Handgun light switch

[Tazler]

Hello Cal Gunners

I currently carry a Sig P226 with a Streamlight Tlr-1HL. The light is bright and does its job. However during building clearing I have always had the thought in the back of my mind... if I come across a threat and needed to pull the trigger, my light will be turned off (I rarely use constant on, except during secondary search) and will lose sight on the threat.

So question is has anyone come across a "countered" light switch for Streamlights for Sigs... P226 or P320?

Im about to hit purchase on the Surefire X300 with switch combo on Botach sense it looks like best price at $270 for light and switch. Would like to avoid spending this much but it is what it is.

Secondly have you used the Surefire with switch combo and your thoughts.

I have browsed forums across the net and most topics along these lines are dated years ago. If there is already a recent discussion regarding this topic please post the link!

Thank you
Stay safe out there and make sure you and your partners make it home.

[IrishJoe3]

I've cleared plenty of buildings with TLR-1 HL. I leave the switch on for 'routine' search. What's the reason for only momentarily on?

[Tazler]

I don't have any thing against the constant on. My preference is to have the light off until entry into a room and not back light your partner if your number 2 or 3 in the stack.
The extra second that it takes to use your trigger finger to turn on the light could be free to use the actual trigger, if using the remote switch. Lots of money for a second or less but the idea seems safer.

[CBR_rider]

I don't have any thing against the constant on. My preference is to have the light off until entry into a room and not back light your partner if your number 2 or 3 in the stack.
The extra second that it takes to use your trigger finger to turn on the light could be free to use the actual trigger, if using the remote switch. Lots of money for a second or less but the idea seems safer.

I use my off-hand thumb..

[SoCalDep]

Every law enforcement officer in the US should be issued and trained on a weapon-mounted light with a pressure switch such as the Surefire DG switch or Streamlight Contour switch. It is that big a deal.

Most low light training either lacks any instruction on proper use of the switch, or teaches the use of the light in a totally inappropriate manner. Sadly, people come up with techniques because they've "cleared a lot of houses", but unless they've encountered a lethal threat in those houses, they don't really know if their techniques will work under stressful sudden conditions and situations. From what I've seen, most of the time they are wrong. (IrishJoe3 - You're NOT wrong... there are other "right" answers but I'm not referring to you here.)

[IrishJoe3]

Fair enough Deputy. Most of my experience has been (hate to use the term) "routine" parole/probation/security and alarm type sweeps, NOT high risk dynamic entry type searches.

I haven't had any weapon light specific training, however using the standard TLR rocker type switch, I have no problem activating the light, (momentary and solid on, and back and forth) using the support hand index finger.

I would be concerned about using a switch such as the stream light contour due to risks of accidental discharge while attempting to turn on the light. (Yes should never happen and is an indication of poor training and or bad habits. I also have never personally actually used that switch either. However, there are documented cases of rounds being discharged due switch/trigger mix up.)

Another reason I like the TLR rocker is if I do use my strong hand index finger, regardless if my finger is forward in the On or Off position, all I have to do is pull straight back to engage the trigger and fire.

[SoCalDep]

I would be concerned about using a switch such as the stream light contour due to risks of accidental discharge while attempting to turn on the light. (Yes should never happen and is an indication of poor training and or bad habits. I also have never personally actually used that switch either. However, there are documented cases of rounds being discharged due switch/trigger mix up.)

Totally get it... That's been heavily publicized. Of course, it's publicized because of two well known incidents over the past six plus years where someone was unintentionally shot and several instances where an unintentional discharge occurred but no one was shot.

There are numerous incidents every year (including two in the last ten days of 2015) where people are shot (and often killed) in the dark who shouldn't have been shot. The demonization of the pressure switch is the classic case of solving a problem by creating (or perpetuating) a much bigger one.

With proper training this is almost a non-issue, and the benefits FAR outweigh the drawbacks. The problem is that no one I can find has established a proper training program for the use of the pressure switch (and I hate to be that guy but...) except LASD. Yes... It arose out of the problems that were encountered, but necessity is the mother of invention and there has been some serious work put into creating a solid training curriculum for the use of pressure-switch equipped lights.

[nickbackouris]

Your trigger finger has one job and one job only....pulling triggers. That's far to important of a job to muddy the waters with other assignments like activating lights, retrieving boogers, etc.

Activate your light with the off side thumb or even index finger if that's how you train, but trigger fingers pull triggers, that's it.

[Tazler]

I agree most departments dont practice low light training enough, atleast for non speciality units. I know for me and other patrol guys in my area we just installed our lights and went to work.
Some guys in our SWAT team use the remote switch with the Surefire lights and some of the guys love them. They also don't have to pay for thier own gear so I would probably love free stuff too.

Anyone that's used the remote switch for Surefire and any issues? Or heard of a contoured switch for Streamlights that will work for Sigs?

[ak_in_ca]

I run an X300 with DG remote switch on all my weapons, completely awesome setup and I've had zero problems in 10 years. Killer piece of gear. Right now running P220 and P226 elite stainless with X300 ultras with DG switches as my duty rigs

[DonTreadonMe556]

Have you tried turning on momentary with your support thumb? That's what I like to do if I use momentary


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[5150ds]

I wish Stream light made a grip switch for more guns. The Glock one looks nice

[Tazler]

I never have used the support hand thumb for activating the momentary on. I dont hold my gun with my hands that far up to be able to do that I don't believe . I'll give it a try next time I'm staring at the TV.
I just ordered the Streamlight weapon switch for my Glock 19. Curious to see how it works and if the light will wash out the red dot sight (when it finally arrives at my door).