Do you mount a light on your bedside weapon? Is this a good idea or is it better to carry one in the support hand?

I have both a handheld and a wml on a g34 sitting on my night stand. It's good to have options and I'd rather search around the house with a flashlight due to kids in the house.

quote:

Do you mount a light on your bedside weapon? Is this a good idea or is it better to carry one in the support hand?

It's a better idea to have both. If I want to look at something without muzzle sweeping it, I have the flashlight. If I need to hold a light on someone while I shoot them, a weapon light excels at that.

Both here as well.

Also both by bedside. If I just need a flashlight I do not want to be using one mounted to a gun. If I ever need a WML I will use that not the flashlight.

I don't think a light should be put on a gun but I've been told more than once here that I am wrong. I have a flash light and pistol beside my bed.

Both.

Hopefully I won't need any of them, but like to have options if the situation presents itself.

The pistol that I'm carrying goes on the nightstand but doesn't have a light mounted. I do have a handheld on the nightstand though.
First thing I would grab if there's trouble in the house would be the Mossberg and that does have a light mounted on it.

Use both. Handheld is nice if you aren’t actively aiming or shooting at someone, and have a free hand. The whole point of a “bedside” gun is that those things are very possible. Don’t plan for the best outcome.

Both. And they are used independently of each other, not together. I'm a strong believer in having one hand free when using a home defense handgun.

Both gives options that just one does not.

For a long time I saw no need for a handgun-mounted light, and believed that a handheld was good enough. Then I was involved in an exercise requiring moving through and searching confined spaces, and that immediately demonstrated why also having a weapon light was essential.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sigfreund,

Both.

Handheld light only.

Set up an ambush and watch their progress toward you through seeing their flashlight beam.

Handheld (two).

In my case it's a training issue. I've got a zillion reps on the flat range and in the shoothouse, let alone in the field, using a handheld light and at this point in my career and life I'll never hit that mark with a WML.

I also came from a place where WMLs were issued but optional. I saw too many abuses of the lights that it sort of soured me on the concept. Of course it boils down to training, policy & procedure and the enforcement thereof.

Hypocrite that I am, all my long guns have lights.

quote:

Originally posted by kidcop:
I saw too many abuses of the lights ....

What sorts of abuses?

Had both, until I stupidly put the wrong batteries in the Surefire and burned out the emitter

Keep meaning to track-down the after-market LED replacements for older Surefire flashlights and keep forgetting.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:

quote:

Originally posted by kidcop:
I saw too many abuses of the lights ....

What sorts of abuses?

My guess would be using the WML like a flash light.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:

quote:

Originally posted by kidcop:
I saw too many abuses of the lights ....

What sorts of abuses?

Ensigmatic hit it - Deputies were using the WML when a handheld light should have been used. Examples include general searching, including searching for evidence at a crime scene, to reading VIN numbers, to in one particularly egregious case, trying read an operator's license with a high-powered WML while holding it in the copper's reactionary hand, effectively muzzling up his own paw.

It wasn't like the guys and gals weren't issued handheld lights. I don't know if it was laziness or what, but it seemed endemic. Supervisors were extremely lax in calling anyone out about it.

FWIW, I carried a 2 cell handheld light in place of a second spare magazine on my belt while a detective. All the other dicks would struggle around with their cell phone lights. I needed a light far more often than a third mag. I'm retired now, but to this day I don't leave the house without a light suitable for fighting with.

I have a wml on my P226. IMHO, it's a must. I've heard and read many saying you don't need one, just a handheld light. So, these people don't ever use a long gun for HD. Have you ever tried using a handheld light while clearing with a rifle or shotgun?

I think it's more involved than mounted or unmounted lights. Depends on # of occupants, home layout, chosen tactics/decisions and other things.

I have my P229, spare mags and a detached Surefire at night. I also have my downstairs lights on a remote control box in my bedroom. If I hear suspicious noises at night I have the option of flipping all/some of the downstairs lights on. Most likely I'm going to hear an Aw S--t and running feet.

I live alone, so I don't have to worry about other friendlies being downstairs. Regardless, no way in Hell I'm going down and playing SWAT team room-to-room. Call 911, esconce, listen and have gun trained on bedroom door or stairway.

quote:

Originally posted by kidcop:
Ensigmatic hit it

Okay, thanks.
It is a little hard to imagine anyone with any sense at all doing those things, but it’s obviously possible. As you say, it should have been addressed by supervisors and anyone else who was responsible for firearms safety. But of course simply because other people don’t do things correctly shouldn’t affect what we choose and do.