Podcast 218 Handgun Mounted Lights: Tactics and Types

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Today:  Handgun Mounted Lights; the good, the bad, the ugly. Are they for you? Which one is best? A look at Surefire, Stream Light, Inforce, and Crimson Trace

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Outline:

What I want in a Handgun Mounted Light:

  • Switch: Easy to operate, Doesn’t change my shooting, use either hand
  • Master Disable Switch that can be used when on or off the gun
  • Easily taken off and put on the gun
  • Common enough holsters for concealed carry and tactical use
  • Bright mode and low mode that is easy to select
  • Rechargeable Batteries and Use common batteries in a pinch
  • LED
  • Battery Life Indicator

Tactics

  • Light and Move
  • Cover the light for navigation
  • Light, Sweep, Move
  • Don’t need the light on to shoot
  • Face is a good place to shine the light
  • Less effective every time you use the light on someone
  • More light is not always better
  • More to learn and train; not less work

Weapon Mounted vs Handheld Light

  • Weapon Mounted Whenever Possible
  • Advantages outweigh Disadvantages
  • Advantages
    • One Handed Use
    • Never Lose it
    • Don’t have to put is someplace
    • Light is always pointing where the gun is pointed… less extra work
    • Gun goes away, light goes away
  • Disadvantages
    • Holsters
      • Bigger
      • Not as Safe
    • Always pointing the gun at something (Use tactics to minimize this problem)
    • Heavier
    • More Maintenance
  • Final Word: BOTH!

Weapons Lights I’ve Used and are common:

Surefire X300

  • Rocker Switch for on
  • Push for on Sucks
  • Indestructible

Stream Light TLR-1

TLR-1
TLR-1
  • Rocker Switch, one way on, other way momentary
  • Easy on and off (relatively)
  • Good Price
  • Works Well
  • My current favorite

Crimson Trace

LightGuard
Crimson Trace LightGuard
  • Grip Activation (Not a fan)
  • Slim
  • 1 Battery

Inforce Light APL

Inforce APL Light
Inforce APL
  • Currently Testing
  • Push in for momentary and on
  • Light Weight
  • Fits same holsters as Surefire Lights
  • Shorter then Surefire or TRL-1

Thanks for listening, don’t forget to check out the Shooter’s Club, and if you need ammo check out Lucky Gunner.

Stay Safe,

Ben

 

2 Replies to “Podcast 218 Handgun Mounted Lights: Tactics and Types”

  1. Ben,
    Have you looked at the Nightcore line of both flashlights and rechargeable lithium ion batteries?
    CR123s are pretty much dead technology but these folks make it in a rechargeable version, plus an “18650” which is a longer single unit equivalent to 2. There is also an 14500 Li model at @AA size which gives more power and higher lumens for the cheap little flashlights like a coast hp-1

    1. I haven’t seen those yet. I’ll look into them. Yes the CR123s are behind in technology, and I love the 18650s (that’s what’s in my carry lights right now), but they seem to be here for a while. I’ll look at the Nightcore though, thank you.

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