Bad guy scenario - what should I use

[Bushwack44]

I have a CZ SP-01 I'd like to use for home protection (replacing a CZ PCR). I've never used the rail on a pistol and would like a recommendation/advice on a light/laser.

On the flip side, is it advisable to use a light in a home defense scenario? Possibly a foolish question but seeing that I know the layout of my house better then an intruder, would I want to forewarn the bad guy that I'm aware of him?

[Bobby Ricigliano]

If you want a light & laser, the only real choices are a Streamlight TLR-2 or a Surefire X400 ultra. Both would work great with your SP-01.

As far as having a light, definitely. You aren't going to flip it on and walk around the house like that. Momentary on/off or maybe not use it at all if there is sufficient ambient light.

The light has 2 huge advantages in that it allows you to positively ID a threat in low light, and also will blind anyone who has it shown right into their face. Unless you live alone with no possibility whatsoever of it being a friendly, you will hesitate in determining exactly who it is before acting if can't see the person clearly.

[Heydeck52]

I have a SP-01 with a TLR1. That with the night sights is perfect for me. You could always get a TLR2 so you can have a laser and light.

You defiantly need some sort of light for HD. I prefer to have on attached my my handgun so I can have an extra hand if need be. People say if its mounted to your gun you could possibly flag a family member. This could be avoided by using the light in quick bursts (so you can be located by intruder) and pointing at wall or floor so you can still see whats going on without flagging someone.

I always keep the gun on safe with my finger off the trigger anyways so its not a big deal to me.

[baggss]

My home is never completely dark, even when all of the lights are off. That aside, I've got WiFi controlled lights in my house and I can light up my whole house (inside and out) from my old phone that sits beside the bed. Don't need a flashlight when all of the lights are on!

[dwalker]

Streamlight TLR-2HL. It has a strobe function that is useful.

[jcourson]

A laser isn't a bad idea.
I am firmly in the no-lights-on-your-weapon camp. A light on a weapon requires you to point your weapon at something that you do not necessarily intend to shoot.
Put the laser on your rail and the light in your off hand.

[unusedusername]

Whatever you choose, make sure you practice with it. Practice in the range with the lights off if you can.

I started out thinking the grip mounted pressure switches would be cool, until I tried it in the dark and found some that the extra pressure on the grip needed to activate the light made me throw my shots.

[Erion929]

A laser isn't a bad idea.
I am firmly in the no-lights-on-your-weapon camp. A light on a weapon requires you to point your weapon at something that you do not necessarily intend to shoot.
Put the laser on your rail and the light in your off hand.

JMO, but 98% of range shooting and training is, for most everybody, with two hands. So, with adrenaline flowing and life on the line...in that ONE INSTANT in your life that you need protection....we should shoot with one sweaty/shaky hand? And keep the flashlight pointed with the other shaky hand at the same time?

I've tried, you can light up someone without directly shining light in their faces....enough to ID them. Then, if it's not a welcome person, nothing wrong with putting that light in their eyes.

[stevemac]

I have a Streamight TLR-2 HL G mounted on my bedside HD firearm. In addition to practicing with it at the range, I have also ran multiple scenarios in pitch black darkness. The light I have is VERY bright, and some have reported it being too bright (as in blinding). If you end up with a model that is 600+ lumens, I would recommend some darkness drills. Since it is bedside, if I wake up in the middle of the night to use the restroom, I reach for the gun and use the flashlight

[fatogato]

JMO, but 98% of range shooting and training is, for most everybody, with two hands. So, with adrenaline flowing and life on the line...in that ONE INSTANT in your life that you need protection....we should shoot with one sweaty/shaky hand? And keep the flashlight pointed with the other shaky hand at the same time?

I've tried, you can light up someone without directly shining light in their faces....enough to ID them. Then, if it's not a welcome person, nothing wrong with putting that light in their eyes.

Ideally you're shooting with 2 hands but if you're not training to shoot one-handed and with your off hand, you're not training to your full potential.

[Scratch705]

I have a Streamight TLR-2 HL G mounted on my bedside HD firearm. In addition to practicing with it at the range, I have also ran multiple scenarios in pitch black darkness. The light I have is VERY bright, and some have reported it being too bright (as in blinding). If you end up with a model that is 600+ lumens, I would recommend some darkness drills. Since it is bedside, if I wake up in the middle of the night to use the restroom, I reach for the gun and use the flashlight

i got the tlr-1 HL and at 800 lumens, when your eyes are adjusted to pitch dark, it does partially blind me when i turn it on and hit any of the walls in the house unless the wall is more than 10 ft away.

i learned to keep it on the toggle mode, and point low or high. use the bleed off light around the edges to see around and only point once you have a target.

and unless the intruder already have sunglasses on, he will be fully blind for a few seconds after the 800 lumens light hit him in the face at night. more than enough time to subdue him and move on to any partners he may have.

[Bushwack44]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Based on suggestions + Amazon reviews, looks like the TLR-1 would do the job (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B8Q31UQ).

As I understand, this unit acts as both a strobe and a light. I assume the purpose of the strobe is to confuse the bad guy while the light would do the same in addition to providing light for the defender.

[ThreatScenarios]

We believe many options will work well as long as the ergos fit your hand, and most importantly, you train with your chosen tools.

Stay safe!

[stevemac]

i got the tlr-1 HL and at 800 lumens, when your eyes are adjusted to pitch dark, it does partially blind me when i turn it on and hit any of the walls in the house unless the wall is more than 10 ft away.

i learned to keep it on the toggle mode, and point low or high. use the bleed off light around the edges to see around and only point once you have a target.

and unless the intruder already have sunglasses on, he will be fully blind for a few seconds after the 800 lumens light hit him in the face at night. more than enough time to subdue him and move on to any partners he may have.

Yeah, I do the same. I point it to the ground about 2-3' in front of me and the bleed lights up the whole room. It's still damn bright though, even with dark oak hardwood flooring.

[sonofeugene]

Surefire for me. And if you find you need a light and don't have one, you're **** out of luck. If you have a light on your gun, you don't have to use it. Having a light on your HD gun is an excellent idea.