Flashlight recommendation?

[ray1970]

So, I've finally decided that having a flashlight attached to my bedside handgun might not be a bad idea. I really know nothing about these things. All I know is I want it to be light weight and bright.

Recommendations?

Thanks.

[opie011]

Seems the Stremlight TLR-1S is very popular. Here's a link to it with free shipping and about the best price I've found from a reputable dealer:
Click Here (http://gunkings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=196&products_id=1520)

[Fromk]

I'm a fan of everything Surefire makes. Their LED lineup is really bright and has great battery life. I have a X300 on mine. An Insight M3 is a good alternative if you're on a budget but watch out for airsoft clones.

If you live with kids or roommates (people you don't share a room with) you should really get a light that isn't mounted, though. There will likely be a time where you want to light someone up without pointing a gun at them.

[Irving]

The only thing that has prevented me from getting a light for my gun, is that it is my carry gun and I don't have a holster for it.

[BuffCyclist]

I carry a Fenix LD10 with me everywhere I go. Got it partly for EDC but also partly because I work at an observatory at night and occasionally my headlight batteries die and its pitch black out.

I keep my Fenix right next to my bed in one spot on my night stand shelf where I can reach over and grab it in a heartbeat. My G23 is sitting right next to it, though I'm considering making myself a Crossbreed Ohai mattress holster thing sometime, using an old holster for it that I replaced.

I've contemplated getting a Streamlight TLR/1s as it seems to be the most common pistol mounted light, but not having a holster for it with the light is one issue, another is what fromk said, sometimes you want to light something up without pointing a gun at it.

[hatidua]

I carry a Fenix LD10

+1

[StagLefty]

Fenix are GTG-Quality lights at a fair price [Beer]

[ray1970]

If you live with kids or roommates (people you don't share a room with) you should really get a light that isn't mounted, though. There will likely be a time where you want to light someone up without pointing a gun at them.


what fromk said, sometimes you want to light something up without pointing a gun at it.

Thanks. I have several flashlights that I can use for illuminating things that are non-threatening. The woman that was shot in Boulder last week after letting herself into a strangers house in the middle of the night kind of got me to thinking. Apparently she was young, drunk, and unarmed. (At least that's the story last I heard.) I wouldn't want to shoot her if she had been in my house, especially since she wasn't armed. I have always felt that being dark in my home gave me the advantage since I know my way around the place. I also always felt that having a light on me just made me an easier target for the bad guy. I am starting to see how, if used correctly, a light on my weapon might work to my advantage when it comes to target identification, acquisition, and the element of surprise.

Thanks again for the replies.

[dan512]

I've got a streamlight TLR-1 attached to my carry gun. Good light, but it periodically gets fickle about turning on. A good smack usually fixes this, but it worries me a little because, well, if I need the light, I need the light right now. From my experience Surefires tend to always function, but there is the price.
As far a carrying with the light check out JM custom kydex holsters, I swear by mine. Also, a pocket flashlight with a good pocket clip cannot be overvalued.

[sellersm]

+1 for the TLR-1S

[yankeefan98121]

+1 for the TLR-1S

and another for the 1s. I have it mounted on my ppq and is darn sexy

[AirbornePathogen]

The only thing that has prevented me from getting a light for my gun, is that it is my carry gun and I don't have a holster for it.

Irving- I had the same issue when my SIG P229 was my only pistol. What I did was buy a Streamlight/Insight M3, since it has the QD rail mount. When I left the apartment, the light came off and it went in the holster. When I got home, the light went back on, and it went in the nightstand. That went on for a good eight months, with no ill effects to the pistol or light. I have a second railed pistol now, so between that and the SIG, whichever one I'm not carrying stays in the nightstand with the M3 on it. That said, I always carry a handheld light when I'm carrying, either a SureFire 6P or Streamlight PT-1L. As always, just my $0.02.

[Irving]

Thanks for the tip. I also have at least one of my hand held flash lights with me 90% of the time. When I put my gun in the night stand safe, I slide it into my nylon holster, so it still wouldn't fit.

[asmo]

One word: Cree

Doesn't matter who is using them (Surefire, Streamlight, Fleshlight, etc.) as long as it is Cree.

[One Shot]

I have a TLR-1 on my glock and its a bright mofo, was only about 100 bucks or so at Bowers.

[sroz]

I went with the Streamlight TLR-1 on my P14 and it works just fine. Took it to the range and put 100 rounds thru it and the light didn't loosen up a bit. It's a good low cost solution for the house.

[whiskeyjack]

streamlight/insight only pistol lights ill use.

[xring]

One word: Cree

Doesn't matter who is using them (Surefire, Streamlight, Fleshlight, etc.) as long as it is Cree.

YUP!!!!!! Cree LED. 1000 lumen Personally i dont like a bunch ,modes on or off is about as much as my brain can process

[xring]

Thanks. I have several flashlights that I can use for illuminating things that are non-threatening. The woman that was shot in Boulder last week after letting herself into a strangers house in the middle of the night kind of got me to thinking. Apparently she was young, drunk, and unarmed. (At least that's the story last I heard.) I wouldn't want to shoot her if she had been in my house, especially since she wasn't armed. I have always felt that being dark in my home gave me the advantage since I know my way around the place. I also always felt that having a light on me just made me an easier target for the bad guy. I am starting to see how, if used correctly, a light on my weapon might work to my advantage when it comes to target identification, acquisition, and the element of surprise.

Thanks again for the replies.

If your existing flashlights are decent why not use them with the harris technique and leave the option of illumination without covering what you are illuminating open? Less possibility of dropping a drunk hotty[Ban3]

[ray1970]

I take it you are using a long arm so you cant use your existing flashlights with the harris technique

Well, I actually meant for my handgun. I thought having a light on the weapon might free up a hand to do things like open doors, push innocents out of harms way, etc. Or it will at least free up that second hand to better control the weapon.

(The handgun is quickly accessible and it's sole purpose is to arm me immediately until I can deploy my rifle.)

[xring]

Well, I actually meant for my handgun. I thought having a light on the weapon might free up a hand to do things like open doors, push innocents out of harms way, etc. Or it will at least free up that second hand to better control the weapon.

(The handgun is quickly accessible and it's sole purpose is to arm me immediately until I can deploy my rifle.)
That is true, light on the weapon is the way to go for door knobs and mag changes

[Mick-Boy]

I've been carrying a light on my pistol, both at home and at work, ever since I was involved in an incident some years ago that made me really wish I had a light on my pistol (I think there's a saying about judgement and experience that might apply here). I currently use Surefire X300s (buy once cry once) and they've all worked fine. At the end of the day any quality light will do so long as you actually have it on your gun. It's not going to help sitting in a safe.

I would like to address the people that object to a weapon mounted light on the grounds that they don't want to cover someone/thing with their weapon while they're illuminating.

I would strongly suggest you spend some time moving in a structure with your pistol and light setup. I think you'll find out a few things.

- First and foremost, you don't have to point a light directly at something to positively target identify. This is especially true indoors. In fact, when you are in an enclosed space like the average room in the US you can have your light pointed directly at the floor or ceiling and there will be enough splash to illuminate the objects in the room. You'll be able to target identify, particularly if you know who is supposed to be in the structure and who isn't (like your home) and you can do it without ever pointing your gun at someone.

- Second, as has been mentioned, manipulating your environment is a lot easier when you can take a hand off the gun and still have light to work with. Opening/closing doors, checking windows, turning lights on or off are all easier with a weapon mounted light.

- Finally, shooting is easier when you have both hands on the weapon. I shoot quite a bit with my right or left hand only. But I'm faster and more efficient with both hands on the gun. Why make it harder than it has to be?

In case you couldn't tell, I'm a strong proponent of a WML on any gun that fills a defensive roll. We won't get to choose when or where that defensive tool gets employed because it's going to be reactionary by definition. Stack the deck in your favor as much as you can.

[Irving]

Silly question, but I assume that weapon lights for pistols are more in a flood pattern than a spot pattern. Are they adjustable? I like my adjustable light, but playing around with it in the dark tonight, I think I'd really prefer a flood adjustment for a defensive pistol.

[Mick-Boy]

The Surefires are not adjustable. They do have a pretty good balance between the throw of the beam and the peripheral light though. I can't speak to any of the other brands.

[Limited GM]

streamlight/insight only pistol lights ill use.

x1,000. A M3 light works perfectly for anyone using the thumbs forward, (also known as the correct) grip.

I've recommended and sold so many of these, they should have me on salary.

Added benefit is you can throw a one piece weaver mount on a multitude of rifles/shotguns, and cheaply be good to go.

[JM Ver. 2.0]

Silly question, but I assume that weapon lights for pistols are more in a flood pattern than a spot pattern. Are they adjustable? I like my adjustable light, but playing around with it in the dark tonight, I think I'd really prefer a flood adjustment for a defensive pistol.

My Insight M6 is adjustable.