Attached light or handheld?

[TMP]

I've got both and I find them both useful when used appropriately. The TLR-1 is very bright and is on my XD45 Tac and I have a Streamlight hand held too. I don't feel much difference in weight with the TLR on the 45.
120 sounds a tad high for a TLR-1 though.

[Joeywhat]

Originally Posted by leeindy

most good holsters latch onto the trigger guard for positive retention. everytime you put something wide in front of the tigger guard it needs something else to latch onto.... light technology has not been miniaturized enough for me to mount one on a pistol. i dont care for them or the holsters they require just personal opinion. im actually looking for a glock 19 gen 1or2 without a rail just for additional slimness. i dont like light rails and the ones i have i dont use for anything.

Are you implying that they have poor retention? Because my NTAC stays put quite well, actually. The retention indexes off the light, works very well.

You should check out the X300, it's pretty slim as far as tac lights are concerned.

[Old4Eyes]

I agree with TMP's reply. A weapon mounted light allows two hand control of the weapon. When it's on, the sights become silhouetted which aids greatly in aiming. The biggest complaint is that if someone shoots back targeting the light, they are aiming at you.

A big advantage of a separate light is being able to use it to illuminate your own gun if a serious malfunction occurs and you need to see it to clear it.

My nightstand gun has a TLR-1 on it and a flashlight next to it.

And TMP is correct, 120 is high for a TLR-1.

[Cuda66]

Originally Posted by Joeywhat

I just have mine on my Glock to look cool and brag about it on online forums.

Get both, get training.

Me, too. On both accounts.

I have a X300 on my G34, and a E2DL next to it in the dresser. Both are effective, and training is quite beneficial in learning when and how to use them.

[leeindy]

just not interested. im not saying they dont have there place. i just dont personally want or need one. my HD gun is not a pistol so i dont need a pistol light

[Reyort]

I guess they have their place, but it seems to me in a HD situation, you might as well paint a bullseye on yourself...

[NDB_MN]

Originally Posted by Reyort

I guess they have their place, but it seems to me in a HD situation, you might as well paint a bullseye on yourself...

I disagree. The point is not to have the light on constantly, but to use it to identify your target. You have the initiative of activating the light when and how you see fit.

[Joeywhat]

Most lights will have pressure switches. Light doesn't need to be on all the time.

Good for when you're out and about at night, too.....

[MartialSkill]

Originally Posted by Reyort

I guess they have their place, but it seems to me in a HD situation, you might as well paint a bullseye on yourself...

I agree. In addition, the light should be hand-held away from your body and strobed, thus keeping the subject thrown off. My 2 cents, of course.

[StrangerDanger]

Seek training. Upon your first encounter with night shooting, you'll find out how hard it is to be effective during the night. If you're using the constant on setting of any light/laser, you're doing it wrong. It is a momentary device that allows you to ID your target before firing. Having the weapon light mounted to the pistol allows you to hold the weapon in a proper two handed stance. Try using a hand held light and shooting. It's not so easy. You won't be as effective.

On my carry rig, on duty and off duty, I carry both a hand held light and a weapon mounted light. I also keep the lanyard on my flash light so I can drop it if needed, and still have access to it.

I've used most of the lights on the market. My absolute favorite is the Surefire X300 and X400 series. The main reason I prefer them over all others is the optional DG remote activation momentary switch. It basically allows you to control your light output as you would a CTC laser grip. You have absolute momentary control over the light/laser. Even with only one hand, you can control the weapon light. The system is completely ambidextrous also. No other system offers this. It's not a tape switch like you imagine. It's a molded rigid piece of rubberized plastic that conforms to the bottom of the trigger guard. It then puts the momentary activation button directly under your middle finger on the grip. By squeezing your grip, you can control the output. It works very well. We have the same setup on our XD45 Service models also.

Holsters have came a long way in the past few years for light mounted pistols. I really like my Raven Concealment holster. The retention is great. It is fairly compact for what it is.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/...3d508009_b.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2578/...9a946f9d_b.jpg
Springfield Armory XDm 9mm with a Surefire X400 weapon light and it's remote DG switch. The light is a Surefire LX2 200 lumen torch.