Does anybody carry IWB with a light attached?

[Sparky102183]

I just bought an m&p 9c and was contemplating wether or not to carry it with my tlr-3. It will be
carried IWB and i was considering a Bravo Concealment kydex to put it in... Any thoughts, suggestions, or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[MrShooter]

I wouldnt but it up to you man. Just to use your light, YOU HAVE TO DRAW YOUR GUN.
Some situations may not call for a gun and can be resolved with a powerful flashlight. Keep that gun put up until you USE it.... That's my opinion.

[MrShooter]

And if you have to use your gun quickly you will prolly not have time to switch on your light. Seconds count.

[Glocktogo]

I wouldnt but it up to you man. Just to use your light, YOU HAVE TO DRAW YOUR GUN.
Some situations may not call for a gun and can be resolved with a powerful flashlight. Keep that gun put up until you USE it.... That's my opinion.

And if you have to use your gun quickly you will prolly not have time to switch on your light. Seconds count.

Perhaps you're not considering a few things?

I carry a Glock 19 IWB with a Surefire X300 WML. I use the DG switch, which makes operation of the gun & light one handed if necessary. For example, you may need the off hand free to open doors, guide someone to safety, call for emergency response, etc., all while the gun and light are still in play if it became necessary. Another consideration is reloads. I've practiced reloading in the dark with a flashlight in hand and can do it pretty well. Most people don't. Either way, reloading with a WML is far easier, faster and less fumble prone than with a hand held light.

I also carry a modified Surefire C2 Centurion hand held light on the off side. I use it for routine illumination needs and as a base level use of force on possible threats. When carrying lights, two is one and one is none.

For the OP, this is my setup. This holster happens to be the second most comfortable IWB holster I've ever used. It's almost as comfortable as my Milt Sparks EX. It's more comfortable than the Sparks VM-II I used to have. It prints less than my badge holder does.

The holster is a Secret City Weaponeers Y-12 TL. It's an excellent holster. Sadly, the proprietor of SCW has had severe delivery issues. Actually, severe is an understatement. I was lucky to get it at all. It's sad when such talented kydex benders can't maintain a viable business model. Anyway, pics:











And something you probably can't do with a hand held light (at least not very well).

[MrShooter]

I think we both have good points. The scenarios are endless so there is no magical answer.

[Surveyor1653]

That 9c and a TLR-3 should carry just fine IWB. In fact, I would wager that it would carry just fine at the appendix in that configuration. In fact, I intend to start carrying that precise setup with my 9c which I already carry appendix. I just need to go find a holster that will accomodate that setup (most likely an Armordillo Concealment holster with IWB loops).

Carry a hand light just like Jerry says and your illumination needs sans pistol are met. If you work the draw in practice, switching on the WML isn't that big a deal. No magic necessary, just training with the setup you carry whatever it happens to be.

[Sparky102183]

Thanks for the great input! I forgot to mention that i ALWAYS have a light on my off side. It's usually a Streamlight protac 1aa or a stylus pro. I was concerned about the comfort of kydex iwb also. I can't afford another holster drawer for this rig so i'm hoping that the kydex is comfortable....

[MrShooter]

Well....I found a good reason to carry a weapon mounted light INSTEAD of a handheld light today...

I lost my ****ing surefire fury tactical with a Prometheus titanium pocket clip at warren theater!!!!!!!!!!
Someone there just won a free 500 lumen flashlight.

Well...looks like a got to sell some **** on OSA to buy a new light.
Maybe I'll even buy a weapon light just for the added security. Damn you glocktogo....damn you.

[Glocktogo]

That sucks man. I hate losing gear.

[Norman]

Would there be a decent demand for IWB/OWB holster with a TLR-3? Say If a feller was to go buy one to mold to...

[David2012]

Well....I found a good reason to carry a weapon mounted light INSTEAD of a handheld light today...

I lost my ****ing surefire fury tactical with a Prometheus titanium pocket clip at warren theater!!!!!!!!!!
Someone there just won a free 500 lumen flashlight.

Well...looks like a got to sell some **** on OSA to buy a new light.
Maybe I'll even buy a weapon light just for the added security. Damn you glocktogo....damn you.

It wouldn't hurt to check back with the theater management and leave them your name & number. There are still some honest people around who could turn it in. I was at Walmart late one night, carrying my 1,000 channel portable police scanner. I had laid it in the shopping cart's child seat as I walked around the store so I could listen to the radio traffic concerning a shooting in town. Anyway, I got distracted as I was loading things into my truck and left it laying in the cart when I left. It didn't dawn on me that I'd left it for approx. 30 minutes. I was sick to my stomach as I rushed back to the store to see if I could find it. It had been turned in and I got it back.

As for a weapon mounted light...I have a 200 lumen light mounted on both my Shotgun & AR because I want to be able to control the weapon with both hands. But for my Glock 23, I prefer just having the CT laser mounted and carry a flashlight separately. In the confinment of a house or building where there may be a lot of closets, furniture and equipment to search around, I think it makes it easier to search and clear rooms with a separate flashlight... and easier to switch over to the strobe feature if I were to want to temporarily blind & disorient someone I might suddenly confront.

[10Seconds]

I would think it depends a lot on the holster. I would love a good IWB holster for my glock with my viridian laser/light but all the holster i have for it interfere with drawing it to some degree.

[Norman]

In the confinment of a house or building where there may be a lot of closets, furniture and equipment to search around, I think it makes it easier to search and clear rooms with a separate flashlight... and easier to switch over to the strobe feature if I were to want to temporarily blind & disorient someone I might suddenly confront.

I very, very strongly disagree with this statement. The reasons you listed above are the exact reasons to have a weapon mounted light. Every fighting firearm should have a weapon mounted light. The only exception is a CC weapon, where the mounted light is traded for concealability. IMHO.

[MrShooter]

I very, very strongly disagree with this statement. The reasons you listed above are the exact reasons to have a weapon mounted light. Every fighting firearm should have a weapon mounted light. The only exception is a CC weapon, where the mounted light is traded for concealability. IMHO.

I have to disagree with this statement..lol

There is a need to illuminate areas that don't need to have a gun pointed at it simultaneously. such as my child's room. Or even to identify a person. I'm not willing to point my gun at a person unless I intend to shoot to defend myself.

[Glocktogo]

Illumination of something that doesn't need to be shot with a WML is doable using the spill of the beam, along with good trigger finger discipline. It's a training and software issue, rather than hardware.

Those that haven't trained for it would be ill advised to do it that way though.