flash is an actual STRATEGY to be considered in general.

Besides which, the OBVIOUS, much more likely disadvantages, such as your muzzle flash serving as just as much of a target for the BG as his is for yours...

Besides which, it's unlikely that you and Mr BG are presenting stationary targets for one another which would be a virtual requirement for shooting at a target that you can not see....

Besides which the unlikelihood of being in a situation in the complete darkness which could justify your shooting at a target that you can not see....




Yes, there are instances. The implication that they are worthy of consideration when choosing a firearm, or worse that you might actually want to MAXIMIZE muzzle flash rather than minimize it is beyond silly. It's actually closer to dangerous.
 
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Will it set the curtains on fire? No. Only way to avoid it is to not shoot it after dark.

For the shotgun load the shells a bit more on powder so a lot of unburned gets tossed out for a bigger flash :)
 
Apparently, you haven't seen people close their eyes when they shoot.
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Nope, apparently I haven't.

Yes, you want to hit the target, but that is not in conflict with blinding it. We know from bazillions of examples that folks don't always hit their targets, so if the target is seeing spots and can't respond as effectively, it is a bonus.

With that said, I would not want to count on blinding the target. Flash bangs don't work very well when people expect them and take appropriate measures. The work best as a suprise that is not expected and not understood until after it goes off.

Blinding the target is way over-billed. Surefire has made lots of money selling flashlights as weapons. The effectiveness of "blinding" the opposition cannot be counted on to work.
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So we both agree that..

If you are defending yourself with a firearm you want to hit the target, not blind it. That's what a can of mase is for.
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Anyone who considers muzzle flash to be an offensive part of their defensive strategy is someone who you should not be listening to for defensive advice. I would suspect their screen name to be Gecko45.
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Yeah, but I read it on the internet from this guy that works security in the mall....
 
Apparently, you haven't seen people close their eyes when they shoot.
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Nope, apparently I haven't.
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Not only do some folks close both eyes, but a lot of folks close their non-dominant eye when sighting such that even if the sighting eye is affected by the muzzle flash, the non-dominant eye is not because it was closed.

As with anticipatory flinching that may cause a bullet to go somewhere other than where intended, some folks will anticipatorily close their eyes as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j69_Y_L9sHU&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVAPLZewiS8

So we both agree that..
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If you are defending yourself with a firearm you want to hit the target, not blind it. That's what a can of mase is for.
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Not exactly, no. You seem to indicate that hitting your target and blinding your target are mutually exclusive. There is nothing wrong with the target perp being blinded as s/he is being shot. As I am sure you know, hitting your target with a handgun caliber (this is the handgun section of TFL) rarely produces instant stops and that many of those who are hit will continue to fight. It you take a look at many police and non-police civilian shootings, you will find folks with survivable and/or mortal wounds that then managed to still kill or seriously harm their opposition. So if by some chance your opposition is hit (or not) and does get flash blinded, that is going to limit his/her chances of being able to harm you.

While my goal may be to hit the target, my goal isn't to hit the target without blinding it.

Hitting the target and blinding the target are not mutually exclusive.
 
LOL... interesting read for me.

I have one revolver that gives out amazing muzzle flash, and I've shot it on a dark range. People joked about how it would "blind people". I never even noticed it really, until I actually looked for it. My concentration was on the target, and nothing else.... and I did not ever find it really effecting me.

So, I don't see it effecting me in a SD situation.... concentration is on what it should be on. Having said that, I can see it advantageous to keep it at a minimum, as it sure identifies where you are... but in a REAL SD situation, I think it's a given they know where you are...

Now, if I'm looking for it , it's kind of fun to watch.
 
If the encounter is outside, after dark, then muzzle flash is a concern.
If the encounter is in our house, it's of no concern.
Because I intend to turn on the lights!
Why would anyone want to stumble around in the dark, not knowing where an intruder might be crouching, when they can simply turn on the lights and see?
Preferably from another room and from behind good cover.
We know where the light switches are, where all the furniture is and what can be used for cover.
What we don't know is where the bad guy is.
A well lit room has to be better to defend than one barely illuminated by a small flashlight and with lots of confusing shadows.
And what if the intruder is just your grannie getting a glass of water from the kitchen?
My 2 cents worth.
Criticisms welcomed and expected.
 
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LOL... interesting read for me.

I have one revolver that gives out amazing muzzle flash, and I've shot it on a dark range. People joked about how it would "blind people". I never even noticed it really, until I actually looked for it. My concentration was on the target, and nothing else.... and I did not ever find it really effecting me.
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Being blinded by the flash isn't something you can concentrate through to keep from being affected. It is a physiological reaction. The reason you probably aren't noticing it is because you are closing your eyes when you shoot. If others are seeing it and you aren't, and they are talking about how it will blind people, then your eyes are closed.

Because I intend to turn on the lights!
Why would anyone want to stumble around in the dark, not knowing where an intruder might be crouching, when they can simply turn on the lights and see?
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Because you were a klutz or you are not familiar with your own home? I don't stumble around my house in the dark. I can navigate just fine.
Preferably from another room and from behind good cover.

We know where the light switches are, where all the furniture is and what can be used for cover.
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You have furniture that will stop bullets consistently? Where do you shop?

What we don't know is where the bad guy is.
A well lit room has to be better to defend than one barely illuminated by a small flashlight and with lots of confusing shadows.
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I can point my light at the floor and it still lights up the entire room. Yes, locating the bad guy is important, but you may be able to do it with or without turning on the lights. Sometimes it is better to survey your surroundings auditorily to determine if there is a bad guy or multiple bad guys. It may not be in your best interest to start a fight with a group and so not having the lights on can definitely work in your favor until you have a better idea of what is happening.

And what if the intruder is just your grannie getting a glass of water from the kitchen?
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Well then I am sending all my money to the 700 Club because a miracle has occurred and my grannie has risen from the dead.
 
Glenn Dee: said:
IMO....It can be good or bad.

Good in that in total, or near darkness muzzle flash may allow you to re-aquire the target, or confirm it's position...
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Glenn Dee: said:
Now I'm not advocating shooting in the pitch black darkness, or firing shots for illumination. And certainly not advocating shooting at sounds in the dark.
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I'm glad you added this disclaimer. Until I ran across your second quote I was going to jump on you for advocating shooting in near darkness and needing the flash to verify your target. Obviously even you thought in sounded like that or you wouldn't have added the second quote.

I just read in the paper yesterday where a man shot his niece @ 3:30 one morning. He heard a noise that sounded like someone was breaking into his house. He saw someone at the window trying to get in and shot them. It turned out to be his niece. The story didn't say why the niece was coming through the window, but the home owner did not verify his target. He saw a figure at the window and fired. Until the target is identified you can't shoot. If you need the muzzle flash to require your target you can't shoot. It sounds like you agree.
 
My first exposure to the downside of muzzle flash was as a teenager..going out to the henhouse about midnight to see what was disturbing them.
taking a kel-light, and a 6 inch barrelled Colt Trooper loaded with 158gr magnum ammo....caught the varmint in the flashlight and shot..promptly blinding myself, and seeing a giant blue blob in the center of my vision for several seconds. it gave the varmint time to run 20ft before I could see to shoot again....after 3 shots I gave it up as futile lol -I would have give anything for a .22 handgun instead at that moment.
The worst flashing handgun I have right now is a Ruger Blackhawk in .30M1 Carbine caliber..great fun in daylight, but woulnt even attempt to use at night
when it mattered!......unless I had welding googles on lol

so NO, flash isnt what you want.
 
ET...

IMO, and IME... People who engage in a self defense shooting rarely have a choice in the location, or time of day. Very often it happens at night. In low or no light. As I said I'm not suggesting that anyone shoot for illumination, or shoot at noises... I'm only saying that when engaged in a fight for your life you need to take every tactical advantage available to you. If a person is aware he/she can use the muzzle flash as I suggested.

I also say that Muzzle flash is a double edged sword. Your adversary can use it to note your position as well. And there is the possibility that your sight may be temporarily effected.

Muzzle flash is the main reason I refuse to own a firearm with magnaporting. The flash tends to be directed up towards your line of sight. I know some people think muzzle flash looks cool and imagine that it's intimidating... I see muzzle flash as a fact of life. I'll use it to my advantage if I can, but I Understand the negative aspects as well...
 
As others have said,you can close your eyes :eek: as you shoot to minimize your effects.

I would certainly recommend rounds that minimized it especially if you work security at nights.
 
But other people will, and if a "perpetrator" fires at you in the dark perhaps shooting at a sound your making... you can return fire. His muzzle flash will give away his general position, and justify you returning fire.
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But according to many people posting to this his muzzle flash will have blinded you ... for ten seconds .... How will you be able to return fire if you are blind ? Point towards the sounds ?
 
Depends on which way its pointed.
"...you can close your eyes..." Just one. Supposedly helps preserve night vision.
Charter Arms short barrels are going to produce a sizeable muzzle flash with any of the chamberings. Mind you, so does any other 3 or 4 inch revolver, including a .22, in the dark.
 
Ben Towe wrote:

There have been instances of the perp being set on fire by a large muzzle flash, though it's rare and ranges would have to be point blank.
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I have NEVER heard of this, or heard anyone mention anything of the sort. I'm calling BS unless someone else can back this up.
 
I have NEVER heard of this, or heard anyone mention anything of the sort. I'm calling BS unless someone else can back this up.
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If said perp was set on fire, it was only because he was covered in gasoline or the kerosene lantern he was carrying for light was struck first, spilling the fuel and letting the flame come in contact with the spilled fuel.

Muzzle flash isn't long enough or intense enough to heat up most typical fabrics worn by people. I have been in classes where we were shooting t-shirt covered paper targets from contact out to 10 feet and nothing ever caught on fire.

With that said, I have seen a heated up AR15 barrel rested on cardboard that set the cardboard aflame after a while.
 
Double Naught Spy,
The gauntlet is thrown!

You say, "Because you were a klutz or you are not familiar with your own home"?
Ha! Just when you are absolutely confident you can navigate around your furniture in the dark, your wife will have rearranged it all.

And just when you need that flashlight the most, the bulb will wink out, or the batteries will go dead.

And, yes, we all have stuff in the house that's suitable for cover.
Shelves full of nice, thick books, steel appliances, mattresses, and if all else fails, a dependably chubby wife.

So there!

I'm still turning on the lights.
 
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