Who needs a flashlight?

Last Friday myself and a few others were navigating to the back of a warehouse at a customer site when we had to pass through part of the darkened warehouse. Our guide warned us that the we'd have to make our way back through the dark, and as soon as we entered the darkened area I shined my Surefire E2 at the ceiling to give us all enough light to keep from walking into or tripping over anything. Our guide chuckled and said, "There we go!"

When we were out of the dark my boss turned and asked incredulously, "You really carry a flashlight with you all the time?" To which I replied; "Yeah, but I've thought about quitting it. I mean, when am I really gonna need it?" The people with us laughed a little bit, and my boss shook his head and said, "Yeah, I guess I didn't really think about that before I said it."

I can't count the times my flashlight has helped me find something odd in a dark place, increased my visibility as a pedestrian, or given me piece of mind by illuminating an otherwise dark area. People complain that they don't want to be bothered with flashlights that they'll rarely use. When you can pick up an enormously tiny E1E with batteries that keep for over 10 years, and clip it to your pocket or beltloop and forget about it, there's really no reason why you should be caught without a flashlight.

SureFire selections

I'd heard for years about these amazing lights, but didn't really think I had enough need for a EDC flashlight.

It wasn't until I started hearing about the E1E Executing Elite that I started to pay attention. The thought of clipping an extremely light, extremely dependable, extremely bright light to my pocket and forgetting about it was something I could get behind.

As I did some research I found out just how incredibly tough these are, I realized that a flashlight of the proper size could double as a modest kubaton or fistload. With this in mind, I started looking at SureFire's product line only to find that they were ahead of me already.


The E2D executive defender. With the striking bezel the flashlight becomes a bit more than a modest kubaton. Additionally, I read about the use of light as a tool of disoriented to gain the upper hand or surprise opponents. (Important notes on that can be found here) The idea of temporarily blinding an opponent and following up with a fistloaded blow to the chin (for a quick KO), or a cutting strike to the forehead (for inflicting a non-life-threatening, but seemingly serious cut to the head) seemed fool proof.

The icing on the cake was that the flashlight was not an obvious self-defense tool, making it immune to restrictions on weapons. In courthouses, at schools, or on planes, you could have the upper hand. Though there is some grey area around items bearing aggressive lines similar to more intentional impact devices. But since those same aggressive lines also serve a function, it could be argued that you did not purchase the flashlight as a defense device. It could also be argued that other flash lights bear seemingly aggressive shapes/features that are intended to preserve regular function, and protect the light.

It's definitely next on my list.

Tactical lights

The question of the use of tactical lights has been a point of contention among gun owners.

Some argue that the light is necessary for surprising a goblin and removing his use of darkness. Some argue that lights only tip your hand, and let the goblin know where to shoot. Some will even argue that you should just use a big mag-lite so it can also be used as a weapon. (!!!)

I hadn't made up my mind until I realized that taking a life is not something you should do when you only see a silhouette. Shooting a non-combatant or family member is not an acceptable trade-off for ANY ill effects of using a light when securing your home. Besides, rule 4 dictates that you be sure of your target, and it's one of the 4 for a reason.

I've decided that temporary use of the light is the best way to go. Momentarily shining it on an area you have not secured and then turning it off seems like a good way to keep intruders from seeing you coming, while being sure of your target.

I picked up a glock light for my XD service model last week for a good price and have enjoyed the slim profile, solid look, ease of use, and brightness. (Though the ideal would be a nice surefire, a cheap light now is better than an expensive light later)

With the glock light on the XD I've only had to adjust my grip slightly to allow me to use my supporting hand index finger to actuate the light temporarily or click it on.

I confess to being attracted to the appearances of the glock light over the Springfield offering (xtreme mini-light). I like how it adds to the lines on the XD. Picking something for looks is not something I'd be proud of doing, but since I'm not sacrificing function, the looks are just icing on the cake! Pics to follow.