Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Do You Have the Right Flashlight Skills?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/do-you-understand-correct-flashlight-skills/.
Do You Have the Right Flashlight Skills?
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
Oldmountaiman
Custom
Back when I was LEO we had to use candles with our ball and powder
KillerFord1977
Emissary
NVG’s 
Retired Bum
Professional
If we were dealing with a larger group, they let us use a torch on a stick. If were one on one, the instructions were to poke yourself in the eye and use the starlight...
Belt Fed
SAINT
LED's is the best thing to ever happen to a light
Anchorite
Professional
This topic always seems to stir up some level of debate, and probably for good reasons.
I am not law enforcement, nor military trained.
I see this question about lights (and WMLs) as really two distinct operations: shooting vs searching.
When I use a light, I index my elbow against my hip - that way I’m always pointing my flashlight forward, which would be the direction I would shoot. And I prefer those flashlights with the buttons on the side, so this works well for me.
I can search and still be ready to shoot.
Keeps everything together.
Of course opinions differ, and experience also shapes our methodology.
I am not law enforcement, nor military trained.
I see this question about lights (and WMLs) as really two distinct operations: shooting vs searching.
When I use a light, I index my elbow against my hip - that way I’m always pointing my flashlight forward, which would be the direction I would shoot. And I prefer those flashlights with the buttons on the side, so this works well for me.
I can search and still be ready to shoot.
Keeps everything together.
Of course opinions differ, and experience also shapes our methodology.
I’m not a weapons light guy. I don’t like the idea of sweeping everything with the muzzle while searching and I also don’t like the idea of giving the bad guy an aiming point! If a weapon is held in a firing position YOU are directly behind the light-shoot the light and the holder is hit. I was taught many many moons ago to hold the light weak hand out away from the body with the pistol in the strong hand “ready”. I’ll stick with tried and true. That said today’s lights are SO much brighter than yesterday’s. Hit a thugs in the eyes with one and his vision will be a mess for a bit-giving You an edge.
OldGrunt
Hellcat
I'm not a WMLs kind of guy. That's just me, I know others are and that's ok. But a light on a weapon just isn't for me. I prefer it be hand held. Before our friend and former forum member BassBob left, he turned me on to this light. This is what I keep on my nightstand, for anyone that might be interested. Its features have all been mentioned in several other threads and posts in the past, so I won't bore everyone with all that. The picture will give you the name of the light and you can use that in your search engine if you are interested in more info about it. I do love this little light.
While everyone can do whatever, the perception that one as a private citizen operates in complete and totally darkness to utilize a WML as someone performing Military or LE duties would is way way over emphasized.
While my privious answer was half sarcastic Hal’s serious I am old enough to have grown up with the Harries, and FBI and other techniques. I personally know several fellow LEOs that have sort napped felons using harries. But some young guns will say how wrong that is.
Nothing good comes from pointing guns at people and WML make people lazy, watch any episode of On Patrol Live and you will see them sweep their own hands or have to point the gun at people to even see if they are suspects because bouncing even those high Lumens off floors and ceiling doesn’t really work.
HayesGreener
SAINT
I carry two lights, a Surefire 6p in my flashlight pocket and a TLR1 HL mounted to my pistol. If I feel the need for a shoulder weapon my 870 shotgun, my SIG 516, and my CMMG Banshee all have mounted weapon lights. I worked midnights for 7 years of my LE career and high intensity light was my most often used, and most valued personal protection equipment. Our MP5's had Surefire weapon lights. (I miss my MP5). You may not need the light on the weapon but if you need to ID your target before firing it can be helpful. Common sense should prevail.
I attended low light instructor courses and taught a low light course with night firing and I and my students found learning to handle a weapon and light together is a skill that must be practiced.
Today's high output lights are far superior to what we were working with 40 years ago. These lights give us options.
I attended low light instructor courses and taught a low light course with night firing and I and my students found learning to handle a weapon and light together is a skill that must be practiced.
Today's high output lights are far superior to what we were working with 40 years ago. These lights give us options.
Anchorite
Professional
Amen.
Anchorite
Professional
I have had numerous LEO try to convince me that a WML is *the* way to go, and that using the high lumen lights to “light the room” is *the* way to do it.
(shrugs)
Invisibleflash
Elite
Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Do You Have the Right Flashlight Skills?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/do-you-understand-correct-flashlight-skills/.
Here is an oldie but goodie from the VHS era...
Anchorite
Professional
That’s an expensive flashlight.
I like it, but knowing my sometimes (un)luck, I’d lose it.
OldGrunt
Hellcat
I don't EDC it, it sits on my nightstand for emergency use. And in a few power failures in the middle of the night, that has been the extent of my emergencies needing my bedside flashlight. I hope that is the only times I need to use it!
Biggfoot44
Custom
I always have a light in my pocket , any time l'm dressed .
Anchorite
Professional
Good point. For that, I could justify that.