If you're looking to equip your weapon with a light, in this article, we discuss weapon lights and how to choose the best option.
The Benefits of Using a Weapon Light
Whether you are a police officer or a civilian, having a weapon light is always a good idea. Here are some benefits of using a weapon light:
1. You can keep your night vision while using the light.
2. You have both hands free to shoot since the light is attached to the gun.
3. The light can temporarily blind and disorient an attacker, giving you an advantage in a self-defense situation.
4. A weapon light can be used to search for and identify potential threats in the dark (e.g., an intruder in your home).
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The Different Types of Weapon Lights Available
There are multiple types of weapon lights available on the market. Each type has its own specific purpose and should be chosen based on the intended use.
The most common type of weapon light is the handheld flashlight. This type is small and can be easily attached to or detached from a firearm. Handheld flashlights are typically used to illuminate dark areas that may contain threats.
Another popular type of weapon light is the laser sight. Laser sights emit a visible red or green dot that can be used to indicate where the bullets will impact. This type of light is helpful for close-range engagements as it allows for more accurate shots.
Lastly, there are also infrared (IR) illuminators. These devices emits invisible infrared light that can only be seen through night vision goggles (NVGs). IR illuminators are commonly used by military and law enforcement personnel in low-light conditions.
How to Choose the Right Weapon Light for Your Needs
When shopping around for a weapon light, there are several things you need to take into account in order to make sure you select the best one for your individual needs. The three primary considerations are: desired features, output, and activation.
Desired Features: What do you want your weapon light to do? The most basic models will simply project a beam of light ahead of your gun’s barrel. But many lights on the market today offer additional features that can be very useful in certain situations. For example, some lights come equipped with red or green filters that can be swapped out depending on whether you need to preserve night vision or not. Others have built-in lasers that can help with target acquisition. And still others come with pressure switches that allow you to attached the light directly to your firearm for easy activation. Decide what sorts of features will be most useful for you and narrow your search accordingly.
Output: Once you know what sort of features you desire, the next thing to consider is output. How much light do you need? This will vary depending on the situation in which you plan to use your weapon light – ifyou anticipate needing long-range illumination,you’ll want a powerful beam that can reach far downrange;but ifyou just need something for close-quarters situational awareness,a more modest output may suffice . In general , however , it is always better to err on the side of too much light rather than not enough . After all , once you pull the trigger , it’s too late to wish you had more illumination !
Activation: The last thing to think about is activation – how do you want to turn your light on and off ? Mostlights these days use either push-button or momentary-on switches , bothof which have their pros and cons . A push - button switch is convenient because it allows youto keep your finger rest ing outside the trigger guard while still being ableto activate the light quickly when needed ; but theycan also unintentional ly get turned on while carrying or handlingyour firearm , wasting batteries and giving away your position . Momentary -on switches donot run this risk ; but they require y outo haveyour finger inside th e trigger guard when activatingthelight , which some shooters finduncomfortableor dangerous . Ultimately it’s up t oyouwhich typeofactivation switchyouselect – just mak esureit’sone withwh ichyoufeelfive comfortableand confident operating .