Why You Need a Weapon Light and Handheld Flashlight
- Mariah Lynn
- Apr 13
- 4 min read
Most violent encounters don’t happen in broad daylight. In fact, a large percentage of self-defense situations occur in low-light or complete darkness—whether it’s in a dim parking lot, inside your home at night, or in an alleyway. If you carry a firearm for protection, you need to be prepared to operate effectively in the dark. That means training in low-light conditions and equipping yourself with the right tools: a weapon-mounted light (WML) and a handheld flashlight.
Why You Need a Weapon-Mounted Light (WML)
A weapon light allows you to identify a potential threat before pulling the trigger. Without a light, you risk shooting at an unknown target, which could lead to tragic consequences.
I personally run a Streamlight TLR-7 Sub on my SIG P365 XL, and I recommend that anyone carrying for self-defense strongly consider a compact, high-lumen WML for their carry gun.
Benefits of a Weapon-Mounted Light:
• Threat Identification – In the dark, you can’t assume every figure is a threat. A WML helps you see what you’re aiming at before making a life-or-death decision.
• Target Acquisition – A good WML allows you to keep both hands on your firearm while still illuminating your surroundings.
• Temporary Disorientation – A bright light can disorient an attacker, giving you precious seconds to react.
How to Train with Your Weapon Light
Having a WML isn’t enough—you need to train with it. Here’s how:
• Dry Fire in the Dark – Practice drawing and activating your light in your home at night. Move from room to room, learning how the light reflects off walls and furniture.
• Live Fire Training – If your range allows it, practice shooting with your light on. Learn how it affects your sight picture, recoil control, and target tracking.
• Low-Light Competition Matches – Many shooting competitions have low-light stagesthat challenge your ability to shoot under darkness and stress. These are excellent for testing your skills in a controlled environment.
Top 3 Best Weapon Light Manufacturers
1. SureFire – Industry standard for durability and reliability.
2. Streamlight – Affordable, high-quality, and trusted by law enforcement.
3. HOLOSUN – High-output, affordable and durable.
Why You Also Need a Handheld Flashlight
A WML is great, but it should never replace a handheld flashlight. A weapon light is attached to your gun—meaning every time you use it, your muzzle is pointing at what you’re lighting up. That’s a huge safety issue in non-lethal situations.
That’s why I carry a SureFire Stiletto Pro—it’s compact, powerful, and designed for everyday carry.
Benefits of a Handheld Flashlight:
• Non-Lethal Utility – Use it to check dark areas, navigate at night, or momentarily blind an aggressive person without drawing your gun.
• Versatility – Unlike a WML, a handheld light can be used independently of your firearm. (I’ve seen enough of the internet to know this needs to be a bullet point)
• De-escalation Tool – A bright handheld light can help deter threats before a situation escalates.
Non-Lethal Self-Defense Tactics with a Flashlight
A high-lumen flashlight (500+ lumens) can be a powerful self-defense tool even if you don’t have a firearm. Here’s how:
• Blinding Effect – A sudden blast of bright light in an attacker’s eyes can disorient them, giving you time to escape.
• Striking Tool – Many tactical flashlights have beveled edges that can be used as an impact weapon.
• Command Presence – Holding a flashlight confidently while scanning an area signals awareness, making you a harder target.
Crime Prevention Techniques Using a Flashlight
• Use it When Approaching Your Car at Night – A bright flashlight can illuminate potential hiding spots, making it harder for someone to ambush you.
• Light Up Dark Hallways and Stairwells – If you’re in a parking garage or dimly lit area, actively using your light reduces your chances of being targeted.
• Check Around Your Home Before Entering – If you suspect someone might be lurking near your home, use a flashlight to scan before unlocking the door.
Top 5 Best Handheld EDC Flashlights
1. Modlite OKW or PLHv2 – High-lumen, serious tactical performance.
2. SureFire Stiletto Pro – My personal choice, great for EDC with multiple light modes.
3. Streamlight Protac HL-X – A great balance of affordability and power.
4. Fenix PD36R – Compact, rechargeable, and super bright.
5. Olight Warrior Mini 2 – Small, powerful, and budget-friendly.
Lights Compared
In this gallery, I’m comparing my flashlight collection and sharing my honest opinions on my favorites. My top pick is the Surefire Stiletto Pro, which I prefer even over the Surefire Stiletto Pro 2. I appreciate its lighter weight and slightly lower output since the added size, weight, and cost of the Pro 2 don’t justify their benefits for my everyday needs.
Additionally, I own a small Surefire EDCL1-T flashlight that I keep for emergencies, partly because I wanted at least one battery-powered light. However, I’ve realized that replacing batteries can get expensive. If I could turn back time, I wouldn’t have purchased the Surefire EDCL1-T because the twist-on and off feature drives me crazy. So, unfortunately, it's a “no” from me.
For my everyday carry, I definitely need a rechargeable light to keep costs down, which the Surefire Stiletto Pro offers through two models with micro USB or USBC charging—very convenient!
I also have a ModLite handheld flashlight, which is my most powerful option. While it provides incredible brightness, it's quite heavy, heats up quickly, and doesn’t hold a charge for long. Therefore, I reserve it for camping trips and those end-of-the-world fantasies.
Although the ModLite is fantastic for those who prefer a more powerful flashlight, this article focuses on everyday carry options, and I simply wanted to share my thoughts on the alternatives!
Final Thoughts
If you carry a gun for self-defense, you need to train for low-light encounters. A weapon-mounted light helps you see threats while keeping both hands on your firearm, but a handheld flashlight is just as important for general safety and non-lethal situations. Train with both, practice dry fire in the dark, and consider competing in low-light matches to sharpen your skills.
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