Home defense question. - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Hondarrgh · 03-04-2008, 04:55 AM

My .45 is perfect. However, ive noticed in low light i have noticed that i cant target very well. I know alot of you have those Trijicons or Tru-glo(?) But i really dont want to modify my weapon. When i can actually see, i can place my shots wherever i need to. My concern is the "what if" factor when it comes to home defense. I guess im just torn between something like a laser light or actually breaking down and having my gun modified.
Im open to any.
_mike

that left handed guy · 03-04-2008, 04:57 AM

I have a streamlight that sits next to my bed that I can hold in one hand and the gun in the other, or they have small lights that will attach to the accessory rail on your pistol.

Nate

**mhillsing23** · 03-04-2008, 05:12 AM

How dark is your home usually? Night sights are great, they can help you line up your shot, but they won't help you see a BG if he is in the dark. My house doesn't get very dark at night, and night sights work for me. If your house does get very dark, I would look for a light/laser combo.

Conceyted · 03-04-2008, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhillsing23

How dark is your home usually? Night sights are great, they can help you line up your shot, but they won't help you see a BG if he is in the dark. My house doesn't get very dark at night, and night sights work for me. If your house does get very dark, I would look for a light/laser combo.

I have been having a similar concern about tactical lighting on my weapon. I research this forum daily and it appears that people will suggest a variety of things. Some will suggest buying a tactical flashlight, some will suggest a laser sight, many will suggest a weapon light, and MOST will suggest night sights. For me, I have come to the conclusion that night sights are good regardless of lighting situations. They will allow you to lock up your aim on a target much easier in low light (and sometimes in daylight depending on the sights you get). However, the fact still remains that you need to see the BG to aim at it, and this is where I am unsure. Do I want to get a handheld flashlight and onehand my gun? Do I want to get a weapon light? Do I want to get a weaponlight with laser?

Many will tell you that a handheld is best case scenario IF you train with it. Having a light mounted on your weapon can give away your position and give the BG a target to shoot at. Same goes for laser, doing a laser without a flashlight is a huge no-no IMO. The only thing I can't seem to get past is aiming the laser. While aiming it wouldnt be a huge issue, I really dont like the idea that at different distances, the laser won't necessarily be pointing where the bullet is going. To me that seems useless.

apierce918 · 03-04-2008, 05:55 AM

how would a handheld not give away your position any more then one mounted on your rail? They are designed to fubar your night vision and cause the temporary blindness you get with people driving by with HID's on their vehicles. And thats enough time for you to give him his warning and put him down

Hondarrgh · 03-04-2008, 05:56 AM

I guess that is one of my other concerns. I do not want to give away my position. I know it sounds stupid, but the only other reason I don't want night sights is the fact that I have to leave my gun with someone for over a week. I just don't want to be without it

Conceyted · 03-04-2008, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apierce918

how would a handheld not give away your position any more then one mounted on your rail? They are designed to fubar your night vision and cause the temporary blindness you get with people driving by with HID's on their vehicles. And thats enough time for you to give him his warning and put him down

I understand your logic, but check out FBI and law enforcement training. They use handhelds so they are able to hold the light away from their person. Therefore, if the BG sees the light and begins to shoot at it, he is shooting beside you instead of at you. There are videos and books on tactical training with handheld flashlights.

apierce918 · 03-04-2008, 06:39 AM

then i think thats just dumb then. I think they give the BG too much credit for his marksmanship, i think more often than not they arent going to be the greatest shot. At arms length away, if they shoot as poorly as some of the people at the range, they are in just as much trouble if he was 'aiming' directly at you.

i'de rather have both hands on my gun to ensure my shots went where intended. but thats just me

rgeliske · 03-04-2008, 06:45 AM

Don't forget the blinding disorienting factor of the pulse option on many of the better tactical lights you only have to try it once to know that if really works. On the high intensity lights it is almost painful. But the key work in all of this is train with the light, know how to use it to your advantage and not the BG.

polykarp · 03-04-2008, 06:45 AM

I agree with the both hands on the XD approach; I'm not the best one handed shooter. A plus to the rail is that you have the XD & Light in one hand and the other for holding kids, opening doors, releasing dogs and the sort. I've been thinking about a TLR-1 for a while now, I just see the $100 light as half an SKS

03-04-2008, 04:55 AM	#1
Hondarrgh XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 164	Home defense question. My .45 is perfect. However, ive noticed in low light i have noticed that i cant target very well. I know alot of you have those Trijicons or Tru-glo(?) But i really dont want to modify my weapon. When i can actually see, i can place my shots wherever i need to. My concern is the "what if" factor when it comes to home defense. I guess im just torn between something like a laser light or actually breaking down and having my gun modified. Im open to any. _mike

03-04-2008, 05:12 AM	#3
mhillsing23 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,097	How dark is your home usually? Night sights are great, they can help you line up your shot, but they won't help you see a BG if he is in the dark. My house doesn't get very dark at night, and night sights work for me. If your house does get very dark, I would look for a light/laser combo. __________________ Veritas vos liberabit...

03-04-2008, 06:45 AM	#9
rgeliske XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,678	Don't forget the blinding disorienting factor of the pulse option on many of the better tactical lights you only have to try it once to know that if really works. On the high intensity lights it is almost painful. But the key work in all of this is train with the light, know how to use it to your advantage and not the BG. __________________ Sig P220, Taurus PT1911, Browning HiPower 9mm, CZ75, CZ75 P01, S&W Model 60 357, Savage 9317 BTVS .17, Browning Buckmark, Taurus Gaucho 357 (pair), Taurus Gaucho 45LC (pair), Uberti 1873 Saddle Rifle 357, Uberti 1873 45 LC Carbine, TTN 12 Gauge Double, Ruger Bisley Vaquero 357 (pair), Springfield XD9SC, XD45 Service, XD45 Compact Tactical, Glock G35, Taurus 617 357

03-04-2008, 06:45 AM	#10
polykarp XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: TEXAS Posts: 437	I agree with the both hands on the XD approach; I'm not the best one handed shooter. A plus to the rail is that you have the XD & Light in one hand and the other for holding kids, opening doors, releasing dogs and the sort. I've been thinking about a TLR-1 for a while now, I just see the $100 light as half an SKS __________________ An excuse is worse and more terrible than a lie, for an excuse is a lie guarded ~ Pope John Paul II XD .45 Service NRA Member

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03-04-2008, 04:57 AM	#2
that left handed guy XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Front Range Posts: 221	I have a streamlight that sits next to my bed that I can hold in one hand and the gun in the other, or they have small lights that will attach to the accessory rail on your pistol. Nate

03-04-2008, 05:55 AM	#5
apierce918 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mid Michigan Posts: 237	how would a handheld not give away your position any more then one mounted on your rail? They are designed to fubar your night vision and cause the temporary blindness you get with people driving by with HID's on their vehicles. And thats enough time for you to give him his warning and put him down

03-04-2008, 05:56 AM	#6
Hondarrgh XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 164	I guess that is one of my other concerns. I do not want to give away my position. I know it sounds stupid, but the only other reason I don't want night sights is the fact that I have to leave my gun with someone for over a week. I just don't want to be without it

03-04-2008, 06:39 AM	#8
apierce918 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mid Michigan Posts: 237	then i think thats just dumb then. I think they give the BG too much credit for his marksmanship, i think more often than not they arent going to be the greatest shot. At arms length away, if they shoot as poorly as some of the people at the range, they are in just as much trouble if he was 'aiming' directly at you. i'de rather have both hands on my gun to ensure my shots went where intended. but thats just me