Pros and Cons.... Weapon Mounted Light?

[mwt1980]

Very good post, DaveFJ80!!

If you're inside your house (most house are painted with light colored paint: white, light yellow, etc.), any light (flash light or weapon light), will give out your position due to the reflection from the walls! Again, like DaveFJ80 said, who in the world will turn on their light the whole time.


I have weapon mounted light as well: a surefire x300. Originally, I didn't want a weapon light. However, I thought of a problem holding a gun on my strong hand and a flash light on my weak hand: what happens if I need to reload?

I don't recall reading any posts addressing this problem. Some break-in's at Walnut, CA and Diamond Bar, CA a few years ago consisted of 4 armed people. If this type of bad situation happens for you, you definitely want to be able to use your weak hand to do the reload as fast as you can, while not worrying where you drop your flash light and need to retrieve it after you reload.

My thoughts exactly..... I prefer to have my off hand free....to open doors, carry child, reload, turn on lights, dial 911, light a cigarette, etc.

Also, i don't need to point my muzzle to identify a target. if it's dark my X300 will illuminate the whole room.

[Shenaniguns]

It's better to have both a handheld with a lanyard AND a WML IMO.

[name change]

Problem solved.

[Flopps1]

Which light do you guys recommend in the 80 to 140 price range? Looking for opinions.

Thanks!

[pontiacpratt]

To me, mounting a light on the gun is stupid! why? because If I am the infiltrator, and we are inside a pitch dark room or warehouse, then I will have the advantage, why? because if you have a light mounted on your gun, then the 1st thing I will do is shoot the direction of the light, so the best is hold the flashlight in your other hand and position it away from you when shining the light towards the infiltrator or enemy

I don't plan on turning it on until I have a suspected target... I not about to ruin my night vision with my light. also It make it hard to fire my AR with a flashlight in my off hand.

[DaveFJ80]

Which light do you guys recommend in the 80 to 140 price range? Looking for opinions.

I like the TLR-1s lights (160 lumens with strobe) that I have on both my Glock and Kimber. You can find them for $99 shipped at places like Botactical or other online stores.

The X300 light is a really nice light and even brighter but doesn't have the strobe feature. You can find a used one for $160-$180. Brand new, add another $40-$60 to that price.

[thomasanelson]

I use a TLR-1 on my USP45. I want to see anything I might shoot and would not shoot until I was sure what I was aiming at. For me a light mounted on my home defense gun is ideal.

[MidnightSon117]

I've heard but have not experienced this, rail-mounted accessories can cause issues on the smaller-framed Glocks because of the polymer frame. Something along the lines of the frame bending during firing, and causing some sort of failure to go into battery. I could be wrong.

Both people worked at different gun shops (I know, gun shop talk) have told me when I asked, that was the reason Glock released the Gen4 for the 17 and the 22, besides the adjustable grip.

[peter95]

I like to have option. Even though I have a light on doesn't mean I have to use it.

which glock is this on? 22?

[Shenaniguns]

I've heard but have not experienced this, rail-mounted accessories can cause issues on the smaller-framed Glocks because of the polymer frame. Something along the lines of the frame bending during firing, and causing some sort of failure to go into battery. I could be wrong.

Both people worked at different gun shops (I know, gun shop talk) have told me when I asked, that was the reason Glock released the Gen4 for the 17 and the 22, besides the adjustable grip.

It's a problem with the 3rd generation G22 and 23.

[RollingCode3]

which glock is this on? 22?

Glock 17

[drunktank]

Pro's and Con's already mentioned a bunch of times above, but I'll give my free 2 cents

I carry both a hand held light and a weapon light.

For things that go bump in the night, I use my hand held lights. Although my gun lights have a wide enough beam to not have to sweep the barrel at someone to light them up, I use a hand held first unless it's obvious there's a bad guy around. If, for any reason, I need to keep my pistol pointed at someone, a weapon light will free up one hand to grab the phone, call 911, etc.

For the outdoors, 4 legged critters, etc. I like having the mounted light because it enables me to be a better shot with 2 hands on the pistol versus one hand on the gun/one hand on a light.

Bottom line is the redundancy. Too many times at work, I've had a battery go out at the wrong time. I'd hate for it to happen in a panic situation.

[Greg-Dawg]

I like it because I'm Ninja.

[1911su16b870]

If you are operating in low light, you should have both available...weapon mounted and one in the support hand and another one on your belt.

[windrunner50]

Pro's, The ability to identify your target in the dark.....
The light on the handgun, allows free use of the other hand to manipulate door knobs ect,move obstructions ect......
The light and muzzle point as one for muzzle sweep discipline.....
The ease of having a lighting device ALL of the time......
Practice light discipline, and searching technique will reduce the chance of illuminating your location.


Cons, The extra cost of a dedicated light, and holster....

Just my 2 cents