Fast forward to nowadays, and all that stuff fits easily into an inside-the-waistband holster:
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M&P 9 w/Crimson Trace Lasergrip and Lightguard and Dark Star Gear holster. |
, citing its lower power relative to full-size weapon lights that run on two CR123 cells, or the shorter run time afforded by its single CR2 battery. This, I think, misses the point of thing, which is to make a light that is bright enough to use and yet still small enough to carry on a CCW gun, and Crimson Trace succeeded at that goal just fine, as you can see.The light was bright enough that I had no difficulty using it to engage targets out to 30 yards or so at the Midnight Three Gun match earlier this year, and that's plenty bright. No, it's probably not bright enough to get inside the enemy's OODA loop and dominate his battlespace with a wall of light as a weapon and cause him to have a dynamic critical incident in his pants, or whatever the latest tacticool buzzspeak is. That's okay, I'm not on a SWAT team, and this serves my needs just fine.
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| IWB and OWB holsters from Dark Star Gear. |
Have you stopped every day use of the 1911? If so why if you don't mind explaining. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI gotta agree on the light, Tam. It was enough for in my home and a few instances outdoors where a blue gun wouldn't get me into trouble.
ReplyDeleteanonymous:
ReplyDeleteThe 1911 is a hundred years old.
I shot SAA clones at SASS shoots, but I don't depend on them for self-defense, even though they can be used for that.
I used to carry a .45 as well. These days I just use a 9mm swampy as well. Or a GLOCK in .45 ... whatever floats my boat.
Hell, sometimes I just put a Colt 03 hammerless in my pocket ...
"Have you stopped every day use of the 1911? If so why if you don't mind explaining. Thanks"
ReplyDeleteI went to the M&P last August. More BBs in the tank, cheaper to shoot, lighter on the belt, and a longer trigger pull is easier for me to manage when shooting fast or on the move.
Anon 1059
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info.
In addition, it allows one to dump your gun on pavement for photo purposes without worry!
ReplyDeleteI've scratched my anodized aluminum frame! Oh, crap!
I've chipped my expensive wood grips!!! Aagghh!!!
Every year I think about getting a weapons mounted light and every year I shoot a couple of night matches and decide not to do it.
ReplyDeleteIs your set up easy to turn on and off? We get alot of raccoon hunting when the WML folks go to reload.
Over all they are a little faster but on the fastest times were generally shot with a hand held light.
http://www.bggrgc.com/html/uploads/upload_IDPA_20121027_Oct_2012_Nightmatch.pdf
Gerry
Weapon’s mounted lights require a good bit of forethought and practice to use effectively without getting perforated yourself. I’ve run them on shotgun’s and rifles for years but only the last couple of years on pistols. I really like the setup that Tam is running and think it’s one of the most practical I’ve seen. The holsters are very nicely made; the sweat guard is very nice.
ReplyDeleteBut ... blue?
ReplyDeleteThis question is for Tam,but anyone else can chime in.I've never used an IWB holster,and I'm interested in getting one (for a Sig 232 in .380)for when I don't carry my usual revolver.Should I get one like this,are there considerations to look out for,what do I look for,or have you done all my homework for me and I should just copy you?
ReplyDeleteBill
Tam's got this right. I am a total Crimson Trace Kool Aid drinker for both lasers and lights on my M&P pistols (LightGuard). My laser & lightguard equipped M&P in an IWB (Talon Tactical) has become my daily carry gun.
ReplyDeleteThe light won't give the bad guys a sunburn, but within the confines of your home/office/hotel room it throws a wide beam that is like a "directional lantern", for lack of a better example. It's nowhere near as "long" or penetrating as my SureFire X200, but, again, it's designed for the tight confines of a home or the length of your auto in a dark parking lot. All in all, it's sleek, conceals extremely well, and can be operated with one hand. What's not to like?!?!
My question for Tam, however, is why don't you have a set of CT laser grips on your M&P??? That, IMHO, is the "cat's pajamas" for a nightstand gun!!!
W
Tam,
ReplyDeleteDisregard my question about the CT laser grips.....my aging eyes didn't see them until I "super-explodified" the photo.
No deduction in cool points for you:-) In fact, add 10 cool points for having your M&P like mine.
Carry on.
W
"No, it's probably not bright enough to get inside the enemy's OODA loop and dominate his battlespace with a wall of light as a weapon and cause him to have a dynamic critical incident in his pants, or whatever the latest tacticool buzzspeak is. That's okay, I'm not on a SWAT team, and this serves my needs just fine."
ReplyDeleteAnd with that attitude, you never will be!
:P
Tam, a question: does the Lightguard cause any problems with your grip, the way it fits below the trigger guard?
ReplyDeleteEffing dynamic critical incidents anyway. All my t-shirts are either missing sleeves, or are short enough to barely cover my moobs. But, In real life I practice with a Cyclops mini LED spotlight and an M&P Shield equipped with an inexpensive Lasermax mounted on the trigger guard. That's my bedside combo and along with Pete, the incredible, early warning Miniature Aussie Shepherd, I feel pretty comfortable.
ReplyDeleteFirehand,
ReplyDelete"Tam, a question: does the Lightguard cause any problems with your grip, the way it fits below the trigger guard?"
None that I've noticed.
I have found that when you draw the gun in a hurry, the light's coming on whether you want it to or not, but if you're having to draw in a hurry, that's probably not such a big deal...
Hey Tam. Please, do not think of this comment as a critique, it is not, it is a question. Your snarrk-fu makes me 'skeerd. It's the fact that, well shit. I've lost my train of thought. Ah well. I hope you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteTam, that's like how the laser on my 1911 comes on when I draw it; I think that's called "How they designed it to work!"
ReplyDeleteWhich beats hell, to me, out of "I need the light, where's the switch?!?" or something
Anonymous Bill --
ReplyDeleteI can;t speak for everyone, but three things I have found absolutely critical with IWB holsters are:
1. A shield that comes back and covers the inboard side of the gun a little more than teh slide. Otherwise, I find the back of the slide, hammer (on such guns), slide serrations, etc., grind a hole in my shirt and/or hide.
2. Rigid enough to permit one-handed, no looking re-holstering. No, there is no prize for a speed re-holster. OTOH, if you can slip it in almost as easily as you whipped it out, chances are you'll be able to safely stuff it back in with shaking hands.
3. Secure enough to hold the gun in place.
I also like sweat impervious sweat shields, but I live in Tidewater Virginia and sweat a lot. Your mileage may vary on the need for sweat impervious "sweat shields".
Yeah, having an eye-melting strobe that messes with the target's neurology is great, but better the 30 lumens you have mounted on your carry piece than the 190 lumen strobe sitting in teh gun safe, right?
ReplyDeleteAfter all, the three primary roles of a gun light are:
A. Identify the potential target
B. Light the target so your sights actually show up
C. Identify the DAMNED TARGET
{grin}
Any distractive purpose falls under "Nice, if you can get it," rather than "primary job".