First time I'm considering buying a light and don't have much experience at all with them. Dunno if this is a stupid question but wanted to see if all lights can be used handheld and if any are quick detach? It'd be nice to have the option to have a single flashlight that has multiple uses vs one that sits on my rifle all the time.

edit: I'm asking because i was going to pickup an owl based on recommendations but saw the body of the light is integrated with the mount so now looking for other solutions. fde is a must lol

You're not going to find a dedicated weaponlight that is "QD" from the mount itself.  There are QD mounts available for Scout pattern lights, but you'll be toting around a handheld with a picatinny mount attached to it.

If you want the OWL, just go with that and then pick up an SF G2X for handheld use, they're only like $50-$60.

I always needs more flashlights.

Hangfire.

VLTOR makes a Picatinny mount ring that releases the light when the semi-QD thumbscrew is loosened:
https://www.vltor.com/shop/ar/mounts/sm-ei-scout-mount/

This only works with certain size lights:


Using a setup like this will limit what kind of light you can choose, though, and wouldn't work well if you wanted to use a remote switch.

Best bet is to have a separate hand-held, as suggested above, and leave a dedicated gun light in place.  The G2X is a great choice for a handheld, or you can get smaller lights that make for good EDC.  

I always have 2 lights on me; 3 if you count a phone.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Sounds like I'll be getting two lights, one handheld and dedicated weapon. i just wasn't sure if there was something out there i was missing. now time to go down the rabbit hole of handheld flashlights.

Not that I know of.  Surefire g2x in 600lu can be found for $45 if you shop them around, don't know if there is a better bang for the buck than that regarding a handheld.

ADM makes a QD Scout Light mount that is small and low profile and easily used hand held. They make offset light mounts too. I prefer to use a QD mount on my lights so they can be used on all of my weapons. Midwest Industries makes similar mounts too.

I have a LaRue QD on my Modlite.

its usable as a handheld, just a bit awkward to hold.

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OP, I mounted up one of my small Streamlight RM-1 (the one that takes a single cr123 battery) and mounted it to an ADM M-AD-SF QD.  This setup is on what I consider a bug-out type gun.  It's a 7.5 pistol that fits in a small little banjo packpack case.  I figured if I had to get out quick and discreetly, this would make a nice concealable package.  I like the fact that I can detach the flashlight if needed while out on the road.  

Seems to be working well.  It does put the flashlight a little further away from the rail which takes some getting used to.  And part of that is the STNGR rail I'm using.    But I like it.  I say you should try it.  Crummy pictures, but maybe it'll give you an idea.

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My X300U-A is my backup rifle light and backup handheld light. Not the best when handheld but it has worked in a pinch to do vehicle searches or direct traffic.

IMO a rifle light is best solidly mounted if it is not an X300U-A to begin with.