[M&P40Cal23Az]

My new home security system

 

[melbourneman4007]

Maybe I am just not thinking but, why would anyone use a flashlight on a gun at night? Doesnt that give the BG an easy target? He can see you but you may not see him.



Or hold a flashlight way out to the side so if some is gunning for the light it wont hit the good guy.



Night sites are great but the light, unless I am convinced its different from what I think I will pass on.



Melbourneman

 

[M&P40Cal23Az]

Night Sights are nice but also much more than what I wanted to spend right now, I bought the light for right now for $50 from my buddy, and when I can afford to I will be buying nightsites from Smith and Wesson. I see what you are saying about giving away your position, but by the time a BG see's you he'll also be seeing a gun pointed at him, I don't think that you wouldn't be able to see an intruder and he would be able to see you as he is looking at you in the dark, you dont walk around shining the light on everything there is a constant on or you can switch it on or off very fast. Everyone has there own likes and dislikes about a guns accessories and what works for some may not work for others, its all about personal prefrences for instance some like leather holsters others go with plastic or nylon. Overall I would have to say anyone that likes tactical lights on their guns or is interested in this should look into getting one of these, I bought mine mainly for home defense.



Shoot straight and continue safe shooting and recreation

 

[mcone]

Maybe I am just not thinking but, why would anyone use a flashlight on a gun at night? Doesnt that give the BG an easy target? He can see you but you may not see him.



Or hold a flashlight way out to the side so if some is gunning for the light it wont hit the good guy.



Night sites are great but the light, unless I am convinced its different from what I think I will pass on.



Melbourneman

Questioning status quo is an excellent thing. Well done!



I'm not a LEO or military, but there are professionals who prefer these weapon mounted lights. So there appear to be good reasons for them. This is a direct quote from http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp...=3&id=30995

The psychology of light

The psychology of using a bright light for police work has driven the flashlight industry. By this time, it is well known that an area saturated with light is less attractive to a suspect then a dark area. There is also a relationship between the brightness and intimidation factor of a light. That is, the brighter the light, the greater the margin of safety for the officer.



Some experts have suggested that a weapon-mounted light is hazardous as the suspect can easily see the source of the light and therefore the officer. While this is partially true, the benefits of saturating an area with light will usually outweigh the disadvantages. Suspects are less likely to step into a well lit area than shadows.



With the psychology of light in mind, the question whether to use the momentary switch or the constant-on switch also can be answered. Use what is tactically appropriate for the situation. When in doubt, dominate an area with light by leaving the switch on.



If an officer is using a flashlight to see, it is likely a person found in the area did not want to be found. This may be a very good time to have a tactical light. If this person knows officers are searching for him, the officer who has both hands on the weapon and a light trained on the suspect has an advantage.

In addition to this, these lights are very bright and intended for close-up action. I would venture to say that looking into one of this lights for a split second removes all possibility of precision aiming by the bad guy. He may let off a volley in your direction, but he will not be able to see you clearly. You, however, will see him perfectly and will have the tactical advantage for a second. That's all it takes.



-Mike

 

[raz-0]

They are VERY bright. Also in a dark room, it's not like breaking out the cheap red ray-o-vac special, the overspill of the beam will light up a lot of the room well enough to see.



Like everything it is a trade-off. You can definitely aquire a sight picture faster and shoot faster with both hands on the gun, and seeing well beats fumbling in the dark.

 

[Jester]

I agree with raz-o. Not having apistol pointed at me, but the light only, you get disoriented by it, and its hard to react.



My dad felt the way you do, but now agrees that on the pistol is just fine.

 

[David Smith]

Tritium sights are wonderful in a pitch black environment, but YOU GOTTA BE ABLE TO ID THE TARGET! In real life, you don't get to set up your own scenario where the BG stands in the light & you get to hide in the darkness when it becomes necessary to engage. Also, as others have stated, a powerful light is a weapon to create momentary confusion, disorientation & a psychological advantage. Lights mounted on the weapon usually aren't too practical for concealed carry, but they're great for a long gun or a pre-stationed home defense handgun. My 870 is so equipped.



In a night defensive situation, it is great to have both a light (or two) & the nightsights available, but I'd MUCH rather give up the nightsights than a good flashlight. In fact, I carry a Surefire on my person & another in my briefcase all day long 24/7 & wonder how I got along without it for so many years. Even during daylight hours, you're much more likely to get caught inside during a blackout than in a gunfight.

 

[mcone]

In fact, I carry a Surefire on my person & another in my briefcase all day long 24/7 & wonder how I got along without it for so many years. Even during daylight hours, you're much more likely to get caught inside during a blackout than in a gunfight.

Ever since I became more aware of preparing the family for self-defense, the flashlight industry got a real boost. We have a MAG-LITE available for every room in which a family member sleeps. The primary goal: Positive identification of the individual on the other end of the beam.



-Mike

 

[Jester]

Positive identification of the individual on the other end of the beam.

Well said!

 

[Out West]

True story that happened to me about two weeks ago: the family is in the kitchen finishing up a late dinner. We hear the front door open (its squeaky) and a few seconds later hear it close again. At this point I am not sure if someone is in the house or not. I quickly hop to the bedroom and pick up my Sigma 40GVE with M4 tactical light. I quickly go through the down stairs of the house. Thinking I would have heard or seen someone take the stairs to the second floor, I go to the front door and sweep the front yard with the light.



As the light comes to the left side of my yard and the boundary of my next door neighbors house, I catch a woman in the light. The light freezes her in her tracks and she puts her hands up to her eyes.



Turns out the lady was confused and intended to go to my neighbor's house on the first try. She apologized for walking into the house. I don't think she even figured out that the light was attached to a pistol. I figured that I would catch heck from the neighbor, but he has not mentioned the incedent. We worked together yesterday to repair our common fence.



Bottomline: the light in this instance was a tactical asset.



Out West