Budget tactical lights? (Evaluate my idea)

[Landmonster]

Hello, I'm looking for some budget tactical lights. Does such a thing exist?

By "tactical", I'm actually looking for 2 different uses.

1) I'd like to be able to hold and operate the light in my left hand, while holding a pistol in the right hand.

2) I'd also be able to mount these lights to a shotgun or rifle, using a mounting bracket of some kind.

These lights would be used for home defense. Ideally, I'd like to find one style of light that fulfills both uses.


Would this light be appropriate for either of the uses I've described?

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.33550
(UniqueFire L2 Cree XPG-R5 320-Lumen LED )

Why or why not?


I have 4 pistols, and 4 long-arms. I'm trying to affix a light to each long-arm, and have a hand-held light that I can use with any pistol too. I'd like to find one style of light that fits the bill for all the long-arms at least, just to "standardize".

 

[TMedina]

Sure - a lot of lights could fit those criteria.

Now, how much money do you want to spend?

And I'm not even going to look at the Deal Extreme offering. It might be a great light, but it doesn't have a solid reputation of QC behind it for me to trust my life to it.

You probably want to browse some weapon light threads and do a little research - it can save you a lot of grief later.

-Trevor

 

[csshih]

forgive me, but the two words, "budget', and "tactical" aren't really suited to be together. Lights that aren't designed for weapon mounting usually shouldn't be mounted!

 

[RWT1405]

+ 1 csshih, I agree 100%. Why would anyone spend hundreds of dollars on a weapon/s and then go "cheap" on their light/s?

I see the same with holsters, for handguns, all the time. It makes no sense to me.

My .02 FWIW YMMV

 

[Landmonster]

Lights that aren't designed for weapon mounting usually shouldn't be mounted!

How come?
What makes one suitable for mounting?

 

[csshih]

many weapon lights have some protective measures (shock mounting) to prevent the batteries from denting after recoil. depending on the weapon, of course. I have very little experience with firearms, but I've heard of batteries denting after use - possibly making the light turn off.

if you're going to go the budget way, I recommend a simple single mode light.. I be the recoil will disconnect the battery for a moment at least, which might change modes.

 

[EZO]

How come?
What makes one suitable for mounting?

Durability!

I once mounted a decent but not great quality Xenon light with a pressure switch on a 12 Gauge Winchester 1300 Defender with pistol grip. It worked fine for awhile but when I tried firing a 3 inch Magnum 00 buckshot round the whole light blew out of the otherwise very solid mount because the tube apparently flexed under the pressure of recoil and ended up with a mangled end cap and body.

Any flashlight that is mounted on a firearm needs to withstand the impact firing the weapon. It is penny wise and pound foolish to cut corners here. Get a Surefire or equivalent for this purpose. There's a reason they named the company Surefire!

 

[AnAppleSnail]

Every shot slams the LED/Driver module at the front into the battery. A front spring helps with this, but some other things should be done right if you want the light to reliably survive use on the weapon. Just because a cheap light will "probably" make it through 500 rounds doesn't mean it won't fail on the first one time...

 

[vasp1]

I have no experience of firearms whatsoever. However, I do have the torch you mentioned in the opening post. It's been used on a few camping trips and some other outdoors activities. Would I trust it on a gun? Absolutely not.

I think you need to buy the right tool for the right job. Many CPFers will already have posted about their experiences of suitable torches for this type of application. Do a bit more digging - I'm sure you'll find the information you need. Good luck.