Home Defense

[Sedition]

Hey all. I've been running through the threads and have learned quite a bit. There was even a good thread on a 'bump-in-the-night' flashlights, but most of those suggestions were coupled with a firearm.

My wife will not allow a firearm in the house, so I want to know if there is a light that is insanely bright. Enough to stun someone for a short period of time (especially going from dark to bright). Galls has a 10 million candlepower searchlight that I figured might work, but also might be a hair unwieldly (but if it works, I'm cool with it). I tried to track down the Borealis 1050 lumens, but google just lists pages and pages of forum spam. Price won't be as much as a consideration if I can get sheer output.

I appreciate any advice that this fine community has to offer.

 

[ConfederateScott]

Welcome to CPF. I'm sure you'll get some good advice. With all due respect, mine is to tell your wife that you are the husband and you'll make the decision pertaining to protecting yourself and your family. If she doesn't want to learn to shoot or handle a firearm then she doesn't have to. Then learn how to safely use and store a handgun if you don't already know and buy yourself a .38 revolver. A flashlight is not something you want to rely on for defense, especially if the potential threat might have a knife or gun of their own. Good luck.

 

[Kato]

It's good that you're planning and thinking ahead. But please remember that a flashlight is just a tool, and should only be a part of a comprehensive plan.

Now that you've blinded the intruder for one to two seconds, what do you do now? If you're lucky, he'll run away. If you're unlucky, he'll charge you. If you're really unlucky, he'll pull out a gun and shoot at the light (with you directly behind it).

What are you going to do with that one to two second window of opportunity? Something to think about.

 

[Sgt. LED]

http://www.blackbearflashlights.com/

Fill it with 2000maH Eneloops, not their cells! Their cells will be flat when you need them! Eneloops wont run quite as long but this is not a light for long burns, just a great flash at someone before you club them with your light! Eneloops don't self discharge like NiMh's will.

You can do it yourself cheaper but if you just wanna buy it and have fun without going into this hobby too much, this is a decent way to do it.

 

[metlarules]

Welcome to CPF. I'm sure you'll get some good advice. With all due respect, mine is to tell your wife that you are the husband and you'll make the decision pertaining to protecting yourself and your family. If she doesn't want to learn to shoot or handle a firearm then she doesn't have to. Then learn how to safely use and store a handgun if you don't already know and buy yourself a .38 revolver. A flashlight is not something you want to rely on for defense, especially if the potential threat might have a knife or gun of their own. Good luck.

Good advice ConfederateScott.

 

[Marduke]

Relying on light alone is foolish, and dangerous. A bright light only gets you a few seconds of advantage. That's it.

Do the right thing and get something which can actually be used for defense, not just as one component.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Yee old 870 boomstick is a pretty good idea...

A 2D M*g with a M*gcharger bulb holder and bulb and 6AA LSD NimH is a decent size decent bright light.

I have two and the first one that has a M2 MOP reflector is brighter and better of beam than the second one. Not sure why brighter, but darn sure why better beam!

 

[PhantomPhoton]

With all due respect, mine is to tell your wife that you are the husband and you'll make the decision pertaining to protecting yourself and your family.

:shakehead

Anyway...
There are a few good lights that could provide that second of distraction needed. But only given the proper situation. I'll echo the "then what?" Be sure you have proper training. Train, train, train so that whatever you train, it's second nature.

You can, as mentioned, modify a M@g. You can Buy a Surefire M6 ($$$$ but probably worth every penny). A Wolf Eyes Raider is also a good high brightness no nonsense option.
Then there are LED options. A M@g with an Elektrolumens P7 (check the Marketplace forums manufacturer section).
A Surefire 6P with a Malkoff M60 dropin (malkoffdevices.com) will provide enough instantaneous light to blind someone during a bump in the night.
Just keep to a simple light for this function... no fancy modes or any gimmicks, on (really bright) and off is all you want here.

 

[Lee1959]

I am sure I have seen in the past both flashlight/Taser and flashlight/mace or pepper spray combination units. If you really cannot have a firearm in the home you might look into the legality and possiblity of those units. Do not rely upon a light alone, even if you use the old golf iron.

 

[StarHalo]

Someone who breaks into a house they know is occupied is already prepared to "deal" with the occupants.

 

[SnWnMe]

After you buy your uberlight, get yourself a large dog.

 

[ooE1Boo]

you can flash them with your bright light, and net gun em! on a serious note, prolly a good pepper spray and calling the cops, if guns are out of the equation. for me i'll flash em with light and if they are indeed an intruder then i'll flash them my glock 17.

 

[NA8]

My wife will not allow a firearm in the house, so...

I know it's popular to "fear" guns, but I'm always interested if they ever think about the consequences of that position and have a plan B.

 

[Lane]

Someone who breaks into a house they know is occupied is already prepared to "deal" with the occupants.

Agreed! :thumbsup:

 

[metlarules]

Someone who breaks into a house they know is occupied is already prepared to "deal" with the occupants.

Most of the times with a gun too!!!!

 

[Sedition]

After you buy your uberlight, get yourself a large dog.

Heh, large dog. *check*

 

[Sedition]

Thanks for the thought out replies here. I've wanted to have a firearm for some time and I suppose I am just looking for an unsuitable sub. I think it's time to bring up the discussion again.

Now as for lights, I think after reading all of the excitement on these forums, I'm still going to have to get one just for the joy of it.

 

[maxa beam]

Since it'll be your first light you don't need anything over-exotic or powerful (100 lumens max should be enough) but it shoudl be very versatile. I recommend a Surefire U2 or Novatac 120P.

 

[metlarules]

For something simple robust and bright I suggest an Inova t1(2008).
http://www.batteryjunction.com/2008-t1-inova.html

 

[z96Cobra]

If you blast an intruder in the face with a bright light, you are going to be blinded also, especially if in a small hallway. They do make a light with a stun gun attached (Target even has one on their website) but you have to be "danger close" to use a stun gun. Why won't your wife allow a gun?

Roger