For home defense, flashlight or weapon-mounted light?

[timlt]

I suppose I could look all this up, but I'd rather hear this from real users/owners. As you have experienced it, what are the pros/cons of weapon mounted tactical lights versus a flashlight?

I have a standard SureFire 6P, with the brighter 100-lumen bulb in it, in my nightstand along with my Springfield XD9. To be honest, the main thing that deterred me from a weapon mounted light was the expense.

Is there any overwhelming reason to get a weapon mounted light? Are they a lot more effective? For home defense (and that is really my only application for it), it just seemed like overkill.

[planeflyer21]

I'm glad you asked, as it is something I've thought a lot about. It seems to me that a light from either source is an aiming point for a bad guy.

Jon

[rsidner]

I see no true pros to a handheld aside from cost.

Weapon mounted are more expensive but it offers the following. A free hand to steady the weapon, a rough aiming point...if it works for the SAS on their MP5's it can't be completely stupid (if you're 10 feet away and the most intense spot is on center mass, it will likely hit center mass and you could always confirm this at the range), a free hand to fend off attacks, only one thing to worry about instead of trying to point a firearm and a flashlight independently when you're under stress.

The only downside is cost but a Streamlight M3 or TLR-1 only runs around $100-$150. I have an M3 on my list for my G19. I like the TLR-1's construction more but the M3 has the little QD latch and I don't plan on carrying the light on there all the time.

[timlt]

I see no true pros to a handheld aside from cost.

Weapon mounted are more expensive but it offers the following. A free hand to steady the weapon, a rough aiming point...if it works for the SAS on their MP5's it can't be completely stupid (if you're 10 feet away and the most intense spot is on center mass, it will likely hit center mass and you could always confirm this at the range), a free hand to fend off attacks, only one thing to worry about instead of trying to point a firearm and a flashlight independently when you're under stress.

The only downside is cost but a Streamlight M3 or TLR-1 only runs around $100-$150. I have an M3 on my list for my G19. I like the TLR-1's construction more but the M3 has the little QD latch and I don't plan on carrying the light on there all the time.

Planetflyer, I see your point, but the thing I always run into is, what's the alternative? Do you shoot in the dark, at something where you can't be sure of whom or what exactly you're shooting at?

Rsidner, I hear you, but one thing I'm curious about is why so many LE officers still use flashlights. Obviously in some cases it may just be to save department budgets, but I'm wondering if in some cases they also have a specific reason for choosing a flashlight in the hand.

[planeflyer21]

I would think that gun mounted is the way to go, as an intruder/perp would likely be confused and disoriented for a couple or few seconds. That should allow one time to identify friend-or-foe.

I do know the brighter the better.

Jon

[goatman556]

Using handgun mounted tactical lights require additional training for safety and effectiveness. Especially in home defense situations.

First of all, It violates the basic rules of Gun safety:
Do not point a firearm and anything or anyone that you do not want to destroy or kill.
Pistol mounted lights illuminate friend or foe but you do so by pointing the loaded pistol and flashlight together. This is unsafe for your friend,untrained folks in spur of the moment situations. Safety can be regained by illuminating a room to identify targets indirectly. This is done by bouncing the light beam of the tactical light from walls of ceiling and keeping that trigger finger off the trigger unless the target is clearly identified. I use a low ready stance with the light on for searches. I just dont feel safe pointing a loaded gun at possibly a friendly.

Pistol mounted lights also shift the point if impact of pistols, especially polymer framed designs like glocks and HKs. these frames flex and the addition of a tac light will usually change your POI. Double check sights to see if POI is significantly affected.

These lights also change the balance of the weapon significantly. It takes a while to get used to. Drawing from a holster is also slower, tends to snag, Its hard to conceal and tends to be bulky.

On the other side, it frees up another hand, It allows you to use sights in low light situations. Personally, I use a Kimber TLE rail2 with a surefire X200 light for home defense. It is accurate, powerful and the light enhances balance. But remember, You must re-train yourself to use the pistol-tac light combo to be safe and effective.

[justinlemieux]

i agree with goatman.


the best way to use a light is to scare someone away who is still in your yard!

[ryan_kalani]

With a weaponlight you get to keep both hands on the weapon and/or have a hand free. YES, I can shoot one handed and even one handed weak hand but why compromise. If you get rushed or whatever you may drop one or the other. If you drop either of them you will be doomed. I choose to keep mine together ie a weaponlight.

The way I look at it, if they are in your house they are toast on sight. I would not illuminate anything untill I was ready to fire. Using a light, of anykind, prematurely will only ruin your night vision and let the bad guy know you are looking for them.

Have one or the other but make sure you have a light and train with it.

PS - If you have a polymer weapon I would try to get a polymer light too. I have read were flex was limited by metal weaponlights that contributed to failures. I like my M3-LED Rsidner. The LED is enough light to navigate low key while the main light is plenty at the claimed 90 lumens.

[mbott]

My preference is a weapon-mounted light. I have a Streamlight M-6 unit mounted on my CZ SP-01. This gun came with night sights, but the M-6 gives me the option of using the light to illuminate the target IF I NEED TO.

--
Mike

[uncle jerky]

Just my opinion, but don't hang anything on top of,on the side of or under your guns... just flip on the lights in or outside the house and have a strong flashlight handy.

[faawrenchbndr]

This is an outstanding thread. Tons of great ideas and opinions.
I have tried both at the range, I am more comfortable with a weapon mounted light. Those in LE would do best with a flashlight. Training and range time would make up the difference, and LE's need a good flashlight. No multi-purpose light for them. The TRL-2 is my choice, light/laser combo, bought used, never installed for $175.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c341/faawrenchbndr/SigP226Elite.40SW009.jpg

[DocWagon]

The only advantage to the weapons mounted light is that it leaves a free hand. You see police and military with them because while clearing a house we routinely need to open doors and its tough to juggle a pistol, a light, and a doorknob.

Personally I don't carry a light on my duty sidearm. I don't want the extra weight, the pistol gets heavy enough holding it at the ready for 10 minutes at a time. I do like a foregrip mounted light on a shotgun, though I am trained on holding a flashlight and shooting a long gun at the same time, I find it cumersome and awkward.

For home defense, how many doors are you going to open? Trained properly your flashlight hand will support your gun hand anyway, plus you have the option of illuminating something without pointing your gun at it. Is your house so completly dark you'll even need a light? Night sites and/or a laser have been good to me for night shooting, even in almost total darkness.

In the end its personal preference, but I don't have a light mounted on any handgun.

[Luv-My-Mini]

I'm glad you asked, as it is something I've thought a lot about. It seems to me that a light from either source is an aiming point for a bad guy.

Jon

They are incredibly bright. In a situation where you would use one (the dark) I think it would be so blinding and disorienting that the bad guy wouldn't be able to aim at anything. That is if you are pointing it at him prior to flipping the switch. If you are searching with the mounted light b/c you don't know where the BG is, then you may be correct.