Weapon mounted or hand held?

**RancidSumo** · 02-02-11, 15:20

I'm pretty sure I already know what most on this forum will have to say about it but I'm just curious.

What do you prefer, weapon mounted or hand held lights (with a pistol, not a rifle), why did you choose that, and what are the downfalls for each side?

**dravz** · 02-02-11, 15:45

Weapon-mounted, hands down. I'm not high-speed enough that I would ever want to use a gun one-handed instead of with both hands when I have the choice. That's what it boils down to for me.

**ssracer** · 02-02-11, 15:51

Weapon mounted is definitely the easiest I would think. The main, maybe only, downside to weapon mounted is that whatever you have your light on, you also have your muzzle on. Goes back to don't point a gun at anything you aren't willing to shoot kinda thing.

**Chameleox** · 02-02-11, 15:52

Honestly, for me its both/and, not either/or

My weaponlights (pistol and long gun) are for illuminating a target or a place where I can legitimately point my handgun. This allows me to get a stable 2 handed firing grip, while still holding a light. Or, I can use the light and gun 1 handed, if either I have a hand disabled, occupied, or if I am hugging a corner or a piece of cover. Its a niche item; but its an important niche for me.

My handhelds always come with me, whether or not I'm using a weapon mounted light. They're for searching, or illuminating areas that I can't, shouldn't, or won't point my gun. I also use them to supplement my handgun and mounted light in some scenarios.

Hope that helped

**Silvanus** · 02-02-11, 16:05

I prefer a hand held light along with my pistol. Gives me more flexibility and I might have to light something (more like someone) up that I don't want to point a pistol at. It's also the way I train, since I carry a handgun without accessory rail on duty.

It's a different matter for long guns of course. A weapon mounted light is always preferable for a rifle/subgun IMO.

**Sry0fcr** · 02-02-11, 16:58

Originally Posted by ssracer

Goes back to don't point a gun at anything you aren't willing to shoot kinda thing.

I think that people need to get past this, just because you point your muzzle at something doesn't mean that you have to pull the trigger. We're all big boys let's leave the range rules on the range.

That said. I use a handheld (Surefire G2Z) to use in conjunction with my carry gun.

**Appalachian** · 02-02-11, 21:30

Originally Posted by Sry0fcr

I think that people need to get past this, just because you point your muzzle at something doesn't mean that you have to pull the trigger. We're all big boys let's leave the range rules on the range.

That said. I use a handheld (Surefire G2Z) to use in conjunction with my carry gun.

That is a hard and fast rule that has nothing to do with being on a range.

**coloccw** · 02-02-11, 21:50

simple: BOTH. Batteries fail or die, bulbs break, etc, etc, etc... 1 tool never works for every situitation and flashlights are not that heavy or bulky anymore.