Where do you carry your flashlight?

[CZ52GUY]

I know there are some "no white light" advocates out there. Not interested in getting into that debate here. I believe in target verification, period.

So, for those that carry a flashlight...where?

I've been carrying front of center line on weak side (EDITED TO ADD, surefire G2Z in Blade-tech pouch). Fastest draw for me to get into Rogers hold. I'm curious how others approach this and the trade-offs that were considered in order to reach their decision.

Thanks in advance,

CZ52'

 

[TallPine]

Still trying to figure that out myself ...

I made a "holster" for my 2D Maglite by knotting a short piece of nylon boot lace into a loop, and attaching it to my belt via a "larks head" (just run it around the belt and back through itself) at about 8:00 position (opposite gun at 4:00).

But I don't carry the lite all the time - just in the morning and evening hours.

I hava Maxfire too and sometimes carry it in left front jeans pocket, but it's not too comfortable. Need to get some sort of belt sheath for it.

Geeez, I'm getting loaded down

 

[GlocksRock]

I have a fobus paddle magpouch/flashlight holder combo. Not the fastest for retreiving my Surefire G2, but it's a nice way to carry it, and a reload.

 

[P95Carry]

Only have a lil' E1e .. but with the LED head. That is clipped to belt all time at 9 o'clock, just fwd of Leatherman. Quite quick to access.

 

[Chupacabra]

Either in my left side pants pocket (while I'm at work) or in a BladeTech magazine/flashlight combo holder. The latter comes in very handy as I hate having lots of stuff in my coat pockets

 

[Gus Dddysgrl]

I carry my flashlight in my back left pocket. I haven't practiced pulling it out with drawing my gun. So I guess I should try that.

Gus

 

[TallPine]

Gus, how does that work when you sit down ...?

I tried that with my Maxfire but it didn't seem to work that well.

 

[jwmoore]

E2E in rear left pocket. It stays vertical in jeans, more relaxed fit / dress pants requires a slight adjustment to vertical while sitting.

 

[Brian D.]

Had been wanting to try out something in the "CQC" line from Blackhawk, so got me one of their Surefire 6P/ Streamlight Scorpion holders. Paddle type open-top belt pouch. Works pretty well, and is the made of that uberkool carbon fiber stuff.

 

[Series 70]

Left cargo pocket, or left hand pocket of fleece jacket. If I put a heavier coat on over that, the light gets shifted to the outside coat pocket.

 

[Erik]

Surefire E2E clipped in support hand pocket, usually the front, though occasionally the hip.

 

[CZ-100]

I my truck.

 

[Greymoor]

Left side pocket either pants or coat depending on what I am wearing. That way I can use my weak hand to grab the light and my strong hand to grab the weapon.

Identification, and blinding , is a must . . .

 

[carpettbaggerr]

Hmmm. I haven't seen a light that would really blind anyone yet. Other than a 1,500,000 candlepower spotlight, that is. Maybe that new SureFire that costs a couple hundred bucks.

I keep a heavy-duty metal light in my coat pocket, but the amount of light it throws is a secondary consideration.

 

[Teufelhunden]

Hmmm. I haven't seen a light that would really blind anyone yet. Other than a 1,500,000 candlepower spotlight, that is. Maybe that new SureFire that costs a couple hundred bucks.

Have you tried them in a low-light situation yet? It's one thing to flash yourself in the eyes with 65 lumens in daylight, it's quite another when your pupils are dialated. I've found the inmates to be plenty blinded by my G2 at night. You're not looking for a permanent blinding, just a disorienting one to buy you some time. [rant off]

To answer the question at hand, Surefire C2 clipped outboard in back left pocket.

-Teuf

 

[Kamicosmos]

Black 2-cell Twintask in a Don Hume leather flashlight holster at 9 o'clock. It complements my Don Hume Holster for my SP101 on the other side!

I used to carry my Leatherman at 3 o'clock for ever. Now that I have the Gun just behind it...it is more forward than I would like...but it will probably stay there rather than being moved over to the other side.

My cell phone used to ride at 9 o'clock, but it's been moved to my pocket now that I carry the flashlight there.

 

[SAG0282]

I carry my Surefire Z2 in a jacket pocket for right now.

 

[carebear]

Jacket or vest weather? Left pocket of same.

When it is warmer than that here it is also light out so it typically stays in the truck or whatever bag (if out in the woods) I'm carrying. If I go indoors, (movie or something) then just stick it in a comfortable pocket.

It's a flashlight, not an instant access, high-speed draw needed weapon. Muscle memory is less than key. IMHO.

 

[SapperLeader]

I tried carrying my surefire e2 in back left pocket, but the pocket clip would never hold it in right. I then tried belt carry with the same e2 and sometimes a g2, but Im not a big fan of flashlights on the belt.

The last few months Ive been getting by with a blue and white light photon, but Im saving my pennies for a aviator(has a real robust pocket clip.) and will carry it in the back left pocket again.

 

[CAS700850]

Call it the Eagle Scout in me. I have an ASP light on my key-chain, a Mini Mag in my back left pants pocket, a Pelican Light in my desk, and a 3 cell "D" mag light in the car.

And, no, I don't wear a belt and suspenders at the same time.

 

[CZ52GUY]

It's a flashlight, not an instant access, high-speed draw needed weapon. Muscle memory is less than key. IMHO.

No desire to flame or argue, but I've wrestled and continue to wrestle with this. EDITED TO ADD - but I am interested in a thoughtful discussion of the WHY for flashlight carry location which was the motivation behind the original post.

In order to continue my development in Pistolcraft, I started regular practice with a hand held light last spring (mostly during daylight because I didn't have access to a low light range). I focused on low-ready exercises to become familiar with the holds (practiced both Harries and Rogers, still do). Emphasis was on getting good hits (threw in some reloads also).

This winter, the Defensive Pistol crew at the club has been able to get together for some group sessions at our Indoor Range with low-light stages being a regular part of the menu. We've done some low-ready starts, some flashlight in weak hand (or non-dominant hand if you prefer) draws, and some hands at side draws of both light and carry piece together.

It led me to thinking about where I stow my light, the circumstances of when I may need it for carry, and whether "fumble access" is good enough. I say "fumble access" without malice because I found that was what I was doing when I attempted to draw both. I moved my light from behind the mag' pouches weak side to front of center line. There is no requirement to conceal a light, or a cell phone, or pager...many folks in my area carry all of the above because it gets dark early, and a light can be very handy. "Stuff" on the belt does not equate to CCW disclosure in my region.

I've found that with practice, moving the light forward on belt on weak side...I'm getting fairly decent draw times and good hits using a Rogers hold. Do I think this is a substitute for situational awareness? Absolutely not. Do I like the idea of being able to develop my skills so that a threat in the dark can be confronted sights on and verified in very short order (e.g. especially when returning home from a range session)? Absolutely I do...and I continue to work hard at honing that capability.

YMMV

Stay safe,

CZ52'

 

[Kharn]

Photon microlight, blue, on my keys.

Kharn

 

[carebear]

CZ52, my thought is more along the lines that a threat can come at any time, dark just sort of happens.

When it gets dark, ie the sun goes down exceptionally quickly or the lights go off in a building then I stop moving and think about my flashlight. No "fumble" because I turn on the mental "I put my flashlight in my _____" switch.

I wouldn't consider a "draw flashlight and gun at same time" scenario particularly rationale because if it is dark enough for me to need a flashlight I already have one to hand. If I then need my gun I'll draw that. Alternately, if it isn't dark enough for me to have the flash in hand, then why would I bother drawing it simultaneously with the gun when it is only the gun I need? What target will I as a private citizen need to engage in twilight that isn't right up on me and thus visible unless it is totally black?

If I am changing light conditions for some reason I can get the flash out when I need it. It is right there in the pocket and, again IMO, I'll rarely need to beat someone to the draw in illumination.

Me being a non-LEO I get to have my trouble right up close, I don't have to go looking for it in dark buildings without taking the time to pull out a flash.

 

[NMshooter]

SureFire makes a nice plastic holster that I carry my 6P in on my left hip.

 

[psyopspec]

I have three different places, all depend on dress.

Holster on my right side, behind my carry. Accessible with the left hand in a pinch. The main reason I put it there is that I want my weak side exclusive to reloads so I don't go for a mag and come up with a flashlight.

In a jacket, the left pocket.

In certain pairs of jeans that I own, there's a perfectly sized pocket halfway down the thigh. Fits a surefire like a glove.