Do you really want a light on your HD pistol?

[bountyhunter]

To my way of thinking the answer is no.

+1 Just makes a perfect target.

[Killer Bee]

yes, the brighter the better..

for various reasons very well described above..

and for the 'sweeping blue forces with your light' folks, most high performance lights cast more than enough illumination to see everything clearly from low ready without pointing directly at friendly positions.. besides the fact that's the whole point, IDENTIFY..

I'll take this coupled with with a BLAST II any day over guessing in the shadows of a dark house filled with family members..

nothing forcing you to light up if you're conclusive on a threat target.. but necessary where doubt is cast from lack of clarity..

fumbling with a maglight while controlling a weapon immediately from slumber just has too many moving parts..

and lots and lots of practice with low light pwc's

[AreWeFree]

+1 Just makes a perfect target.

Sleeping in your home makes a perfect target, so don't sleep and get rid of your home, no matter how beneficial it is. You're just giving away your position.

Don't forget valuables, perfect target? Yep, burn 'em. Nice car? Not having it, perfect target.

[toby]

Nope, no extra crap hanging off my guns. NO family members enter my house before texting or calling, so if someone enters I already know who it shouldn't be.

[63j300]

My thought is with a weapon mounted light wherever that flash light is pointed so is your weapon. If you do find it is your family member that you did not hear at the door, you just flagged them. Or did the flash light coming across a family member cause you to flinch and you pulled the trigger. I will keep the flashlight in my hand and have the wife or kids call the cops once we are in a safe place. Cops can clear the house.

[FresnoRob]

Yes, if used properly. To light up a target before pulling the trigger. Not to be on while trapesing through the house investigating a noise.

[Zartan]

My thought is with a weapon mounted light wherever that flash light is pointed so is your weapon. If you do find it is your family member that you did not hear at the door, you just flagged them. Or did the flash light coming across a family member cause you to flinch and you pulled the trigger. I will keep the flashlight in my hand and have the wife or kids call the cops once we are in a safe place. Cops can clear the house.

I've thought about this also, but I can illuminate an room/hallway at low ready, but then again someone will chime in and say "low ready will get you killed"

[drclark]

For the "bump in the night" it might be better to have the home wired with "smart" lighting such that all the lights in the house can be turned on at once from the bedroom.

That might be enough to drive an invader away, eliminates the potential of accidentally shooting a loved one when sweeping a weapon mounted light and eliminates the issue of having both hands occupied when using a separate light.

Unless you train regularly clearing dark rooms with a light it might be the better option.

[Mayor McRifle]

For the "bump in the night" it might be better to have the home wired with "smart" lighting such that all the lights in the house can be turned on at once from the bedroom.

That might be enough to drive an invader away, eliminates the potential of accidentally shooting a loved one when sweeping a weapon mounted light and eliminates the issue of having both hands occupied when using a separate light.

Unless you train regularly clearing dark rooms with a light it might be the better option.

That makes perfect sense, but turning on house lights is not nearly as cool as deploying a weapon light in your own home. Besides, what are going to show off at the range?

[Quiet]

Yes, if used properly. To light up a target before pulling the trigger. Not to be on while trapesing through the house investigating a noise.

The light is to identify targets, not to illuminate your path.

[Jimmybikes]

Lights allow you to identify and categorize the threat

Lights can disorient the threat

The beam of a weaponlight provides a nice "rounds will land in this area" effect

A light on the weapon allows you to do the above with one hand, useful if shepherding children, navigating the house, calling the police, or are injured.

Shooting at a shape in the dark, without identifying the threat or determining whether it really merited lethal force, is not a route I want to take. Nor is having a separate light that I must set down if I wish to call the cops, open a door, etc.

This completely

[Mayor McRifle]

Light is not constantly on.
Light gets turned on to identify target prior to shooting.

Are you defending yourself or hunting?

[Quiet]

Are you defending yourself or hunting?

If it's in your residence, it's the same thing.

Otherwise, secure the room you are in and wait for law enforcement to show up.

[EspoMan]

A light of some sort, either on your gun or separate, is a must for HD.

[Jimmybikes]

Lights allow you to identify and categorize the threat

Lights can disorient the threat

The beam of a weaponlight provides a nice "rounds will land in this area" effect

A light on the weapon allows you to do the above with one hand, useful if shepherding children, navigating the house, calling the police, or are injured.

Shooting at a shape in the dark, without identifying the threat or determining whether it really merited lethal force, is not a route I want to take. Nor is having a separate light that I must set down if I wish to call the cops, open a door, etc.

This completely. Your light shouldn't be on the second you hear a noise and these lights will at the very least render them momentarily blind allow you time to assess and act accordingly.