Welcome back to another Tech Tip Tuesday! Today, we’re tackling a topic that’s critical for anyone serious about concealed carry: the importance of mounting a light on your firearm. While many shooters focus on caliber, capacity, and other factors, a weapon-mounted light (WML) is often overlooked. But the reality is, having a light on your carry gun could be the difference between correctly identifying a threat or tragically misidentifying a loved one.
In this post, we’re going to dig into the statistics, explore why positive identification (PID) is essential, and discuss how TFirearms can help you find the right setup for your carry gun, including holsters designed specifically for weapons with mounted lights. So, let’s get after it.
Why You Need a Light on Your Concealed Carry Gun
1. Most Violent Crime Happens After Dark
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), the majority of violent crimes occur during the evening or nighttime hours. In fact, approximately 60% of violent crimes happen between 6 PM and 6 AM. This means that if you’re carrying a gun for self-defense, there’s a good chance you might have to use it in low-light conditions. (Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2019).
The average number of hours of darkness in the United States varies by season but generally ranges from 9 to 15 hours per day, with longer durations during the fall and winter months. For an entire year, the average is about 10-11 hours of darkness per day. This means that, on average, Americans are spending nearly half of each day in conditions where visibility is compromised.
If you’re carrying a firearm for protection, there’s a strong likelihood you might need to defend yourself in low-light situations. Without a weapon-mounted light, you’re adding an unnecessary variable to an already chaotic scenario.
2. Positive Identification (PID) Is Crucial
When you’re dealing with a potential threat, positive identification (PID)—confirming that what you’re aiming at is indeed a threat—is essential. A lack of clear identification can lead to tragic mistakes, as has happened in numerous cases where armed homeowners mistakenly shot family members, mistaking them for intruders. A simple Google search reveals countless instances of accidental shootings that could have been avoided if the shooter had taken an extra second to identify their target.
While a handheld flashlight is certainly better than nothing, it can be cumbersome to use while managing a firearm under stress. A weapon-mounted light offers a more stable solution, keeping your support hand free while allowing you to illuminate your target and maintain a firing grip.
3. Improved Accuracy and Safety
When your handgun is equipped with a weapon-mounted light, you’re not only enhancing your ability to identify potential threats, but you’re also likely to shoot more accurately. When you can see the target more clearly, you can align your sights faster and with greater precision, making your shots count.
A WML helps mitigate one of the biggest variables in a self-defense encounter: low-light conditions. By illuminating the area around you, you not only see your target better but also have better peripheral vision, which can be critical in complex self-defense scenarios.
Overcoming the Challenges of Carrying with a Weapon-Mounted Light
One of the most common reasons people avoid adding a light to their carry gun is the challenge of finding a compatible holster. Many holsters on the market aren’t designed to accommodate the added bulk of a weapon-mounted light, making it difficult to carry comfortably or conceal effectively. But at TFirearms, we manufacture custom Kydex holsters specifically designed for firearms with mounted lights.
Our holsters are built in-house and tailored to fit a variety of firearms and light combinations. Whether you’re using one of the top light brands in the country or a more niche option, we can create a Kydex holster that fits your setup perfectly. Our holsters come equipped with adjustable retention, making it easy to customize the draw and fit to your liking.
Our Top-Selling Weapon-Mounted Lights
While there are plenty of good options on the market, two of our best-selling lights at TFirearms are the Streamlight TLR-7 and the TLR-1 HL. Here’s a quick breakdown of why these are popular choices:
1. Streamlight TLR-7
The TLR-7 is a compact light that’s perfect for concealed carry. It provides 500 lumens of bright light, making it an excellent choice for identifying threats in low-light conditions. The compact size allows it to fit most pistols without adding too much bulk, and it’s one of the easiest lights to carry comfortably. Despite its size, it offers good battery life and rugged construction, making it a reliable companion in a self-defense scenario.
2. Streamlight TLR-1 HL
The TLR-1 HL is a larger, more powerful light designed for those who don’t mind a bit more bulk on their carry gun. It boasts a 1,000-lumen output, making it one of the brightest pistol lights on the market. The increased brightness allows for better identification at longer distances and is ideal for those who might carry in areas with little to no ambient light. The TLR-1 HL is a favorite among law enforcement and military professionals, making it a top pick for anyone serious about self-defense.
Both of these lights are available in-house at TFirearms, and for those reading this far into the blog post, we’re offering 10% off all lights site-wide using the code “PID” at checkout. It’s our way of saying thank you for taking the time to read about the importance of weapon-mounted lights.
Training and Preparation: The Ultimate Keys to Safety
While adding a light to your concealed carry gun is a step in the right direction, the most critical component of firearm safety and effective self-defense is training. You can have the best gear in the world, but without proper training, you won’t be able to use it effectively when it counts.
At TFirearms, both Heather and I are certified NRA firearms instructors based right here in Altus, Oklahoma. We strongly recommend regular training as the best way to ensure that you’re both safe and capable of effectively protecting yourself and your loved ones. Training helps you get familiar with your firearm, your light, and how they work together in low-light scenarios.
We offer courses tailored to shooters of all skill levels, from beginner basics to advanced defensive tactics. We also provide classes that cover low-light shooting, specifically designed to teach you how to operate with a weapon-mounted light. Learning how to use your light for both identification and shooting is a critical skill that can be the difference between life and death in a self-defense encounter. If this is something you’d be interested in let us know.
Conclusion: Light Up Your Defense
Mounting a light on your concealed carry gun isn’t just about adding a tactical accessory—it’s about increasing your ability to see, identify, and respond in low-light situations. Given that the majority of violent crimes happen during hours of darkness, having a reliable source of illumination is one of the smartest upgrades you can make to your self-defense setup. It not only helps with accurate shooting but also ensures that you can positively identify your target, reducing the risk of tragic mistakes.
At TFirearms, we’re committed to helping you find the best gear for your specific needs. Whether it’s selecting a light, finding the right holster, or getting quality training, we’re here to support your journey as a responsible armed citizen. And don’t forget—use code “PID” for 10% off all lights on our site as a thank you for reading this far.
Stay safe, stay trained, and always identify your target. See you next Tuesday for another Tech Tip!
