PISTOL LIGHT BUYING GUIDE
If you are not a part of the military or law enforcement, you might not see the varied benefits of the tactical flashlight to a shooter. For a variety of different reasons, a flashlight, whether mounted to the weapon itself or carried as an accessory, is a highly recommended tool for anyone’s self-defense arsenal. There is tons of optional gear for pistols and other firearms today and a good portion of them provide minimal utility and are not necessary. The flashlight, however, is an accessory that you can find varied uses for — even if you select a pistol-mounted model. Many pistol models already come prepared for the installation of an after-market flashlight and other accessories. Many handguns and pistols have a rail coming off the front of the gun. This is where tactical flashlights or other accessories can be front-mounted. The notion that you will use a flashlight as an attachment to the weapon is designed in the very build of most weapons. Check-list of must-haves:
- the light must be of high quality
- it needs to have both good visual spread and distance
- LED lights are highly recommended
- it should be simple to engage
Obviously, a flashlight is not suitable for all situations, but for illuminating dark places like a backyard or the woods, they work great. Used on surfaces that are shiny like tile or countertops are likely to cause glare which will do nothing to help your aim.
Hand-held versus Pistol-mounted
There are two main types of flashlights used with pistols: small, hand-held lights, or ones that are mounted directly to the weapon. In this guide, we are only going to review weapons-mounted options, as we feel that the benefits far out weight the benefits of a hand-held flashlight. First and foremost, a hand-held flashlight takes some practice and getting used to. If you find yourself in a high stress or tenuous situation, having something that requires grace and skill is not exactly ideal. For people who have a lot of practice, there can be a preference for a hand-held light as you have more flexibility in where you can aim it and still have your weapon pointed at a target.
First and foremost, a hand-held flashlight takes some practice and getting used to. If you find yourself in a high stress or tenuous situation, having something that requires grace and skill is not exactly ideal. For people who have a lot of practice, there can be a preference for a hand-held light as you have more flexibility in where you can aim it and still have your weapon pointed at a target.
As the name implies, pistol-mounted flashlights are tactical accessories that are attached to that ramp described above on the front of most modern handguns and pistols. A self-attached light is already ready to go and does not require you to have the coordination to engage. This could give you vital seconds in protecting your home or your family.
Most pistols mounted flashlights use one of two common types of batteries:
- AA
- CR123
These are affordable and easy to find. It should be noted that the brighter the light — even the more energy efficient LED lights — the more “juice” it takes to power the light. It is highly recommended to keep a stash of spare batteries for easy access at all times to ensure that you always have this tool at the ready.
Benefits of Pistol-Mounted versus Hand-held:
- no two-handed coordination needed
- light already attached
- turn it on with one easy step
- mounted directly on the weapon
- tons of illuminating power
It is important to look for a durable model but also be aware that the flashlight can only hand the power of the recoil so many times before it will need to be re-tightened or even replaced. The more heavy duty the model, the heftier the price tag, but you if you do your research you are paying for quality that is designed to last. Most standard, decent quality mounted flashlights will last at least two thousand rounds. It should also be noted that there is a learning curve to using a pistol-mounted flashlight just as there is when using a hand-held flashlight with your pistol. This means you need to practice with your particular model to get a feel for how it changes the weight of the weapon and shot. You will need to get used to turning it on and using it as a means to help identify potential targets or threats.
A Note About Brightness
While it is important to have a bright, clear pistol-mounted flashlight, you do not want it to become a dangerous or counterproductive blinding beacon. There are lights that are unnecessarily bright which can lead to vision problems of accidental victims of direct lighting. It can also make it more difficult for the shooter to see their potential target as they can cause glare on a variety of different, smooth or shiny surfaces. While a super bright light can be used to stun or temporarily blind an intruder, it can also backfire and do this to you as well. Do not choose the brightest option on the market to protect a house that is painted white with a lot of light-colored enamel surfaces. This will actually make it more difficult to see, not easier.
HOW TO INSTALL HANDGUN LIGHTS? (FIVE SIMPLE STEPS)
While it might seem complicated, installing a weapon-mounted flashlight is not rocket science. What follows will guide you on how to install most common types of the weapon-mounted flashlight to a basic pistol. If you select a specialty model or have an antique weapon, you might want to contact a gunsmith to ensure proper installation. An aside: some people choose to buy the actual mount and the flashlight that hooks into it separately. This may be that they have a brand preference, or that they found a better deal on the items separately. While this can be economical, you take the risk that the two parts are not going to be compatible with one another. When you buy the mount and the flashlight as a combo, you have the peace of mind that they will work together properly. Ultimately, though, the decision is yours.
1) Safety First: Before you begin doing any sort of cleaning, maintenance, upgrade, or repairs to your weapon, be sure that you remove any ammunition and only work on unloaded weapons. Many people will read this warning and roll their eyes, but there are too many preventable injuries and even fatalities that result from someone working on a loaded weapon. No matter how much experience you have with a firearm, double check every time to ensure that is unloaded before proceeding.
2) Clean the Rail: Before installing any accessory to a firearm, you want to ensure that you are working with a clean, debris-free surface. Using patches or even a light rag along with sterile alcohol, gently clean the rail mount and allow it to dry for a few minutes.
3) Install the Battery Into the Flashlight: Before you even mount the light, it is recommended that you install the battery. To do this, you need to twist the bulb assembly at the end of the flashlight. Once the top is removed, you will see the place where you place the AA or CR123 batteries. Remember to gently replace the bulb assembly and do not over-tighten or you may cause threading.
4) Preparing the Mounting: You will want to use an Allen wrench for this part of the installation process. Here, you will use the including mounting by placing it on the front rail of the weapon and wrenching it firmly into place. Again, it is important that you do not over tighten the mounting assembly.
5) Attaching the Flashlight: Again, you will use an Allen wrench for this final step in the installation process. You will need to loosen the mounting bolt on the recently attached mount. Then, position the flashlight onto the mount before tightening it into place. Once again, you want to take care, not to over tighten the flashlight assembly. It is simple and takes just a few minutes to properly install a weapon-mounted flashlight, but it should be noted that they do require some regular maintenance just as any other accessory.
To properly maintain your weapon-mounted flashlight, you will need:
- clean patches
- general, all-purpose gun cleaning solvent
- silicone-based grease for lubrication
After each use, use the patches and solvent to clean any dirt, grime, or debris that may have gathered on the weapon. Using a clean, dry patch, wipe away any residue or grime that may have been loosened by the solvent. Apply a small amount of grease to the mount for proper lubrication. It is also recommended that you go through this simple cleaning and lubrication process if you are bringing out a weapon that has been in storage for any length of time.
5 BIG ADVANTAGES OF HAVING THE “BRIGHTEST” PISTOL LIGHT
1) Range and Clarity of Sight: With an extremely high quality and bright pistol light, you enhance the range of your sight line in dark situations. This is particularly true if you are using your weapon in a wooded area or one that is not subject to a lot of light pollution. Clear, high-quality light provides a more clear sight path with few fuzzy areas or areas of excessive shadow that can make it difficult to hone in on a target or potential threat. When you choose a light that is reputed for having a bright, long-range light, you ensure that you are paying for a high-quality accessory that will enhance your ability to identify targets and even just look around in dark environments. Weapons-mounted flashlights have more practical purposes as well.
2) Illumination When You Need it Most: One of the added benefits of having an ultra-bright weapon-mounted flashlight for your pistol or handgun really has little to do with any shooting or firing of weapons. If you find yourself in the dark for whatever reason, light can literally be life-saving. It can keep you from falling off cliffs, twisting your ankle in a hole in the ground, and even alert others to your presence. You can easily pull out your pistol, turn on the flashlight, and survey your surrounding environs. You can use the light as a way to light a safe, obstacle-free path and make sure you aren’t about to walk directly into anything dangerous. These lights can also make it easier to alert people to your whereabouts and to receive help. The brightest flashlights will emit the longest and strongest streams of light which will make it easier for rescue personnel or family members to ascertain your location.
3) An Ultra Bright Light Can Be A Weapon Unto Itself: One thing that many people note about weapons-mounted pistol lights is their ability to double as a stunning device or weapon in itself. There are some incredibly bright lights currently available on the marketplace. Most shooters know that non-lethal ways of stunning or running off a potential threat are far preferable to using deadly force. When you choose one of the brighter models of the flashlight, you can use this to stun or temporarily blind a potential intruder or danger. This can give you a few key seconds that will allow you to run to safety or to get a good shot lined up undisturbed.
4) State of the Art Technology for Enhanced Capabilities: There are some incredibly flashlights available on the marketplace. From laser-based models or those that utilize energy-efficient LEDs, firearms enthusiasts swear by making the leap to getting one of the more advanced and brighter models. The newest and brightest models have been employed and recommended by many law enforcement and military personnel, giving you the peace of mind that if they work to protect and aid these types of heroes, it can also be trusted to protect your family and your home. Technology is improving at such a fast rate and these accessories keep getting brighter, more efficient, lighter, thus enhancing their utility further.
5) Ability to Illuminate and Shoot with Ease: Current models of ultra bright weapon-mounted lights tend to be lightweight and operate with one simple touch. This means that your weapon is not going to be bogged down with an unwieldy accessory that dramatically increases the weight of the weapon. The flashlight is made to be operated with one-touch, allowing one to easily utilize this feature, even on the run or in stations of duress.
WRAP-UP
When it comes to firearms today, there are so many different accessories (often gimmicks) clogging up the marketplace. Amidst all the nonsense are a few high-quality accessories that every gun owner should have in their proverbial arsenal. This is an affordable accessory that can greatly enhance the range and utility of your firearm. Whether you choose a hand-held or weapon-mounted model, a pistol light will make it easier for you to assess a potential target or danger, even at great distances.
We recommend a weapon-mounted option for its simplicity and ease of use, but the decision is ultimately up to you. When you choose a weapon-mounted option, you only need to install it once and it does not require the same level of experience in coordination to properly wield. In this guide, we also have brief best pistol light reviews that will give you a good starting point from which to select the right flashlight for your weapon and individual needs. We describe the basic differences in options available on the marketplace. We wrap up the guide by providing simple instructions for the installation of the mounted light, as well as a rundown of some of the biggest benefits of choosing a clear, ultra-bright lighting option.
