{"id":143191,"date":"2021-04-11T12:13:17","date_gmt":"2021-04-11T16:13:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=143191"},"modified":"2026-01-07T07:22:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T13:22:15","slug":"the-what-the-why-flashlights-long-guns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/the-what-the-why-flashlights-long-guns\/","title":{"rendered":"The What & the Why: Flashlights & Long Guns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SELECTING AND USING A LIGHT WITH A LONG GUN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is absolutely critical that a shooter knows what he or she is shooting. Whether a paper target on the range or a person who is attacking you, it is vitally important that you know who or what you intend to shoot. After all, unless you are crazy, you don\u2019t want to shoot someone or something unjustifiably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And to positively know who or what the target is, you have to be able to see it clearly enough to identify it. So, there must be enough light to do so. Since it is a fact that most deadly force encounters happen in dim light where it is hard to see, having a light source you can use to illuminate your target is essential. And there are options that include a light that is mounted on the gun or a light that is handheld. Then there are different handheld and weapon-mounted lights to choose from. Once a light is chosen, you need to know<\/a> how to use it safely and effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
This SIG516 is an older gun and is equipped with a Picatinny rail handguard. Many newer guns have M-LOK handguards. Regardless though, the SureFire Scout Light is attached at a 45-degree angle downward from horizontal so that the light will not cast a shadow to the left of the barrel. The light is mounted so that the rear tactical switch can be pressed by the support hand thumb without modifying the shooter\u2019s grip. (Doug Larson photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s a lot of things to consider. While there are other options besides those mentioned here and in another The What & The Why article about handguns<\/a>, this article will concentrate on some of the options for long guns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law enforcement and the military recognize that a long gun is a more effective tool for self-defense than is a handgun, and both make wide use of lights with those long guns. But as a regular, non-sworn citizen, you may also have need for a light if you use a long gun for defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is it important to identify a potential threat in your own house before shooting? If you are startled awake, you don\u2019t want to shoot your spouse who is up in the middle of the night to get a drink of water, do you? Or what if a neighbor comes into your house after a long night of drinking, thinking it is his house? These things happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Even if you have a light mounted on your long gun, it is wise to carry a handheld light which can be used as a backup in case the weapon light fails. It can also be used for navigation or illuminating things you may not want to point your gun at when using the weapon light. (Doug Larson photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are many reasons to have adequate light to identify a potential threat besides being able to see it well enough to hit it. And as mentioned above, there are options for lights. A light mounted on the gun is easier to manipulate, and it is easier to control, aim, and shoot the gun if the light is on the gun and doesn\u2019t have to be held in one hand while the other shoots the gun. But, whether or not the light is mounted on the gun or held in the hand, things like switching, weight, and power source are considerations. And how and where on the gun the light may be mounted also need to be considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned in the other The What & The Why article about lights and handguns, probably the best place to start the selection process is determining what your mission is \u2013 or what you intend to do with the light and the gun. Elzetta<\/a>, a maker of very high-quality tactical lights, suggests first deciding how far away likely threats may be. Then select a light that has a range specification that is double that distance. That\u2019s because light intensity falls off rapidly with distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, consider whether or not the light beam has any dark spots in it which can allow a threat to go unnoticed. Another thing to consider is the width of the light beam. SureFire’s<\/a> approach to this problem is to focus the beam enough that the light will travel a certain distance and also have a \u201csoft edge\u201d so that the light is still intense enough near the edges of the beam to allow the user\u2019s peripheral vision to work. If the edge of the beam is sharp and there is no \u201cspill\u201d light around the edges, people tend to focus solely on the things well lighted in the center of the beam and may not see a threat that is lurking in the shadows off to the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Some instructors advise not using a lanyard at all while others suggest that a properly set-up and used lanyard works well. Nearly all advocate using a retention device of some kind to keep the light handy for quick use. This is the proper way to set-up a lanyard if that is the chosen way to retain the light. But it still requires training to do. (Doug Larson photo) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Even a very sharp narrow beam can be used inside a structure if the walls and ceiling are close enough for light to bounce off them and illuminate a whole room or large area. If your use is anticipated to be inside your house, then any light that has a minimum of 50 lumens \u2013 that\u2019s what SureFire says is the minimum needed to \u201cblind\u201d a person who has night-adapted vision \u2013 might be adequate for your needs. But that is for you to decide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If on the other hand, you anticipate that you will use the light outside where there may be almost no, or absolutely no, ambient light, you might need a light with a beam that will reach farther. Or you may opt for a light that spreads the beam over a wide area to maximize your use of peripheral vision. No one can decide these things for you. You must decide what is important for yourself. The salesperson behind the counter may not have your best interest at heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And here is a word of caution. If you mount a light on your long gun\u2019s fore-end or handguard and you anticipate using that light for searching outside when it is very dark, think about shadows that may be the result of where the light is mounted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, I was once training at <\/a>Gunsite Academy<\/a> at night. Students were performing solo searches with AR-15<\/a>s outside, and this night, there was absolutely no light. It was pitch black. I had a SureFire Scout weapon light mounted on the right side of the handguard, behind the muzzle. As a result, the light cast a black shadow caused by the barrel on the left side of the gun. A whole infantry platoon could be \u201chidden\u201d by the shadow, and I would not have seen it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My solution was to consider where any shadows might fall. Since it was not likely that a threat would present itself from above, I moved the light mount down a few inches so the light attaches in the same place as before but at 45 degrees below and to the right of the barrel. Then any shadows cast would be at a 45-degree angle to the left and above the barrel, where a threat would be less likely to be. Those readers who are SWAT operators and could find yourself in a similar situation should take special note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned earlier, besides the power source \u2013 I will never buy another Duracell product because the claim process was very difficult after an AA alkaline battery leaked and damaged a very expensive piece of equipment \u2013 weight, and switching method are important to consider when selecting a light. Weight could be a problem \u2013 or maybe not. The switching mechanism should be carefully considered though. Generally, a simple on and off switch is the best solution for a light that might be used in a life and death situation. A switch that does more than turn the light on or off and that controls functions of the light \u2013 like intensity or a strobe \u2013 makes using the switch under stress confusing and slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, most people who use a light for serious work, prefer a simple on and off switch. If the light has other modes, it should be controlled by a different switch so that it can be manipulated during a period when time is not limited and stress is lower. And most operators prefer a light without a strobe feature because they find it not necessary. A strobe may disorient an attacker, but it can also disorient a user. Besides, if a strobe is really needed, a simple switch can be pressed on and off rapidly to create the same effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned earlier, a weapon-mounted light has the advantage of allowing the user to manipulate the gun and handle it with both hands. Sure, if a handheld light is used, it is more difficult to shoot the gun. But when a handheld light is used in conjunction with a weapon-mounted light, the handheld light can be a backup in case the weapon light malfunctions. And if the handheld light is used for searching or lighting an object, the gun on which a weapon light is mounted is not pointed at whatever the light is pointed at. It\u2019s a safety consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the light is mounted on the gun, it is best if the switch is located somewhere so that manipulating it does not require a hand be moved away from its normal shooting position. It is simply faster to manipulate a light switch and shoot a gun at the same time if both hands remain in that normal shooting position. So, most experienced shooters prefer a switch that is located where moving the hand is not required. Sometimes the light is positioned where a finger of the hand in a normal firing position can simply push a button or a tape pressure switch connected to the light. Often that is somewhere on the handguard or fore-end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a handheld light is used with a long gun, one of several techniques can be used. Some, but not all, are discussed here. To learn more of them and how to perform them properly, good training from a place like Gunsite Academy is essential. In a well-run class, you will have the opportunity to shoot a gun in low light, learn how to shoot and manipulate a light at the same time, and be able to practice those skills repeatedly. You can\u2019t learn to do these things by reading this article, or any other article, or watching a video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One method of manipulating a handheld light while using a long gun, is the lite touch method. To use it, the long gun must have a magazine or magazine well that protrudes from the bottom of the gun. The light is held in the support hand and pressed back into the well or the magazine to activate it. It requires a light with a switch at the back though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
With the lite touch technique, the tactical switch at the rear of the light is pressed into the magazine or magazine well to activate. This is only one way to hold the light. Notice that the sights are not raised and the model does not wear eye or ear protection. That\u2019s because no shooting was done during this demonstration. (Doug Larson photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another method is the cross support technique. The light is held as one would hold an icepick so that the switch can be pressed with the thumb of the support hand. Then the gun is cradled on the support arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
When using the cross support technique, the light is held as if holding an icepick and the thumb is used to activate the rear tactical switch. The long gun is cradled or rested on the support arm. (Doug Larson photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The last method to be discussed here is the modified FBI technique where the light is held in the support hand at arm\u2019s length high and to the side of the user. The gun is then supported and fired with the other hand. It is not easy to do but is feasible with proper training. If you don\u2019t know how to do this \u2013 shooting a long gun one-handed can be a very useful skill \u2013 you desperately need training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
In the modified FBI technique, the long gun is supported and fired one-handed. The light is held high, away from the shooter\u2019s body so that if the aggressor shoots at the light, a bullet will be less likely to strike the shooter\u2019s body. (Doug Larson photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Give serious thought to what you need in a self-defense light before buying. And expect to pay plenty for it unless you want a hobby device that will not be relied on to save a life. Cheap is not usually rugged or reliable. If possible, locate a friendly seller who will let you try a light out before buying to see if the beam is what you want. But first, start with deciding what you are going to do with the light and what is needed. Again, the mission objective should dictate what equipment is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s the what and the why of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n