do you EDC with a hand held light or a rail mounted light?

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  • bush_hog

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    Thoughts on this topic??? I'm on the fence again, with cooler weather approaching and I'm preparing for carrying a larger sidearm while holster shopping. I currently carry a torch in my pocket and currently don't have any lights on any rails that I carry... just wondering what most people are doing these days. I know this is likely an end user preference. Thanks!
     

    thperez1972

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    Something to consider. If there's a situation where you need to use a flashlight but it's not time to draw a weapon, a weapon mounted light is the same as not carrying a light.
     

    DAVE_M

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    Weapon lights do not replace handheld lights. The handheld allows me to PID anything without waving a gun around.

    I carry a Modlite PLHv2 handheld regardless of what pistol I have. If I’m carrying a pistol with a WML, I have a Surefire X300U-B equipped.
     

    southerncanuck

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    Handheld only for EDC... 99.999% of the time I need to light something up, I don't need to kill it.

    As a civilian I figure the odds of me having the need, time, presence of mind, and free hand to go looking for a lightswitch should I need to draw in self-defense are close enough to zero for me that it's not worth putting a light on my carry gun. I do keep one on the bedside gun where it seems to make more practical sense.
     

    AustinBR

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    Handheld only for EDC... 99.999% of the time I need to light something up, I don't need to kill it.

    As a civilian I figure the odds of me having the need, time, presence of mind, and free hand to go looking for a lightswitch should I need to draw in self-defense are close enough to zero for me that it's not worth putting a light on my carry gun. I do keep one on the bedside gun where it seems to make more practical sense.
    This.

    I carry a Modlight as well and it is so bright that it is absolutely a force multiplier. I can point it at someone's chest at night and will have their complete and total attention. If I put the spot on their face, it removes their ability to see anything. This is very useful. It will function similarly during the day as well.

    Oh, and I can bring it to airports, stadiums, and almost anywhere.

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    AustinBR

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    This.

    I carry a Modlight as well and it is so bright that it is absolutely a force multiplier. I can point it at someone's chest at night and will have their complete and total attention. If I put the spot on their face, it removes their ability to see anything. This is very useful. It will function similarly during the day as well.

    Oh, and I can bring it to airports, stadiums, and almost anywhere.

    Sent from my SM-G977U using Tapatalk
    My current COVID EDC. Added a mask and gum...bc I don't like to smell anything but mint.
    55bb113d394de3aff1f6a0ee8c86e23c.jpg


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    MOTOR51

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    I can’t recall a time when not at work that I’ve needed to “PID” something. I can’t remember a time where the light on my phone wasn’t enough to get me by. I do keep a light on my handgun but other than that I don’t carry one. I might keep
    One in the car but that’s about it.


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    DAVE_M

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    I can’t recall a time when not at work that I’ve needed to *PID* something. I can’t remember a time where the light on my phone wasn’t enough to get me by. I do keep a light on my handgun but other than that I don’t carry one. I might keep
    One in the car but that’s about it.


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    I use my light every night I take my dog out. I also have no plans to shoot into the dark if I do ever need to use a firearm. My phone doesn't illuminate anything beyond a few feet. It definitely can't see my dog 25 yards out in the darkness. It's easy to carry and nice to have.
     

    AustinBR

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    I can’t recall a time when not at work that I’ve needed to “PID” something. I can’t remember a time where the light on my phone wasn’t enough to get me by. I do keep a light on my handgun but other than that I don’t carry one. I might keep
    One in the car but that’s about it.


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    Dog ran into woods recently and used light to find him. Lights are super useful.

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    MOTOR51

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    I use my light every night I take my dog out. I also have no plans to shoot into the dark if I do ever need to use a firearm. My phone doesn't illuminate anything beyond a few feet. It definitely can't see my dog 25 yards out in the darkness. It's easy to carry and nice to have.

    I thought we were talking about daily carry. Of course I use a flashlight for tasks. I do not carry one as an EDC because I have never needed one at random times and if I’ve need a light my cell phone worked fine. I have a little experience with pointing firearms at people in the dark but I appreciate your opinion. I did say I carry one on my firearm.


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    MOTOR51

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    Dog ran into woods recently and used light to find him. Lights are super useful.

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    So are obedient dogs.


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    DAVE_M

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    I thought we were talking about daily carry. Of course I use a flashlight for tasks. I do not carry one as an EDC because I have never needed one at random times and if I’ve need a light my cell phone worked fine. I have a little experience with pointing firearms at people in the dark but I appreciate your opinion. I did say I carry one on my firearm.


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    We are. I carry it with me everywhere. Is that not daily carry?

    I'm not a cop, nor am I an expert in night shooting, so any time I would draw a firearm I better have a damn good reason for it. It would also be wise to identify what I'm about to point a gun at. That's not only my opinion, but also the opinion of the attorneys, LEO, and LE Firearms Instructors I've spoken and trained with.
     
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    MOTOR51

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    We are. I carry it with me everywhere. Is that not daily carry?

    I'm not a cop, nor am I an expert in night shooting, so any time I would draw a firearm I better have a damn good reason for it. It would also be wise to identify what I'm about to point a gun at. That's not my only my opinion, but also the opinion of the attorneys, LEO, and LE Firearms Instructors I've spoken and trained with.

    Yep.


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    AustinBR

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    So are obedient dogs.


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    Not my dog.

    Cell phone lights suck. Being able to light up anything like daylight is useful. All for a few Oz weight in my pocket.

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    MOTOR51

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    Not my dog.

    Cell phone lights suck. Being able to light up anything like daylight is useful. All for a few Oz weight in my pocket.

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    There have been many advancements in cell phone lights in the past few years lol. My cell phone light is probably as bright as my first weaponlight many years ago . If I needed a light all the time I would justify carrying it, I just can’t see how I’d benefit from it as an EDC. Not knocking you guys who find yourselves needing to “PID” all the time. I’m just not in that category.


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    MOTOR51

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    To the OP, if you already carry a light in your pocket I wouldn’t change. Just practice shooting techniques with a handheld if you haven’t already. It’s not super complicated.


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