Not an expert on this subject by any means, but I have been running Harries for my strongside approaches and the "syringe" for weakside. I have something of an advantage as my natural strong hand is running the light and naturally has more dexterity. I don't have much trouble swapping the light's position in my paw. I like to run the "syringe" version as I can wrap a coupla fingers around the grip and gain a little more control. Then too, I believe the "O" ring system I have on my lights maintains the light in a more workable position to perform these light-fingered gymnastics.
More complex I know, but it's been working for me in my experience limited solely to the training/practice environment. (Not that I intend to do any house clearing anyway. I want none of that. Let 'em come to me if it has to be.)
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Todd,
I'd agree that they are similar. The biggest difference will probably be in duration of light use, rapid need and a more varied environment. The law enforcement usage could last a long time ranging from traffic stops/field interviews/checking a building with open door/actively chasing and hunting. For the most part, the LE light usage is not based on surprise. The CCW use is probably much more compressed with the immediate need to ID a potential threat and rapidly work through the decision making process.
I'd go so far as say that the ability to rapidly transition from lighting/IDing the threat to planting a light in someone's forehead is even more important for non-LE because they probably don't have access to a baton, OC, lightening, other less-lethal alternatives, or 10 friends. Its also probably far more likely to be a surprise light up and assess than the on the LE side.
Ken
Totally agree.
Whether you come across the guy on the job or I do in the alley, rapidity of response isn't likely to be different IMHO.rapid need
While my gut wants to scream "no" I think that's a totally valid comment from a real world perspective. There are all sorts of places you have to go that I wouldn't under just about any circumstances. I know when we were doing the lowlight segment of AMIS in the Culpeper Rape Dungeon there were many times I thought to myself that I never had been and never would be in a place like that. And you can't prove otherwise.and a more varied environment.
I think the use of light by LE vastly outweighs the amount of what is actually needed in a CCW situation. One is a daily occurrence, the other is, in my observation, so rare that I'm not sure why people would even worry about it.
Seriously. I'll note that none of Tom's student shootings involving anything close to the good guy needing to light up a target for PID. This is because it's really hard to rob people when you can't see them. Cops go looking for bad guys who like to run and hide in dark holes, other people not so much.
I don't worry about light use while off duty nearly as much as I do for on duty work, and for good reasons.
Seriously, I have gone into basements to look for murder suspects while I am at work. Why would anyone do such a thing if they didn't have to?
Bad guy robbing me in a parking lot? Pretty sure it's light enough for me to see I be gettin robbed, and I should have an idea who the bad guy is right about then.
If I'm in a dark area I almost always have my flashlight in my hand. It's a benefit of carrying the little light to begin with and has been discussed upthread, there are times when just a light -- immediately -- can solve problems that you'd never want to use a gun for.
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