Weapon Light Pressure Switch - yes or no?

[rawhide]

A couple of months ago I ran onto good deals on some weapon lights. Picked up a Fenix and a Surefire with mounts and pressure switches. Put the Fenix on my own build with 15" rail and planning to put the Surefire on one of two rifles with Magpul handguards.

1 - I like the idea of having the pressure switches but are they a nice addition or in the way?

2 - What is the preferred or best placement for the switch? Lights will be on outside of rifle.
On the Magpul handguard I'm considering 12:00 behind the fixed front sight. On the railed rifle, at the muzzle end on the inside. What say you?

 

[MadDogs]

I am trying to make the same decision too.

Have not mounted it yet but I just bought a Streamlight ProTac 1 (it was only $91.50) from GG&G. At this point I don't think I will use the pressure switch because it appears that I can easily manipulate the switch with my thumb without it. I will be mounting it on the port/left side of my AR which has Magpul MOE hand guard around the 10 o'clock position.

 

[Glocktogo]

Pistol yes, rifle no. Using a switch on a pistol frees up the other hand to manipulate other objects. It doesn't really help on a rifle unless you just can't mount it in a location you can easily hit the tailcap with your thumb.

 

[beastep]

Are they momentary switches?

 

[MadDogs]

Are they momentary switches?

The one I have is.

 

[bigfug]

Pistol yes, rifle no. Using a switch on a pistol frees up the other hand to manipulate other objects. It doesn't really help on a rifle unless you just can't mount it in a location you can easily hit the tailcap with your thumb.

I dont like running a switch on a pistol because of sympathetic squeeze. Seems to me that it could be dangerous without a lot of training and muscle memory development, and the chance for an AD/ND under duress. I personally prefer using my index finger. I know Bill Blowers doesnt recommend this, he prefers using his support thumb, so his trigger finger can do work. I like it for that exact reason, if its on the light, my trigger finger can't go to work. On a rifle, its 6 of one, half a dozen of another, and would depend on the setup I was running. I prefer to use my thumb on the tailcap, but in some cases, like OCPD, they cant change anything about their rifle, which is a midlength rock river with a FSB. Thats not far enough forward for me, so I'd run the switch. If I could run a longer rail, tailcap.

 

[tomthebaker]

Pistol yes, rifle no. Using a switch on a pistol frees up the other hand to manipulate other objects. It doesn't really help on a rifle unless you just can't mount it in a location you can easily hit the tailcap with your thumb.

This^^

 

[ShaunyP26]

I have a switch on my AR for mine and it's amazingly easy to use after trying it out a few times. I did not like it first, but I added some Larue tactical clips that made placing it in the right spot perfect and very intuitive.

This is what I have, for a bit of context.

http://www.sightmark.com/product.php?item=279

 

[rawhide]

Are they momentary switches?

The Surefire switch is dual. The cap is momentary or turn it clockwise for full on. The pressure switch is momentary with optional cap button to full on.

The Fenix pressure switch is also dual with momentary that can strobe or reduce power + a separate on/off button. It's kinda big. If I mounted it outside also, my off thumb reaches both easily. Not sure I like this switch.

Where do most of you mount your light?

 

[Glocktogo]

I dont like running a switch on a pistol because of sympathetic squeeze. Seems to me that it could be dangerous without a lot of training and muscle memory development, and the chance for an AD/ND under duress. I personally prefer using my index finger. I know Bill Blowers doesnt recommend this, he prefers using his support thumb, so his trigger finger can do work. I like it for that exact reason, if its on the light, my trigger finger can't go to work. On a rifle, its 6 of one, half a dozen of another, and would depend on the setup I was running. I prefer to use my thumb on the tailcap, but in some cases, like OCPD, they cant change anything about their rifle, which is a midlength rock river with a FSB. Thats not far enough forward for me, so I'd run the switch. If I could run a longer rail, tailcap.

Agreed, but the biggest issue is use of the light. Too many people want to point the light directly at what they want to look at, rather than using the spill. Almost everyone overutilizes their light too. Light discipline is hard because things that go bump in the dark are scary and the light is a psychological salve. I should point out that just because I ccw a G19 w/Surefire X300 & DG switch, I still carry a handheld light off side. Never use a wml for search or general illumination and sparingly with the spill for potential threat ID.

I have a switch on my AR for mine and it's amazingly easy to use after trying it out a few times. I did not like it first, but I added some Larue tactical clips that made placing it in the right spot perfect and very intuitive.

This is what I have, for a bit of context.

http://www.sightmark.com/product.php?item=279

Larue clips are tits!

The Surefire switch is dual. The cap is momentary or turn it clockwise for full on. The pressure switch is momentary with optional cap button to full on.

The Fenix pressure switch is also dual with momentary that can strobe or reduce power + a separate on/off button. It's kinda big. If I mounted it outside also, my off thumb reaches both easily. Not sure I like this switch.

Where do most of you mount your light?

I use a Vltor QD offset mount. 9:00 mounting puts the light at 11:00. Perfect reach on the Surefire 600 tailap with the support hand and if I have to shoot off shoulder, I can still reach all the way over and activate it if necessary.