Weapon Light Activation: Finger or Thumb?

[floogy]

I thought I'd pose this question to everyone. Do you use your trigger finger or thumb of your support hand to activate your pistol mounted light? Is this a topic of training in low light classes? Obviously this only applies to a full two hand grip.

I can see either being used. The advantage of the thumb is that it's not your trigger finger, there may be the argument that you shouldn't use your trigger finger for anything but the trigger. On the other hand, if you're shooting one handed, you only have your finger.

I need to take a low light class, but I was wondering about it just now testing out my new X300U. There may even be varying opinions on this for different instructors.

[fmunk]

KISS. Thumb of support hand. Some lights have constant on and momentary on.

[floogy]

KISS. Thumb of support hand. Some lights have constant on and momentary on.

That's my thought as well. I was going to add a poll, but it only gives you 5 min to add and coming up with smartass bacon related answers took too long.

[sealocan]

I would also think thumb would be the better choice.
Often self defense involves high adrenaline, lack of perfect muscle movement or as some like to call it the fog of War.
You don't want to be pressing the trigger when you mean to be turning on your flashlight.

Although I guess if you're a highly trained individual with built-in muscle memory , through regular training, maybe it wouldn't matter as much.
But for the average Joe civilian I would say the thumb would be better.

[Scalgun]

sweet with thumb of support hand as weapon is gripped.

[sonofeugene]

Just went and checked on my 34. Thumb of support hand.

[Skip_Dog]

Thumb of support hand if I can still use it. Might be holding a baby.

[teflondog]

I use my support thumb. I would never use the same finger to operate both the light and the trigger unless I was using the constant on function of the light.

[YoungJoe]

Support hand thumb. Easier to remember how to manipulate your light switch when you do it the same way regardless if it's pistol or long gun, but you're not going to be able to do that with your trigger finger.

[YoungJoe]

And like teflondog inplied... no ND from trying to hit the switch and pulling the trigger.

[Regular guy]

My TLR-1s I use support hand thumb.

[jmatt511]

Support thumb. If you need to move your finger to the trigger, your email lost your light and sight picture.

[OIF_VET]

Why not just get a DG switch and then you don't have to worry about it?

[Opappy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqkdq6AsIOo

Things to consider. He covers a lot of interesting concepts.

[YoungJoe]

OIF_VET
Why not just get a DG switch and then you don't have to worry about it?

Are you talking about a pressure switch on the grip? I tried that, didn't like it. Personal preference. Buddy of mine has two pressure switches on the grip of his carry gun - one on the front strap for the light, one on the back strap for laser. He practices enough that it works for him, he likes it.