Illuminator? I just met her! And there’s your trouble. For an explanation of one of the main dangers of using a snout-mounted light on your handgun, let us turn to page 2, point 5 of Insight’s manual for its M3 Tactical Illuminator, under the main heading WARNINGS. “Once the M3 TI is attached to a firearm, the firearm will be pointed at anything that the M3 TI is directed at. Do not point the M3 TI at anything or anyone that you do not intend to shoot.” So how do you search for a perp in a darkened space that might contain friendlies (e.g. your children) without pointing the light and, thus, the gun at them? The manual has a theory—and we have some video of the light in action—after the jump . . .
The M3 TI is designed to produce a significant amount of light to allow someone in a low-light environment to be safely illuminated and identified without the need to point the M3 TI light, and the attacked firearm, directly at that individual. The light from the M3 TI can be pointed in a safe direction at a wall, floor or ceiling and “bounced” onto the darkened silhouette for identification purposes, thus avoiding the need to point the firearm directly at an individual.
Excellent advise—that’s completely counter-intuitive. How many people who mount a light on their handgun will know NOT to point it straight at any noise ahead of them in a low or no-light combat situation? How many will know it and forget it when their mind and body are in the grips of a full fight or flight response? How many of them will have their finger on the trigger, despite years of practice?
Could a gun-mounted light increase the odds of a negligent discharge? In the video above, David Kenik of Armed Response (eventually) cuts to the chase: adding a light to the business end of your handgun requires additional tactical thinking and, as always, plenty of training.
Where, pray tell, are you going to find a place where you can train with a tactical illuminator safely—remembering that you need to know what’s behind your target? The American Firearms School has a private range where you can turn the lights off, but they don’t let just anyone go dark. And look what happened when Mr. Kenik puts the M3 TI to the test, tripping the light fantastic: the M3 TI went on and off intermittently during David’s firing sequins. I mean, sequence. Spock! Analysis!
So, to make good use of the Insight M3 TI, you need serious strategizing, long thumbs, lots of practice and $119.99 paid to Insight’s website, or less from a margin amenable dealer.
That said, the new Insight M3 LED (GLL700A1) is only $40 more. You get twice the run time (two hours), no bulb replacement costs and a brighter light. Only problem being they’re on backorder until January. So there is light at the end of the tunnel.
M3 TI – Limited Lifetime Warranty
Models: GLL-001-A1 (Black), GLL-001-A5 (Tan)
Peak Output: 1 hour
Interface Options: Slide-Lock®
Dimensions: 3.4”L x 1.6”W x 1.5”H
Weight: 3.3 oz. w/Batteries
Lithium Battery Power: 6V from Two (2) 123 Batteries
You can get an LED powered Streamlight TLR-1 or TLR-3 for less than $100. I have a TLR-1 mounted on my nightstand gun, which I shoot regularly at the range with the light mounted, and it still works fine. Also had one on an AR and it worked fine there too.
I don’t know what this light offers for the additional cost.
In my low-light training course, there are ways to hold a flashlight WITH a 2-handed grip.
Personally I find 2-handed grips with flashlights to be very awkward and they do not solve the problem of people searching with the light and muzzle.
Yes, holding a flashlight in one hand require one-handed shooting which is why one-handed strong hand, one-handed weak hand shooting and reloading must be practiced.
In the case where your thumb can reach the light easily, how is that any worse than a one handed grip?
Mounting a light on your pistol is pointless. Modern combat pistol shooting is based on having a pistol and a handheld flashlight. The US Military also follows this doctrine. If you feel the need to train with illumination devices, get a good handheld combat light and learn to move and shoot while holding one in each hand. Pistol mounted illumination is for mall ninja’s and suburban commandos.
You are wrong. Many police use these and they fit AR rifles as well. Are you going to shoot a rifle one handed cowboy? Ever been camping in deep woods at night and be stalked by a lion? I have and that’s why I purchased one. It’s better to have a free hand available when conditions require. You must spend all your time sitting around indoors judging others with your small mind. Bob W. in Western CO.
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