Would you carry a weapon mounted light?

wht06rado · March 31st, 2008, 04:33 PM

Ok, for starters I wasn't really sure where to post this as it deals with related gear & equipment, concealed carry holsters, and almost concealed carry guns all at the same time. So, how about a little background first? I am wanting to buy a Glock 19 next and I am set on that. I am also wanting to mount an Insight M3 tactical light on it for night stand duty.

Then I got thinking.

Why couldn't I carry that set up as my EDC as well? Comp-Tac makes a CTAC for a Glock 19 with M3 mounted which is the same price as the CTAC for the Glock 19 without a light. So my question is this: Would you carry a weapon mounted light for your EDC?

Here are some of my pro's / con's:
Pro's:
- I can keep a two handed grip on the gun much easier and still have a light.
- It would make reloading much easier when using a light vs. my surefire 6P.(Not that I wouldn't still carry that one just in case.)
- It would leave me a free hand in case I needed it for something else.
- I am going to have it anyways, so why not use it.

Con's:
- Weight. Probably not enough to notice.
- Bulk. It would add a bit of size to my carry gun.
- Comfort. Having more bulk and weight may make things a little less comfortable.

I am open to any comments, opinions or thoughts on this, even if you don't vote in the poll. Thanks.

Wht

Kerbouchard · March 31st, 2008, 04:41 PM

I agree with each one of your pro's...for a nightstand gun, or if I routinely cleared other people's homes.

I agree with each of your con's for a carry gun.
For my carry gun, I do not want bulky, I don't want something that can hang up on anything, and I want to keep weight down. Also, a light generally makes holsters difficult to find, or more expensive.

For a nightstand gun, I'm all for having a light mounted. I have a tactical light on my carbine.

For me, I don't think the advantages of a light outweigh the disadvantages for an EDC.

QKShooter · March 31st, 2008, 05:02 PM

For my Daily Carry handgun. No - add never.
I'm "old school" anyway and I prefer using an off weapon light.
That's what I'm used to.

OPFOR · March 31st, 2008, 05:05 PM

I'm with kerbouchard, basically. I carry a flashlight and a gun, and I can see instances where it would be benificial to have them together as one unit. However, I can see issues with the 99.9% of the time that I am just carrying the gun, not using it.

If I wore my gun overtly, in a 'normal' cop rig, I would probably go for a light. But I don't, so I won't.

Ram Rod · March 31st, 2008, 05:09 PM

I voted yes. Thing is--if I found the right holster to do this. I'm also not one to be out on the streets late at night and such. I would however carry my mid/full size pistols with my M6 tactical mounted in certain situations which would not be frequently.

retsupt99 · March 31st, 2008, 05:21 PM

l voted 'no'...
I prefer to keep my SureFire separate for a number of reasons.
Most importantly, I may want to light up something I DON'T want to point my gun at...

Holsters WILL be a problem...
My training in a SD course stressed the separate use of a light in 'dim light' situations...so, I prefer to keep it that way.
I don't want to carry two lights, one on my weapon, and another for other reasons...
I can pull the light out in a WalMart parking lot without the cops being called...

Stay armed...stay bright...stay safe!

Fast Cloud · March 31st, 2008, 05:39 PM

I voted no, also. I just mounted one to my 12 gauge for HD but I wouldn't want one on my EDC. A small LED flashlight is all I'd ever need I think. I don't stalk dark alleys at night so I think in my case it would be overkill.

Tangle · March 31st, 2008, 05:52 PM

There are some pretty compact, light WMLs out there now. As for weight, a Glock with a WML would weigh less by far than a 1911 without a WML.

A number of holster manufacturers make holsters for handguns with WMLs - Fist, Inc. is one that comes to mind but I've seen several others.

Perhaps a better question is why not? You don't have to use it, but it's instantly there if you need too. It's not for searching, it's for shooting, esp. from a two-hand grip under low light conditions.

It's fast. If you need to shoot, you just draw and turn the light on. Compare that to drawing two things at once and then coordinating them onto the threat.

It would erase any argument in court that you could not have seen the threat's weapon because it was dark.

It can be removed and used as a backup to the handheld to implement the concept, one is none, two is one.

Stats show that most encounters occur in low light levels - a WML just might be a good thing.

I didn't vote BTW.

havegunjoe · March 31st, 2008, 05:56 PM

No! You will have a hard time finding a holster and it will be even more expensive, you will have that much more "bulk" hanging on your hip making printing and comfort an even bigger issue, the chances of you needing this if you are not LE are about zero.

rocky · March 31st, 2008, 06:11 PM

Too bulky for me.

View Poll Results: Would you carry a weapon mounted light with your EDC?
Yes	22	23.66%
No	71	76.34%
Voters: 93. You may not vote on this poll

March 31st, 2008, 04:33 PM	#1
wht06rado Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 759	Would you carry a weapon mounted light? Ok, for starters I wasn't really sure where to post this as it deals with related gear & equipment, concealed carry holsters, and almost concealed carry guns all at the same time. So, how about a little background first? I am wanting to buy a Glock 19 next and I am set on that. I am also wanting to mount an Insight M3 tactical light on it for night stand duty. Then I got thinking. Why couldn't I carry that set up as my EDC as well? Comp-Tac makes a CTAC for a Glock 19 with M3 mounted which is the same price as the CTAC for the Glock 19 without a light. So my question is this: Would you carry a weapon mounted light for your EDC? Here are some of my pro's / con's: Pro's: - I can keep a two handed grip on the gun much easier and still have a light. - It would make reloading much easier when using a light vs. my surefire 6P.(Not that I wouldn't still carry that one just in case.) - It would leave me a free hand in case I needed it for something else. - I am going to have it anyways, so why not use it. Con's: - Weight. Probably not enough to notice. - Bulk. It would add a bit of size to my carry gun. - Comfort. Having more bulk and weight may make things a little less comfortable. I am open to any comments, opinions or thoughts on this, even if you don't vote in the poll. Thanks. Wht __________________ “They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security” Benjamin Franklin I'm not pro gun, I'm pro rights. What are you? NRA Member ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

March 31st, 2008, 04:41 PM	#2
Kerbouchard VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,532	I agree with each one of your pro's...for a nightstand gun, or if I routinely cleared other people's homes. I agree with each of your con's for a carry gun. For my carry gun, I do not want bulky, I don't want something that can hang up on anything, and I want to keep weight down. Also, a light generally makes holsters difficult to find, or more expensive. For a nightstand gun, I'm all for having a light mounted. I have a tactical light on my carbine. For me, I don't think the advantages of a light outweigh the disadvantages for an EDC. __________________ Money can be lost or stolen, health and strength may fail, but what you have committed to your mind is yours forever. http://miscmusings.townhall.com/ Who is John Galt?

March 31st, 2008, 05:02 PM	#3
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 19,960	For my Daily Carry handgun. No - add never. I'm "old school" anyway and I prefer using an off weapon light. That's what I'm used to. __________________

March 31st, 2008, 05:05 PM	#4
OPFOR VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Baghdad Posts: 2,447	I'm with kerbouchard, basically. I carry a flashlight and a gun, and I can see instances where it would be benificial to have them together as one unit. However, I can see issues with the 99.9% of the time that I am just carrying the gun, not using it. If I wore my gun overtly, in a 'normal' cop rig, I would probably go for a light. But I don't, so I won't. __________________ "It makes no difference what men think of war, said the judge. War endures. As well ask men what they think of stone. War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner. That is the way it was and will be. That way and not some other way."

March 31st, 2008, 05:09 PM	#5
Ram Rod VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: crawford county, arkansas Posts: 5,143	I voted yes. Thing is--if I found the right holster to do this. I'm also not one to be out on the streets late at night and such. I would however carry my mid/full size pistols with my M6 tactical mounted in certain situations which would not be frequently. __________________ RamRod-----sans remords

March 31st, 2008, 05:21 PM	#6
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 14,892	l voted 'no'... I prefer to keep my SureFire separate for a number of reasons. Most importantly, I may want to light up something I DON'T want to point my gun at... Holsters WILL be a problem... My training in a SD course stressed the separate use of a light in 'dim light' situations...so, I prefer to keep it that way. I don't want to carry two lights, one on my weapon, and another for other reasons... I can pull the light out in a WalMart parking lot without the cops being called... Stay armed...stay bright...stay safe! __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

March 31st, 2008, 05:39 PM	#7
Fast Cloud Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: the sky Posts: 410	I voted no, also. I just mounted one to my 12 gauge for HD but I wouldn't want one on my EDC. A small LED flashlight is all I'd ever need I think. I don't stalk dark alleys at night so I think in my case it would be overkill. __________________ "The handgun would not be my choice of weapon if I knew I was going to a fight. I'd choose a rifle, a shotgun, a RPG or an atomic bomb instead"---Clint Smith NRA member

March 31st, 2008, 05:52 PM	#8
Tangle Senior Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chattanooga Posts: 5,783	There are some pretty compact, light WMLs out there now. As for weight, a Glock with a WML would weigh less by far than a 1911 without a WML. A number of holster manufacturers make holsters for handguns with WMLs - Fist, Inc. is one that comes to mind but I've seen several others. Perhaps a better question is why not? You don't have to use it, but it's instantly there if you need too. It's not for searching, it's for shooting, esp. from a two-hand grip under low light conditions. It's fast. If you need to shoot, you just draw and turn the light on. Compare that to drawing two things at once and then coordinating them onto the threat. It would erase any argument in court that you could not have seen the threat's weapon because it was dark. It can be removed and used as a backup to the handheld to implement the concept, one is none, two is one. Stats show that most encounters occur in low light levels - a WML just might be a good thing. I didn't vote BTW. __________________ "Plans fail, things fail, people fail; but, fear never fails - it must be defeated." - by Tangle, a long time ago.

March 31st, 2008, 05:56 PM	#9
havegunjoe Distinguished Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,790	No! You will have a hard time finding a holster and it will be even more expensive, you will have that much more "bulk" hanging on your hip making printing and comfort an even bigger issue, the chances of you needing this if you are not LE are about zero. __________________ DEMOCRACY IS TWO WOLVES AND A LAMB VOTING ON WHAT TO HAVE FOR LUNCH. LIBERTY IS A WELL ARMED LAMB CONTESTING THE VOTE. Certified Instructor for Minnesota Carry Permit NRA Pistol and Personal Protection Insrtuctor Utah Permit Certified Instructor

March 31st, 2008, 06:11 PM	#10
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 11,734	Too bulky for me. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

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