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Posted: 11/1/2012 2:56:32 PM EDT
| After buying an AR15 for home defense/range plinking/shtf and getting iron sights plus ammo/mags. Would you buy a surefire weapon light first or a aimpoint/eotech optic first? I am think a weapon light would be more important, but what do you guys think should come first? |
| If the gun may ever need to actually be used for home defense, I'd say get a flashlight first. But in reality, you will get way more use and enjoyment out of an optic. But there is always that one in a million chance that a bad guy breaks into your home and the flashlight could save your ass, sooooooo...... |
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I would go light before optics.
But master your rifle with irons first. In an HD situation that is going to matter most. Next a light to identify targets and optic last as you most likely wont be making shots past 100yds in this sort of situation. Just remember the light and optics are electronics that have a greater chance of failing. (probably slim though especially if you're buying Eotech and Surefire) |
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I would definitely go optic first. For home defense, rarely is my home so dark that I can't see and identify a target. However, shooting with irons in low light is extremely difficult. That front sight post is next to impossible to see in low light. An optic will be faster, you'll have better target acquisition, and you'll be more accurate. For me, a light is used as more of a search tool than a target acquisition tool. Like a previous poster said, lights can be had at relatively low cost nowadays.
I'm going to go out on a limb, and I'll probably get flamed for this, but I think you should practice and become an expert on your primary sighting system. If you're going to use iron sights, then be the best you can with it. If you're going to use an optic, then know that optic and be as proficient as you can with it. If you have back up iron sights, be able to use it in an emergency. I practice a lot more with my Eotech turned off then I do with my iron sights. Why? Because if my Eotech fails me, I want to be able to continue to engage without having to flip up my irons. Fortunately that's never happened in a real life situation, but it has done it to me in the middle of a course of fire during a class I was taking and in the middle of a stage during a match. Both times, I was able to continue without skipping a beat. |
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I would definitely go optic first. For home defense, rarely is my home so dark that I can't see and identify a target. However, shooting with irons in low light is extremely difficult. That front sight post is next to impossible to see in low light. An optic will be faster, you'll have better target acquisition, and you'll be more accurate. For me, a light is used as more of a search tool than a target acquisition tool. Like a previous poster said, lights can be had at relatively low cost nowadays. I'm going to go out on a limb, and I'll probably get flamed for this, but I think you should practice and become an expert on your primary sighting system. If you're going to use iron sights, then be the best you can with it. If you're going to use an optic, then know that optic and be as proficient as you can with it. If you have back up iron sights, be able to use it in an emergency. I practice a lot more with my Eotech turned off then I do with my iron sights. Why? Because if my Eotech fails me, I want to be able to continue to engage without having to flip up my irons. Fortunately that's never happened in a real life situation, but it has done it to me in the middle of a course of fire during a class I was taking and in the middle of a stage during a match. Both times, I was able to continue without skipping a beat. Not to hijack the thread, but it sounds like your EOTech failed on you twice. What was the resolution for the failure(s)? Joe |
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Optics.
Who the heck lives in a house that's so completely dark at night that you'd need a flashlight? Also, why would you want to let whoever's in your house know you're coming? Whereas you know your house, an intruder doesn't. Bad guys aim at the flashlight. Just yank the charging handle one good time, so he hears it, and to give him a chance to get the hell out. |
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Optics. Who the heck lives in a house that's so completely dark at night that you'd need a flashlight? Also, why would you want to let whoever's in your house know you're coming? Whereas you know your house, an intruder doesn't. Bad guys aim at the flashlight. Just yank the charging handle one good time, so he hears it, and to give him a chance to get the hell out. wut? is this similar to racking your shotgun? |
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Optics. Who the heck lives in a house that's so completely dark at night that you'd need a flashlight? Also, why would you want to let whoever's in your house know you're coming? Whereas you know your house, an intruder doesn't. Bad guys aim at the flashlight. Just yank the charging handle one good time, so he hears it, and to give him a chance to get the hell out. Ever been in a house when the power is out? Could you ID friend or foe in that light? Is there a no shoot behind the target? What good is shooting faster if it's the wrong target? Come on man ,it's one of the damn safety rules. Lights are less expensive ,so they are acquired faster therefore increasing your effectiveness sooner than an optic you are waiting to get and the light after that. Bird in the hand and all that jazz. |
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Optics. Who the heck lives in a house that's so completely dark at night that you'd need a flashlight? Also, why would you want to let whoever's in your house know you're coming? Whereas you know your house, an intruder doesn't. Bad guys aim at the flashlight. Just yank the charging handle one good time, so he hears it, and to give him a chance to get the hell out. Terrible advice. Have you ever had a bright light in your eyes? |
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Maybe it's just me, but I would imagine that if someone is in my house late at night, and all of my family is accounted for, I can't imagine he/she being a friendly. What kind of neighborhood y'all be living in? 
Does your entire family sleep in one room? |
| Like most have said get a light first. You can find a g2 with mount on the ee for $50-$80. Optics are $300-600. Buy the light and get the optic when you can afford it, or come across a good deal. And never ever rack the charging handle to let a criminal know you mean business. |
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I would definitely go optic first. For home defense, rarely is my home so dark that I can't see and identify a target. However, shooting with irons in low light is extremely difficult. That front sight post is next to impossible to see in low light. An optic will be faster, you'll have better target acquisition, and you'll be more accurate. For me, a light is used as more of a search tool than a target acquisition tool. Like a previous poster said, lights can be had at relatively low cost nowadays. I'm going to go out on a limb, and I'll probably get flamed for this, but I think you should practice and become an expert on your primary sighting system. If you're going to use iron sights, then be the best you can with it. If you're going to use an optic, then know that optic and be as proficient as you can with it. If you have back up iron sights, be able to use it in an emergency. I practice a lot more with my Eotech turned off then I do with my iron sights. Why? Because if my Eotech fails me, I want to be able to continue to engage without having to flip up my irons. Fortunately that's never happened in a real life situation, but it has done it to me in the middle of a course of fire during a class I was taking and in the middle of a stage during a match. Both times, I was able to continue without skipping a beat. Not to hijack the thread, but it sounds like your EOTech failed on you twice. What was the resolution for the failure(s)? Joe PLUS ONE |
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Optics. Who the heck lives in a house that's so completely dark at night that you'd need a flashlight? Also, why would you want to let whoever's in your house know you're coming? Whereas you know your house, an intruder doesn't. Bad guys aim at the flashlight. Just yank the charging handle one good time, so he hears it, and to give him a chance to get the hell out. ::sigh:: Another one?
OP - light and sling first. Besides the G2/6P and mount option, 170 Lumen X300s are running about $150 on the EE as everyone races to switch their like new pistol lights for the X300 Ultras. A sling is pretty critical, too, and decent, workable solutions can be had for pretty cheap. While I personally think high quality more expensive slings are pretty worthwhile, we did the same thing for years with para cord and standard USGI silent slings. Sew an ALICE pack strap to an M60 sling - instant padded VTAC. ~Augee |
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I would definitely go optic first. For home defense, rarely is my home so dark that I can't see and identify a target. However, shooting with irons in low light is extremely difficult. That front sight post is next to impossible to see in low light. An optic will be faster, you'll have better target acquisition, and you'll be more accurate. For me, a light is used as more of a search tool than a target acquisition tool. Like a previous poster said, lights can be had at relatively low cost nowadays. I'm going to go out on a limb, and I'll probably get flamed for this, but I think you should practice and become an expert on your primary sighting system. If you're going to use iron sights, then be the best you can with it. If you're going to use an optic, then know that optic and be as proficient as you can with it. If you have back up iron sights, be able to use it in an emergency. I practice a lot more with my Eotech turned off then I do with my iron sights. Why? Because if my Eotech fails me, I want to be able to continue to engage without having to flip up my irons. Fortunately that's never happened in a real life situation, but it has done it to me in the middle of a course of fire during a class I was taking and in the middle of a stage during a match. Both times, I was able to continue without skipping a beat. Not to hijack the thread, but it sounds like your EOTech failed on you twice. What was the resolution for the failure(s)? Joe PLUS ONE I had the old battery box. The second time it happened, the optic never turned back on. I figured the batteries died on me. So when I went to change out the battery, the battery connectors inside the box fell out. Eotech sent me their "new" battery box, and I haven't had any issues since. It was a 553 model in case you were wondering. |
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Optics. Who the heck lives in a house that's so completely dark at night that you'd need a flashlight? Also, why would you want to let whoever's in your house know you're coming? Whereas you know your house, an intruder doesn't. Bad guys aim at the flashlight. Just yank the charging handle one good time, so he hears it, and to give him a chance to get the hell out. wut? is this similar to racking your shotgun? I agree. My dad almost shot me once in our dark house because he didn't have a light. Get the light, then the optic. |
| Some people are saying that their home is never dark at night. What happens if you go outside your house at night? Look at those unfortunate ones in the east coast who haven't had their power back on in days. Like they always say..."Better to have it and not need it......you get the picture. |
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Some people are saying that their home is never dark at night. What happens if you go outside your house at night? Look at those unfortunate ones in the east coast who haven't had their power back on in days. Like they always say..."Better to have it and not need it......you get the picture. +1000 Unless you have night vision on your optics are useless in pitch black or just dark in general. You never know if a thief is good and cuts your power off or the in natural disasters like Katrina or the tornados that tore this country up this past year people loot and hurt people over food and shit. Good luck protecting your self in the dark with no light. |
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^ To the guys above, while this is true in the disaster times...How often will you be walking around with an ar with your flashlight outside or even inside. I lost power for a day during sandy and I actually removed my m300a and used it as an actual flashlight-not a weaponlight lol.
So I'd say get a good regular flashlight first. And its certainly your money so do what will make you happier. I know most guys will say get the light first, and I'd agree with some of the reasons, but its just a hell of a lot more fun to get an optic first. 
I'd say save up for that expensive optic (use the money you would use on the light, and put it towards the sight) I only say this because thats what I did 
edit: The guys reasoning above is why I did get a weaponlight though....just so I make that clear. |
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Get the light first. The 200 lumen surefires are being passed up since the fury's have come out and can be found new well under $100. Throw it in a VTAC mount and you have a decent set up for a reasonable price.
After that save up $400 for an aimpoint pro. A sling can be found anytime. |
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