weapons light on handguns?

#4-Keep your finger off the trigger until you intend to fire (USMC Recruit Training Regiment not Cooper)

As long as you follow rule 4 feel free to point the light at the target, just don't pull the trigger!

I have used, and endorse, WML on long guns as both hands are busy operating the weapon. Keep in mind however, that it is pretty easy to shoot at the light for a BG. +1 to 44 AMP on this:
I have always felt it better to have the light well away from the weapon. IN an actual defense situation, it is the natural thing to focus on the light, and if an intruder shoots at the light, I would rather not be right behind it.
Click to expand...

Handguns, carry a light well away from your body and cover the illuminated area with your weapon, observing all relevant safety rules.

I also feel that a good flashlight is a worthwhile secondary weapon, especially a steel maglight.
 
I couldn't agree more! The way today's lights are made and the way they operate, you can't look at them for more than a fraction of a second without having to look away and flinch due to how bright they are!! They're designed to cause temporary blindness in your adversary!!
Click to expand...

I can't believe it took 53 posts for that to come up! I wouldn't use it to search, per se, because I know my way around my house in the dark and there is always enough ambient light to see if a room has an intruder in it.

Also, I don't want any intruder to see a weapon light bouncing off walls as I approach. I'm going to be sneaking up in near total darkness then light his ass up like a christmas tree.

What happens to him in the milliseconds and seconds that follow will be dictated by whether or not I see hands, and by his actions, and his response to my commands. And if it's so bright he can't even look at it, how is in the world is he going to shoot at it?

I love it as a tactical tool. It might also be useful to help identify if the person is a real threat, or a severely drunk or retarded person that's so impaired that they stumbled into the wrong house.

I really do not want to shoot someone like that, even if they did break into my house. Without clearly lighting up the intruder for even half a second, I might be less sure, and have to fire out of the legitimate fear that there is a stranger in my house.

If I am faced with having to discharge a weapon in self defense, clarity is a very good thing.
 
Yes, weapon mounted lights are viable. No, you do not have to use the light just because it is there. No, you do not have to cover unidentified personnel with the muzzle to gain the benefit of illumination under most circumstances. No, having a weapon mounted light does not prevent users from deploying hand held lights. And with more and more users each year: no, users are not being shot. The concern over incoming fire is grossly overstated.

Pros: Light. Ease of running the gun compared to when the shooter is using a hand held light.

Cons: Additional doctrine to understand and training to participate in. Concealment is more difficult for most should you desire to do so. (Holster makers have made progress in alleviating the last.)
 
Last edited:
A light will compromise your position and can inadvertently cause the shooter to point a firearm at something you wouldn't want to shoot. It takes some training and disicpline to use a mounted light on a firearm. They certainly are useful in some applications. I keep one on me, however, its not permanently attached to my pistol.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top