I agree with Euclidean, there is some use to them. If you hear a "bump in the night" you have two options... sit tight and run a fixed point defense. This is the safest option of course, but sometimes as was mentioned, you have to go gather the kids or elderly. Sometimes that noise has to be investigated bcz, while you heard "something", it wasn't enough to warrant calling 911. So you go investigate since you can't stay awake all night waiting to hear it again. If this is the case, try opening a door to a room or closet with your weapon in one hand, and a light in the other.
If I am clearing a room, I am going to muzzle flash anyone in there anyway, so what difference does it make if I have a light on the gun? Also, if I am using my trigger finger to activate the momentary light switch, I am not putting my finger on the trigger so it might help some folks avoid that migration to the trigger that can result in tragedies.
I have also seen some folks say they hold a separate light out to the side bcz having one on your gun makes the bad guy shoot at your light (and thus face). This makes me laugh since that technique was the rage in what the 1950s?? Who here shoots better with one hand (nevermind your free hand up in the air directing a light) than with two? Not me. Even with the Z2 I carry using the Rogers technique.. I am better with a solid two-hold grip on the weapon. If the perp sees the light it is bright enough to stun him and I'm not dumb enough to shine the light then stay put. If you activate any light, the best next step is to relocate.
Lights have been on SMGs and shotguns for a long time, and now many rifles have them as well, so I really don't see the big deal with having them on sidearms. To me it is a natural progression and I'd just as soon see rails on all guns. Whether it is used or not would be up the the individual. Are folks going to be lazy and use the gunlight as a regular flashlight? Probably, but those are the same folks I expect will be searching the house with their finger on the trigger if they didn't have a weapon mounted light.
Also, in terms of LE professionals, dog handlers have been using them for years. Yes, they probably break the rules and use it more as a flashlight, but as long as they have to hold the leash on the dog, I don't see a better solution.
Are weapon mounted lights something I would encourage a novice shooter to use? No, but for a seasoned shooter with common sense, they are quite useful. If it doesn't work for you, that's cool, but it is one more tool... whether you include it in your tool box is your decision and I won't knock it. But I do think they are more than just "tacticool".
If I am clearing a room, I am going to muzzle flash anyone in there anyway, so what difference does it make if I have a light on the gun? Also, if I am using my trigger finger to activate the momentary light switch, I am not putting my finger on the trigger so it might help some folks avoid that migration to the trigger that can result in tragedies.
I have also seen some folks say they hold a separate light out to the side bcz having one on your gun makes the bad guy shoot at your light (and thus face). This makes me laugh since that technique was the rage in what the 1950s?? Who here shoots better with one hand (nevermind your free hand up in the air directing a light) than with two? Not me. Even with the Z2 I carry using the Rogers technique.. I am better with a solid two-hold grip on the weapon. If the perp sees the light it is bright enough to stun him and I'm not dumb enough to shine the light then stay put. If you activate any light, the best next step is to relocate.
Lights have been on SMGs and shotguns for a long time, and now many rifles have them as well, so I really don't see the big deal with having them on sidearms. To me it is a natural progression and I'd just as soon see rails on all guns. Whether it is used or not would be up the the individual. Are folks going to be lazy and use the gunlight as a regular flashlight? Probably, but those are the same folks I expect will be searching the house with their finger on the trigger if they didn't have a weapon mounted light.
Also, in terms of LE professionals, dog handlers have been using them for years. Yes, they probably break the rules and use it more as a flashlight, but as long as they have to hold the leash on the dog, I don't see a better solution.
Are weapon mounted lights something I would encourage a novice shooter to use? No, but for a seasoned shooter with common sense, they are quite useful. If it doesn't work for you, that's cool, but it is one more tool... whether you include it in your tool box is your decision and I won't knock it. But I do think they are more than just "tacticool".
