Weapon light vs. handheld flashlight (Split thread)

[FerretLE426]

I am not a fan of tactical lights on my pistol. So sir dont like it all .

[Feet]

I never used one personally. On nights I liked having my big honking flashlight in support hand and duty gun in my strong hand.

I never had a problem but whatever flips your skirt I guess.

[CAL]

My thought was that having a light on your weapon would leave your support hand free for other things. No good?

[Feet]

Some guys like it but when you do searches you have that light on your gun and your pistol points wherever the light does.
If you have never been "surprised" in a search by a cat or critter etc then you have not searched enough. I do not like pointing my pistol at anything I do not want to destroy.
It is not a deal breaker with me but I never had an issue with using my big light. I am a good shot and I feel comfortable with firing my strong hand only.
Maybe some guys who love the lights can offer up some positives but I never needed to use it.

[Shadowcop92]

Some agencies here have their K9 guys do the tactical light thing, but as far as patrol or traffic, no go because if light is on weapon then when you light up a perp your weapon is pointed at them and hello complaint especially if they are being compliant(used a big word) So I only have it attached when I am on a raid. I too am confident in my strong hand firing abilities.

[CAL]

Originally Posted by Shadowcop92

Some agencies here have their K9 guys do the tactical light thing, but as far as patrol or traffic, no go because if light is on weapon then when you light up a perp your weapon is pointed at them and hello complaint especially if they are being compliant(used a big word) So I only have it attached when I am on a raid. I too am confident in my strong hand firing abilities.

Good point, I never thought about that.

[FerretLE426]

Go shooting at night and put a flashlight on your target. Take a look where your shot placement is........

I did this and will not use a light on my gun.

[Broke Hoss]

I use a weapon mounted light (Blackhawk) and love it! I work straight mids and it is always mounted on my pistol. But wouldn't take it off if I switched shifts.

[quotewhen you light up a perp your weapon is pointed at them][/quote]
This is pretty much the idea. I don't use the weapon light unless it is a situation where having the weapon drawn is authorized. I have other flashlights for more routine situations & still train to draw/fire with them in my hand. Our RO even requires some strings of qualification be fired using handheld lights & no mounted lights. I can also use the peripherial light to shine on someone/thing if I don't feel the need for my weapon to be directly pointed at them/it. But as noted, if I'm using my weapon light I'm expecting to have to use my weapon.

If you have never been "surprised" in a search by a cat or critter etc then you have not searched enough

And if you fired at them out of surprise rather than to stop thier deadly assault, you didn't have your finger indexed along the side of your gun. A bad thing & you likely would've shot them even if you'd been using a handheld light.

Nope, I wouldn't trade mine. Got 1 on my Glock, 1 on my 870 & they're required on the foregrip of our patrol rifles. Of course I would trade for my tritium sights or my other 2 flashlights I carry either. All have thier purpose.

[Feet]

This is pretty much the idea. I don't use the weapon light unless it is a situation where having the weapon drawn is authorized. I have other flashlights for more routine situations & still train to draw/fire with them in my hand. Our RO even requires some strings of qualification be fired using handheld lights & no mounted lights. I can also use the peripherial light to shine on someone/thing if I don't feel the need for my weapon to be directly pointed at them/it. But as noted, if I'm using my weapon light I'm expecting to have to use my weapon.


And if you fired at them out of surprise rather than to stop thier deadly assault, you didn't have your finger indexed along the side of your gun. A bad thing & you likely would've shot them even if you'd been using a handheld light.

Nope, I wouldn't trade mine. Got 1 on my Glock, 1 on my 870 & they're required on the foregrip of our patrol rifles. Of course I would trade for my tritium sights or my other 2 flashlights I carry either. All have thier purpose

Oh as a side note like Shadow said above, ours is considered use of force when we POINT our duty weapon at anybody. So if I point my weapon/light it is a use of force. Also, we are ''flagged" for too many use of force incidents within a 1 year time frame. "Oh but that does not count, you are just illuminating your target and your light happens to be strapped to your gun". I say thee nay, our dept does not care.

I am all for those who want to point their pistol at everybody, I am just not one of those. Keep on keeping on.

[Broke Hoss]

FEET, sorry I can't look at your profile yet to see your agency.
IMO your agency's policy is lacking & not conducive to officer safety. Or I'm misunderstanding, which wouldn't be unheard of either; just ask my wife.

It is not wise to just go around pointing a loaded gun at persons willie-nillie. Nor is it prudent to wait until a threat level actually justifys deadly force before aiming at a potental threat.

Yes, producing your weapon is force, & is pretty high on the force continuim. And should be justified. But using an aimed weapon & verbal commands is appropriate for several fairly common tasks we encounter.

Perhaps I'm picturing a wrong scenerio; help me out. I'm imagining like an Armed Subj call (gun,knife or club) I'm approaching anyone with my gun on them until determined not to be a threat. Building search after alarm.....I search with my gun/light and anyone encountered again gets to see the muzzle until proned out & I'm confident they're not a threat...

I aint trying to be hostile, just trying to understand your agency's force policy. The number ! thing for all of us should be to stay safe & come home in 1 piece.