Light or Laser?

[UtahConcealer]

I'm going to be purchasing an XD-40 SC in the coming weeks mainly for carry but also home protection. I have seen all the tiny lights and lasers that fit onto the rail but was wondering if these are even something to consider for home protection. My thought on it is, if there's a bad guy in the house, wouldn't he be drawn toward the flash light on the front of the gun or red laser coming out of it as well? Wouldn't that make you more of a target or not easily concealed in the dark? Would a good set of night sights be more appropriate? What do all of you use and do you have any insight or suggestions as this will be my first handgun.

Thanks in advance, I've enjoyed lurking long enough, had to post this.

[Old School]

For home protection, if that is why you are buying a gun, get a shotgun. You won't have the focus to use sights and may miss your threat and shoot someone else. Some 00-Buck will stop any threat and you don't have to aim.

To answer your question, laser versus light, I would go with the laser. I would first take some NRA Personal Defense classes. There is a right way and a wrong way to use a tactical mount light.

Good luck! Hope this is helpful.

OS

[NRA_Girl]

Originally Posted by Old School

For home protection, if that is why you are buying a gun, get a shotgun....Some 00-Buck will stop any threat and you don't have to aim.

hey now shotguns require some aim! its not just point and shoot!

Originally Posted by Old School

I would first take some NRA Personal Defense classes.

much better! NRA gives the best courses! And if you need any classes in shotgun shooting, PM me- certified instructor here!

[akr]

Originally Posted by Old School

Some 00-Buck will stop any threat and you don't have to aim.OS

All 00 buck will stop any threat, and 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.

[UtahConcealer]

Originally Posted by Old School

For home protection, if that is why you are buying a gun, get a shotgun. You won't have the focus to use sights and may miss your threat and shoot someone else. Some 00-Buck will stop any threat and you don't have to aim.

To answer your question, laser versus light, I would go with the laser. I would first take some NRA Personal Defense classes. There is a right way and a wrong way to use a tactical mount light.

Good luck! Hope this is helpful.

OS

I'll be buying it for concealed carry as well as home protection, but I'll keep your input in mind for the future.
I've already signed up for the personal defense class. The instructor out here mixes the concealed course in with the personal defense class. So I'll hit two birds with one stone. Thanks for your insight, anyone else?

[akr]

I'm impressed, NRA Girl!! I didn't know you were a certified shotgun instructor.

[NRA_Girl]

yep and certified National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) Official Referee x5 years

[Old School]

Originally Posted by akr

All 00 buck will stop any threat, and 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.

Sorry. I meant "some" as in "Get yourself some 00Buck".

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.

[Nerves]

Fyi...The Light and for that matter the Laser are tools, even offensive tools. There are many studies out there that will tell you that a "high" output (Lumens) light will not only illuminate the Target, but also deliver temp. blindness is you have the appropriate output. 120 Lumens on the eye is not fun!

arguments that 80 is the n min. go back and forth, but What ever you get get the brightest you can afford and handle with the HD weapon.

[Tomcat088]

I personally will have a light and laser setup myself, although they won't be together. I'm in the process of saving up the money to get it all, and waiting for lasermax to come out with a laser for my XD-45 Tac. Anyway, what nerves said is correct, a good light can cause temporary blindness to an attacker, but also realize that it can be a bullet magnet. That's why if you ever take a course that teaches you some lighting techniques, they will probably really hammer keeping the light away from your body or off to one side. So that if they are shooting at the light, they are less likely to hit you center mass. I think both are effective and necessary items if you're going for home protection. A laser is a nice bonus, but not necessarily a necessity to me. I believe that a laser can help let the intruder know you have him in the sights and what you have with you. They can also be an effective means to aim in low light conditions, just don't totally rely on them and make them a crutch; they're an auxillary sight. Partially because they don't make a laser that I would like (not grip laser), I'll wait on the laser and purchase the light. I think you need to know what you're shooting at first, so either way, go with a light first. Just my opinions, hope they help.

Oh and as many stated, if your only goal is only home protection, a shotgun is never a bad idea. I think if you have the time and room to navigate it, it's superior to a pistol.