Another topic of heated debate. To add a firearm mounted light and also to an extent laser aim assist devices. But before we get started I will give you some of the pros and cons and then just like everyone else out there, *TRIGGER WARNING* I will be giving my opinion.
Lets start with the laser, they come in a variety of colors and sizes. price and quality to match any budget. Three most common colors are red, green and blue. red does well in low light and indoors but is at a disadvantage in bright sunlight. Green lasers are easier seen during bright sunlight but are more expensive than red. Blue, I must admit is fairly new to the market and I have yet to test the limits of the blue laser.
The pistol mounted laser, has honestly become a phenomenon. The idea that one would not "need" to concentrate on making sure they are on target during a confrontation, would be a huge advantage. The assistance in target acquisition has been proven to a degree of certainty. But only at a certain a distance. If one decides on a specific zero of 25 feet anything before or after that distance will be off. Depending on the actual distance, one could truly miss their target. Where the slogan is, "aim small, miss small." This just won't do. On a psychological level, does the shooter become more dependent on the laser for aiming at their target? Training to include shooting at distances other than the zeroed distance or utilizing the sights that are on the gun are a must.
Personally, I do not utilize a laser on any of my firearms. In my opinion, the use of a laser is a moot point. I have decent eye sight and train with my EDC quite often. There are good reasons for people to use them. I am not one. If the decision is right for you please be advised, effectiveness in using a laser does take additional training. Knowing the limitations of the laser and how to overcome them will be beneficial. The laser is not the end all, be all. To this point I have yet to find an enhancement in target acquisition that did not need active training to use them effectively.
This next section refers to PISTOL MOUNTED FLASHLIGHTS. Discussion of rifles and shotguns will be done at a later date.
Flashlights, another great tool in your EDC bag. Whether you carry it on your person or as a firearm mounted system. The flashlight is a must have tool. Dark driveways, power outages or even as a defensive tool. It can both be used for physical confrontation and for sensory deprivation. The argument hotly debated is to mount or not mount. This debate, in my eyes, has equal pros and cons to both sides.
A mounted light system aids the user in keeping both hands on their firearm. Retention of your defense system is paramount. During training courses many trainers will talk about how a correct grip will significantly change your accuracy and retention of your firearm during a confrontation. To that, using a firearm mounted light assists greatly in pursuit of this goal. But this can come with it's own set of downfalls. In the Proverbial rules of gun safety #2 states do not point your firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy. With a firearm mounted system this poses a conflict to rule #2. If you are lucky enough to have a quick detach system it may be of no issue. Most pistol systems are not this way.
Now using a non mounted or hand held light offers much more flexibility in identification and keeping the light away from the core of your person it can deceive the perpetrator as to your actual location. That being said some trainers teach to keep the light away from your body to create that diversion of your body being elsewhere. But running a hand held flashlight does create it's own set of complications. one being correct grip and retention of a firearm. Firing one handed is known to be inherently less accurate than using both hands. We can say the same for firearm retention with one hand. Though removing the possibility of breaking a cardinal rule of basic firearm safety is crucial. Even if you are the best trained shooter in the world those firearm basics still apply, period.
I do not run a mounted light on my pistol. In my line of work I use my flashlight quite a bit and I am not sure using a pistol mounted light would go over well. I have decided that a mounted light creates too much bulk to carry comfortably. It is in my best interest not to carry 2 lights.
On a side note for hand held lights, I suggest a good quality light with at least 2 functions, on/off and strobe. Strobe is a great for sensory deprivation. The lights I run have switches at the rear of the tube rather than on the length of the tube. That way if I decide to mount them to my shotgun or rifle, operating them is as easy as pushing forward with the thumb rather than to break grip to actuate a switch. 200 lumen is about the lowest I would go as far as output.
examples of the flashlights I use:
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