kennyj
Enlightened
I'm working as a security guard. The area I'm in is not the greatest, and while it's mostly quiet we do get the occasional meth-head, drunk, or lowlife looking for trouble, sometimes in small groups. Post orders do not allow me to carry a weapon of any kind, but my boss has explicitly stated that maglites of any size and other such flashlights are okay (he's cool like that.) I've carried a minimag since day one and just ordered a MiniStar2 (Luxeon SE LED retrofit) for the sucker, which I have no plans on moving away from (I also carry it for computer repair; candle mode is indispensable for lighting the inside of a computer enclosure.)
I've been thinking about carrying a 6C Mag on me as well, both for its good lighting and its suitability as a baton. People know what it is, and they know what it can be used for. It can also be a good defense against edged weapons, but the psychological deterrent is key.
I started to reconsider my original plans when I stumbled onto reviews of SureFire lights yesterday, especially the Executive Defender. The idea of a small, easily-handled, and durable light that can temporarily blind an assailant in the dark without any need for physical contact is VERY appealing. I also like the idea of having an effective last-resort weapon that won't weigh me down. Of course, while the Surefires are certainly high-quality and they look damn good, the pricing gives me pause... and while they can make good handheld weapons, they're not a great visual deterrant while shut off. Still, some of their purported features give me a few ideas about how I can protect myself in a pinch with naught but a flashlight.
I'm now wondering if the 6C Mag is bright enough for a blinding effect, or if the replacement upgrade incandescent bulbs will be sufficient for that (so far I've not seen an LED retrofit that can take full advantage of 6 cells.) Can't really beat the price, and the availability of replacement components is nice, but I'm willing to pay more for something better. I also wonder if I can get something with less weight but similarly baton-like; it's better than my unwieldy 4D Mag but still pretty heavy for one-handed use. I am, of course, willing to mod.
So... any thoughts that someone in my position might find useful? I'd really like something that can be effectively used as a baton but I'll certainly consider other ideas as well.
I've been thinking about carrying a 6C Mag on me as well, both for its good lighting and its suitability as a baton. People know what it is, and they know what it can be used for. It can also be a good defense against edged weapons, but the psychological deterrent is key.
I started to reconsider my original plans when I stumbled onto reviews of SureFire lights yesterday, especially the Executive Defender. The idea of a small, easily-handled, and durable light that can temporarily blind an assailant in the dark without any need for physical contact is VERY appealing. I also like the idea of having an effective last-resort weapon that won't weigh me down. Of course, while the Surefires are certainly high-quality and they look damn good, the pricing gives me pause... and while they can make good handheld weapons, they're not a great visual deterrant while shut off. Still, some of their purported features give me a few ideas about how I can protect myself in a pinch with naught but a flashlight.
I'm now wondering if the 6C Mag is bright enough for a blinding effect, or if the replacement upgrade incandescent bulbs will be sufficient for that (so far I've not seen an LED retrofit that can take full advantage of 6 cells.) Can't really beat the price, and the availability of replacement components is nice, but I'm willing to pay more for something better. I also wonder if I can get something with less weight but similarly baton-like; it's better than my unwieldy 4D Mag but still pretty heavy for one-handed use. I am, of course, willing to mod.
So... any thoughts that someone in my position might find useful? I'd really like something that can be effectively used as a baton but I'll certainly consider other ideas as well.