BAD lever vs. weapons lights

[theblackknight]

Both of these bolt on accessories require the exact same trigger finger motions to function. Both of them require activation directly before a trigger pull, and after some rounds are burned. Both can produce problems with certain configs (not counting user error for both,light bolt catch springs causing non lock-back ,A light mounted polymer pistol's dust cover flexing under recoil causing feeding problems).

So why is one BAD idea and one a good thing to have?

[steyrman13]

One can induce malfunctions, the other can't!? Sorry, I meant that on a carbine. As stated below, support thumb activation. It would be more of a conparison for the same type of platform. On a pistol maybe a extended slide release would be the bad equivalent.

[yellow50]

Both of these bolt on accessories require the exact same trigger finger motions to function.

I dont use the trigger finger to activate a pistol light. I use my support hand thumb.

[wake.joe]

I saw the BAD lever as one big leverage tool that the ping-pong paddle wasn't designed to handle. I did not experience any issues, but I decide to remove it before it could break anything.

[gigag04]

I also use my support hand thumb to activate my light on my duty pistol...

And at least for my former agency, the lights only affected the G22s. Once we went 21SF, we never experienced any more issues.

[theblackknight]

One can induce malfunctions, the other can't!? Sorry, I meant that on a carbine. As stated below, support thumb activation. It would be more of a conparison for the same type of platform. On a pistol maybe a extended slide release would be the bad equivalent.

Both can induce malfuctions. One can be fixed by using a servicable spring, the other by switching ammo or the whole gun.

I'm not concearned with comparing how to put a bolt/slide into battery. That's not the same motor function,its just similier in gun function. Comparing a pistol slide release motor function wise is closest to swiping a selector lever on a rifle.

How exactly do you guys use the thumb?

So you your pistol is at a ready or holstered, your searching with a handheld, you ID and go for a shot, so you sweep "other" thumb down or up during presentation?

I did actually try this today with some blue guns and it's seems 100% better to use trigger finger since the only thing my other thumb has ever done during a draw/presentation is grip the frame.

[yellow50]

I can't really see how using your trigger finger to activate the light would be more efficient than using the thumb. You are essentially limiting yourself to either activating the light or firing the weapon. Where as using you thumb the two can be done simultaneously or in near succession. Plus I vaguely remember a case where a LEO was supposedly attempting to activate his light on a suspect and instead, fired his weapon. I think the explanation was because he was activating it using his trigger finger, during the stress he manipulated the trigger instead of the light switch. ( yes I know it can be attributed to a traning issue issue, but I just figured I would throw it out there anyway).

Edit: I use the thumb to sweep downward, thus activating the switch. If that dosnt work for you, inforce has a forward button pistol light.

[steyrman13]

Both can induce malfuctions. One can be fixed by using a servicable spring, the other by switching ammo or the whole gun.

I'm not concearned with comparing how to put a bolt/slide into battery. That's not the same motor function,its just similier in gun function. Comparing a pistol slide release motor function wise is closest to swiping a selector lever on a rifle.

How exactly do you guys use the thumb?

So you your pistol is at a ready or holstered, your searching with a handheld, you ID and go for a shot, so you sweep "other" thumb down or up during presentation?

I did actually try this today with some blue guns and it's seems 100% better to use trigger finger since the only thing my other thumb has ever done during a draw/presentation is grip the frame.

I answered first before I realized you were comparing motor skills more. Like I stated I meant in carbine only one of the two accessories induces malfunctions. On the surefire x300 you can push forward and it turns light on momentary and then swipe up or down for constant.

[theblackknight]

I can't really see how using your trigger finger to activate the light would be more efficient than using the thumb. You are essentially limiting yourself to either activating the light or firing the weapon. Where as using you thumb the two can be done simultaneously or in near succession. Plus I vaguely remember a case where a LEO was supposedly attempting to activate his light on a suspect and instead, fired his weapon. I think the explanation was because he was activating it using his trigger finger, during the stress he manipulated the trigger instead of the light switch. ( yes I know it can be attributed to a traning issue issue, but I just figured I would throw it out there anyway).

So you are firing your 1st shot before your support hand has a full grip on the pistol. That really dosent seem much better then using trigger finger. You are essentially only "training" for having both hands at your disposal.


Curling your finger into the trigger guard isnt the same as swiping down. The 1st requires only the 1st knuckle, the other requires all of them.

I'm also really sick of the training industry creating tactical rules based off bro-science or less is response what the bottom 10% have done to get themselves fired.

[theblackknight]

I answered first before I realized you were comparing motor skills more. Like I stated I meant in carbine only one of the two accessories induces malfunctions. On the surefire x300 you can push forward and it turns light on momentary and then swipe up or down for constant.

The only x300 I played with, the guy had the DG switch on it.

Ive used the TLR1 and like it, plus SF's prices are stupid.

Edit: I use the thumb to sweep downward, thus activating the switch. If that dosnt work for you, inforce has a forward button pistol light.

actually, looking at thier website, pressing inward activates the light, with is the closest motion to getting on the trigger.

but I like that.