Lights on guns??

and I don't want crap on my gun that depends on a battery that may affect my life or the lives of those I love.

Like I said, that's just me.

I'm not really concerned what others think or being trendy. They are tools I use outside of town. Flashlights of all kinds have "switches" and most pop on and off easily. If you want to go investigate things in the dark depending on only your house or yard illumination go ahead. I like having not to hunt for a flashlight, it's right there on my gun. Not just any pissy light but 500+ Lumens. It's enough to disable a Meth-head for several moments wandering around, without actually blasting him/her.

I have read and heard in a gunfight you need to win, even if it means cheating. That resonates with me. I'm more likely to make a bad decision, scared and in the dark, than I am torching something up and deciding if it needs blasting or not.

Usually what I'm after is a Coyote or Coon, some vermin after the livestock or chickens. I feel just fine pointing my gun at them. The safety is between my ears, not on the gun. Like I mentioned it pops right off for normal use and I don't have to go "find" the light that was on the bed stand when I went to sleep (where is it now?!!). For me having a light hanging off a picatinny is a useful thing. You may be different and there is no argument. You fight like you want I I will be blinding the piss out of something I've already determined is not where it should be. Deciding if it needs blasted or not.

I have lights on a Custom 870, Beretta M9A1, and a Kahr PM9 (with a non detach light/laser -laser is almost useless and I agree on making you a target) that I use frequently. I'll take the practical and tactical edge for my own uses. The intruders don't know I have a gun mounted light, just a light and looking around. The armed part is a little surprise if needed.

I have a problem with the pointing of a light at potentially someone and directly beside the light is a barrel of a gun, long gun or pistol. I just see it as a recipe for disaster. I guess I am just old school: Do not point at anything you are not willing to destroy.

by multiple police, military and national security agencies with each having had some kind of light usage, bar none. As to the arguments, each unto their own.

more critically. I rarely use the weapon light, but I'm glad to have it when I need it. To be fair I probably use it more than the average person given the nature of my work. And most on here are probably smarter than to find themselves in a dark alley. Knowing your target and what is beyond/beside is important which is why I recommend having a light. But knowing your terrain gives you an advantage, knowing where the light switches are in your house, etc, sounds like you have a good plan in place. I don't often have the home field advantage. Also, bad guys will shoot indiscriminately regardless of lighting conditions, good guys have to be sure of their shot.

Motion lights outside are an excellent deterrent for criminals. I also have motion activated night-lights in the hallway leading to the bedroom if anyone ever manages to get that far.

If you have to activate a light to identify a potential threat (or confirm it is not a threat) then light on, light off, move. Don't stay in the same place, cause Dave is right, lights work both directions and gives away your position.

Also, shinning a flashlight at the ceiling illuminates the entire room, not as well as simply turning on the light, but you don't have to point the light directly at something to identify it if you are inside.

I put a light on because I can shoot faster with 2 hands on the gun and I can manipulate the gun faster for reloads and malfunctions. And added bonus, on a pistol, if your gunlight sticks out slightly farther than your muzzle, you can press contact shot without taking the gun out of battery. Maybe a little graphic but don't think a meth-head with a knife is going to stop charging you after one shot.

Anyway, some interesting conversation here and brings to light (pun alert) some things I hadn't considered.

MUCH MUCH EASIER TO GET THOSE INFERNAL CREATURES WITH A LIGHT ON YOUR SHOTGUN
MY SUCCESS RATE HAS GONE WAY WAY UP