Home Defense vs Farm Defense

[Matt In Oklahoma]

The weapon light is not a stand alone unit but rather an enhancement. If you are looking at an unknown, possibly a loved one, then a handheld is called for but in the instance of chickens in distress where a known factor of a predator is present then the weapon mounted light excells. In the case of the front door flying off the hinges and you barricading a strobe light that allows for positive target identification, as opposed to shooting a shadow early, that disrupts the night vision of an attacher is real nice to have. In the case where you become endanged and a handheld may become cumbersome or hard to operate along with say the slide action of a shotgun the weapon mounted light then also excells. In many operations where you start outside and then move rapidly inside the weapon mounted light also excells.
It is a tool much like the ownership of different styles of hammers. You dont use a claw hammer for body work nor a 3lb sledge for framing though it may be possible to get the job done with anyone of them. The streamlight scorpian is a nice and effective tool

[WILL]

I do not like a weapon mounted light, because then I'd be doing muzzle sweeps and aiming at the horses, my wife, etc.
(when the wife goes out after dark to stall and grain the horses for the night I go along as back up, as well as me doing my chicken chores)
A plain old 2 D cell Maglight with a Maglight brand zenon bulb can shine a tightly focused bright beam well over 250 feet, just right for scanning the woodline and back pasture for animal eyes.

I don't use the weapon mounted light for chores. If you don't think you're in any danger, just use a flashlight. Personally, I find holding a flashlight, working a shotgun/rifle/pistol and using a phone or opening a door is a bit much to handle. The weapon light helps with that. To each his own I guess.

[rice paddy daddy]

MustangGal,
A lifetime ago, in 'nam, my loadout was just the reverse of yours. My Remington's first bite was a slug. My main armament was a twin mount M60, but that shotgun was handy as all get out. I don't remember OVERkilling anything, but, I am getting on....

Welcome, greg.
Who were ya with in Vietnam?

[Greg B.]

RPD, I was a door gunner with VEH-3. We were a vertical extraction unit. And you?

[rice paddy daddy]

1st Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized). We were on loan to the 3rd Marine Division.
When the Marines needed help, the Army thought enough of our younger Brothers to send it's finest unit.

[Greg B.]

Ya gotta watch them Marines. They'll look ya right in the eye and swear the LZ is secure!!! LOL

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I will reinterate:

For people hunting outside of all out war the light is needed for quick proper identification not to be turned on and just walking around with like on tv. The pushbutton or pressure switch pad is best so it can be flashed for positve id

You cant just walk around with the light turned on. You flash the light, take a mental image and work from there. You move quickly after the flash of light as you do not want to be standing there after it comes on and goes off.
If you are hunting critters in the chicken coop or checking the pasture then by all means turn it on constant to keep from injuries thats common sense and no one wants to sneak up and suprise the skunk

[WILL]

I will reinterate:

You cant just walk around with the light turned on. You flash the light, take a mental image and work from there. You move quickly after the flash of light as you do not want to be standing there after it comes on and goes off.
If you are hunting critters in the chicken coop or checking the pasture then by all means turn it on constant to keep from injuries thats common sense and no one wants to sneak up and suprise the skunk

I leave the light on if I'm searching for people or animals. At 3:50 you can see Clint Smith demonstrating the way I like to do it....

http://youtu.be/aYghKoWgMnE

[rice paddy daddy]

Gee, things were easier in the old days with parachute flares and artillery illumination rounds.:D
We were always sensitive about light discipline, cigarettes and such. Of course after the chaos starts, you are firing at their muzzle flashes, and they at yours.
But that was then, today I just don't forsee having to repel boarders here at The Ol' Homestead. If society collapses it will be a while before the zombies get out this far from the city.
More likely rats in the feedroom; bobcats, foxes, coyotes, possums, skunks, coons.
As I'm sitting here typing this, there are four dogs lying about the living room (my early warning radar), a S&W Model 15 K-38 Combat Masterpiece six inches from my hand and my Maglight right next to it. Just in case.:cool: