AlwaysBroken

Rifle.

stratosteve

iTrader: (1)

Unless you are strictly looking for inside use, I would look for something with some throw (tighter hot spot). There are handheld lights that can be mounted using offset mounts. It can get expensive if you want to add a pressure switch.

The streamlight could work if you have rail space in an area that your support hand can activate the switch. I havent tried my tlr outside yet. It has decent spill but I am not sure how far it throws.

farpolemiddle

TLR-2 for pistol. Insight for rifle. Be aware pistol lights make finding holders a pain in the ***.

pusha

iTrader: (5)

the **** are you talking about?

TLR-2 has a laser and unless one is going to zero it properly and train with it, the laser is a useless gimmick

Buying any Insight light post 2010 is retarded. There are way better options, options that aren't made out of ******* plastic. And before you say "B-b-but SOPMOD!!" look closely at what replaces broken Insights in the field, the M600U (which is lighter and can be had all day for <$200)

Oh and if you're having any degree of difficulty finding a holster to accommodate a pistol/light combo you're dumber than I thought.

Roda

TLR1 / TLR1HL are the easy button if you have a short piece of rail for attachment. Both provide plenty of light for defensive use. HL, as noted above is almost too bright indoors in certain circumstances (lots of white walls), and can wash out the reticle on cheaper optics.

For longer range, the TLR1HPL has a longer throw, but the bezel can be problematic to mount... needs more standoff. They also make a game version with green light if you're night hunting.

I've also run a Sure Fire Fury, and really like the light output and pattern, but would probably go with Streamlight for ~$100 less. Streamlight is also less bulky than a weapon mounted tube light.

AlwaysBroken

I could do 100 dollars for sure. This would primarily be an indoors light for burglar identification.

stratosteve

iTrader: (1)

The standard tlr-1 goes on sale for ~85-90 and has 300 lumen. Not as much of problem at that level for getting yourself blinded by mirrors etc.

AlwaysBroken

I think that streamlight's website is hilarious. I like how the slightly brighter light reveals a whole horde of muggers, ninjas and grizzly bears hiding like 10 degrees off to the side of the regular flashlight's beam.

Chiburbian

iTrader: (1)

I use my TLR-2 as a cat toy.

stratosteve

iTrader: (1)

In real life, that weapon mounted or handheld light will reflect off of walls and light up the whole room. Understand that you will illuminate the boogie man and also reveal your position.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

Yeah, that's why I am not a fan of lights on my guns. Let the bad guys hold flashlights.

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

Same, and if you want to blind them, shoot a magnum cartridge from a short barrel.

farpolemiddle

Do you find it difficult to turn two crews to zero a laser? Is it incredibly hard to co-witness said laser to your iron sight picture? Why wouldn't anyone properly train with any of their tools? You really think lasers are a useless gimmick?

These guys are civilians talking about stuff that has a small chance of happening in their house. WTF are you talking about the field for? The insight is affordable and low profile. And I am pretty smart about all this but ever since I swapped my 17L for a Performance center M&P I am indeed having issues finding holster options with a weapon light short of having someone build me something for $200.

So easy now and slow down on the dumb talk big guy.

Roda

They have limited tactical applications, but in the hands of most shooters, yes, they are a useless gimmick. And a crutch for bad habits and poor fundamentals. YMMV, but that's my opinion based on nearly 25 years as an instructor.

M&P with a light, especially the 5" version, is still a little sparse on holster selection. They're starting to become easier to get for the 4.25" gun, though.

farpolemiddle

I appreciate your opinion on lasers. At least when it comes to visible spectrum which is what we are talking about. I do happen to have the 5" version.

Guardiola

iTrader: (1)

Was looking at the Black Friday stuff Cabela's has and ran across this.
Bushnell AR 3-12x40 with Redfield mount for $120.

Would you take the Vortex Crossfire 4-12x40 that's on sale for $130 w/o mount over this?

Edit: Sale ended. Didn't realize it was only for yesterday....

AlwaysBroken

Eh, living in a house with a wife (who works night shift) and two dogs, I feel a lot more comfortable with the option to briefly illuminate a questionable target rather than open fire blindly. The light is not on by default so it's not going to give anyone the jump on me.

pusha

iTrader: (5)

lol @ M&P

You are generalizing when you say holsters are difficult to find for light bearing pistols. Outside of competition shooters, few people will buy anything more than an off the shelf G19 or whatever the M&P 9mm equivalent is. I purchased a new kydex holster for my G19 for $50 on eBay.

Lasers remain a useless gimmick for casual shooters.

farpolemiddle

You are correct. I was generalizing about holsters. If you have a Glock 19 you can literally get whatever you want, when you want it, and for cheap. I also agree that for the casual dude the laser is not needed. It can have a place on those tiny *** pocket pistols with small no snag sights as long as they activate with out additional thought (see pressure pad in grip). It also has a place IMHO when used in conjunction with a weapon light on but I can see that I am in the minority on that now and that is ok.

And as far as my M&P goes I am just giving love a chance. I wanted to give slide mounted red dots a go. I almost went with a 34 MOS but decided to give a Performance Center 5" a chance. It comes with a few things factory that I wanted. Decent suppressor height sights, adjustable over travel trigger, various red dot mounts, ported barrel that puts the gases out at a slight angle. It fits hand pretty well.
So far I do not like the hinged trigger and it is not particularly accurate. Trying a new red dot that co-witnesses better and if I don't like it I am going to sell it and get a 19 MOS and swap out that trash trigger.

I like you better Pusha now that express yourself like a normal dude.

Roda

I'll throw in my $.02 since I just finished this experiment...

M&P Pro CORE 9mm, mine's the standard, unported version. I carry a standard 4.25" M&P nine daily, and bought the Pro CORE as I was starting to get back into competitive shooting and wanted to give a slide mounted red dot a try. At 50, I'm starting to go farsighted, and can't get a hard focus on the front sight anymore without readers. I thought the red dot might help. I bought a Burris FastFire, and have shot ~500 rounds in a bunch of training, and several USPSA matches over the last 5 months. I found the red dot was fantastic at ranges over 15 yards, and in low light... I was able to get faster shots and better accuracy. Closer than 15 yards, and it was slower and less accurate (at a given rate of fire) than the stock iron sights. This was exacerbated when engaging multiple threats. I was able to develop a pretty good index to get on the dot out of the holster, but movement made it slower to pick back up than with irons.

With the FastFire, even the suppressor height sights are almost completely occluded by the base of the red dot. This may not be the case with other sights, but it made the sights useless, even as a 'flash' reference. I often ended up point shooting through the hoop, which was not as accurate as point shooting over the top of the gun with standard sights.

YMMV, but for me, the slight advantage outside 15 yards was not worth the penalty inside 15 yards, so I pulled it off the gun and ordered a set of sights from Dawson with a fiber optic front. I've never tried one, so we'll see how that works. I tend to like a bright front, and plain black rear sight.... I hate 3 dots...

I've got a Ruger 10/22 Takedown Lite on the way that'll be a good home for the FastFire.

EDIT: WRT M&P v. Glock... there's a butt for every seat. I'm a longtime 1911 shooter, and I prefer pretty much everything about the M&P to the Glock, but again, YMMV....