IMHO most of what you are saying here does not apply to the OP. He is asking about a light on a 1911 so he can fit it into a holster that came with it. I took that to mean he is asking about deploying the gun while carrying not a home defense situation. On a house gun the gun light becomes more of a preference issue because in most states if someone is in your home you have the right to draw and present a weapon without repercussions, like brandishing, reckless endangerment or wanton endangerment.
However outside the home when carrying in public at least here in KY you have to consider that you can be charged with the 3 charges listed above for drawing a weapon and using your weapon light in public. You will have to draw the gun to use the light. In 99% of most encounters in public the action will happen too fast to use the light to search or illuminate your targer. If you have time to use it to search or illuminate your need to draw will certainly be questioned. This is why I replied the way I did.
A civilian who is concealed carrying or open carrying should think long and hard about carrying a gun with a weapon light and the possible consequences of how they will use that light. This is why I always recommend a small hand held light. Learn to use it properly and shoot properly with it. Unless you are part of a tactical team a weapon light has no place on your carry gun.
I will take it a step further and say if you have properly trained to use a light while carrying the same thing should be your SOP inside your home. YMMV
While I see the validity and overall agree with your post, and will admit I talked about the use of a light in home defense in general to debate the facts about weapon lights... I disgree with the segment on a CCW gun not having one.
While I don't keep one on my EDC, I don't see a problem with other people doing it. I understand what you bring up about not being able to search with it, but I disagree with that if I did need to use the gun, I wouldn't have time to use a weapon mounted light.
Obviously no one wants to have to use deadly force, but we train and practice to do it anyways. I am no slower nor faster when using a WML than not using one. It is the same draw stroke, muscle memory, and I have the light pressure switch right where my support hand thumb is. I have shot in the dark, and practice regularly drawing and firing with a WML on my Glock and on my 1911's because its that I do use for HD. Proper target ID is important, if you think the shady guy walking towards you in the bad part of town (where I used to live) just pulled a knife or gun out of his pocket to mug you, but turns out it was his cell phone or car keys, and you shoot him you will have much more trouble than a brandishing charge on your hands.
Again, I agree with you, and personally do not TYPICALLY use a WML on my CCW gun (generally only do that when hunting / camping in the woods) I don't see any harm with people who do, so as long as they understand HOW to use it, when to legally use it (not branish and search) and properly train to use it.
I have had training on using them as well as handheld lights, and I prefer the WML. I also have acess to shoot while at night. Also the two 1911's I do keep WML's on, even at the public day time range, I simply take the batteries out, and still manipulate the pressure switches while shooting for the muscle memory.
When I reach for my Desert Warrior or STI tactical, my thumb automatically goes to the light. The desert warrior I usually carry with a light on it, camping / kayaking / fishing / hunting as well, more so its an extra light in case I get stuck out later than intended (I also keep a headlamp in my fishing vest) ..... never know how the biting will be
