laser sight vs gun light?

Laser sights work great on a gun you already shoot proficiently, they will do nothing for someone who can't shoot the particular gun its attached to. I've had lasers on J-frames and got great use out of it. As for lights, in my opinion, any gun being used for home defense should have one attached to it. But like the laser, it takes practice and training to use. And just because you have a light attached to your gun doesn't mean you don't need a hand held flashlight as well. Which ever you choose, makes sure to train with it.
 
It always amazes me how these "handgun-mounted light vs. regular flashlight" arguments go. It's not a question of which is better; they both have advantages and disadvantages. The short answer is this: Use both.

It's a good idea to have a separate flashlight in your other hand if possible, that way you can use that as your primary method of illumination. I also think that every home-defense gun should have a light mounted on it if possible: If someone breaks in and you only manage to grab your gun and not your flashlight (or you need your support hand for something else), doesn't it make sense to still have a method of illumination? Don't you still want to be able to determine that it's not your drunk neighbor accidentally going to the wrong house?

A lot of the arguments people make against weapon-mounted lights are ridiculous, and they usually just show that the person hasn't ever used one. If you think it's not a good idea to have the weapon light on at that moment and you're afraid the light will give away your position then leave it off. I've never seen a weapon light that didn't have an 'off' switch. And no, you don't need to point the gun to illuminate an area; splashing the light off a wall or the floor will usually work just fine.

Sure, for a lot of things a separate flashlight is better, and if you have one you can leave your weapon light turned off. But doesn't it make sense to have a backup source of illumination if needed?
 
I've only used a mounted light on a rifle, and it's a lot of benefit for not much weight. Using a laser can dramatically improve handgun shooting in low light conditions. You still have to train with the equipment. If you don't train with it, no way. As soon as you turn the laser on, expect a volley inbound. There is an anti-laser drill that involves a magazine dump.
 
I can't help but think a question like this should be answered by people that have actually used the equipment in a defensive situation.
 
chris in va said:
I can't help but think a question like this should be answered by people that have actually used the equipment in a defensive situation.
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There are very few. Even fewer who had the option of using them at different times.

I say flashlight. Its not just light. It blinds and disorients them. Lazers. Just learn to shoot
 
I change out between the two at times but most of the time niether .
A laser is good for low light room clearing or home defence . A light helps in clearing larger rooms and out door areas when its realy dark .
I dont turn either on until needed .
During Operation Anaconda the Navy SEALS cleared a whole cave complex with thier white lights because the caves were so dark thier night vision devise were of little help .
 
There's no right or wrong. I can see myself stupidly wasting precious moments trying to look exactly at the laser dot or trying to find it. Plenty of folks (Seals were mentioned) have had wonderful success with lasers.
 
Weapons mounted lights are very useful. You do not have to point them directly at someone to illuminate a room. They will not give your location away any more than a handheld. I believe in both BTW. Imagine this you are alerted at 2am of an intruder. You reach for you weapon and your handheld light. In your haste you knock over you handheld and it falls behind the nightstand. In that situation, not far fetched, I will be thankful for my WML.
 
I've played a couple of night games of paintball with a mounted light, and it was a huge advantage. Reloads and manipulating any other gear became a real hassle with a non-mounted light.

I've also used lasers on pistols and carbines, and if I had my druthers I'd probably prefer a light on a long gun. I will admit to having a fun time with a 10-22 equipped with an early laser that made hits at 100 yards from the hip a breeze, but then again I didn't have to ID which soda can I was shooting at.

Where you mount the light makes a difference. I found underslung lights leave huge shadows behind low furniture. Side or top seemed better.

Yes, you can impact your night vision with the light 'splash' from light colored walls (I can attest that a tree trunk at 3:00 AM will do it too). Using the light as little as possible seemed to be the way to go.

If you illuminate the target with your light you can see your sights- black, night sights, aperture, etc.
 
Light on my shotgun, CT laser grips on my pistol. Handheld flashlight/handgun techiques are much easier with the compact, super bright LED lights than the old Maglights.
 
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