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Historically flashlights haven't been all that popular in gun-fighting until the last few decades. As a young police officer in 1970 just back from two infantry tours in Vietnam, I specifically remember not wanting to turn any light on unless it was absolutely necessary since, based on my recent past experience in the jungle it wasn't that bright of an idea. Police work quickly changed, and the need to identify what you were about to shoot-- if required--became an important issue.
In those early years of the 1970s and 1980s flashlight training was at best mediocre, and at worst it simply didn't exist. Most shooting in low light was done using vehicle headlights and the light bar. Even in my first true "light use" exposure at Gunsite in 1978, the concept was "light-on, shoot, then light-off and move."
This was troublesome to me as I kind of thought if the light was on, I found them and shot them why would I want to lose visual contact by turning the light off? Yeah I know so I didn't get shot. Then again if I found and verbalized--shot and hit, would I want to break contact once I found the threat? I don't think so.
Jumping forward a few decades, the light systems of today do some amazing things. And, perhaps more importantly, there are some things they don't do.
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| Positive Aspects |
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The lights do confirm that what you are about to shoot is what you want to shoot.
The lights may impair the threat's ability to see you.
The lights project two light sources that are most often not used correctly by people.
Using the light correctly does not mean you have to point the muzzle at the threat--if they even are one--to confirm that they either are or are not a threat. Use the arc of light projected by the light to see and identify. If it is in fact a shoot threat, move the spot of light centered in the arc of light, and align with the muzzle on to the threat, confirm the sight and engage. Repeat as required.
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| Negative Aspects And Other Thoughts |
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Don't point the muzzle that is correlated to the centered spot of light unless you plan on shooting. Use the arc to identify, use the spot and sights to shoot with.
The light, any light will not impair the "blinded" threat's trigger finger, they can and might shoot back.
The trendy strobe feature found on some flashlights today, may screw up the threat's eyes but it will probably screw yours up also.
Use the light as little as possible so as to not draw attention to you.
Use the light as much as possible, it might visually impair your opponent but mostly so you can see what the hell is in front of you. Also if you have a flashlight and it helps you find a light switch in the room you should turn it on.
People who often have not fought in the dark talk about this stuff of "we own the night." Fighting in the dark is dangerous and can be terrifying to some.
Fighting in the light can also be dangerous as the threat can possibly see you. Then again you can see them and shoot as required.
Most importantly you can choose not to shoot if it is member of your family in the hallway.
Don't make yourself or others die stupid! |
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We would again like to thank Clint Smith for his article, and remind our newsletter readers that Clint Smith and Thunder Ranch are synonamous with the highest quality firearms training available. The numerous and innovative range designs at Thunder Ranch offer the student the broadest training scenarios possible.
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