Priority of equipment for low light pistol training

[rackham1]

I'm about to take the next step in my defensive handgun training and start low light training. I have no prior exposure to low light shooting. Would I be better served by starting with a handheld or the WML I plan to eventually use?

My objectives are two-parts CCW and one-part HD. I carry/shoot a G19 and G17 and intend to mount an x300 to one or the other. My first low light will be just a segment in an intermediate defensive shooting class this weekend and I'll follow that with a low light specific class this summer.

For the purpose of answering, assume that if I don't buy the WML now then it'll be a year before I can afford to get it.

[B Cart]

If you will actually carry with your WML, then I say go for that, while also keeping a small flashlight on your person for situations that don’t require a drawn gun.

I have done a couple low light training classes, and I prefer having a WML when possible for an actual gun drawn situation. In my opinion, maneuvering and shooting is easier with a weapon mounted light vs having to try and hold a flash light while keeping a proper grip on your firearm. That said, there are some ways that you can hold a small EDC light that still allow you to maneuver and shoot effectively.

There are pros and cons to both, but if you have a holster that will accommodate a WML, I think it’s worth training with and carrying, as long as you have a normal flashlight too.

[NCPatrolAR]

Ask the instructor if he has a preference for you to bring. When I teach a lowlight class, the level 1 course is done completely with hand held lights. Follow on courses then incorporate WMLs.

[rackham1]

If you will actually carry with your WML, then I say go for that, while also keeping a small flashlight on your person for situations that don’t require a drawn gun.

I think so... I intend to anyway. Definitely for cooler weather when I carry exclusively OWB. Not sure about summertime IWB though. I don't expect an x300 to add much weight/bulk but won't really know until I try it.

Just wanted to gauge feelings on whether there are low light fundamentals that everyone is "supposed to" learn with a handheld light first. It's like the master-irons-first thing... not sure I agree that's necessary on the irons, but I have no idea when it comes to handgun WMLs.

I do already have a holster for it. The 14-week RCS lead time turned into 30 days from order-to-doorstep (way to go Raven!) so now I'm itchy for the light, but trying to make sure it's not an impluse cool-guy purchase I don't need yet.

BTW, I definitely agree with carrying a handheld light regardless of WML and would continue to do so.

[rackham1]

Ask the instructor if he has a preference for you to bring. When I teach a lowlight class, the level 1 course is done completely with hand held lights. Follow on courses then incorporate WMLs.

Good call... will do that today. And this also tells me that in general there's a certain amount of fundamental technique to learn before worrying about the WML. True?

[Ironman8]

I would recommend getting both, but for different applications (see below), even if it does take you some time to purchase them. If cost is an issue, then I would look into the Streamlight over Surefire. For me, and seemingly many others, it seems to be a very durable brand for the money.

Now, personally, I don't carry with a WML. My bedside gun will have a WML, but it's still not really necessary in my opinion. The reason I don't carry with WML is three-fold.

First, I use a flashlight for more things than to just illuminate a target. If the only light I have on me is a WML, then you can probably see the problem when I have to look for my girl's earring that dropped on the floor in a dark movie theater and my X300 attached to my Glock is all I have

Second, since I've already established that I'm carrying a handheld, then a WML is a little too redundant (for me), so I'm not willing to lug it around on a daily basis...not to mention the extra weight (however small it may be) and the bulk that it adds....also, I'm from TX, and about 10 months out of the year, I will be wearing T-shirts, thus forcing me to carry IWB.

Third, and probably most important to me, I use a handheld as a disorientation and impact/striking device. Once you get some training under your belt with low/no light, you'll see how much of an advantage you can gain just by flashing it in an attackers' eyes. The striking device part is obvious and can be used day or night

Of course, with everything, there is compromise and cons to your decision. The obvious con is that you won't have the standard firing grip while having to operate a handheld flashlight. However, the upside is that this can be overcome through training and practice.

As for the bedside gun having a WML, well yes it does, but that's not generally going to be my go-to weapon inside the home anyway. I have it there for the "oh crap, I need a gun NOW" type of situation...in which case I would rather just have the light attached and not have to worry about grabbing anything else.

Hope that helps shed some light on your decision....haha couldn't help myself

[Jippo]

Very first thing I would do would be buying tritium sights (Trijicon, Meprolight, etc.) for your carry guns. I found the value of them the first time when I shot moving target in the dark and got maybe 10-20% hits compared to 90% I got in the daylight. These days I have tritium sights on all my guns.

Then I would purchase a handheld like Fenix TK11 or TK12 (I do have one of each) for general and shooting use. Unlike WML a handheld is really (as said) multifunctional device than can be used even as stand-alone defensive weapon.

After that I would I would buy the WML. It is much easier to shoot the gun in the dark with the WML, so money permitting it is worth to get. Of course, if you get it, you should then also carry it mounted on the gun all the time (IMHO), so you'll be looking into getting good holsters for it too. Why all the time? Because buildings etc. can be dark places even during daytime and illumination is a valuable tool to have with you.

[Ironman8]

Very first thing I would do would be buying tritium sights (Trijicon, Meprolight, etc.) for your carry guns. I found the value of them the first time when I shot moving target in the dark and got maybe 10-20% hits compared to 90% I got in the daylight. These days I have tritium sights on all my guns.

Then I would purchase a handheld like Fenix TK11 or TK12 (I do have one of each) for general and shooting use. Unlike WML a handheld is really (as said) multifunctional device than can be used even as stand-alone defensive weapon

After that I would I would buy the WML. It is much easier to shoot the gun in the dark with the WML, so money permitting it is worth to get. Of course, if you get it, you should then also carry it mounted on the gun all the time (IMHO), so you'll be looking into getting good holsters for it too. Why all the time? Because buildings etc. can be dark places even during daytime and illumination is a valuable tool to have with you.

Tritium night sights do not ID targets in low/no light. Only a light will. Plus they are distracting (whether you realize it or not) during daytime shooting. Not to say they don't have ANY utility, but they really are overrated to be quite honest...I personally like the plain black rear / tritium (with hi-vis ring) front type of setups....but of course this is personal preference.

Also, carrying a WML AND handheld should be personal preference as well. Not something you "should" do. IMO, if you are in a dark area, inside or out, then a handheld will do the trick just fine...given that I have actually worked on shooting with one.

[rackham1]

Tritium night sights do not ID targets in low/no light. Only a light will.

Totally agree, although I think Jippo was more writing in terms of an overall "system" (for lack of better word) and not night sights as a stand alone. I'm tracking with both of you guys. I use Warren night sights on my carry guns, although starting to move away from an i-dot setup to a plain rear instead. The more I train and practice, the more I find I like only a front dot.

Emailed the instructor who said for this class it's totally my call. Gave general guidance that if I carry with a weapon light (I don't yet), then train with the weapon light. I suspect the low-light portion of this weekend's class is pretty introductory.

Good advice all around... thanks a ton, gents. I'll skip the WML for now and just use my EDC handheld... will wait for the dedicated low-light training before worrying about the extra hardware.

[Jippo]

Tritium night sights do not ID targets in low/no light. Only a light will. Plus they are distracting (whether you realize it or not) during daytime shooting. Not to say they don't have ANY utility, but they really are overrated to be quite honest...I personally like the plain black rear / tritium (with hi-vis ring) front type of setups....but of course this is personal preference.

Never did I claim such thing. I prefer to have my gun aimed at what I want to shoot before I switch on the light.

But better yet, if the target is already identified you do not need have him or your sights illuminated to hit him which may give you a tactical advantage.

I do low-light shoots quite many times every year and to me there is no question about the utility of tritiums. And I do not find them distracting in the day time either, they are just like the old three-dot sights with which I am perfectly happy with. Even my competition gun has tritiums so that there is minimum difference between my guns.