Time to raise the ire of the old folk.
Although I don't post pictures of my guns, nor do I really care what you use for your HD needs what I use bares a close resemblance to what has been aforementioned described. So I will answer these questions to the best of my ability to the understanding that I do not speak for the legions of the black gun shot gun crowd (I appreciate and own all kinds of guns) I do have some understanding about what is going on here.
Certainly there is some truth to the keeping up with the Jone's mentality and the movies and TV adds push in that direction but these things were invented for a reason. And if these guns and devices did not work, people would not use them.
Then the bandwidth is flooded with pics of their HD gun, always a black 12ga pump or auto with attached light, laser, disco ball, GPS, anti-lock brakes and 5 inch LED screen. Then we hear about how their 27 round extended mag is loaded with depleted uranium laser guided heat seeking controled explosive slugs. Where do you people live?
I live in Iraq. The working shot gun is a black plain jane 870 with no extra toys. The synthetic stock stands up to the elements and pace of operations out here quite well and much better than wood. The shottie is rarely used as it is not the best weapon to have for most circumstances. It has it uses and places but does not need any extras because it is not carried regularly.
The working rifle would have looked cool hanging from a Seal team member 15 years ago with half a dozen toys on it but now all military rifles look like that so maybe you are behind the times a little.
What we are talking about is incremental improvements that add up to a huge improvement overall. Lights, lasers, IR illuminators, and other doo-dads actually do improve your chances quite a bit and in certain circumstances make you darn near invincible. If I can see the bad guy and have his chest painted with an IR laser that is sighted in and he has no idea that I am even there... well you don't really have to ask who is going to win that fight now do you?
My father once gave me some good advice about buying cars. He said never pay for all the add on bells and whistles, they'll just fail when you start relying on them. K.I.S.S. I don't know, maybe I'm just getting old and cranky.
I imagine your father was quite a wise man. He likely lived in a time when even the best made electronic products were very unreliable. When a car could be expected to give 50,000 miles of service. When a battery might have lasted a few hours. When calling someone in Alaska was very expensive and difficult and calling someone in Iraq impossible. It was maybe questionable if one could drive across the country in a brand new car and make it without a breakdown.
Certainly many of the cheaper items that people buy and slap on their guns that are made in China will fail when needed. But reliable products that are properly serviced will give much valuable service under even harsh circumstances. So before you disdain something because it is new.. try it.
Edit:
I sumarize that while you do not
need any of these items for HD use some of them do wonders to increase your chances of everything working out okay.
