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Weapon light for a handgun.

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Sparky View Drop Down
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    Posted: January/13/2014 at 11:15
Thinking about a light for one of my handguns for home defense. I am thinking that it will be a LED type. Any thoughts on what would work the best?
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cheaptrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/13/2014 at 11:54
Are you wanting to mount a light to your pistola, or are you planning on using the "syringe style" technique, thereby you need a hand held flash light?

And WHY for the love of pete, are you considering a HAND GUN for home defense?!?!?!?  Shocked  Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/13/2014 at 12:12
I have two hand held LED flashlights, but was looking for a mounted LED light.

And I do have a Wilson Combat Scatter gun which is based on a Rem 870 as well. Which should have a light mounted on it as well.
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cheaptrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/13/2014 at 12:51
What pistol? 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/13/2014 at 13:44
Most likely a Sig 229 or one of my 1911s. Or possibly a XD. And probably not one of my Glocks since they are either 357Sig or 10mm. but it shouldn't matter which handgun since they have picatinny rails on them.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/13/2014 at 14:55
Which gun does matter, some are made for compacts, some are bigger and offer more features.
 
As CheapTrick said, the scattergun should be the first choice, but a light on a handgun is a good option too (more precise.)
 
On specific lights, I can off some input, but my biggest suggestion will be on battery type.  If you have nothing in your home that runs on a CR123 batteries, DO NOT get a light that requires a CR123 battery.
 
Also, get an LED, they run longer on the same battery and have a lower probability of not working when you need them to work.
 
If getting a light, consider a laser/light combo, lasers are nice for home defense as they:
1.  discourage the need to squeeze the trigger
2.  give confidence to aiming in high stress - especially for one without much handgun experience.
3.  lasers are great blinding devices, also helps prevent the need of squeezing the trigger.
 
I am a fan of the X400 lights from Surefire (CR123s, but I have many things that run 123s.) They ain't cheap, but the are hella tough and have controls I like and located where I think they should be.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/13/2014 at 21:29
Any thoughts on Streamlight TLR 1S?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/13/2014 at 23:22
http://www.streamlight.com/en-us/product/product.html?pid=276
Looks like the TLR1 HL is the model to go with< id="Post" method="post" name="Post" ="product.?pid=276">
 Streamlight 69260 TLR-1 HL High Lumen Rail-Mounted Tactical Light               

TLR-1® HL™

The TLR-1 HL provides a 630 lumen blast of light for maximum illumination while clearing a room or searching an alley. Its wide beam pattern lights up large areas so you can identify who or what is nearby.

  • C4® LED technology, impervious to shock with a 50,000 hour lifetime
  • 12,000 candela peak beam intensity and up to 630 lumens.
  • TIR optic produces a concentrated beam with optimum peripheral illumination
  • Run Time: 1.25 hours regulated run time. Solid-state current regulation for consistent illumination level
  • Powered by two 3-volt CR123 lithium batteries with 10-year storage life


Edited by Urimaginaryfrnd - January/13/2014 at 23:35

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Gil P. View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gil P. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/13/2014 at 23:38
The Streamlights are great. Very bright and you can get ones with a strobe feature if you like. They are very easy to use and come with different keys to attach to different types of rails; like a standard picatinny, or glock rail. Mounts very solidly.
Easy come easy go

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/14/2014 at 07:48
I run one on my AR. They are terrific. I only asked which pistol out of curiosity.   
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/14/2014 at 08:09
For the pistol -
Streamlight Flashlight Streamlight Flashlight
Stock # - GGG1307
  • TLR-1 Tactical Light
$119.95 
 http://swfa.com/Streamlight-Flashlight-P9107.aspx
Streamlight Flashlight Streamlight Flashlight
Stock # - GGG1308
  • TLR-2 Light & Laser
$299.95 
http://swfa.com/Streamlight-Flashlight-P9108.aspx
 
other options here  too -
 
if you want AA batteries and LED -
EOTech WL1-AA LED Weapon Light EOTech WL1-AA LED Weapon Light
Stock # - WL1000A3
  • Black
  • Quick Release
  • Pistol Kit
$299.00 
also with a laser
EOTech WL1-AA LED Weapon Light EOTech WL1-AA LED Weapon Light
Stock # - WL1000A1
  • Black
  • Laser
  • Quick Release
  • Pistol Kit
$419.00 
 
 
For your scattergun-
Remington 870
 or
EOTech Integrated Fore-end Light EOTech Integrated Fore-end Light
Stock # - EOTIFLREM250
  • For Remington 870 12ga
  • 250 Lumens
  • Ambidextrous pressure pads
  • Hard off/on switch
  • Constant on, momentary and strobe
  • Custom grip
  • No gunsmithing required
$279.00 
http://swfa.com/EOTech-Integrated-Fore-end-Light-P63221.aspx
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/14/2014 at 09:36
Also, on the shotgun fore end light, that is a must-have, in my opinion!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/14/2014 at 09:37
Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid Rancid Coolaid wrote:

Also, on the shotgun fore end light, that is a must-have, in my opinion!

Amen. 
If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/14/2014 at 10:38
Thanks for the links Graham!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/14/2014 at 10:50
No problem.  SWFA will take care of you.
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/16/2014 at 21:05
I have one of these http://www.crimsontrace.com/products/type/green-lasers/01-3120
Crimson Trace Green laser with light combo MVF-515 GREEN Modular Vertical Foregrip™ Green Laser for AR-15/M-16 Rifles  
Unfortuanatly I just had to send it back to the factory because the laser stays on constantly.  Nothing give away your position like a faulty laser. Eek

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
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