Welcome to TheOhioOutdoors
Wanting to join the rest of our members? Login or sign up today!
Login / Join

Pistol Optics and Lights

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
Whose running a light and/or optic on their EDC weapon? I'm upgrading to either at Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS or a Glock 45 MOS so I have the option for an optic, which I see as a worthwhile investment for someone who isn't a "natural" with a pistol. It makes for a more intuitive "point and shoot" handgun IMO, but I'm not sold on adding one either. At least with the MOS, I can do it later. As for a light, that's a forgone conclusion. Seems like a wise investment to have, especially when nighttime is more dangerous than daytime in many ways.

Thoughts?

Screenshot_20200614-091807_Chrome.jpg
 

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,060
223
Ohio
I don’t run optics or lights on any of my EDC guns. The RMR type sights are definitely nice and help with aiming... but let’s remember, something like 90% of handgun engagements happen within 3-ft or less of the assailant. (At least thats what I recall from CCW class). So for me, I don’t want to carry around that extra bulk on an EDC. Hell, I don’t even like the bulk of a bare Glock 19 most of the time for EDC. That being said, I run both a laser and LED light on my bedside piece.
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
Bulk is a concession here. I've been carrying a small, concealable weapon and I can't get my giant hands (I'd rank in the top 3rd of NFL QBs on hand size) on it quickly without fumblefucking around. This is something I've given a lot of thought to and I still have a small weapon for when I need it. To JBs point, I'm not aiming at 3' anyways. What matters then is being able to get ahold of your firearm in a safe and operable manner, which will be easier for me with a bigger gun. So I get what you guys are saying and don't disagree, however I've already considered that aspect and feel I'm willing to deal with the bulk to carry something I can effectively and efficiently operate in a tense situation. I don't have that confidence in with my current EDC piece.
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
For comparisons sake, Joe Burrow has 9" hands (tip of thumb to tip of pinky across the palm). The biggest hands at the combine were 10.625". Mine are 10" with meaty palms. It's a good thing for everything but rings, gloves, and being delicate. That's why I'm choosing a bigger frame gun and the light is really an insignificant addition from a bulk standpoint. The optic becomes the real question, which is what lead me to ask. Wasn't sure how it added to, or subtracted from, the EDC lifestyle.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: jagermeister

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
If you can hit your target inside of 15’ without a light, how did you know it was a threat? I’m against the light myself. It works for LE and such as they walk face first into danger and have to know the target. If I plan to shoot someone, that light is just going to be in the way. One more thing to worry about kind of thought. For EDC, the distance is so close, flipping that light on could be the difference between who gets that first shot off. Gun could’ve went bang and thrown a flash.
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
If you can hit your target inside of 15’ without a light, how did you know it was a threat? I’m against the light myself. It works for LE and such as they walk face first into danger and have to know the target. If I plan to shoot someone, that light is just going to be in the way. One more thing to worry about kind of thought. For EDC, the distance is so close, flipping that light on could be the difference between who gets that first shot off. Gun could’ve went bang and thrown a flash.

Good point. But, I don't have to turn it on and can make that judgment call in the heat of the moment. I would argue it could be an effective, nonlethal deterrent. Especially with something like the Olight Baldr Pro that has a laser. Hit a threat that isn't already aiming a weapon at you with 1,500 lumens and a laser and chances are, you don't need to fire a shot. Again, the bulk with these weapons like is minimal if you buy right and just because you have one, doesn't mean you need to run it.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Good point. But, I don't have to turn it on and can make that judgment call in the heat of the moment. I would argue it could be an effective, nonlethal deterrent. Especially with something like the Olight Baldr Pro that has a laser. Hit a threat that isn't already aiming a weapon at you with 1,500 lumens and a laser and chances are, you don't need to fire a shot. Again, the bulk with these weapons like is minimal if you buy right and just because you have one, doesn't mean you need to run it.
It your money and only you know what you’d be most comfortable with. If I brandish my weapon, I ain’t looking over my shoulder tomorrow or ever. I’ve already made the decision and I plan to follow the decision till the end.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jagermeister

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,060
223
Ohio
How many guys went and measured their hands after reading this? Don't lie. 🤣
Ha! I just did. 9” on the dot. 10” doesn’t seem that big to me, looking back on some of the behemoth hands I’ve shaken over the years. Alex Gillet, kid that graduated from Clyde, played WR for the Green Bay Packers, has what I consider huge hands and they absolutely dwarf mine. I would’ve thought the NFL average was bigger than 10”. This is a major sidetrack from the thread obviously but Jesse brought it up so now I’m intrigued! Lol
 

hickslawns

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
39,721
248
Ohio
I never measured until just now. I'm a tick over 9". Not enough to justify calling them anymore than 9". I'm with you, Jim. Every now and then you shake a hand and you are impressed. Had a guy years ago that plowed for us as a subcontractor. He was a DE at Kent State. Settled back into the area. I felt like a 9 year old shaking his dad's hand whenever we shook hands. Twice as thick as mine and just plain dwarfed my hands.

Sorry for the further derail. Back to the regularly scheduled pistol talk.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jagermeister