Rate my HD Pistol!

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Like what you did there. Seems well thought out. As far as weapon lights, you have to know how to tactically deploy to gain optimum effect.
 
Lights, whether handheld or mounted, should not be left on. You illuminate, scan quickly, then relocate. I can agree with a separate light if you're worried about muzzling someone (though I'd add you can use the spill of a weapon mounted light at a low ready to scan too), but I've yet to try a handheld technique where the light isn't centralized and I felt I had good control for aiming both the light and the pistol. There is no free lunch.
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All great points, TunnelRat. Any light from a "target" position in a dark place will bring a bag full of potentially bad consequences along with it. But you have to be able to see your target before you can shoot it.

I have a TLR-2 StreamLight mounted on my SIG Model 226 pistol @ my bedside that combines a laser beam with the light. Though it comes with a "strobe" mode, as much as I like the idea, I wish it was more intuitive to engage quickly-it takes me way too long to activate this feature under even stress-free circumstances. Maybe more practice with it, lots more...
 
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Very nice and should get the job done.

From my handgun safe sales, it appears that about 50% of the people use a weapon mounted light (safes ordered with that holster). It's a matter of preference and how you train. I still use a handheld light when needed.
 
I'm not much into lights on handguns. The last thing I want to do is point the muzzle of my pistol at something in my home to illuminate it - but, I accept I'm in the minority on that. Also not much into modifying defensive pistols - again, personal preference. The Beretta has always been and always will be a fine weapon. Not certain it needs all the mods [but it certainly is fun to do :-)]

But, the first thing I noticed was the $15 Mora.... Great if you want to make a bow-drill fire or some feather sticks while searching for the bad-guy - But as a defensive tool, you might want to reconsider.
 
IMO, you could do worse, than to have a gun on your light,
as you check out all of those unknown things, which go bump in the night,
at 800 Lumens it's compact, quality, tough, and bright,
the time tested 92Fs should also do you right.
 
My home defense pistol has a light on it. Free hand for whatever. Use it when appropriate, to blind, to stun... you know your way around the house. Practice this! Most ranges close at night (at least around me) so find a friendly farmer or take some classes.

The 92 looks great, appropriate mods and a good mix of "2nd Cool" (makes you happy)
 
The subject Beretta looks great. It shows some good thought and execution regarding the modifications chosen.

From this thread, the negative comments regarding weapon-lights is old-school thinking/training. Perhaps, the old-school-training/thinking will make a full circle, someday, and prove what's now-current, to be faulty (but hasn't done so yet).

It doesn't mean the older-school techniques won't work for those who wish to still use them. Having more techniques from which to chose isn't a bad thing.
Having a weapon-mounted-light doesn't mean it needs to be the only light used. It doesn't preclude the use of a separate hand-held light.
 
Northof50 said:
I'm not much into lights on handguns. The last thing I want to do is point the muzzle of my pistol at something in my home to illuminate it - but, I accept I'm in the minority on that. Also not much into modifying defensive pistols - again, personal preference. The Beretta has always been and always will be a fine weapon. Not certain it needs all the mods [but it certainly is fun to do :-)]

But, the first thing I noticed was the $15 Mora.... Great if you want to make a bow-drill fire or some feather sticks while searching for the bad-guy - But as a defensive tool, you might want to reconsider.
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It was just handy so I put it in for contrast. :)
 
Model12Win - Mora's are awesome! Best knife value on the market today. Just bustin' chops. I own a few of them. Funny, I have several handmade knives [which I love], but when I use the Moras, I think about the money spent on the customs.
 
OK, Model12Win, what is "tactless"? The location of a light should be open to discussion unless the purveyors of gun mounts now control the site. I openly admit that I have never been in a gunfight, though I carried a badge for years and had some decent training. Frankly, I get the impression that most of the posters are more interested in a "cool" looking gadget gun than in a weapon that might be used in a deadly serious situation.

It would be good to hear from folks who have actually have used a light in a shootout, have had to enter a dark building at night, or have at least had serious training in such use, rather than looking at pictures in the gunzines.

Jim
 
It would be good to hear from folks who have actually have used a light in a shootout, have had to enter a dark building at night, or have at least had serious training in such use, rather than looking at pictures in the gunzines.
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Fair enough. In full disclosure my comments on the first page are mainly from a full day course at SIG Sauer Academy titled, "Low Light Pistol Operator." I also spent some time talking with the instructors about lights in the other 17 courses I've done. I'd argue a good doorways and corners course is a nice addition to a low light course if you plan to be clearing anything.

I don't have a weapon mounted light because it looks cool. I have it for the reasons I mentioned before. I also have a handheld light that I'm never without, even when I have the weapon mounted light.

https://www.sigsaueracademy.com/productdisplay/low-light-pistol-operator
https://www.sigsaueracademy.com/productdisplay/doorways-and-corners
 
How do you suggest solving that though?
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impact activated LED balls are nice :) Except when they aren't nice.

Some of these lights do have pretty broad cones, so you can be pointing reasonably far from target and still have reasonable illumination. I understand the second rule, but I do not think it is practical to clear a structure and not come as close to muzzling anything as required to get illumination on an object. Part of the four rules is a redundancy so when you lapse on one for a second the other three keep you safe.
 
The only compelling argument I've heard regarding lights on pistols for home defense came from Clint Smith, Thunder Ranch. To paraphrase,

* use lights on a pistol to help you find the light switch - not to fight in the dark. Regarding lights, 2 is 1 and 1 is none *

It's the only thing that has made me consider a light. But, I keep going back to the fact that as a civilian, who has not been in a gunfight [thankfully], I simply don't want it on there. I'll carry a second light if I think it necessary.

Again, I accept I'm in the minority. If you feel safer, more prepared, better equipped - cool.
 
I like lights on handguns. You absolutely do not have to muzzle everything to identify it. In my home, there aren't that many light switches. There definitely aren't any out in the farm. I want to be able to see what I'm shooting at, and more importantly hit it, and having to hold a light in one hand and the gun in the other makes me a lot less accurate.

I literally just took a low-light class last weekend. Very enlightening.

I see nothing "tacticool" about the OP's setup. I see a service handgun with a light, nothing extra, nothing less. The answer to the question is have both and handheld and a weapon mounted light. The things people seem to whine about...
 
I feel that people here are comparing lights on HD pistols and lights on carry pistols. I'm of the opinion that these are two different categories.

During everyday carry, yes, carry a handheld light. But when something goes bump in the night, I don't know if I'll remember to fumble in the dark and grab my Surefire sitting on the nightstand. And that's added to the fact that it's nice to have a free hand available if needed
 
The OP's setup is nice ;), and if the light works for him for WHATEVER purpose he decides, then that is awesome!

But then again, he did open it up for debate with the title of the thread.

Detached light is what I perfer, as I am comfortable making single handed shots, if needed. Also, if anything were to happen where I had to defend myself or family while in my home, it would be close quarters. So another reason I don't worry about having one hand on the firearm.

IMO, most importantly, is knowing the layout of your home so that you know where every turn, wall, door and light switches are. You should always have the advantage in your home, versus somebody who has entered unwelcome.

To the OP: People can be harsh on this particular forum, from my experience, although they have been mild in this thread.

This is one reason I left the forum for awhile and went to another site.

But I am back to check out things to see if it has changed.

Anyways.....................

Good job on the work put in to the Beretta!:)
 
Nice looking pistol Model 12. I don't think it is anymore tacticool than any other, mounted light notwithstanding. The modifications you've made are not really cosmetic, even considering the grips. If you're happy with its operation, that is what matters. With that said, if you ask for critique here you will certainly get it! As you know, you don't have to ask...;)

I'm curious how the decocker mod eliminates accidentally engaging the safety? I really like the Beretta, but the safety operation has always been a deal breaker for me.
 
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