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Reloading while holding a flashlight
- Thread starter Steli
- Start date
Exactly!Others have already hit the best response, IMO. Turn off the light, tuck it away (pocket, belt, waistband, etc.), reload, get light back.
I don't understand. There is no problem when the light is on the gun, as shown in those gunzine ads.
When I have questioned the idea of putting a light on a gun, then holding the gun in front of the face, I have said that doing that just might draw fire. I am always assured that no matter how big the area or how big the building, a modern flashlight will instantly blind any opponent and disable him for at least a year or two, so he cannot possibly shoot at the light. I am further informed that anyone who suggests having a separate flashlight held away from the body, or anyone who suggests (if indoors) simply turning on the lights, is old fashioned and has not gone through proper combat training (reading the ads in G&A).
Am I wrong? Is it actually possible to have a light not attached to the gun? Or am I just an old fashioned cop who can't really understand the advantages of making myself a target.
Jim
When I have questioned the idea of putting a light on a gun, then holding the gun in front of the face, I have said that doing that just might draw fire. I am always assured that no matter how big the area or how big the building, a modern flashlight will instantly blind any opponent and disable him for at least a year or two, so he cannot possibly shoot at the light. I am further informed that anyone who suggests having a separate flashlight held away from the body, or anyone who suggests (if indoors) simply turning on the lights, is old fashioned and has not gone through proper combat training (reading the ads in G&A).
Am I wrong? Is it actually possible to have a light not attached to the gun? Or am I just an old fashioned cop who can't really understand the advantages of making myself a target.
Jim
Dachaddwick
Inactive
i actually was watching some training videos today for law enforcement and they were showing the armpit technique. seems like the best bet to keep the light on and ahead of you.
Playboypenguin
Moderator
We were taught that the first steps were "turn light off & obtain cover" in this situation.
That not being a possibility we were taught to kneel, place the flashlight base under you forward foot, reload, retrieve light.
That not being a possibility we were taught to kneel, place the flashlight base under you forward foot, reload, retrieve light.
How to do it?
1. LIGHTS OFF! You should not have your target illuminated for too long anyway.
2. MOVE IMMEDIATELY, AND GET DOWN!!! As has been said before, if you can take cover. And remember the difference between COVER and CONCEALMENT: Cover stops bullets. Concealment simply hides YOU, and may or may NOT stop a bullet.
As you move, get down. You don't have to go prone. Simply dropping to a crouch or one knee down will do.
3. PRACTICE, THEN DO, THE TACTICAL RELOAD. Some might not understand why. Here it is--if you are on a hard surface, the sound of your mag hitting the floor is a signal that you are run dry. If you MUST drop the mag, try snapping your wrist sideways as you hit the release. This will fling the mag AWAY from you.
Now, GET THAT RELOAD IN FAST! And, how is this accomplished? Practice, again and again. Practice your mag changes in steps:
a. Acquire reload, oriented properly.
b. Drop empty mag.
c. Insert reload smartly.
d. If needed, retract slide briskly and let it run home. Don't ride the slide!!!
e. Re-engage.
Practice slowly, first looking at what you are doing, then looking at your target during the mag change. Proficiency will come; concentrate on SMOOTHNESS, not speed. Smooth equals fast--and remember it takes an average of 3000 repetitions to "engrave" the muscle memory.
I believe that if you carry a gun, you should practice your reloads--WITH A PROPERLY CLEARED WEAPON, EMPTY MAGAZINES AND FACING A SAFE BACKSTOP--daily, if possible. You can also use weighted mags if you can get them--or make up a mag of dummy rounds if you can't. I would (in that case) mark the magazine full of dummies, and use it ONLY for training--that way if you ever actually have to draw and shoot, you don't get the click, instead of the boom.
1. LIGHTS OFF! You should not have your target illuminated for too long anyway.
2. MOVE IMMEDIATELY, AND GET DOWN!!! As has been said before, if you can take cover. And remember the difference between COVER and CONCEALMENT: Cover stops bullets. Concealment simply hides YOU, and may or may NOT stop a bullet.
As you move, get down. You don't have to go prone. Simply dropping to a crouch or one knee down will do.
3. PRACTICE, THEN DO, THE TACTICAL RELOAD. Some might not understand why. Here it is--if you are on a hard surface, the sound of your mag hitting the floor is a signal that you are run dry. If you MUST drop the mag, try snapping your wrist sideways as you hit the release. This will fling the mag AWAY from you.
Now, GET THAT RELOAD IN FAST! And, how is this accomplished? Practice, again and again. Practice your mag changes in steps:
a. Acquire reload, oriented properly.
b. Drop empty mag.
c. Insert reload smartly.
d. If needed, retract slide briskly and let it run home. Don't ride the slide!!!
e. Re-engage.
Practice slowly, first looking at what you are doing, then looking at your target during the mag change. Proficiency will come; concentrate on SMOOTHNESS, not speed. Smooth equals fast--and remember it takes an average of 3000 repetitions to "engrave" the muscle memory.
I believe that if you carry a gun, you should practice your reloads--WITH A PROPERLY CLEARED WEAPON, EMPTY MAGAZINES AND FACING A SAFE BACKSTOP--daily, if possible. You can also use weighted mags if you can get them--or make up a mag of dummy rounds if you can't. I would (in that case) mark the magazine full of dummies, and use it ONLY for training--that way if you ever actually have to draw and shoot, you don't get the click, instead of the boom.
Under the armpit or, if kneeling, under the crook of the knee, which is just as secure as the armpit. Kneeling is preferred if possible, as things have a shorter distance to fall if you lose control of them. The negative will be that you are on your knees and can't move as quick ( especially if you aren't as spry as you once were ).
Obviously the light is turned off during all of this.
None of the lights I use has a lanyard.
Obviously the light is turned off during all of this.
None of the lights I use has a lanyard.
Lots of people are stressing to turn your light off...
I would stress not to use a light that requires an independent action to turn it off. I wouldn't use a flashlight that didn't have either a forward clickie or a temp on button. When you remove pressure from the button, it should turn off.
I would stress not to use a light that requires an independent action to turn it off. I wouldn't use a flashlight that didn't have either a forward clickie or a temp on button. When you remove pressure from the button, it should turn off.