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HD firearm, with or without rail mount lights?

6K views 101 replies 41 participants last post by  ThomasPI 
#1 ·
Curious for your primary HD firearms do you prefer a rail mounted light or a handheld ? I've always been in the handheld camp, how about you?
 
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#7 ·
Mounted. But I have a Streamlight TLR-2 laser/light combo mounted on my P320 full-size .45 ACP. Those who have been in actual gunfights have said not to count on having both hands available. You may need one hand to use a phone, pull a child to safety, open a door, etc.

I understand the concern that proponents of hand-held lights have about directing fire toward themselves, or having to point the muzzle of their pistol at that which they have to illuminate. As for that, most modern rail-mounted tactical lights are powerful enough and a have a beam disperse enough to illuminate a hallway without directly pointing the muzzle downrange. And having a rail-mounted light on your pistol does not in any way preclude you having a light in your other hand.
 
#15 ·
You need both a handheld and a WML on a long gun, IMO. That's because the WML is a part of the weapon system, and NOT just for illumination (liabilities). For handguns, I still prefer light in one hand, and pistol in the other.


Sent from my virtual ball & chain.
 
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#18 ·
I don't do much building clearing and I really don't know what HD means. As a regular guy, I keep a good flashlight handy at all times. My 19 is my EDC and I don't want stuff on it. If I ever decide to have a dedicated night stand gun, I may consider it. Or perhaps for my tact. vest gun. But really, I hate to rely on battery operated stuff.
 
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#26 ·
I'm with you. Having searched hundreds of buildings in my LEO career I still don't really get the tactical weapon mounted derp-derp. Of course that was so long ago we used flaming torches in those days. :supergrin:

Having retired, I am unlikely to be out clearing native villages or searching buildings these days. I have a flashlight or I would simply flip a light switch on if I needed light in my house.
 
#22 ·
An advantage of weapon mounted lights on "house guns" is, when you grab the gun, you also have a flashlight.

For instance, near the back and front doors there are a couple pistol grip shotguns equipped with Streamlight TLR-2 laser/lights.
If I had to quickly grab one of these guns, at night, probably quickly heading out the door because of some disturbance, I wouldn't have to take time looking for a hand held flashlight.
Plus trying to use a long gun and hold a hand held light, for me, is very awkward.

Sometime back I came by this little 20 ga Mossberg and thought it might come in handy, equipped with a laser/light.
Nice little gun.

 
#23 ·
I've tried both methods. In my experience the advantages of a WML outweigh any disadvantage in home defense situations.

 
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#25 ·
I prefer a rail. I can mount a light or laser on it. Having a free hand is useful. The railed Glock can also work in my latest acquisition, the CAA. Micro Roni Stabilizer. Advantages are the ability to mount several accessories onto a platform such as a red dot, laser, and light. One can even put thumb stabilizers. The bottom of the hand guard lends itself to added stability. With a red dot, I can fire sideways, around corners, upside down, and at distances as far as 75 yards, if necessary, even in low light conditions.

Again, I have put this into the hand of novices, who have hit rates of 1/5 at 25 yards to get 3-5/5 yards at 25 yards.
 

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#40 ·
I'm with you. Having searched hundreds of buildings in my LEO career I still don't really get the tactical weapon mounted derp-derp. Of course that was so long ago we used flaming torches in those days. :supergrin:

Having retired, I am unlikely to be out clearing native villages or searching buildings these days. I have a flashlight or I would simply flip a light switch on if I needed light in my house.
I started before the day of it being common to have a WML on a duty pistol. In fact I have worked 90% of my career before we issued pistols with rails.

The advantage is the free hand for opening doors, manipulating switches, and especially reloads during firing.

The other advantage is a solid two handed grip on the gun.

When I started it was a handgun and a 3 D cell sized Magcharger. Try holding that combo through a reload or rapid firing.

I always did the old FBI method. I gave up trying to hold the light and pistol together. Just didn't work well for me.
 
#42 ·
I started before the day of it being common to have a WML on a duty pistol. In fact I have worked 90% of my career before we issued pistols with rails.

The advantage is the free hand for opening doors, manipulating switches, and especially reloads during firing.

The other advantage is a solid two handed grip on the gun.

When I started it was a handgun and a 3 D cell sized Magcharger. Try holding that combo through a reload or rapid firing.

I always did the old FBI method. I gave up trying to hold the light and pistol together. Just didn't work well for me.
I started with the predecessor of the Mag-Lite called the Kel-Lite. Then of course the Mag-Lite and Mag Charger.

No doubt a weapon mounted light is the way to go, but I've never used one or needed one. I try not to go into dark dangerous places anymore.
 
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