Posted: 10/18/2007 11:49:45 AM EDT
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First Question: Does anyone else here carry a concealed weapon with a light on it? I do (obviously), but I prefer an IWB holster. So far the only one that I've come across that works for me is the BladeTech one. I've had it for quite a while and i really like it, however, I was curious if anyone else knows of a company that makes another version. I'd prefer to have one that's tuckable during the winter months, but that's not entirely a requirement. Second Question: Why is it that these days anything that's firearm/military/LE/EMS related that is the color black, tan, green, or subdued considered to be "Tactical"? Or what about anything that's got an LED in it considered to be "Digital"?? I mean seriously... is anyone else tired of this crap? I've spent many years running and gunning in countries and on the water with good quality gear, but now it seems like every computer chair commando needs to feel like he or she is something they're not. To make up for the lack of military skills/ time in service, they buy this crap to compensate. I dunno, it's just getting old to me. Anyone else have these feelings? 
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| never even thought about a lite on my CCW ,at my age change don't come easy. I carry a Colt Defender in a in the wast bad Kydex holster or a H&K P7PSP in a DelFatty . I need a rig that is fully hidden . I hear the new LED lights are very bright and small ,I may check it out . as for the second ,don't even get me started . lately almost every thing bugs me anyway . The D Backs getting swept realy pissed me off ,and that's just a game . |
Most people don't carry a light on their CCW. There are so many benefits to having it that, for me, it only makes sense. Well that and the fact that I've had a light on my duty gun for many many years now. I have the Surefire X200, Streamlight M6 (light/laser), and their TRL light. I personally like the X200 the best on my CCW gun because it not only puts out a blinding white beam of LED light, but it does so with a Diamond shaped beam. Essentially you can center the beam on your suspect for quick shots and get good hits. NOTE: I am a firearms instructor and completely teach relying on your sights. HOWEVER, there are certain circumstances where that is not practical. Anyhow, it sounds like the firearms you carry don't have the rail on the front anyways so a weaponlight is outta the question.  You can, on the other hand, carry a handheld flashlight at night.  <-- just don't wear sunglasses.
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What ever happened to "Don't point a gun at anything you don't wish to destroy"? To me the beauty of the tac light is the ability to temporarily blind someone while you ID them and BEFORE pointing a weapon at them. That means putting the hot spot of the beam directly on their face. With a weapon mounted light, that means pointing your gun at the face of someone you have not yet identified. Yes, with training and practice you can ID someone in the splash of the beam, but there's several problems with that. First, you're still pointing a gun in their general direction, which might get you jail time and lose you your right to carry if the person was not a threat. You can bet your ass the average person will call the cops and the average cop will arrest you if you draw and point your gun at an unarmed person who wasn't threatening you. Second, how many people with weapon mounted lights have that training and practice? Outside of law enforcement (who can get away with pointing their guns at people who aren't threats) I'm betting it's around 5% or less. I've watched it play out in my own training, the average person WILL point their gun, and their light, at an unknown object before they've properly ID'd it. Third, if you don't put the hotspot of the beam directly in the eyes of your unidentified target, you're not blinding them and if they are a threat, you're ID'ing and positioning yourself for their shot. There may be advantages to a weapon mounted light for the trained professional with some protection from the law, but for the average gun owner there are far more disadvantages. |
Part two: Quite honestly, it gives the person in charge of procurement a hard-on to order things with 'tactical' in the title. It probably receives less scrutiny from command staff who signs such things. Part one: I also carry a separate flash light for the reasons mentioned. If I am at home and need light, I also need the gun. In public, I need the light 99.999% of the time. I only need the gun .001%. |
A big +1. I carry a separate compact flashlight. |
| did anyone ever consider that the light would give a perfect target to some one trying to shoot you ? I a'm not involved in such situations so I don't know , but if there were more than 1 advisary I could see this as a real problem. as I said I have no expertice in such situations and a'm wondering if this is a problem for those who do this kind of thing . |
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I guess I failed to mention that I also carry a Insight Typhoon light almost 99.9% of the time. That's my mistake for not mentioning that, sorry. I spent my four years in the military doing operations and I always had a light on my gun. Many times it saved my backside for the simple reason that my support hand was busy and I needed to take someone down (not necessarily by shooting). I guess in the long run there are many ways to consider each side of the story, both for and against lights on weapons. As for GONIF's post, I personally train with my light (as I used to) all the time. It does temprorarily give someone a target to shoot at if: 1) they are not blinded by the light when you "beam" them, 2) have trained to counter the light in the eyes by closing one eye to preserve some night-vision, and 3) I "beam" the suspect to make sure I have a good ID, turn the light off and move, If there is more than one adversary, then perhaps blinding them with the light and seeking alternative cover/ concealment would beat trying to shoot at them while moving or anything else. Here are my rules in a shooting incident: 1) confirm ID, threat, and background, 2) do whatever you can possibly do to aid in the protection of bystanders, 3) if possible, seek alternative means of escape, evasion, or defense, 4) if at night, cheat any and every way you can possibly (and legally) do to win, 5) if at daytime, repeat step 4, and finally 6) if all else fails, shoot as fast as you can, but as slow as you MUST. Another way of looking at the question posed is how many times have you gone out to your car/ house/ etc... at nightime with a hand full of groceries or other objects which hinder getting to your light? I know it happens to me all the time, especially when my g/f and I goto Costco or Sams Club. (Note: to which some of my ammo budget is being sucked up by!) Anyhow (speaking of Costco), it's time to go get more groceries for my g/f's b-day party tomorrow night. In the mean time, ya'll stay safe and take care. |
| I carry a separate light myself I finally found a Blackhawk light holster thats concealable, I carry a G23 in a Galco IWB leather holster, quite uncomfortable depending on style of pants you're wearing it can hurt the groin if not adjusted properly. My G3 is plenty for me, but I think a change in holsters would be a good idea. |
Hmm... are you wearing it in the front hip area or the rear hip? I've carried a Milt Sparks IWB holster for about six years (same holster, too!) and I've never had a problem with it. I carry mine in the pocket area just behind my hip bone. There's a little "pocket" area where it fits really comfortably. I know quite a few guys that unbutton their jeans top button (while leaving them zipped) when they wear an IWB holster. Most of the time, people don't buy clothing based upon what type of holster they're going to wear. I usualy buy my shorts and pants a single inch size larger in the waist than what I need. What type of holster were you looking to switch to? Just curious. |