Thoughts on tac lights

2472 Views 30 Replies 23 Participants Last post by winner, Apr 18, 2013

RockingGlock32

Discussion Starter · Apr 4, 2013

I have heard in the past that when carrying at night one should also have a flashlight on them. I figure what better way than to have a tac light attached to your weapon. This way you dont need an extra holster/carry device for said flashlight. Is this a good idea i have a holster guy locally that can custom fit a holster for me. My EDC is a Glock 32 and i have a glock tac light for it but didn't seem bright enough for me so i bought a TLR 1s which i read some great reviews on plus it has the strobe feature if necessary. What are eveyones thoughts on this. Good idea or bad?

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Ghost1958

· #2 · Apr 5, 2013

Personally I dont attach lights to my firearms. I just dont like having a lite held in front of my CM becoming a target for a BG.
Rather have the lite in my hand off to my side above below me anywhere but directly in front of me. But thats just me. A lot here seem to really like the idea.

Reactions: 1

elmacgyver0

· #3 · Apr 5, 2013 (Edited by Moderator)

Not really crazy about haveing a flashlight mounted on a gun unless going raccoon hunting. It makes to good of a target.
If you must use one it is better to hold it out to your side at arms length to the side away from your body.
I know the technique about a quick flash to find your target and a quick hop to the side, but really?
I know they seem to be the in thing now, so sorry if I stepped on anyones toes.

Gosh! Ghost you beat me to the punch!

Strmwatch

· #4 · Apr 5, 2013

It depends on the lumen output of the light. If you have one high enough it's going to absolutely blind the BG when you "paint" him with the light. He's going to have serious spots in his eyes and if he has a gun, well you already have the drop on him anyway.

Reactions: 1

kurupt305

· #5 · Apr 5, 2013

im with storm watch i know when i beam myself in the eyes with my light im blinded with spots by that time i will recongnize the target and shoot the enemy

shadowwalker

· #6 · Apr 5, 2013

I agree with Ghost and from training in the old days we were taught never to give BG a center mass shot

Reactions: 1

rocky

· #7 · Apr 5, 2013

I have on one both home defense arms , however for carry the bulk is too much. I do carry a handheld light on me.

Spovik

· #8 · Apr 5, 2013

My daughter likes to play with flashlights, so having one on my HD firearm ensures that I'll have one handy when needed.

On top of giving the BG a target to shoot at, there's also the issue that your muzzle will be sweeping everything. Not always a bad thing, but a consideration.

gallardo.g23

· #9 · Apr 5, 2013

i just bought a $40 190 lumen light that mounts onto my glock 23/21 from walmart two days ago and i love it. its brighter than my mag light that takes 3 d size batterys. and the battery in the flashlight is tiny and the light is lightweight and is a cool little light for $40. they also have a light and laser combo for $80

SIXTO

· #10 · Apr 5, 2013

A WML is not a flashlight and should not be confused or used as one.

Reactions: 1

cn262

· #11 · Apr 5, 2013

Personally, I like having a small carry light because I can use it for more mundane things, and have it ready to shine undesired visitors in a parking lot or something like that. If it's small enough you will carry it all of the time, but it still needs to be bright. I went with the Streamlight Protac 2L based on features and price. I've had mine almost a year now, use it frequently, am still on the first set of batteries (still very bright), and completely satisfied.

Streamlight 88031 Protac Tactical Flashlight 2L with White LED Includes 2 CR123A Lithium Batteries and Holster, Black - Amazon.com

.40

· #12 · Apr 5, 2013

I just received a 500 lumen Olight M20-X Warrior for about $69. It's a very high quality rugged light. I don't want anything attached to my gun outside of the Crimson Trace grips on my M&Pc .40. I think if you point the 500 lumen Olight with strobing feature at a BG's face in a night time environment, they won't be looking in its direction giving you a definite advantage. I think the Olight could definitely deescalate a confrontation. I might even bet you could bluff your way out with just the strobe at night without a gun.

The Olight also has a dedicated strobing button unlike others where you have to cycle through to that feature on the main button.

elmacgyver0

· #13 · Apr 7, 2013

SIXTO said:
A WML is not a flashlight and should not be confused or used as one.

If you say so

cthruit

· #14 · Apr 8, 2013

rocky said:
I have on one both home defense arms , however for carry the bulk is too much. I do carry a handheld light on me.

I agree with Rocky. 1) Having a weapon-mounted light means you can't use it for anything else. 2) Some of today's pocket sized lights are FANTASTIC in performance, and less expensive than comparabley performing gun-mounted lights. 3) The bulk you save day in and day out in a larger holster will make you more likely to carry that gun.

If I roamed the mean streets more routinely than I do, I guess I'd have to reconsider.

SCXDm9

· #15 · Apr 8, 2013 (Edited by Moderator)

SIXTO said:
A WML is not a flashlight and should not be confused or used as one.

Explain please...

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

We have enough lights on in our house I don't need a light on my home defense/bedside pistol.

However, I think I'm going to put one on my AR cause they look super tacicool... and let be honest, isn't that why we buy most of the stuff we do???

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

SIXTO

· #16 · Apr 8, 2013

elmacgyver0 said:
If you say so

I do say so.

SCXDm9 said:
Explain please...

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

It is simple- A flashlight is used for searching etc., I like to use every Scooby Doo episode as a visual. That is not how you use a WML. A WML is used for a dynamic search, and/or last second target identification. You do not keep it on and wander around looking for the ragman like I see most people doing with 0 training or sensible firearm knowledge.

Old_Dog

· #17 · Apr 8, 2013

I have them on all my home defense guns but also have hand held lights as tac lights have disadvantages being attached to the gun. You should have bought. As far as carrying a gun with one I do not recommend it and it is not needed. Why take an already bulky object you are trying to conceal and make it bulkier? Then you need a special holster for it and before you know it you will be leaving your gun home most times. Do what I do. Get yourself one of those Streamlight or other brand pencil lights that are powerful and simply carry that with you at night. Fits in your pocket using a pen clip and is about the same size. You can also get a good tactical handheld with a belt case. Mine is 600 lumens and will light up a parking lot. This also allows me to use one of 5 different carry guns at night rather be tied down to the only one I have the tactical light and holster for.

The other thing to consider and this is usually only an issue with experienced gun fighters, is that a light on the gun changes the balance of the gun and may affect its ability to get on target as fast as you could without it or affect accuracy, follow-up shots or even cause jams due to the extra weight on the front of the gun as has happened with certain guns. I only buy guns that point well, as I point shoot which is the natural tendency during a gun fight, and balance well in my hands. Some guns will balance well with a lightweight TLR-3 on them while others are muzzle heavy with a TLR-1. I do not like muzzle heavy guns so I match my light to my gun. However when I go out at night, with or without gun, I always have a small handheld flashlight on me and have used them when fixing a flat tire to looking for things that were dropped in the dark. A flash light on a gun is not as useful and forces you to point your gun in the direction of the things and people you want to light up. There is one more thing to consider that most do not think of who never trained with a light. That is that if you point your gun at a bad guy, all he is going to see is your light and will not know that you have a gun. Try that with an unloaded gun in a mirror to see what I mean. For all the bad guy knows, you just have a flash light and if armed may take a shot at you thinking you are unarmed. You really do not want to get into trying to convince anyone that you have a gun and not just a light. With a handheld you can shine it from behind the gun so that they can tell you are armed. A minor point perhaps, but it does happen.

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Alex_C

· #18 · Apr 8, 2013

I just carry a pen light in my offhand pant pocket. The clip on it goes over the mouth of the pocket so it's there for easy and consistent access. I can barely tell it's there as far as weight or physical presence goes.

bob9039

· #19 · Apr 8, 2013

I certainly wouldn't want to CC with a WML from a comfort and conceal perspective. YMMV. Why make the thing you're trying to conceal bigger and heavier than it needs to be? I would mount a light to a shotgun or AR for home defense.

sealteam20001

· #20 · Apr 8, 2013

in combat any light, at night a cigar or cig. or zippo could get you a bodybag!!! better ??

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