Weapon Mounted Lights

[Boge]

Asset or accident waiting to happen? I have always used the Harries Technique as I always felt that:

1. Never point your gun at something you're not prepared to shoot. No matter how good someone is, human nature being what it is that in a "tight" situation you will be on edge and probably point a WML at someone not knowing if you really want/need to shoot them.

2. If your weapon jams you have an overweight flashlight.

3. Reveals your position giving an opponent a great COM shot.


The only scenario I would recommend a WML for a civilian would be for a home defense gun when they had no children/spouse wandering in late at night and knew that anyone entering afterhours was definitively up to no good.

Opinions?

[blueline541]

I've never cared for them, but that definately does not mean they're no good.

[gokyo]

pistol: no

shotgun: yes

When using pistol I also carry a Inova T4 LED flashlight. My shotgun has a LED flashlight mounted on the Forestock

I am not an expert but I can not figure an effective way to use a light with shoulder arm unless it is mounted to the weapon.

Here is an interesting article from surefire

www.surefireinstitute.com/images/pdfs/White_Light_Article.pdf (http://www.%3Cb%3Esurefire%3C/b%3E)

[Boge]

Linky no worky. :censored:

[gokyo]

try this

http://www.surefireinstitute.com/page/articles_and_studies

http://www.surefireinstitute.com/images/pdfs/White_Light_Article.pdf

[Fatdaddy]

Best money I've spent IMO.
I have a TLR-1 on my Mp45c nightstand gun and it's most comforting to know gun and light are one package. Nothing worse than bumping around with a loaded gun in one hand searching for a flashlight at the worst possible time.

[zipper046]

On handguns...not such a huge fan...on long guns/carbines I say YES! Had one mounted on an M4 when overseas...worked great. Also, controls for light are far from the trigger so no possible A/D.

On pistols not so much. Some guys in my PD have them mounted on their Glocks. While a good advantage for shooting in low light situations, I found that on some occasions it could lead to disaster.

Example: we often respond to security alarm calls. Whether a homeowner is there or not, we have to sweep the building. During evening and midnight shifts, I've seen guys break leather (unholster) and use their weapon mounted light to peer into dark rooms and corners. God forbid that person touches off a round inadvertently.

Personally, I have my holster unsnapped, hand on weapon, and use my offhand to hold my flashlight and sweep the light around. Yes, it's a second or so slower if I have to draw, but it also is a safer procedure for those around me...

Just my humble input.

[Tag]

I have one on the night stand weapon as well, just me and the wife in the house, when the grandkids spend the night all weapons are lock in the safe and regular flashlight beside the bed. just my way of thinking yours may be different

[Rick]

Here is a thread where we discussed this awhile back.
http://www.glockpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6426

Some of the tactical advantages/disadvantages can be debated. But after shooting night matches with and without a mounted light, I will say having the light on the gun is a HUGE advantage as far as quickly sending lead downrange.

Myself, I carry a handheld light for daily chores and to use if I need to investigate a strange noise at night. But if it comes down to shooting, I can shoot 500% faster with the light on the gun.

I've also come to the conclusion that a laser needs to be incorporated into that light.

[nitesite]

For a handgun, invest in a high quality hand held light and train/practice some with it.

If you must have a weapon mounted light on a pistol I would choose a Streamlight TLR-1. It's the balls.

[rwblue01]

It depends.

I prefer to sleep in a very dark room. If I wake up on the middle of the night thinking someone is in the room, I want to reach for one item gun, flashlight and laser. I then want to point it at what ever my ears tell me made that noise. I live a lone. I have no animals. Whatever I am pointed the gun at I am considering shooting.

On the flip side, I wouldn't want to only have a light on a gun if I was a cop, or....I like the idea of being able to investigate someplace without pointing my gun at everything.

[creophus]

No WML for me. I can see just fine in my house without one. If I were kicking in doors in the sandbox (check out my tactical speak!) then I'd probably want one.

[Arc Angel]

Asset or accident waiting to happen? I have always used the Harries Technique as I always felt that:

1. Never point your gun at something you're not prepared to shoot. No matter how good someone is, human nature being what it is that in a "tight" situation you will be on edge and probably point a WML at someone not knowing if you really want/need to shoot them.

2. If your weapon jams you have an overweight flashlight.

3. Reveals your position giving an opponent a great COM shot.


The only scenario I would recommend a WML for a civilian would be for a home defense gun when they had no children/spouse wandering in late at night and knew that anyone entering afterhours was definitively up to no good.

Opinions?

OK! That is exactly what I think - too! :)

I'll only add this: If I were working as part of a team with multiple lights, multiple points-of-fire, and backup IMMEDIATELY available, then I'd be more comfortable with using a WML. ;)