Who carries a weapon light on your CCW?

[Hit Factor]

People with WML are not going to use it like it is as standalone flashlight. You would have a small separate flashlight if you needed one.

Exactly.

I don’t know why people automatically assume that if you have a WML, you’re going to use it for searching, identifying, or whatever else. That argument is getting seriously overplayed - right up there with “don’t use a red dot because the battery might die.” Seriously?

I don’t use my WML that way. That’s why I carry a separate handheld light. But then again, I actually take formal training and practice this stuff...

So why have a weapon-mounted light if you’re not going to use it to properly identify a threat in the dark? Is it for when it’s too dark to shoot accurately without a light? If so, that begs the question if it’s too dark to shoot accurately without a light, how are you properly identifying the threat? And if you are using a handheld light for that purpose, are you really going to take the time to put your handheld light away and activate your weapon mounted light — when you have just identified an IMMINENT threat of death or great bodily injury?

 

[Eatdirt]

Biggest thing is no matter what everyone should be carrying a standalone handheld light.

Big Yes.....
I use the pocket carry light Numerous times a day.
One front pocket favorite carry folder blade.
Other pocket fully charged pocket light..
" Don't leave home without it "

 

[Brandon Breeze]

Yup on all of them

 

[FriedChickies]

Question for those out there - who carries a weapon light on their CCW? I have a couple of larger guns with them but don’t carry them as much. (M&P 2.0 with a compact weapon light in a Tenicor holster).

I’m considering mounting one to my Shield X but was wondering what everyone else’s experience has been. Holsters? Comfort, etc.

Thanks all

Yep on two of mine, Streamlight

 

[rodralig]

So why have a weapon-mounted light if you’re not going to use it to properly identify a threat in the dark? Is it for when it’s too dark to shoot accurately without a light? If so, that begs the question if it’s too dark to shoot accurately without a light, how are you properly identifying the threat? And if you are using a handheld light for that purpose, are you really going to take the time to put your handheld light away and activate your weapon mounted light — when you have just identified an IMMINENT threat of death or great bodily injury?

Please try a low-light/night class from a school that has a solid reputation, and that includes realistic scenario-based drills, simulations, and force-on-force. The school I train with runs them in shoot houses and even actual residences. Based on what I’ve learned and experienced, I opine it’s prudent to have both a handheld light and a WML. Base your decision on the knowledge and experience of people who been there, done that than what we personally think it should be...

One thing I picked up: put a lanyard on the handheld light. You can use it to search and identify, then simply let it drop once a threat is positively identified and you need both hands on the gun for better control, speed, and accuracy.

 

[DesertDepotArms]

No light
I carry a separate handheld when I’m out at night or go somewhere that’s low light (theater)

Not knocking on those who do but I’m not a cop clearing rooms or buildings in public so I’m not using my WML to identify targets

I do have one for HD though

This is my exact reason I do not have or use on on my CCW once you start looking for something its no so defensive anymore.

 

[drinktothat421]

Trl7 sub is pretty convenient

 

[jayson_b24]

Honestly, now I've been convinced that I shouldn't have a WML. I will be removing all of them and posting for sale shortly to fund my purchase of flash bangs.

 

[Hit Factor]

Please try a low-light/night class from a school that has a solid reputation, and that includes realistic scenario-based drills, simulations, and force-on-force.

Does the U.S. Navy count?

 

[Hindsight]

So why have a weapon-mounted light if you’re not going to use it to properly identify a threat in the dark? Is it for when it’s too dark to shoot accurately without a light? If so, that begs the question if it’s too dark to shoot accurately without a light, how are you properly identifying the threat? And if you are using a handheld light for that purpose, are you really going to take the time to put your handheld light away and activate your weapon mounted light — when you have just identified an IMMINENT threat of death or great bodily injury?

Handheld is for PiD, using the spill from a light is enough to illuminate new threats if you firearm is already out due to another reason and you don't want to break a cardinal safety rule, and usually the argument is that you shoot better (more accurately, faster follow-up shots, etc.) with two hands on the gun which a WML allows you to do if/when you have a threat in front of you and start issuing commands/checking for compliance.

E.g. you're getting off work and the street lights around you are dim or maybe it's relatively unlit as the businesses in the lot are closed that night. You notice someone is between you and your car and you're unable to go back the way you came due to distance or physical barriers like a locked gate/door. You ask them if you can help them, they don't respond, but start walking towards you. You shine a light on them and notice they have their hood up over their head and eyes, they have one hand behind their back possibly holding something you can't see from your angle, you command them to stop again and they don't respond or listen. You place a hand on your gun and tell them to stop or stay back again while preparing to draw. They keep closing the distance and at this point they're 10 yards or so away. You draw as you don't want to let them into immediate distance in case it's a knife, gun, or small metal object like some kind of club. You could retain the flashlight or if you have the WML as an option you can drop the flashlight to the ground, get both hands on the gun, and activate your WML to continuing issuing commands and being able to check for compliance while having much better control over your gun, shot placement, return, a more practiced index, quicker transitions if another threat appears you didn't see while you were focused on the first guy, etc.

Not saying it's always like this or everyone needs it, but it has a legitimate use and use cases for CCW. It's useful for when you've identified something/someone as a potential threat or confirmed threat and need to maintain maximum information of the situation for yourself that's only possible while having an illuminated target (facial expressions, micro gestures, other non verbals like subtle body language), denial of information by the aggressor by shining a ton of lumens into their eyes to prevent them tracking your movements, and having both hands available to make use of your firearm.

Now, whether that's worth the tradeoff for the extra training, bulk, weight, holster trigger guard fitment gap, etc. is up to the individual.

 

[joefrank64k]

Next thing you know is people are going to be trying to put a bipod on their gun rail and coming on here to ask if anybody makes a holster that fits it

Haha!!! I’ve got one of those. 14” barrel. Super fun to shoot.

Fun fact about the 460, you can shoot:
45 Schofield
45 LC
454 Casull
460 S&W Magnum

 

[jayson_b24]

Haha!!! I’ve got one of those. 14” barrel. Super fun to shoot.

Fun fact about the 460, you can shoot:
45 Schofield
45 LC
454 Casull
460 S&W Magnum

View attachment 234407

Always wanted to shoot one. For... science... um... purposes.

 

[joefrank64k]

Always wanted to shoot one. For... science... um... purposes.

Of course!! You want to independently verify that the 460 is, in fact, the highest velocity production revolver cartridge in the world, haha!!

When I introduce new shooters to this revolver, I like to load 45LC, then 454 Casull, then 460 S&W in the same cylinder…makes for a fun build up, haha!!

 

[CAshooter]

So why have a weapon-mounted light if you’re not going to use it to properly identify a threat in the dark? Is it for when it’s too dark to shoot accurately without a light? If so, that begs the question if it’s too dark to shoot accurately without a light, how are you properly identifying the threat? And if you are using a handheld light for that purpose, are you really going to take the time to put your handheld light away and activate your weapon mounted light — when you have just identified an IMMINENT threat of death or great bodily injury?

Handheld flashlights, for CCW purposes or not, should be used primarily for gathering information to identify a possible threat. Should you identify that a threat exists with a handheld light and you need to shoot, you can draw and shoot one hand, or transition from handheld to WML (as stated above, a lanyard helps retain the handheld light). The WML is ONLY to help you illuminate an already-identified threat, or shoot more accurately if the need to shoot exists. Sometimes you can identify a threat without a light, sometimes you can't. Think of it this way, if there is no reason to point a gun at something, DO NOT USE you WML. Solid training and practice are a must (also stated above).

 

[rodralig]

Does the U.S. Navy count?

Unless an operator? Nah...




A frank answer? Being MIL/LEO does not automatically translate into shooting ability, firearms knowledge, or sound tactics in an urban civilian environment.

A lot of the bravado comes with, “I was in the military for years, I can shoot,” or “I’m law enforcement, I know tactics.” I used to assume the same when I was starting out. Then I started seeing people perform in classes and training. Yeah... no.

Unless someone came from a role where weapons proficiency and relevant tactical decision-making were genuinely a major part of the job, I don’t assume competence just from the résumé.


That said, thanks to @Hindsight and @CAshooter for mentioning good examples of handheld/WML use cases.

 

[Gawernator]

Unless an operator? Nah...

View attachment 234472


A frank answer? Being MIL/LEO does not automatically translate into shooting ability, firearms knowledge, or sound tactics in an urban civilian environment.

A lot of the bravado comes with, “I was in the military for years, I can shoot,” or “I’m law enforcement, I know tactics.” I used to assume the same when I was starting out. Then I started seeing people perform in classes and training. Yeah... no.

Unless someone came from a role where weapons proficiency and relevant tactical decision-making were genuinely a major part of the job, I don’t assume competence just from the résumé.


That said, thanks to @Hindsight and @CAshooter for mentioning good examples of handheld/WML use cases.

Not that pic coming back again

 

[rodralig]

Not that pic coming back again

I bet it was different the last time... ... Sort of...

 

[jayson_b24]

Of course!! You want to independently verify that the 460 is, in fact, the highest velocity production revolver cartridge in the world, haha!!

When I introduce new shooters to this revolver, I like to load 45LC, then 454 Casull, then 460 S&W in the same cylinder…makes for a fun build up, haha!!

I've always wanted one, because of the versatility and the sheer badassness. But, yeah, that's the way I'd do it. A couple .45s, a couple 454s, reload, pray, a couple of .460s.

 

[joefrank64k]

I've always wanted one, because of the versatility and the sheer badassness. But, yeah, that's the way I'd do it. A couple .45s, a couple 454s, reload, pray, a couple of .460s.

I will say that shooting 460 in the X-VR 14” isn’t bad, especially with that muzzle brake. I’ve since mounted a scope to it, that probably helps a bit more with the added weight.

It’s *nothing* like shooting the S&W 460 Bear Survival version. They’re just wrong, haha!! (Though the bright yellow grips are cool)

I had to get my 14” via SAE back in the day, now they’re on-roster, so no excuse not to have at least one, haha!!

 

[jayson_b24]

I will say that shooting 460 in the X-VR 14” isn’t bad, especially with that muzzle brake. I’ve since mounted a scope to it, that probably helps a bit more with the added weight.

It’s *nothing* like shooting the S&W 460 Bear Survival version. They’re just wrong, haha!! (Though the bright yellow grips are cool)

I had to get my 14” via SAE back in the day, now they’re on-roster, so no excuse not to have at least one, haha!!

Except for price. but, yeah, those short barrels are terrifying. Lol.