Guys I used my X300 with a pressure switch on my gun in a IDPA match last Sunday. It was the first time I have used this set up after getting it. One thing you will notice is that the light is on when I am shooting due to my grip pressure. Is this a bad thing. If I am searching I can keep it off by not squeezing as hard but when I shoot muscle memory kicks in and I hold the gun hard enough for the light to remain on when I am shooting. I was thinking that its not that big of a deal because if I am shooting my muzzle blast would give away my position any way. What is your guys view.
You can’t in the low light matches. You may also not be able to at a big match. But the Match director allowed me to do so at the club matches. I was not running the light to gain an edge and win. I just wanted some practice with my duty gear.
Pat
When we finally got weapon mounted lights approved for duty use (three years ago), I immediately purchased an X200 with DG switch. I’ve since replaced the X200 with some X300 and ditched the switch afetr I realized how easily I AD’d the light during my draws. I tried to work through it during training sessions by adjusting my grip pressure during draws. However, I’ve found that when under simulated stress (i.e., timed courses), I ALWAYS put enough pressure on the DG switch to AD the light. For the last two years, I’ve gone without the pressure switch. Tactically, it was a no brainer.
P.S. My shooting grip as well as the size/length of my fingers allow me to effectively use the X300 toggle switch while on the gun…YMMV
First, this is my comment as an IDPA SO.
Weapon mounted lights are forbidden in IDPA.
From the rule book.
“The following modifications are NOT ALLOWED IN ANY
DIVISION unless otherwise specifically mentioned.
F. Lights mounted on guns.”
Your intent re. competitive advantage does not matter, it’s against the rules. Your MD should not be allowing illegal equipment in an IDPA match, at the Club, State or National level.
Second, this is my comment as a shooter. In many non-IDPA matches that are based on IDPA rules, guns that are illegal in IDPA are put in the “Outlaw” division and the scores are not posted. That way nobody gets upset when someone running a compensated red dot STI gets the best score.
I remember when I was shooting non-IDPA night matches, shooters running mounted lights were put in a different division than those with hand held lights. There is a significant performance advantage with a WPL.
Thanks for the vids. It is interesting the kinds of setups that can be done on an indoor range. I like the popper splatter shields.
we have done the same for our USPSA “Dark Match”. Illegal set ups points dont count or go anywhere. You can shoot just for fun if you like, but the score goes nowhere.
also(to the OP), your shooting IDPA but not drawing from concealment?
Here is from the rule book.
Rule Book on Holsters
Exception – Police or military officers may use their duty rig, but
ALL retention features of the holster MUST be used and all belt
equipment (mace, handcuffs, etc.) must be present.
It would seem strange for IDPA to try to keep cops who use weapon mounted lights from shooting in matches.
Pat
I am debating ditching the pressure switch too. The only thing is my thumbs are short and I have to change my grip slightly to use the toggle switch.
Pat
FWIW, I’m glad your local match director allows you to use your duty rig, including that non-IDPA legal WML. Our local PD and SO issue Glock 22C’s and Glock 21C’s respectively. We allow them to compete with these in their duty rigs at club level matches and encourage them to do so.
We’ve yet to have a single complaint for allowing our sheepdogs to use their issued gear in a local IDPA match.
I am glad the match director allowed me to get some good practice time in with my duty gear. Some of the rules in IDPA are silly and are counter productive to getting new members.
Pat
Aside from competition rules and to get back to the original question.
I’m not a fan of weapon mounted lights for regular patrol or civilians in a defensive role. Not to say they don’t have a place…I’m just not a fan. I think they serve a greater purpose when in an offensive role or on a dedicated home defense weapon. I definitely don’t like pressure activated switches on handguns. An AD with your light sometimes might as well just be an AD with your weapon.
I use a handheld light on a lanyard for all searching. Searching with a weapon mounted light is bad practice. There are specific times and places to use a weapon mounted light in a defensive role. Knowing when is a key factor.
But I’d definitely ditch the DG switch and just use the paddle switch on the light.
Thanks for the input 00bullitt. I disagree with a lot of what you had to say. Right off the bat an ND with your weapon means bang a ND with your light just means you gave away your position for a moment. Hardly the same thing. There is a time to use weapon mounted lights. Basically whenever you need a light and a gun at the same time. I keep a hand held flash light on my vest for non tactical situations. I may ditch the switch not sure yet. The light comes on when I shoot but I am not sure that is such a bad thing as the muzzle flash would also give away my position.
Pat
I’m a huge fan of weapon mounted lights, but have drifted away from the DG switches on pistols. The DG switch, for me, was a source of numerous white light ADs in training and I didnt care for having to play with my grip in order to keep it from activating. Another negative, for me anyways, was the fact that a DG switch applies enough pressure to the front activation switch of my Crimson Trace grips to continually activate them.
Ok…I’ll clarify in terms of what I meant. A white light AD is…in my book just as bad as a weapon ND. Obviously your mileage varies. I know they are two different things but the analogy was about severity.Both are bad when you don’t want them to happen. And who said we had to agree?
While a light UD (unintentional discharge) may draw fire, it’s not in the same category as a weapon ND, which may kill someone. If you have a light UD, simply move away from your previous position.
I believe that weapon mounted lights in patrol work have their places. If you need to transition from holding a suspect at gunpoint to securing him, it’s a lot easier to holster a weapon with light mounted than both light and gun separate. It’s also a lot easier to get good hits on target at speed with a WML setup than separate.
For searching I do prefer a hand held light and always carry both on duty.
A white light ND is a BIG NO NO in any world. You need to control when the light goes on or off.
I guess you ahve a pressure switch on the grip. Dump it, you can control the light with strong index finger or support thumb.
It’s funny this question came up. I was told that lights are prohibited in IDPA but if not in a low light match where a benefit can be had it’s not a big deal. But yes as per the book, it’s a no no.
