The answer is always both. The late Yeager once said, “it’s not supposed to COMFORTABLE. It’s supposed to be COMFORTING.” So I carry both, I’m covering all bases that way.

If you can only have one, choose handheld, because you don't always want to point your gun at something to identify it. If you can afford it, and can conceal it well, have both :-)

A trick I used in a hide n seek game as a kid was: looking around with a light, then setting it, or hanging it somewhere and moving on. Hiders thought I was still "over there" and ran for "base", but I was waiting for them to escape they're hide spot and tagged them out. Use your imagination on other applications.

My dad was a police officer for over 20 years and he said if he had to use a light he held it out to his side because like you said they are bullet magnets. Said he had few friends shot and the intruder said they just aimed for the center of the light.

Always handheld, both if possible/practical

I am a hand held light fan, personally. But another "attaboy" for the WML fans is they can use it one-handed. So, if one arm is injured, or busy holding a child behind you while you stop the aggressor or otherwise have one hand being used, the other hand can still illuminate and shoot. Not ideal, of course, but in an ideal world we wouldn't be in a gun fight to start with, right? THANK you John for your insights and for your service! God bless! Jeff

My last home defense situation was solved with a very powerful handheld flashlight. Had “another option” available, but my presence and decent light sent the catalytic converter thief hurdling through the woods and over my gate. Glad I had both!

Someone tried breaking into my house a few week ago, at about 12:30 at night. And of course my back yard flood light went out and I didn’t change it. I was super happy I had a flashlight on my pistol because it was pitch black

Which ever you choose train with it. I never realized how much better a WML was until I started doing low/no light schooling stages in IDPA competitions. I used hand held till I got a holster made for my comp gun and it’s tricky to hold a light and a firearm without fumbling it or blinding yourself. Another reason to train with your light is if you have a red dot your light can be so bright it washes out your dot. This happens to my rmr when set to auto and using a streamlight TLR1-HL.

This was super helpful, actually changed my viewpoint I do carry both with my shadow systems and mostly I found myself taking the light off much more than not because to your point way more comfortable..

Handheld all the way.... works as an EDC item in conjunction with a firearm when you need it, works as an illumination tool WITHOUT presenting a gun, when you need it, and kicker... you can always carry them everywhere. They aren't regulated. They aren't considered a weapon or dangerous item, but you can absolutely use it as a striking tool...improvised brass knuckle/palm striking device (assuming you have a high quality and durable device).

Well, handheld lights are versatile and can be used for navigation, signaling for help, or illuminating an area for camp setup or other tasks.

The tricks and tips that you think you can't convey here came through loud and clear to me sir. You made great points and I'm glad that I watched this lesson. Cheers from Texas

I actually go with both, the streamlight 7a is great. No comfort issues here.

It seems to me that a weapon-mounted light also frees a hand for opening doors, using keys, etc. As John points out, it may not be practical for everyday carrying, but for responding to a noise in your home (no kids at home now) the mounted light seems to be more beneficial for me, as someone not trained in night fighting. Also, it would only be on when needed, though both would be a better option.

Great info, John. I had the opportunity to take a Low Light/No Light firearms course a few years ago and it was incredibly beneficial. Up until that class, I had some general knowledge of the benefits of mounted vs handheld lights. I now have handheld lights all over the place; nightstands, vehicles, and an EDC.

Here's a out of the box idea: mount a light on your handgun, AND buy a small inexpensive (preferably rechargeable) flashlight too. Keep it close by in case it too is needed. How's that for covering all your bases without having to compromise. And for those of you out there like me, that don't have the skills of a ninja spec ops marksman, since your grip is important for accuracy, use a mounted light at all times so that your grip is as good as it can be, and you can see what you're targeting (and a combo laser is even better).

I'm glad I listened to your advice on your CR920 subcompact video about how lights on guns are bullet magnets. Did my own research through Nitecore and other youtubers that did low light tactics videos. Super educational video that answered more questions that I had on the subject. I love the content!!!

Thank you for the validation at the beginning of the video John.

I carry a mounted light and a keychain oLight on my keychain, that way I don't have to point my gun at things if I need a light, and a good, small light on my keychain for fighting things. Glock 19, hybrid inside waistband holster, Veridian light (no laser)

Great video! In addition to a WML and a handheld light, I use app controlled lights in the home. Turn on any lights in the house using the app. I can even turn them on in strobe or disco ball mode for an added distraction for the intruder.

Food for thought: you need a WML if you have small children that you might need to pick up and carry to cover. WML is best for 1 handed fighting. A handheld can be drawn when you sense trouble but before you feel the need to skin your smokewagon.

This is why I watch your videos not only very informative but very educational thank you for all info

Comfort is important because “the best gun is the one you have on you”. I used to carry a Glock with a red dot and although it was nice and shot great, I left it at home more than I should (especially in the summer) because it felt bulky and was on my mind. I now carry a little compact .380 and although it may not be the most “war ready” weapon, it is on me every day, and I feel like that is the most important thing.

2 and 3 is my reasoning behind handheld for primary light. But my carry has a WML. Depending on the situation is the determining factor of whether I am going for my hand held or using my carry with a light on it.

Thank you. This really helped with my decision. I am now a Handheld Carry for my EDC.

Thank you, I have been trying to decide. I am going to get both and use them accordingly.

I do both for the winter and handheld only for the summer. I use my handheld light too often not to have one.

Agreed. I always carry a pocket light. So many more uses

Thank you for helping us to think clearly.

My carry is minimalist, small, and lightweight; so I go handheld only. I find the Olight Baton 3 to be extremely powerful in a tiny package. It's more of a utility light that can pinch hit in a defensive role, and I use it all the time as said utility light so I develop some familiarity with it too. It lasts for an hour on high, and being rechargeable is sooo handy.

I’m still in the middle of my decision on this subject, I’m glad you made the video, some stuff I hadn’t thought about! Thanks

I've never used the surefire light he uses, but I absolutely love my streamlight wedge, I carry it everywhere I go!

I like this video, I value your opinion greatly and I love my family. That’s why I always carry a pocket light and an XR 920 with a TLR7A all the time. Thanks for sharing. 🗽✌🏻

Been waiting on this one. Thank you John!

I’ve had my EDC for a long time. It’s comfortable and I’ve had the most range time with it. Not to mention 90% of the time the sun is up when I’m out and about. At night it’s sits beside the bed along with my Surefire Fury and that’s good enough for me.

Thank you John, I need to buy a handheld light ASAP! I carry a SIG P365 with the XL grip at all times but with no light or red dot. Too much extra bulk for me. A separate handheld light will be a great addition.

A VERY good video. Learned a lot. Thanks.

SIG P365X all day everyday for me! No weapon mounted light or red dot. I know it would be more tactical to have both but with my current setup I carry 24/7.

Very good video and great discusion points in a clear and concise manner with the humor we love. Keep it up boss.

Streamlight Microstream clipped to my pocket and a TLR-7A on my Glock. It has served me well for the last 4 years.

Yeah! I'm super motivated! Lol I carry a G17 appendix. I carry handheld. I need a different light. I have a Streamlight that I love, but I need a button cap. I carried a handheld Streamlight for 14 years as a CO. I still use it around the house. GREAT LIGHTS

Have both. Trick i learned from back airsofting was have a weapon light and a hand held, especially in low light environments setting up a hand held a meter or two in front of you and off to the side worked wonders. To an enemy they come around a corner and see a bright light and nothing else and instinctively shoot at it. To you, you are blacked out by the light to the enemies eyes, and also get good lighting for PID without needlessly exposing yourself. Definitely carries over into the real world, and gives a few seconds of advantage. Also not wanting to flag everything/everyone you want to illuminate and id is a good thing to consider when having both

Both for me is how I roll.

Comfort is underrated. I started with a full sized 1911 and now I've settled on a g42 AIWB.

As always, there are pros and cons to everything. Find what works for you, and then master the use of it. You may want both. I personally have both.

Both. Both is good. But I understand the subcompact not having it for those occasions.

Great job John! Love handheld option

Have and train with both. Either option works if you're trained.

Thank you John

I’ve started using a headlamp. Use at the least 1,000 lumens so if you do turn it on , it’s totally blinding . You can take it off and set it to the side and turn it on if necessary. My main reason tho is both my hands are free to operate a pump shotgun etc . Just my 2 cents . 😀🙏😍

Can't look as cool guntubing without your counterweight strapped to your pistol. Great video for when and when not to!!!

I did armed security many years ago and had a weapon light and a handheld light, somehow ( by forgetfulness or luck) my batteries on my handheld dimmed and didn't put out the light as they should.... so i took the batteries out of my weapon light ( big brain move choosing a weapon and handheld that takes the same batteries) and rolled that way for the rest of the night. I figured I needed a handheld WAY more than I would a weapon light in that job/scenario

The TLR-1 is great for concealed carry. It’s slightly smaller than the X300, with a great output. It’s short enough that it doesn’t cause hotspots on my leg, and it doesn’t stick out past my barrel when I carry my G34. It does stick out pst my 19 barrel, but the 19 is nice to carry when it’s hot out because it doesn’t print in a t-shirt.

I guess another pro for the stand alone light is that on some smaller subcompact guns you don't even have the option to mount a light. And then you have to consider what light fits on what handgun and how secure it is. Now hopefully you consider that before you buy a light, but it's not a one size fits all kind of ordeal. If the light fits in your pocket and works as intended, that's it.

Glock 17 here! I use a tiny light on the gun. But definitely don’t point it to identify threats. Handheld is essential!

A handled is a must. I carry my streamlight wedge everywhere I go. I use it all the time for simple tasks. I also carry the TLR7 A on my weapon because it’s pretty compact and may not be as comfortable as with out it but it’s not bad. But if I’m only taking one then the wedge hands down.

I really like my wml, but I can definitely see the benefits of both. Even with proper use of a wml, you can’t just pull out a gun all the time. Where as a flashlight you can.

Thanks for shedding a light on that.

I think you summed it up pretty well. If I'm going concealed, my pistol is slick (G42 or G43) carried Mexican with a trigger guard. No mounted light or glass. Completely defensive. May carry a light, may not. If I'm running a duty/battle belt and dedicated holster, then I'll go with the full size pistol (G19, G17, G22) with light and glass. Pick the right tool for the job at hand... and the tool you'll actually be willing to carry!

+1 for the TLR7 Also, an LEP (yes, “p”) light on a carbine is the sweet spot. Perimeter distance spot, for a perimeter distance shot.

Love your videos...and your humor!

I just wear my LARPing NODs everywhere. Come on John, get with the program!

Great stuff, John! Thank you!

Good video topic. As someone that uses both and trains with both, I also GREATLY prefer the handheld light over the weapon mounted light. One of those options is just useful in 99% of all scenarios and the other is just a crappier flashlight that mounts to my weapon. This is assuming pistol is your weapon. If rifle, weapon mounted light is the only way to go.

Both 1000% sometimes I carry an extra weapon light in my pocket instead of a handheld because of size and usability etc.

If forced to choose, I’m going with handheld…it’s more versatile. Took a class from Thunder Ranch and they advocated a hand held with a lanyard that you put you finger through. It works very well.

I try to always carry a small barrel high power LED flash light that has a pocket clip. It's very handy and makes a great loaded fist if i need to back someone off that I dont want to shoot. Streamlight 66320. Rechargable, 500 lumen and pocket/cap clip.

I have both but use handheld. I don't like waving a weapon around if I need to bounce light off the ceiling for example while clearing rooms. I don't like carrying IWB with a weapon light attached either, because I may only need a flashlight briefly for navigating.

There are definitely arguments for both. I often carry both options but always have a WML. In the typical self-defense scenario, a positive target ID requires the immediate action provided by the WML.

Both are great. Handhelds are a must. If I have my pants on, I can guarantee that I have my knife and streamlight 2 LX dual fuel with 18650 rechargeables. I highly recommend this light and battery combo. I’ve been carrying it daily for 4 years with not one problem. It has an almost completely bare aluminum finish from pocket wear. About $75 for the light and two battery packs.

Home clearing (when you are aware of where everyone who should be there is): weapon light All other scenarios: handheld. But what will you always have if you always have your gun? A weapon mounted light.

I have no idea why I watched this 2 times....Keep up with these videos, Love learning about guns, weapon lights, survival, tactics and etc. I was not like this 7 years ago.....

Optimally both, but if I could only have one, it'd be a handheld. Far more uses when it's not attached to the firearm. The one on the handgun is strictly in case of the potential for the need to defend oneself in an unlit area... and occasionally when I drop my other flashlight under my desk and need to find it lol

For duty or wartime type situations a weapon light is required, but for every day average Joe life I don't find a pistol light necessary so I don't use them. I do carry 2 handhelds; one for general purpose stuff and one super bright, high candela light for "tactical" or longer distance applications.

John, thanks for the video! I am joining the security team at my church. I will be in a low light and crowded environment. WML or just make do with the light that is there (it's not pitch black).

Handheld only or both, if I’m planning to be out after dark. The handheld light is frequently used for administrative tasks, as designed. But I usually have a WML on my handgun, because even during daylight hours, if I have to clear an interior space and I need to quickly PID a threat, I’d rather have it available.

I've used my EDC flashlight way more than I've used my EDC handgun.

Streamlight Wedge and TLR-7 are my perfection.

I am 6'1' 255 lbs and I carry appendix my war poet with TLR7, p320 AXG scorpion with a steiner MPS and a TLR1 HL or my sig P365 XL with a TLR7 SUB with ease. I also carry a flashlight. I think my size gives me that advantage.

Winter time where I am, I carry a handheld and weapon light. Summer time hand held 👍! Having both is great

Would love to see a video on handheld light deceit and tactics

I have switched entirely to a forehead mounted light with completely hands free mental activation. Just think about turning the light on and it illuminates. So much quicker and more intuitive than any hand held or weapon mounted.

Modlite OKW handheld and X300 Turbo at all times. I like the candela especially living in a major city. Also the emissary development X300 switches make using the X300 a breeze and super natural

Olight Headlamp Light & My Ruger Gp100

Retired Leo. Way back in the mid 70's in the academy we had some great instruction regarding fights involving lights. It was already known that folks tend to shoot at the light as it what they see the most. It is something kind of hardwired into us that the light draws our eyes automatically to it. Absent a light, guns were also bullet magnets as the brain and eyes focused on the immediate threat and the bullet strikes tended to be on or right around the gun location. I was taught scan techniques with a handheld light (far less efficient lights than we have now) and trained to shoot with the light off away from my body or if that isn't possible with the light hand supporting the firing hand.

Additional benefits of handheld light: it’s really useful for all sorts of situations not involving self defense. I almost always have a light and a knife on my person no matter where I am or what I’m doing and I use both nearly every day. Also, you don’t have to find the “perfect” holster that accommodates your specific EDC and the light you chose. Plus why would I want to add weight and bulk to a P365? The whole point is as small a package as possible that I can still get a good grip on. Oh and if I’m pocket carrying an Airweight revolver a separate light is the only option.

Handheld is a must. mounted is optional but prefer to have it.

Would love more of your thoughts on flashlight defensive content! I’d pay for a low light class from you.

Definitely both. The batteries stay fresh in the pistol light while the handheld is being used for everyday administrative tasks. Two is one, one is none (when you batteries are dead).

If you're rocking a handheld that has a belt clip, throw a rubber O-ring or keyring in it, now it hangs on your finger and frees up your hand for reloading ect.

I would also say that a good handheld light can actually make a decent independent weapon that nobody ever suspects as well, which can also make it useful in a pinch.That's why they make them with striking bezels and strobe. It can be remarkably difficult to act effectively with a thousand lumens strobing directly into your eyes.

I rather have both. In case a self defense scenario turns into a gun fight. It’ll be hard to win a gun fight one handed. TLR-6 is compact and extremely easy to conceal. It’s not super bright but it gets the job done. For a belt gun concealment is not a concern anymore so I want a strong mounted flashlight as well as a backup hand held one. Which light will you use will be determined by the situation. It’s always better have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

So, to provide more anecdotal evidence for your argument, I just got home from cutting grass an hour ago. I was walking up my front steps and decided to brush off all the grass clinging to my jeans. In doing so, I managed to send my wedding ring flying off my finger into the yard (been losing weight so my ring is loose and I haven't gotten it resized). It's dark out, I'm beat, and just wanna go inside, but absolutely HAVE to retrieve my ring. I had my carry gun with a Streamlight TLR 7A, and an 18650 pocket light. Needless to say, I don't want my neighbors to look outside and see me crawling through my yard with a Glock, so I just grabbed my Acebeam and started searching. Even if you have a WML, I think everyone should carry a decent flashlight with them at all times, the amount of use I get outta the thing makes grabbing it in the morning before I leave for work a no-brainer. I've used it to look at people's vehicles when asked about issues, constantly at work to find things in the darker parts of my warehouse, when the power goes out, etc. Get a decent flashlight with a pocket clip or lanyard, and just add it to your EDC gear. I sometimes leave my knife at home, but will NEVER leave my light.

I’m always gonna roll with both. Carry a Streamlight wedge and a 19 with a TLR1. Obviously I don’t wanna point a weapon at everything I wanna just use a flashlight for but I like the light and not just cause the flashlight. I like the weight up front. Feel like I can shoot flatter and in turn faster more accurately. That could just be in my head but it’s been my setup for years now and just feels right. Also if your ever in a situation where you have to make muzzle contact having a light that sticks out further can prevent the gun from jamming and keep the slide free to cycle. Just my thoughts and if I could only choose one I’d go handheld but why not have both? I’ve always appendix carried and using a Kore belt when I get in and out of cars or sitting down/getting up I can adjust my belt to make it more comfortable when I sit and tighten it when I stand with just my index finger and thumb

Please do a video on hand held lights tips and tricks. Deceiving people with hand held lights.etc.

Good points all around 😊

I need to get a handheld, but I currently carry an M&P 2.0 Compact with an APL-C every day. If I need some light, I use my phone typically, but if something goes bump in the dark I can handle it.

Both always. All day. Every day. G19 w/ tlr-hL and a stream light handheld is perfect. How ever if I had to choose....I’d say a hand held. Due to the different applications it can be used in as well as an addition to your fire arm.

Agreed, just a weapon mounted light doesn’t make sense. You can’t use a WML as a general flashlight! But that TLR-7 on a G19 rides pretty comfortable for me. So I rock both.