But it strikes me as odd that anyone would want to call attention to themselves in a gunfight and put an aiming spot in front of their face. Perhaps it is just because I am not a highly trained operative, or even a poorly trained one, but have always been told concealment helps keep you alive in a defensive situation and it is tough to remain concealed while shining a light. A light certainly has an essential place and I always carry one, but do not want to use it in a way that draws fire directly at me.

Is a 40 Witness with a light on it. I would not consider carrying it that way but middle of the night I kind of like it. I have the light adjusted so that the sights are at the center of the beam. I definitely do not consider mounted lights practical at all on a carry gun.

I have a 600L Streamlight on my house gun. I figger the beam is going to really hamper someone long enough for me to identify, illuminate my sight pic and pull the trigger. Only thing is, turning it on for use is another step I might not have time for.

My night guns (an 870 and a much-modified 1022 both have mounted lights. However, that is mainly because it is difficult to manage both a long gun and a separate light. Both are more commonly employed against critters rather than entities that are likely to shoot back. In that scenario I don't think I would use the light unless holding someone at gunpoint. Then I would WANT him to know that the gun was pointed right at his giblets.

On a handgun, nicht sehr gut. Rather have it separate.

that make sense. All based on training and 17 years experience kicking in doors. I won't attempt to quote him, but you can find him I am sure.

Clip a light on an airsoft gun and go out into the backyard and shoot it out with a training partner.

You will get shot a lot, mostly around the hands. No bueno for Byron.

I have been rethinking a lot of this stuff over the past couple of years.

When things go bump in the night....

Think night vision and armor.

Stats are that one is 85% less likely to die in a gunfight if they are wearing body armor. That is an advantage that should not be ignored.

For $2000 one can acquire kit that will sway the equation to the point that the VAST majority of criminals will have utterly no chance whatsoever. Fish in a barrel.

While this advantage might be considered to be cold blooded murder by some there can be no question that it will work like a charm.

Byron

In one of my early IWB kydex holsters. I've worn it several hours straight and also took it to MI as my wolf protection gun last two years. 8-9 hours in a truck and several more strolling through the woods with no major amount of discomfort. Puts out a decent amount of light for its size. I have a TLR-1 on my AR house gun. Slightly bigger but MUCH brighter.

I normally carry a small 120 lumen light as well. If I need to look at something in the dark I use the pocket light. If I need to shoot something in the dark, I'll use the light alredy on the gun.

I agree that lights are bullet magnets, but if you are going to be attracting incoming fire, why wouldn't you want to have a light that requires no extra holding hands and just happens to be pointing where your firearm is?

I don't get how a slight amount of weight would slow down a draw and for the most part, if I'm going to investigate a noise etc, the gun is going to be in my hands anyways.

I generally carry my issued duty pistol (M&P40/TLR) off duty in a kydex IWB. I'd like to have a leather IWB but haven't been able to find one. I practice with the issue pistol more than any other so it makes some sense to use it off duty as well.
That being said, I'll be camping out this weekend and my M&P9 will be in a Cuda as I'm concerned (maybe I'm wrong) about kydex cracking from being knocked around in the woods.

For the average guy (or average cop) I would tend to agree. I've seen too many guys turn their gun light on and leave it on during a building search.

Recon Marines, Cav Scouts etc and their LE counterparts are another matter entirely. 'Light discipline' can be taught and if you've going to use one, on or off the gun, it's extremely important.

You mount it to the weapon and usually stays there. It doesn't end up in the garage, or in the car, or in the basement because you were doing something, needed a light and that was the best one.