Light or Laser?

[akr]

Originally Posted by Old School

Also, aim is a relative terms when it comes to a scattergun. Point it in the general direction and you are good. It beats lining up a notch and post. Instinct should get the gun up to where it needs to be.

still wrong----
you do have to aim at "inside the house" distances (unless he is right in front of you), because it won't spread that much.

[Nerves]

Tomcat088 is dead on. I like to add that low light training should become part of your regiment. And please note that a light does not stay on all the time. after you attend training, you will learn that the light comes on only to TGt ID/blind and shot. After practice this is a real quick task.

[UtahConcealer]

Thanks for the replies everybody, I might go for the light and take some training classes that would help me with that. Thanks for your help again, I agree on the home protection w/ the shotgun piece that you spoke about, my SCXD will mainly be a concealed carry piece, but obviously if I have it handy at home, it would be used for that as well.

[Parrishco]

Remember that its important to positively identify your target too - which is where the light comes in. Im in the same shoes as you and I got the X2L for my SC. But learning how to use a gun defensively is VERY important. You wouldnt drive or fly without instruction. Some old lady was just shot here a little while back when her husband thought she was an intruder when in fact it was just dark and he didnt know she was up.

[UtahConcealer]

Yeah, definitely, thanks for all the help, don't wanna go into this purchase and ownership blindly. Thanks again.

[Windaria]

http://www.flashlights.com/m6x.htm

You could get the laser AND the light...

[Verm]

If it was a choice between a light and laser and it was for home defence then I recommend a light hands down over a laser.

Your primary objective is to identify the threat. I have seen more than one instance where a homeowner shot a family member in the dark thinking it was an intruder. You identify, then you act.

A laser is an AID to aiming with sights, not a replacement for sights, You still need to make sure you have a proper stance and hold on the gun when you pull the trigger. The whole hollywood idea that you can accurately aim with a laser from the hip is total crap because the moment you squeeze the trigger in an awkward position, you are going to move the gun and the bullet isn't going to go where the little red dot is.

Also, as mentioned above, a flashlight itself can be used as a weapon of sorts by temporarily blinding an assailant and giving you the advantage. The nice thing about a gun mounted light is that it gives you the ability to both aim the light and the gun with one hand and dial a phone for 911 with the other without having to set one or the other down.

[fastboy]

I'd suggest a gun mounted laser, and a compact, high output flashlight such as a surefire. I use surefire 6P with 120 lumens optional lamp; very bright light in a small enough package. I got a bunch and place them everywhere: glove box in cars, bedroom nightstand, kitchen drawer, bathroom, etc. They really come in handy.

The gun mounted laser will eliminate the need for aiming. That will be a critical advantage in the low light situation. The flash light will serve well to identify the target and temporarily blind the opponent (if needs be), without the need to directly point your gun at everywhere or everyone you are trying to illuminate.

Pointing your gun (along with the gun mounted light) at someone just for investigating is dangerous. With the gun light, you don't want to get yourself into the habit of using the gun light in the same manner as you would a regular flashlight.

[M2XD]

Originally Posted by fastboy

I'd suggest a gun mounted laser, and a compact, high output flashlight such as a surefire. I use surefire 6P with 120 lumens optional lamp; very bright light in a small enough package. I got a bunch and place them everywhere: glove box in cars, bedroom nightstand, kitchen drawer, bathroom, etc. They really come in handy.

The gun mounted laser will eliminate the need for aiming. That will be a critical advantage in the low light situation. The flash light will serve well to identify the target and temporarily blind the opponent (if needs be), without the need to directly point your gun at everywhere or everyone you are trying to illuminate.

Pointing your gun (along with the gun mounted light) at someone just for investigating is dangerous. With the gun light, you don't want to get yourself into the habit of using the gun light in the same manner as you would a regular flashlight.

I agree, I am also waiting for the LaserMax to come out for the XD-45 ACP (Service model in my case), as I have read a lot about laser sights and feel they are definitely an asset in targeting. They allow you to line up your shot without having to bring the weapon up to your usual aiming stance. Crimson Trace has some good videos on their web site on this. Plus the LaserMax allows you to use your normal holster, and it is pretty well protected by the gun. I will probably add a SureFire 6P light onto the rail when I need it, but the LaserMax will be my first addition.

Cheers! M2

[fastboy]

Originally Posted by M2XD

Plus the LaserMax allows you to use your normal holster, and it is pretty well protected by the gun. I will probably add a SureFire 6P light onto the rail when I need it, but the LaserMax will be my first addition.

Cheers! M2

My thought exactly. I am also waiting for the the price of the LaserMax to come down a bit before I hop on to it. That's by far the best gun laser idea in my view. The fact that it's totally housed inside the frame is the biggest advantage over other types of gun laser; no special holster needed, no worry of additional objects attaching to the gun that may get knocked around.