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It is currently Fri Apr 26, 2024 7:51 am
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Handgun weapon light Help
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KeystoneCowboy
Site Supporter
Location: Burlington Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 Posts: 5999
Real Name: Kyle
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Teach me, please! I have a M&P 45 full size that I am wanting to do some multiple duties; nightstand gun, overnight camping "nightstand", camping carry(OC), OC at shoots etc. I am looking at getting a Kydex holster(my first one) for carrying, and it seems its not terribly tough to get a holster ready for my weapon light. Ive heard a lot of the arguments for/against weapon lights. I am not sold on them, mostly I think its because I have a flashlight handy and dont have any other handguns with rails. All that to ask, does it matter what light? What are the big differences? Id be happy with a bang for buck light as Im not an operator or light snob. Keeping in mind while camping and at home I have a flashlight handy. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
_________________ Looking for: S&W Schofield 2x (.38/357) Coonan 1911 Nemo Omen JM Marlin 39M Tikka T3 Tactical(.308) BAR(.308)
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Tue Aug 01, 2017 7:01 am |
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OhShoot!
Site Supporter
Location: Bellingham Canada Joined: Thu Jan 3, 2013 Posts: 4999
Real Name: Josheewa
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Yes you need a weapon light. Ever try to shoot at night without one? My Streamlight TLR1s has been by far my favorite so far. Great price and really bright. I use the TLR1-HL model on my AR and can easily shoot out to 75 yards on steel in the dark. Weapon lights make shooting at night super fun and accurate.
_________________ It must be frustrating always being the smartest person in the room.-Jagerbomber35
Divided we fall.
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Tue Aug 01, 2017 7:30 am |
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Tonydec
Location: Tacoma Joined: Wed Jun 4, 2014 Posts: 484
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You have divergent wants, i.e. inside and outside. Light needs would vary somewhat between the two. Being a handgun, ranges of intended use would typically be at shorter ranges. For home defense, do not get a light that is too bright. You will blind yourself with reflections off of walls, mirrors, windows, etc. A lot of people tend to go too bright. Try it yourself with hand held flashlights. Walk around your house in the dark with lights of varying brightness as if searching. You will see what I mean. Then imagine it at o dark thirty, woken up with a fright with constricted pupils then hit with a bright light.
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Tue Aug 01, 2017 8:53 am |
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OhShoot!
Site Supporter
Location: Bellingham Canada Joined: Thu Jan 3, 2013 Posts: 4999
Real Name: Josheewa
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Tonydec wrote: You have divergent wants, i.e. inside and outside. Light needs would vary somewhat between the two. Being a handgun, ranges of intended use would typically be at shorter ranges. For home defense, do not get a light that is too bright. You will blind yourself with reflections off of walls, mirrors, windows, etc. A lot of people tend to go too bright. Try it yourself with hand held flashlights. Walk around your house in the dark with lights of varying brightness as if searching. You will see what I mean. Not over buying a light is a good point. I've been using the streamights for over a year and they go everywhere with me on my guns. Especially in the RV when I work on my rental in the hood. The TLR1 series is plenty of light for outdoors without going overboard for inside duty. ymmv.
_________________ It must be frustrating always being the smartest person in the room.-Jagerbomber35
Divided we fall.
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Tue Aug 01, 2017 8:57 am |
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mislabeled
Site Supporter
Location: N-Sno Joined: Thu Oct 3, 2013 Posts: 4015
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Tonydec wrote: You have divergent wants, i.e. inside and outside. Light needs would vary somewhat between the two. Being a handgun, ranges of intended use would typically be at shorter ranges. For home defense, do not get a light that is too bright. You will blind yourself with reflections off of walls, mirrors, windows, etc. A lot of people tend to go too bright. Try it yourself with hand held flashlights. Walk around your house in the dark with lights of varying brightness as if searching. You will see what I mean. Then imagine it at o dark thirty, woken up with a fright with constricted pupils then hit with a bright light. Exactly this. One version of the TLR1 (as an example) is something like 300 lumens. Other models are 600 lumens or more. That's great for outdoors, or if you're awake (and have been awake for some time) inside your house. In the middle of the night, with sleepy, dark-adapted eyes, it's just way, way too much. It's even more too much if your walls are light and you're in a hallway, where that white paint is all around you. A lower light level is preferred in those instances, but few weapon lights offer anything but off and high. Also, consider that it may be necessary to still carry a handheld flashlight, since you will probably want to illuminate some things that you do NOT want to cover. If a neighbor peeks over the fence or a car pulls into your driveway, do you always want to be pointing your gun at them? Usually not. But you probably DO want to put some light on them, either to confirm who they are or simply to see where you're stepping so you don't trip over something (particularly if you have a gun in your hand). I'm not anti-WML. I have one. But their real-world use does expose some gaps that you should at least consider as you ponder your purchase.
_________________ "Hmmm. I've been looking for a way to serve the community that incorporates my violence." -- Leela
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Tue Aug 01, 2017 9:41 am |
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KeystoneCowboy
Site Supporter
Location: Burlington Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 Posts: 5999
Real Name: Kyle
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mislabeled wrote: Tonydec wrote: You have divergent wants, i.e. inside and outside. Light needs would vary somewhat between the two. Being a handgun, ranges of intended use would typically be at shorter ranges. For home defense, do not get a light that is too bright. You will blind yourself with reflections off of walls, mirrors, windows, etc. A lot of people tend to go too bright. Try it yourself with hand held flashlights. Walk around your house in the dark with lights of varying brightness as if searching. You will see what I mean. Then imagine it at o dark thirty, woken up with a fright with constricted pupils then hit with a bright light. Exactly this. One version of the TLR1 (as an example) is something like 300 lumens. Other models are 600 lumens or more. That's great for outdoors, or if you're awake (and have been awake for some time) inside your house. In the middle of the night, with sleepy, dark-adapted eyes, it's just way, way too much. It's even more too much if your walls are light and you're in a hallway, where that white paint is all around you. A lower light level is preferred in those instances, but few weapon lights offer anything but off and high. Also, consider that it may be necessary to still carry a handheld flashlight, since you will probably want to illuminate some things that you do NOT want to cover. If a neighbor peeks over the fence or a car pulls into your driveway, do you always want to be pointing your gun at them? Usually not. But you probably DO want to put some light on them, either to confirm who they are or simply to see where you're stepping so you don't trip over something (particularly if you have a gun in your hand). I'm not anti-WML. I have one. But their real-world use does expose some gaps that you should at least consider as you ponder your purchase. Thanks for the help! I usually have a flashlight with me. Currently one sits on my nightstand and I carry another, so I should be well covered for those times I need one over the WML. The pointing of my weapon is the main argument I have heard and agree with. Also, a BG shooting at the light seems another legitimate reason to carry a flashlight as well. I think a TLR-1 should fit the bill in tandem with my standard flashlight.
_________________ Looking for: S&W Schofield 2x (.38/357) Coonan 1911 Nemo Omen JM Marlin 39M Tikka T3 Tactical(.308) BAR(.308)
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Tue Aug 01, 2017 9:58 am |
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sigman226
Location: Oly Wa Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2012 Posts: 614
Real Name: Rick
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Jagerbomber35 wrote: mislabeled wrote: Tonydec wrote: You have divergent wants, i.e. inside and outside. Light needs would vary somewhat between the two. Being a handgun, ranges of intended use would typically be at shorter ranges. For home defense, do not get a light that is too bright. You will blind yourself with reflections off of walls, mirrors, windows, etc. A lot of people tend to go too bright. Try it yourself with hand held flashlights. Walk around your house in the dark with lights of varying brightness as if searching. You will see what I mean. Then imagine it at o dark thirty, woken up with a fright with constricted pupils then hit with a bright light. Exactly this. One version of the TLR1 (as an example) is something like 300 lumens. Other models are 600 lumens or more. That's great for outdoors, or if you're awake (and have been awake for some time) inside your house. In the middle of the night, with sleepy, dark-adapted eyes, it's just way, way too much. It's even more too much if your walls are light and you're in a hallway, where that white paint is all around you. A lower light level is preferred in those instances, but few weapon lights offer anything but off and high. Also, consider that it may be necessary to still carry a handheld flashlight, since you will probably want to illuminate some things that you do NOT want to cover. If a neighbor peeks over the fence or a car pulls into your driveway, do you always want to be pointing your gun at them? Usually not. But you probably DO want to put some light on them, either to confirm who they are or simply to see where you're stepping so you don't trip over something (particularly if you have a gun in your hand). I'm not anti-WML. I have one. But their real-world use does expose some gaps that you should at least consider as you ponder your purchase. Thanks for the help! I usually have a flashlight with me. Currently one sits on my nightstand and I carry another, so I should be well covered for those times I need one over the WML. The pointing of my weapon is the main argument I have heard and agree with. Also, a BG shooting at the light seems another legitimate reason to carry a flashlight as well. I think a TLR-1 should fit the bill in tandem with my standard flashlight. Ever tried to do a mag change (tactical or regular) in the dark with a hand held light in your off hand?
_________________ Keep your booger picker off the bang switch till its go time! Walk tall and carry a big Sig!
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Tue Aug 01, 2017 12:02 pm |
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Pacific Armament Co.
FFL / Dealer
Location: Marysville, WA Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2017 Posts: 11
Real Name: Josh Dreyfous
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I had issues mag changes with flashlights (issued Surefire 6p lights) till I saw Surefire came out with those Graham Combat rings for the tail caps. I still have weapon lights on all of my firearms but the ring on the tailcap allowed the handheld light to dangle if needed on my finger as I was doing mag changes. Not the slickest or fastest way BUT it keeps you from dropping your crap on the ground.
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Tue Aug 01, 2017 12:10 pm |
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mislabeled
Site Supporter
Location: N-Sno Joined: Thu Oct 3, 2013 Posts: 4015
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A wrist lanyard can also make the off-hand flashlight a non-issue. Or just stick it in your mouth. If it works for futzing around with plumbing under the sink, surely it can work in a pinch in a self-defense situation, too.
_________________ "Hmmm. I've been looking for a way to serve the community that incorporates my violence." -- Leela
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Tue Aug 01, 2017 12:19 pm |
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Unicorn
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2011 Posts: 2604
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I really like the Streamlight TLR 1. great bang for the buck.
As to brightness... the HL, High Lumen version at 600 lumens instead of the standard isn't really any brighter. It does put out more light but in a wider beam. Great for the backyard. But because there is more light it does bounce off the walls and right back into your eyes. For inside use I'd go with the standard version.
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Tue Aug 01, 2017 1:04 pm |
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Guntrader
In Memoriam
Location: Mukilteoish Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 Posts: 11595
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Have both the TLR-1s and the TLR-1HL. Agree with what has been said above: 1s for inside, 1HL for outside. Very high quality lights. Got both of mine for about $100/ea shipped on sale.
Great for pocket carry too. I'm missing one, have to go look for it.
_________________ NRA Endowment Member. How did they know my member was well endowed?
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Tue Aug 01, 2017 1:44 pm |
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Rix86
Site Supporter
Location: Shelton Joined: Sun Nov 17, 2013 Posts: 5838
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I want a tlr1s for the strobe. But sunlite also makes some weapon mounting alternatives I'm going to go for as well.
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Tue Aug 01, 2017 4:32 pm |
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OhShoot!
Site Supporter
Location: Bellingham Canada Joined: Thu Jan 3, 2013 Posts: 4999
Real Name: Josheewa
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All great points here. Keep them coming.
_________________ It must be frustrating always being the smartest person in the room.-Jagerbomber35
Divided we fall.
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Tue Aug 01, 2017 6:02 pm |
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Tonydec
Location: Tacoma Joined: Wed Jun 4, 2014 Posts: 484
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[/quote]Ever tried to do a mag change (tactical or regular) in the dark with a hand held light in your off hand?[/quote]
Yes, hundreds if not thousands of times, practice and live fire, and under stress. Even using the big Streamlights, think D and C cell size. Different techniques for the large lights compared to the small ones, but when practiced becomes second nature. With the small ones, i.e. 6P's and the like, just think of a cigar hold between the pinky and ring finger, very similar and not a whole lot of manipulation. As with everything firearm and tactical related, practice is key.
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Tue Aug 01, 2017 7:33 pm |
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Blaze.45
Site Supporter
Location: Auburn/Kent/Renton Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2011 Posts: 766
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Rix86 wrote: I want a tlr1s for the strobe. But sunlite also makes some weapon mounting alternatives I'm going to go for as well. Don't all TLRs strobe?
_________________ Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. - Ronald ReaganNRA Certified RSOSAF/NRA Life Member
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Tue Aug 01, 2017 8:30 pm |
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