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pistol lights. Do you need them?
Unfortunately… it depends.
For the normal person in the city… you actually probably don’t need one.
There is a very good thread on pistol-forum which garnered input from active and former LEO’s, including detectives, who mentioned that lights played no factor in whether someone could successfully defend themselves or not, in real world scenarios.
Law Enforcement uses lights because they are clearing houses and identifying threats at night, they are allowed to draw their weapons in public, and need to ID threats, hence the absolute necessity for a light.
In civilian defense applications however, it is extremely rare you’ll need a light. Even in low-light, your attacker would need to ID you and see you, you’re typically not getting robbed in the pitch black night by an assailant with night vision goggles.
“I know of exactly zero incidents involving folks outside of the house in a CCW incident where a WML was needed, or any light for that matter.”
LEO @ https://pistol-forum.com/archive/index.php/t-13613.html
(Side note: these detectives also mention that none of the self-defense shootings needed to reload. After 2 or 3 shots it was all over, and the bad guys scattered or the victim was able to get away… so drawing quickly and accurate shot placement were the most important elements).
In general, the bad guys need to see you as well. No one is getting robbed in a pitch black environment that requires a gun light. For a home-defense scenario, yes a gun light is useful. But outside (aside from the wilderness) you don’t really need one. Even in some disaster scenario I can’t think of when you’d need a light on your gun, with bad guys hiding in the dark somewhere.
arguments in favor of using a pistol light
- recommended for home defense (HD) use
- if you’re carrying and come home to see your house has been broken into, a pistol light is useful
- don’t have to necessarily point your pistol light directly at someone to ID them. Light splash against walls (gun pointed down) still gives enough light
- recommended if you live somewhere with no ambient or street light, such as a rural area; or during times of year it gets dark early
- in defense against wild animals (hiking, camping, etc.) they are a good option (animals don’t have guns to shoot at your light)
arguments against using a pistol light
- if you shine your pistol light at an innocent person to identify them, you’ve just committed felony aggravated assault by pointing a gun at them
- for civilian ccw use in the city, there’s typically enough ambient light to render pistol lights useless. Assailants don’t really work in pitch-black environments
- lights draw fire. If someone is going to shoot at you, and all they see is a light, they will aim at the light. If that light is on your pistol, instead of on a flashlight out to the side, those bullets will be aimed at your head
in what environment are you using your pistol light?
Consider the environment where a headlamp is going to be worn. There have been some murders in our national and state forests nearby, I can think of three in the past 16 years. As far as the local subdivisions, I can’t even remember a burglary, let alone a violent crime.
blues (LEO) @ https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?38441-In-2019-weapon-lights-are-mandatory-convince-me-otherwise&p=927559&viewfull=1#post927559
handheld flashlight is a must, either way
Having a portable flashlight is necessary in any civilian (or LEO) situation, because you don’t always want to be pointing your gun at something you want to illuminate. As a civilian, that’s committing the felony of aggravated assault if you weren’t in actual danger.
The best defensive flashlight I recommend is the Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA, but feel free to check out our post for more info on the best EDC flashlight.
modified fbi technique (lights attract bullets)
The modified fbi technique entails using a handheld flashlight, and holding it with your arm extended away from your body. To prevent illuminating yourself, hold the flashlight slightly in front of you.
The reasoning behind this is that in the dark, if someone is going to shoot at you and you’re holding a light, they are going to shoot at that light.
See a quick example here.
Modified FBI technique works. Fact.
My latest data point is one of my former rookies, our new county sheriff, who took a bullet through the forearm just below his flashlight at the start of a close range ambush. He credits modified FBI technique with saving his life.
Over my years working with Strategos and running low light FoF drills I’ve taken Sim rounds directly into the lens or bezel of my handheld light about a dozen times. As Craig Douglas notes in his most excellent AMIS class “Lights draw vision, lights draw fire”.
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?38441-In-2019-weapon-lights-are-mandatory-convince-me-otherwise&p=927571&viewfull=1#post927571
recommendations for a pistol light
The best weapon lights I recommend are the Surefire X300UB or the Streamlight TLR-8 A G (which has a green laser on it).
For home-defense the TLR-8 A G is great. It’s more concealable, so it’s more comfortable to carry, however doesn’t do well against other light sources outside. Also the green laser can be a good tool to diffuse a situation without firing a shot, and this has been applied in the real world before. The military uses green lasers for such non-lethal interdiction roles. (See here, here, and here.) It also helps as a aiming tool for people who aren’t skilled with guns, or in awkward shooting positions, such as shooting around a corner, where you can’t see the sights.
(Note: green lasers are easier to see vs red lasers, both in daytime and nightime. Green stands out more to the human eye, it’s generally recommended to go with a green laser vs red).
The Surefire X300UB does put out more light, and is better for use outdoors where there might be other light sources present (car headlights, streetlamps, etc.) which might make it hard to identify a threat with the TLR-8 A G.
The X300’s extra light output makes it a better option than the TLR-8, even for indoors use. The only downside is its larger, and doesn’t have a laser. If you really want a light to be comfortable when carrying concealed, get the TLR-8. Note that many still carry the X300 concealed, it comes down to personal preference whether it’s you want to sacrifice light output for more comfort.
Pro Tip: Whichever light you get, make sure to pick up some Therm Lens Protectors to easily protect your X300U (or other gun lights) from carbon buildup that can coat your lens when firing your gun. (Make sure to get the CLENS-18S if you have the X300U, there are different variations for different lights).
night sights: are they necessary?
Yes, night sights are useful in real-life low-light scenarios.
Usually what will happen is you’ll have just enough light to ID a potential threat, but not enough light to actually see your sights. This is where night sights come in handy, such as Trijicon or Tritium Night Sights.
Here’s a great comparison of night sights from various companies.
further reading
what is the best laser light combo for a pistol?
resources
- Low Light Strategies Manual by Ken J. Good (Former Navy SEAL)