Gun mounted lights for Home Defense

[elaw555]

Consider this. You have just identified a target in a dark room. You wish to sweep the rest of the room for additional targets. To do so would require taking the muzzle off the target with a weapon light but with a handheld light a quick sweep without taking the weapon off target is possible.

 

[nahfuten]

Why?

Because someone said to use a gun mounted light with strobe function.

 

[Agent 007]

.

 

[Steve MI]

Consider this. You have just identified a target in a dark room. You wish to sweep the rest of the room for additional targets. To do so would require taking the muzzle off the target with a weapon light but with a handheld light a quick sweep without taking the weapon off target is possible.

Why would remove your focus off the threat to sweep instead of shooting then light off then moving then re sweep that is why we often teach 2 light technique as well. with weapons mounted and handheld

from our low light class

 

[TFin04]

Because someone said to use a gun mounted light with strobe function.

It is a common misconception that the strobe function will cause a greater reaction from your attacker. This is very rarely the case.

Also remember that whatever function your light is performing to your attacker, it is doing to you. Splashback from walls, the ceiling, etc are an issue. Any type of disorienting you are doing to them, you are also doing to you. Try to clear your pitch black house with a strobe light. It sucks.

Buy a good regular functioning light and take some classes with it. You will be much better off.

 

[Eddie]

Consider this. You have just identified a target in a dark room. You wish to sweep the rest of the room for additional targets. To do so would require taking the muzzle off the target with a weapon light but with a handheld light a quick sweep without taking the weapon off target is possible.

Target gets double tapped. Then sweep the room for more targets.

 

[Steve MI]

Target gets double tapped. Then sweep the room for more targets.

good thought so what if he is wearing armor? EDP or under some other form of modern medical wonders? so then what do you do... when your two dont make the desired effect

 

[rhino]

Also there is no rule that says you can't do both. Put a light on your weapon and carry a flashlight. Practice both techniques. That keeps your options open if you need to light up something you don't want to shoot or if you need your light to point in a different direction than your gun.

I think everyone needs to carry a handheld light, whether they have a light mounted on their weapon or not.

 

[kingnereli]

good thought so what if he is wearing armor? EDP or under some other form of modern medical wonders? so then what do you do... when your two dont make the desired effect

More double taps.

 

[BillD]

good thought so what if he is wearing armor? EDP or under some other form of modern medical wonders? so then what do you do... when your two dont make the desired effect

If you have multiple armed invaders wearing body armor, they are probably shouting "Police" at the top of their lungs.


That said, weapon mounted lights are the bees knees.


Keep your finger off the trigger until the target has been identified.

Story time.
Years ago, a step son of mine decided to get something out of his room after he had moved out. Of course, he decided to do this about midnight and since he had a key, he didn't want to wake us. I heard the front door open, frantically trying to get the 1911 and flashlight in the correct hands from a dead sleep. I got it sorted out and heard the very large man (6'7" 300 lb) coming down the hall. I lit him up from the edge of the bedroom door frame with the 1911 on his chest at about 10 feet. Safety still on, finger off the trigger.

We were both very surprised.