Pistol lights are an important part of your firearm. They help you see what is in front of you better and give your gun a more tactical look. You might have seen their efficiency in movies with the SWAT. Indeed, they look cool, and it’s no doubt they’ll look great on your handgun too!
But there are pros and cons to pistol lights, so it’s important to know all the facts before making any purchases! Find out all there is about pistol lights, their pros, and cons, and decide whether you really need a pistol light! And to purchase high-quality 80 pistol kit and other DIY gun building items, visit the link.
What is a Pistol Light?
A pistol light is a small addition to your handgun, which gives it the power of an extra lamp. Pistol lights are mostly used for tactical purposes and home defense because they give you better visibility in low-light conditions!
Some flashlights can be attached to your firearm directly without a mount or holster. You can find them online and in gun shops.
You fit the light to your handgun by screwing the light onto its accessory rail. Most pistols have an accessory rail under the barrel, like guns used in movies!
Advantages of Carrying Pistol Lights
Pistol lights have many advantages, and that’s why they are so popular. Here are the main benefits of carrying a pistol light:
Visibility in Low Light Conditions
They improve your visibility in low-light conditions because you can point them in different directions to get more space in front of you lit up! They make it easier for others nearby to see what is going on.
Self-Defense Improvement
Pistol lights help you fight back in the darkness if someone tries to rob or attack you! They make your gun look more tactical and intimidating, so criminals might think twice before approaching you! Pistol lights are also very light, which makes them easy to carry around with your handgun. This can save your life because you can use them as a self-defense weapon if you need to!
Availability of Holsters for Handguns with Lights
Most handguns come with a mount for a light. This means you can get a holster specially made to fit your handgun and the light it has! The combination of both makes your gun look more tactical, and you won’t have issues looking for concealed gun holders whether it is inside or outside your waistband.
Better Grip on the Handgun
A pistol light also offers you a better grip on your handgun. This means the flashlight will not slide down while you shoot, and it gives more stability to aim at targets! As they practice shooting, gun owners don’t use one hand. Holding the handgun with both hands gives you the advantage of accuracy and speed as you facilitate the weapon. The pistol light encourages the favorable two-handed grip, giving you the advantage of using your weapon.
Most gun owners are more accurate and fast with both hands on their guns. Imagine that you have to take a firing position in the dark with a flashlight in one hand and your gun in the other. This is nearly impossible, even if you are well-trained.
Pistol lights help you control your handgun quickly with the distinct advantage of accuracy. Furthermore, you will be incredibly fast while handling your pistol in low-light situations.
Reduced Recoil
The weight of the pistol light can reduce recoil, and this is why it’s such a popular accessory. You might find that some pistols with lights don’t have very bad or noticeable recoil because they come in one piece! If you attach your flashlight to the rail on top of your handgun, make sure its design allows for reduced kickback.
Useful to Blind Attackers
The light from your pistol can mess with an attacker’s night vision and make it easier for you to escape! Of course, these are simply some tricks that might help you get away. Even if the bright light doesn’t blind them completely, they’ll still have a hard time seeing where things around them happen. This includes finding your location as well, which is a huge advantage for you.
Disadvantages of Pistol Lights
Pistol lights have some disadvantages as well, and you should be aware of those before buying one. Here are the main cons that come with pistol lights:
Pricey
The first con is their price! Some flashlight manufacturers make handgun-specific flashlights which can cost a few hundred dollars for a good one! So, do not be surprised if you have to break the bank to get a decent pistol light.
Lack of Maintenance
Another disadvantage is that you’ll have to maintain your pistol light. If it has batteries, they need to be replaced regularly so the flashlight remains effective in low-light conditions when you need it most. Being aware of this will help you better budget for regular maintenance costs! This can also add up if battery replacements are expensive.
Sight Alignment Issues
You might also experience sight alignment issues, which is when the light beam doesn’t line up with your handgun’s iron sights! The flashlight can be at a different height than what you are used to so it takes some getting used to until you get better if this happens! This means that your accuracy will go down in the beginning.
Bulkiness – For Concealed Weapons
A pistol light will add some bulk to your gun, and that can make it harder to conceal. You might need a bigger holster or clothing with larger pockets if you want the flashlight on your handgun! This is why some people choose not to carry handguns with lights all the time; they don’t like their guns being bulky in most situations when they don’t need the extra light.
Gives Away Your Location
A pistol light gives away your location, so there is a risk of being targeted by potential attackers. If you plan to use it for self-defense purposes, make sure that the flashlight’s beam doesn’t give away your position in low visibility conditions!
Hand Gun Malfunction
When you attach a pistol light to your gun, it can interfere with its functionality. The flashlight might not fit on the rail properly and push back into the slide! This is why some handguns have rails specifically for lights that don’t cause malfunctions when attached.
Unnecessary Weight
The weight of a handgun light isn’t necessary in most cases, and this is why many people don’t like carrying them. The flashlight adds weight to your gun which can make it harder to handle, especially when you only need a small weapon for self-defense!
Other Pistol Light Issues to Consider
The last two disadvantages are related to the design of your handgun. If you have a light-rail pistol, there might be some interference when you add your light on top! This is because lights were not designed with these models in mind when they came out so it could interfere with the pistol’s ability to cycle!
The other issue is with the grip, and it could cause your handgun not to fit into its holster. If you want a good gun light for your firearm, make sure that there are no such problems before buying one!
What to Consider Before Buying A Pistol Light
There are many things to consider before buying a pistol light, and this is why you need pistol lights reviews on the subject! Here are some main points that will help guide your decision:
Your Budget
Remember that they can be expensive so make sure you have enough money for one. Compare prices from different vendors before settling on the specific gun light you want.
A Good Fit
Pistol lights are not designed for many handguns on the market, so make sure it fits your model of pistol. If you have a light-rail handgun like the Glock 17L with fixed sights, there might be some issues when attaching one to it! You can get around these problems by buying a light specifically designed for this model, but it will cost more. Always check in with your local dealer to get the best results.
Pistol Light Quality
Pistol lights also vary in quality and effectiveness so make sure you know what to expect from each before buying one! A good way to do that is by reading reviews of the product online or asking people who have them how they work. You can also try asking friends or family members for advice. Ensure that you get the quality you want by visiting recognized dealers in your locality.
Pistol Light Safety
Pistol lights are not safe if you don’t know what you’re doing, so make sure that there is no risk of an accident before buying one! The safest way to use them is by following the instructions provided with your light and consulting a firearms expert on how they work. If you aren’t sure, ask the experts for clarification for a seamless experience with your pistol light.
Now that you know about pistol lights, see if they are something you want to add to your handgun! Read reviews online and speak with people who have used them before so you can make an informed decision on whether this accessory is right for your specific gun model or not.