Thursday, October 28, 2004
Tactical lights
Hell in a Handbasket first brought this up, in a very applicable scenario. The application of light is almost more important than the caliber you sport. He prevented an incident with a flashlight, without racking a weapon, or even letting the usurper realize he was armed.
Head follows up with recollections of a similiar experience and actually cites a specific product.
Several weeks ago, The Geek had a realization at a gun show about how useful these devices are.
I, for one, realized the benefit of 120 lumens early on; I just misapplied the reasoning.
My normal bedside gun is the CZ P-01. I don't live with anyone and don't have kids, so the pistol carries one in the chamber, decocked, but is still double-action when you pick it up. The light I scored for it mounts on the rail beneath the muzzle. The picture has a Streamlight M-6 mounted, which has a laser sight as well as the tac light, while mine is a Streamlight M-3 (no laser sight, just 80 lumens of white light.)
I've come to the realization that, if you are on a SWAT team or clear safe-houses on a regular basis, this light is a good choice. Your target is illuminated and, consequently, your muzzle is pointed in the right direction. But I'm not one of those guys. I'm a scrub.
An article I read (I don't remember where) pointed out that just because you want to paint a subject with a tac light, that does not necessarily mean you want the muzzle of a loaded double-action pistol pointing at them, as well. The off-hand utilization allows you to either paint the subject without pointing your muzzle at it, or utilize a grip that paints and points.
Head and HiaHB both bring up the necessity of another sheath for the light. Like I don't have enough shit hanging off of my belt already (my mother never understands that, while I'm not getting fatter, I need bigger pants.) I will be ordering the recommended light and sheath this evening.
And same as Head, if anyone cited wants to send me a buttload of batteries, I'll endorse your product with my 2-tooth smile and a gallon of moonshine.
UPDATE: CowboyBlob gives the low down on the use and utilization of lights.
Head follows up with recollections of a similiar experience and actually cites a specific product.
Several weeks ago, The Geek had a realization at a gun show about how useful these devices are.
I, for one, realized the benefit of 120 lumens early on; I just misapplied the reasoning.
My normal bedside gun is the CZ P-01. I don't live with anyone and don't have kids, so the pistol carries one in the chamber, decocked, but is still double-action when you pick it up. The light I scored for it mounts on the rail beneath the muzzle. The picture has a Streamlight M-6 mounted, which has a laser sight as well as the tac light, while mine is a Streamlight M-3 (no laser sight, just 80 lumens of white light.)
I've come to the realization that, if you are on a SWAT team or clear safe-houses on a regular basis, this light is a good choice. Your target is illuminated and, consequently, your muzzle is pointed in the right direction. But I'm not one of those guys. I'm a scrub.
An article I read (I don't remember where) pointed out that just because you want to paint a subject with a tac light, that does not necessarily mean you want the muzzle of a loaded double-action pistol pointing at them, as well. The off-hand utilization allows you to either paint the subject without pointing your muzzle at it, or utilize a grip that paints and points.
Head and HiaHB both bring up the necessity of another sheath for the light. Like I don't have enough shit hanging off of my belt already (my mother never understands that, while I'm not getting fatter, I need bigger pants.) I will be ordering the recommended light and sheath this evening.
And same as Head, if anyone cited wants to send me a buttload of batteries, I'll endorse your product with my 2-tooth smile and a gallon of moonshine.
UPDATE: CowboyBlob gives the low down on the use and utilization of lights.
