Do you, or don't you agree on attaching a good flashlight to a firearm? The various LEO's I ask this all have different scenarios that have good/bad points. So, from a home owners standpoint-defensive condition- what do you folks think ?
The bad point was thought to - having a constant light on, giving the bad guys an aim point. Sorta-" aim for the light, the defender is close by."
Many studies have shown homeowners are more likely to shoot a family member, neighbor, roommate, etc by accident than an intruder. I think this is a good reason to use a light and increase target identification. Let's face it, its nice to have the peace of mind of a weapon for home defense. Keep in mind, odds are you will never ever have to fire it. If you do have to fire it, do all you can to make sure you are shooting at what or whom you intend to shoot. If you are going to use a light, put it on and don't take it off. Practice with it. Get comfortable with it in daylight and low light. Muscle memory. Train how you fight.
I partially agree. I have my home defense firearm and my flashlight in the same spot on the ready, they are not attached. I know my home better than any intruder would and the cover of darkness will also protect me. I would use the light for identification purposes. I'm not sure any of this would come to be, my two dogs would go nuts if there was someone unknown to them was in the house at night.
The only bad that I could see would be not replacing the batteries often. Where it would not work when you needed it most. My 380 Sig has the night sights and my Sig 1911 will get dressed with either a laser or light this fall. I personally think its a good thing. If it where to happen its going to be a wam - bam - thank you mam kinda of moment. Its probably not going to be a long drawn gun battle.
Your right there, the intruder is already in an uncomfortable place to him. His first thoughts on fight or flee is flee but not knowing what he is up against will probably shoot and then run. I like your laser idea, but as said previous, it could identify your location to the bad guy. He isn't going to double tap and reassess, he's going to shoot til it's silent. The laser will scare the crap out of him, knowing there is another gun.
I don't have a light attached to any. I have a 250 lumen Elzetta. I see the point of not having it on there since if it was a family member they've just stared down the business end.
One good reason NOT to have a light attached to your gun is: You are using that light to search out an "intruder" in your home and wherever that light shines, so is the business end of your gun. What if that "intruder" is really your wife, kids? Practice sweeping your house in the dark with your go to gun (unloaded!) and a light in hand. Practice aiming the light first and quickly identifying targets then putting the gun at ready. Like MY IS stated, most of us know and can navigate our homes in the dark.
Don't you shoot more accurately with two hands on your weapon? Why not combine the two. More accurate shots and frees up a second hand if you happen to need it. (open a door, grab one of your dogs, etc) Just a thought.
Great point. I think it all depends on your level of training and how comfortable you are in the situation.
Here's a link to a few of the different techniques http://www.iwillnotbeavictim.com/flashlight_hold-page.html
I think your right, I think it's just a control thing with me. As long as I could control the light without taking my eyes off the target. I couldn't leave the light on, I may as well be a statue with a light on me. I also like having a free hand (like you said) available. I train with one hand shooting often enough so I wouldn't feel as if that would be a handicap at all. Good points, well taken TY
My Glock 23 wears a crimson trace light and stays on the nightstand. My edc kahr pm9 is nekkid. I like a light myself. I can easily turn it on with my trigger finger while cruising thru the house in the dark. I can get around blindfolded so the light is only for target acquisition.
Want to get a night vision setup for the shorty AR I'm going to put together. That would be the best of both worlds.
Wouldn't a bright white light destroy your night vision if you turned it on and off? I would think you either have to choose, once it's on, leave it on and make sure it's bright enough to blind an intruder, or just forget it.
That was my thought as well. It takes about 20 minutes for your eyes to fully adapt to a low light environment.
as in hunting, if you don't know your target don't shoot.as for a light on a weapon, I prefer to hunt in the dark.
This is all good stuff, seems there isn't a right or wrong decision, just base it for your particular application.
