Guns + Flashlights

Avtomat-Acolyte · Nov 11, 2011

How many people out there still hold on to the belief that weapon-mounted-lights are not necessary? I periodically hear it in conversation and have read it on many gun forums. I was wondering if there were any of those anachronistic, anti-technology Luddites present on this forum.

I am always interested in hearing people's justifications for things that are contrary to my beliefs so that I can either reinforce my beliefs or discard/modify them by critically deconstructing why I do what I do when I do what I do.

And I like looking at pictures of shiny things.

Here's a sampling of some of my weaponlights. After extensive use of SureFire and other brands while an Infantryman I have decided to never once entrust the life of my family to anything other than SureFire, as you can tell:

Avtomat-Acolyte · Nov 11, 2011

Avtomat-Acolyte · Nov 11, 2011

Avtomat-Acolyte · Nov 11, 2011

Avtomat-Acolyte · Nov 11, 2011

Avtomat-Acolyte · Nov 11, 2011

Clicker · Nov 11, 2011

While I am a flashlight lover I don't have any thing nice on my guns (yet) other than a SF MP5 handguard. I really should learn how to upgrade it to a LED lamp unit.

I just mount a light to whatever AR upper I'm using at the time when I hunt and need a light handy.

Nice collection BTW, now I know who to seek advice from!

Avtomat-Acolyte · Nov 11, 2011

That last picture is a stock image I got from Google. I have an MP5K-PDW that I mounted a short rail to the VFG and mounted a SureFire X300 but I don't have pics of the light mounted.

Clicker · Nov 11, 2011

I don't shoot my SP89/K model much any more. I use a stock adapter so I can mount the A2 FS stock vs the folder.
I see yours has the extended buttplate, I imagine it's more comfortable with the longer LOP.

Tigerstripe · Nov 11, 2011

i dont have much experience with lights on guns. my first thought is that a light makes a great target for someone hiding in the dark. that kind of put me off of lights.
i have had a laser on an AR but i broke it and its worthless in the daylight.
David

Avtomat-Acolyte · Nov 11, 2011

Tigerstripe said:
i dont have much experience with lights on guns. my first thought is that a light makes a great target for someone hiding in the dark. that kind of put me off of lights.
i have had a laser on an AR but i broke it and its worthless in the daylight.
David

This is why Low Light / Limited Light weapons training is essential. It kills the misconception you stated about lights. In Low/Limited light, you are likely not going to score hits each time you fire. This is the case with perfect visibility during daylight hours and will only be exacerbated by impaired vision. This fact means that each time you fire your weapon you are broadcasting your position. Two things that help negate such realities are to 1) shoot and move and 2) don't keep your light on. In movies and on t.v. shows we are always exposed to police and military that keep their weaponlights turned on constantly. This is not a reality for anyone but the most poorly trained (or completely untrained) weapon user. Weaponlights have "momentary ON" buttons for a reason. You don't keep them on and then wander around shining your light everywhere. You hit the "momentary ON" button, find the threat, sight picture, fire. This is approximately 2 seconds of light on and then you release the button before, during or immediately after your shot(s).

As for the laser, based upon your two comments about it breaking and being worthless in daylight, I'm going to assume you had a very weak, poor quality Wal-Mart special or the like. The lasers from CrimsonTrace and other dedicated weapon laser specialists produce very, very durable and exceptionally easy-to-see laser products.

Duct-taping a Coleman 2C cell flashlight to a shotgun means you probably get one or two shots before the flashlight stops working. The same is true of a $2 laser pointer you got from the Exxon station one morning on the way to work.

Avtomat-Acolyte · Nov 12, 2011

http://www.crimsontrace.com/Home/GetACatalog/tabid/265/Default.aspx

FREE DVD & CATALOG

fordnut · Nov 12, 2011

The last post shows a link to the Crimson Trace DVD that they give out...It has a lot of great information...I had the video, but, gave it away..

It shows you how to not use the laser and when to use it...I learned some stuff from it.

I feel that if you have a wapon light of a laser on your home defense weapon, you owe it to yourself to look at this video...It was free...Great price for some quick training...

Steve

Shrapnel762 · Nov 12, 2011

Back in the early '90's when we did MOUT training, we had to duct tape D cell Maglights to our M16A2s. what a pain.

I have a surefire with a quick detach mount. there's not much shooting at the light if it's close quarters cause the thing will blind ya

Tigerstripe · Nov 14, 2011

im sorry guys. everyone seams to want to get on my case.
if a perp comes into my house with a light on his gun he better find me the first 2 seconds he turns it on cause the next light is going to be my SBS with 000 buck.
David

Dirk Pitt · Nov 16, 2011

Tigerstripe said:
im sorry guys. everyone seams to want to get on my case.
if a perp comes into my house with a light on his gun he better find me the first 2 seconds he turns it on cause the next light is going to be my SBS with 000 buck.
David

I think you're taking it the wrong way. You talked about your beliefs about lights and Avtomat was explaining his reasoning and rationale behind his use of lights.

I'm a big believer in lights, they're just fraking expensive and I'd have to buy new fraking expensive holsters for my pistols. So nothing yet soon to come in the future, I'm planning on getting a rail system to mount a flashlight on my AK too so once again another when I'm loaded day.