Use case: undercover well-dressed sportcoat or suit, protecting a church 1700-2100.

Typical load out: Sig P320, P224, or S&W M&P Compact in a Mitch Rosen OWB strong side. Spare magazine weak side OWB. Radio. Flashlight (several options).

Environment: Outdoor patrol, perimeter, parking lot with lights as well as interior of candlelit sanctuary dimly lit, and also a near dark sanctuary for a "compline" service.

Concern: WML duty holster typically cannot be concealed easily. WML to simply investigate a dark area would be needlessly provocative.

Question:
WML or handheld light for private armed security?

Choices:
WML in best-case OWB concealment holster
Handheld in combo magazine + light pouch
Handheld in coat pocket
Both WML and handheld

 

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 4MUL8R,

Why not both? A handheld light isn't all that much extra weight to carry, and a small LW WML like a TLR-6/7 may also somewhat alleviate the holster issue.

quote:

Originally posted by Expert308:
Why not both?

That has always been my idea of the best option. If a WML is impossible, then it’s impossible, but if there is a question, then having both available is better than one or the other.

“Provocative” is one way of describing using a weapon-mounted light for general investigation and searching, but unsafe is another. Plus, even if having one’s weapon drawn is justified, having a handheld as well allows more flexibility: Concerned about one location, but need to light up a peripheral area? Keep the WML on the primary concern and use the handheld for others. It should of course be possible to put the handheld away easily if required so that the support hand is free.

I say both, but if you have to choose one or the other, go with the handheld. It gives you way more options. I use a flashlight multiple times a day. My gun only comes out out of the holster in real-life use a few times a year.

You need both. You're not going to be drawing and pointing your gun to light up every dark area you encounter.

Both. Always.

On duty, I carry two handheld lights and a WML.

Off duty, I carry one handheld light and a WML.

The WML is only for illuminating potential threats, when you are justified to have your gun drawn. The handheld light is your utility light for everything you'd normally use a flashlight for, as well as being a backup to your WML if needed for a potential threat.

If you're only going to have one it should be a handheld, but having both is even better. It's not only easier to shoot with 2 hands and a WML versus 1 hand on the gun and one on a flashlight, it also allows you to keep a potential threat illuminated with the WML while using your other hand to manipulate something else like your radio.

The handheld doesn't have to be a huge old school light, or even a belt mounted light. There are plenty of smaller lights nowadays that are made to be carried clipped inside the pants pocket (kinda like a pocket knife) yet still have several thousand lumens of output and long runtimes with modern rechargeable lithium batteries.

And there are lots of easily concealable holsters for guns with WMLs, especially if using a more compact WML like the TLR-7 X or HL-X, and especially-especially unser a suit coat or blazer.

You don't need to sport a bulky full size Level 2/3 duty holster as a plainclothes security team member with a concealed handgun...

Just echoing Rogue's comments and on/off duty guidance, I do the same.

Off duty, I will exchange the SF x300 Turbo to a SF XC3 for the duty gun.