Mount Your Light On Your Pistol Or Not?

[Abraham]

What a great range of opinions.

I appreciate all the input.

[Oldgringo]

I remember taping a flashlight to the barrel of my long gone Marlin 39-A and going to the dump to shoot rats some 50+ years ago. The rats didn't shoot back in those days.

[killerfly128]

My "nightstand gun" is an H&K USP Compact. I found a used Insight Technologies Universal Tactical Light for H&K pistols in good condition for half of the new price at my local emporium of death. When that pistol is doing nightstand duty, I leave the light mounted on it. When I carry it, as I am occasionally wont to do, I take the light off. There is no place I need to be outside of my home that is so dark that I need to be carrying a pistol with a light mounted on it.

If you ever want to get rid of that light let me know. I would love to have one for my USP compact.

I'll keep that in mind. I am actually considering selling the pistol to finance another 1911, but I probably won't do anything about it until after the new year. Of course, the buyer may want the light also. Like I said, I will keep you in mind.

Thanks man, after the new year would be awesome. I hope it can come live with me

[davinco]

What The Annoyed Man said about dark places outside - me too. Plus, a lighted gun provides a target, doesn't it?

We have night lights thoughout the house for illumination. The fact of the matter is that both Mrs. and Mr. Oldgringo wear C-Paps while sleeping and probably wouldn't hear a break-in if it was not in the BR. Hopefully, the alarm will alert us to any skullduggery?

Y'all reckon we should set up some trip wires?

I don't think you can count on night lights under any circumstance. I know my house is scary dark when the power goes out, it's also scary quiet which wakes me up instantly.

I powerful LED is highly recommended. Weapon mounted is not necessary though.

[Excaliber]

I don't think you can count on night lights under any circumstance.

My LED night lights contain a rechargeable battery, and they automatically switch to battery power when the utility power goes down. They can also be removed from the outlet and function as flashlights. This makes them pretty reliable (though I keep multiple flashlights at the ready as well.)

[jbirds1210]

I don't think you can count on night lights under any circumstance.

My LED night lights contain a rechargeable battery, and they automatically switch to battery power when the utility power goes down. They can also be removed from the outlet and function as flashlights. This makes them pretty reliable (though I keep multiple flashlights at the ready as well.)

I have the same setup...available now at Lowes and Sam's for a very reasonable price. They have a four pack of these for twenty bucks at Sams.

Jason

[Liberty]

I don't think you can count on night lights under any circumstance.

My LED night lights contain a rechargeable battery, and they automatically switch to battery power when the utility power goes down. They can also be removed from the outlet and function as flashlights. This makes them pretty reliable (though I keep multiple flashlights at the ready as well.)

I have the same setup...available now at Lowes and Sam's for a very reasonable price. They have a four pack of these for twenty bucks at Sams.

Jason

I mostly keep cheap flashlights around, None of my guns have a place to mount a flashlight anyway. I still have decent night vision, and I figure the dark in my home is to my advantage.

[Skiprr]

My LED night lights contain a rechargeable battery, and they automatically switch to battery power when the utility power goes down. They can also be removed from the outlet and function as flashlights. This makes them pretty reliable (though I keep multiple flashlights at the ready as well.)

I have the same setup...available now at Lowes and Sam's for a very reasonable price. They have a four pack of these for twenty bucks at Sams.

GMTA. Been using those for about two years; came in handy during Hurricane Ike, too. You don't even have to use the nightlight function if you don't want to. Not very bright, but in strategic locations they're pretty useful.

On the handgun-and-light front, the technological improvements in lights now mean we have very small, very lightweight, rail-mount LEDs that are suitably bright enough to be of "tactical" use, and they can be attached and removed from the rail in about one second. Perhaps more importantly, they can be used in the offhand when not attached to the gun, so they can be dropped into a pocket and ready to go when needed. I don't think this was the case even five years ago, but I could have my timeframe wrong.

My primary carry doesn't have a rail, so I've not yet gone this route. But it makes good sense to me.

I'm an old throwback: I prefer a strong (both structurally and in lumens), small, cylindrical light in my offhand. I'm best with the Harries technique; I like being able to move the light to other positions instantly, when called for; and I can use the light as an impact weapon if I have to. But there are trade-offs with everything. The biggest downside to using a light in the offhand comes in reloading and clearing malfunctions. And you absolutely need to do some regular practice with presenting the gun and light because mechanics of your drawstroke are altered.

As others have mentioned, getting some instruction and training using a variety of methods not only helps you choose what works well for you, but lets you understand what the andvantages and limitations are of your chosen toolset.

But above all, I think the best advice I can give is: Don't scrimp. Consider the light you carry to be an integral part of your personal security system. Resist the temptation to buy a $29.95 knock-off...because Murphy, bless his soul, remains alive and well.

[Furyataurus]

Weapon mounted lights enable you to use both hands when you shoot. I'd opt for better control than shoot one handed only. Not to mention what happens if your unable to use your "light" hand???

[Skiprr]

Weapon mounted lights enable you to use both hands when you shoot. I'd opt for better control than shoot one handed only. Not to mention what happens if your unable to use your "light" hand???

You don't shoot with the light. You use the light to identify the target, then move and shoot.

The Harries technique is as solid as a Weaver stance. It isn't shooting "one handed only."

If you PM me with your location, I can probably recommend some qualified trainers in your area.

[flintknapper]

My LED night lights contain a rechargeable battery, and they automatically switch to battery power when the utility power goes down. They can also be removed from the outlet and function as flashlights. This makes them pretty reliable (though I keep multiple flashlights at the ready as well.)

I have the same setup...available now at Lowes and Sam's for a very reasonable price. They have a four pack of these for twenty bucks at Sams.

Jason

Thats three of us with the same set up. I have tactical flashlights in both the bedroom and the kitchen, but we have LED night lights throughout the house. They give off a soft glow in normal mode, come on automatically (full power) when the electricity goes off, and can be removed from the socket (switched on) and used like a flashlight. I love them.

[DoubleJ]

Y'all reckon we should set up some trip wires?

naw, claymores...

[Excaliber]

Thats three of us with the same set up.

Further proof of GMTA.......

[bryang]

Thats three of us with the same set up.

Further proof of GMTA.......

I don't have any...yet, in fact, I just learned about them here and will pick up some as soon as I am out around Lowes.

Thanks, for the good tip!

-geo

[Oldgringo]

Y'all reckon we should set up some trip wires?

naw, claymores...

Claymores crossed my mind but we have a cat we're real partial to plus the furniture, etc. is paid for.