What Do You All Think About a Light and/or Laser on Home Defense Shotgun? - Page 4

Wrascal · November 22nd, 2007, 10:39 AM

No mounted (shotgun) lights, although my Glock has one.
I leave night lights on in the rooms outside the darkened bedroom.

crossfireltd · November 22nd, 2007, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrascal

No mounted (shotgun) lights, although my Glock has one.
I leave night lights on in the rooms outside the darkened bedroom.

I do the same also, but I do have a flash light on both shot guns.

briar · November 26th, 2007, 10:59 PM

i like the flashlight on mine

bwavec · December 3rd, 2007, 01:39 AM

I think a light on any HD weapon is essential. I am not going to search around with it (since I already know what should or should not be in there). But I do want to be able to positively identify my target before I engage, even in near total darkness.

walkingbush · December 8th, 2007, 07:39 PM

Food for thought:

It's 2am after a big wind storm. The power is out. Glass breaks in the living room. You fumble for your glasses but they fall off behind the bedside table where you can't get them. You hear footsteps in the glass and coming down the hall.

Option A: You grab your shotgun with no light, no laser. The intruder comes through your bedroom door. You point and shoot. Because you have no sight index it is entirely plausible that you miss most if not all your shots (shotguns don't have any appreciable spread at across bedroom distances).

Option B: You grab your shotgun with a light. Same as above but this time you can identify the intruder (a drunk who mistook your house for theirs and is not a threat). You are able to de-escalate the situation. Alternatively you know the shots will go in the general direction of the light if you need to shoot.

Options C: You have a light laser combo on your HD shotgun. Same as above but this time the intruder knows darn well that it is not just some maglight being pointed in his direction. Also, since you lost your glasses, you now have a big red dot that will tell you exactly where the rounds are going. Less chance of a miss going through the wall into your kids bedroom (don't believe the crap about shotguns rounds not penetrating walls, google the boxotruth and check out the info on shot penetration there). The intruder sees that red dot on sternum and decides this isn't a good idea and high tails it out. Alternatively you can make an informed decision (id'd target and know where rounds will impact) if you do take the shot.

My opinion is that lights are a minimum necessity. As Clint Smith says, "One is none, two is one, and three is good." A handheld light and a weapon mounted system are good. Personally I view lasers as a great bonus. Are the required? No. Do they give you an advantage? Absolutely. Having said that, I also say that without propper training in their use they can also be a liablility, just as light can be. I am a defensive firearm coach at a local range and I've seen many folks with Crimson Trace laser grips on their handguns and use them in such a way as to tell anyone down range, "Here I am, shoot at me!" I have also seen them used appropriately to make critical hits from behind cover or from positions of disadvantage.

My personal beliefs stem from seeing these technologies applied in training scenarios. Thankfully I have never had to be there when the SHTF but I do believe that realistic training is a good place to work kinks out of gear. If you have any weapon that you think you will use in defense of your life but you haven't had any training, you are in for a rude supprise when your life depends on your skills. Training supersedes any and all equipment in my opinion.

For what it's worth...

MC

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November 22nd, 2007, 10:39 AM	#31
Wrascal Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 148	No mounted (shotgun) lights, although my Glock has one. I leave night lights on in the rooms outside the darkened bedroom.

November 26th, 2007, 10:59 PM	#33
briar Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 36	i like the flashlight on mine

December 3rd, 2007, 01:39 AM	#34
bwavec New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA Posts: 7	I think a light on any HD weapon is essential. I am not going to search around with it (since I already know what should or should not be in there). But I do want to be able to positively identify my target before I engage, even in near total darkness.

December 8th, 2007, 07:39 PM	#35
walkingbush New Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 5	Food for thought: It's 2am after a big wind storm. The power is out. Glass breaks in the living room. You fumble for your glasses but they fall off behind the bedside table where you can't get them. You hear footsteps in the glass and coming down the hall. Option A: You grab your shotgun with no light, no laser. The intruder comes through your bedroom door. You point and shoot. Because you have no sight index it is entirely plausible that you miss most if not all your shots (shotguns don't have any appreciable spread at across bedroom distances). Option B: You grab your shotgun with a light. Same as above but this time you can identify the intruder (a drunk who mistook your house for theirs and is not a threat). You are able to de-escalate the situation. Alternatively you know the shots will go in the general direction of the light if you need to shoot. Options C: You have a light laser combo on your HD shotgun. Same as above but this time the intruder knows darn well that it is not just some maglight being pointed in his direction. Also, since you lost your glasses, you now have a big red dot that will tell you exactly where the rounds are going. Less chance of a miss going through the wall into your kids bedroom (don't believe the crap about shotguns rounds not penetrating walls, google the boxotruth and check out the info on shot penetration there). The intruder sees that red dot on sternum and decides this isn't a good idea and high tails it out. Alternatively you can make an informed decision (id'd target and know where rounds will impact) if you do take the shot. My opinion is that lights are a minimum necessity. As Clint Smith says, "One is none, two is one, and three is good." A handheld light and a weapon mounted system are good. Personally I view lasers as a great bonus. Are the required? No. Do they give you an advantage? Absolutely. Having said that, I also say that without propper training in their use they can also be a liablility, just as light can be. I am a defensive firearm coach at a local range and I've seen many folks with Crimson Trace laser grips on their handguns and use them in such a way as to tell anyone down range, "Here I am, shoot at me!" I have also seen them used appropriately to make critical hits from behind cover or from positions of disadvantage. My personal beliefs stem from seeing these technologies applied in training scenarios. Thankfully I have never had to be there when the SHTF but I do believe that realistic training is a good place to work kinks out of gear. If you have any weapon that you think you will use in defense of your life but you haven't had any training, you are in for a rude supprise when your life depends on your skills. Training supersedes any and all equipment in my opinion. For what it's worth... MC