Handgun mount

[Will_Die_Trying]

Trying to find a "universal" flashlight mount for the rail of a pistol.

Instead of carrying a flashlight and a weaponlight or no weapon light at all, I was thinking if I had a rail mount handy and i could EDC a micro flashlight that could just double as a weaponlight.

Just trying to simplify things. Anyone with info on a universal flashlight mount that will hold more than just one brand of mini lights, please help me out with the info

Thanks

[SWATcop556]

For handgun use I would strongly recommend using a weapon mounted light that is designed for this purpose. Rigging a handheld WML to a handgun is just not beneficial with all of the quality options out there. A carbine is one thing but not for the handgun. This would greatly hinder method of deployment, holster selection, etc.

[ghettomedic]

As I understand it, you want to carry a small light and then mount it to your EDC weapon if/when the need for a WML arises?

I'd caution you against that. I know there are so-called experts and companies trying to sell lights that are meant for use in this matter but as I see it this is conterintuitive. If you know far enough in advance that you might need to use your weapon that you have time to mount a light to it then you have time to leave the area, find better cover, marshal spouse/children to safety, call 911 and leave the line open, etc. Unless you are an LEO with a duty to respond to a threat, all these options will bode better for your long-term survival than mounting a light to your gun in anticipation of a gunfight. If you find yourself backed into a dark alley with no kids, no wife and no available cover, then I'd pull my E2DL from my back pocket and use it's beam as the first step in my force continuum. Getting a quality flashlight out of your pocket and into a Harries/Rogers/Ayoob shooting stance takes an additional second, rather than wasting time fiddling with a WML mount.

I've carried my EDC gun with a WML. Holster selection can be limited, but having the light on the gun is paramount. Check out BladeTech and Raven Concealment for a list of options and buy an appropriate purpose-designed WML.

[Entropy]

[Chameleox]

I'd echo ghetto medic's advice...

and add that having a mounted light on a CCW gun without a dedicated holster is not the best idea. This option will keep you from quickly reholstering if your threat turns non-deadly, or you get blindsided by an unknown and have to fight. This has been tested in training and has actually happened in LEO circles.

[sammage]

Either get a weaponlight (i.e. TLR-1, Surefire X300 etc.) or a Surefire G2Z for pocket carry.

[TomF]

The need for a weapon mounted light is likely to be in a scenario where you will not have nearly enough time to retrieve your light from a pocket or belt, draw your pistol, mount the two, then go to work. It also assumes you will have use of both of your hands. As mentioned, it also precludes your from re-holstering until you disassemble the combination.

If carrying a lighted pistol is a priority for you, I would highly encourage you to seek a suitable holster for that purpose. That last line isn't a sales pitch - there are many out there. Do your homework and select one that will work for you, though I feel we offer a great option for this need.

[Mike169]

I'm not necessarily a proponent of this, but I think this system might meet your needs.

http://www.safariland.com/DutyGear/rls/

[Chameleox]

...though I feel we offer a great option for this need.

I think so too.
The downside is that weapon mounted light holsters do take up a bit more room on your belt or inside your waistband. If it works for you, and fits, great, but if not, consider EDC'ing a handheld light.
Also, if you shoot a league that prohibits mounted lights, you might have to make sure that your holster will work with or without the light, or just get another holster, if you have the cash.

[ghettomedic]

http://www.safariland.com/DutyGear/rls/

This is exactly the kind of system I cautioned against in the first place. I can't believe Safariland, who have a great reputation for quality duty holsters, would produce a turd such as this. Just get a Surefire and be done with it.

A weaponlight stays mounted to the weapon. Period.