Tactical Light
Pros:
- Illuminates target
- Aids in low-sight sighting
- Increases shoot/no shoot capability
Cons:
- Doesn’t illuminate sights
- Gives position away
Do some research and you’ll find there’s a multitude of conflicting opinions regard rail lights. There’s almost no debate on one fact: Identifying who or what you are aiming at is absolutely critical.
Some people feel that a rail mounted light gives away your position in a confrontation, and that an armed bad guy could shoot toward the light. Thus, some argue that a simple tactical flashlight, held away from your body is ideal. The downside to this is, of course, both hands are occupied.
So lights are equipped with a strobe feature that will disorient an adversary temporarily, allowing you more time to make a shoot/no shoot decision. Rail lights free up your support hand, if you need to speak to a 911 operator as you hold an intruder.
Also, a little practice with your light, and you can use it to aim with, similar to how you’d use a laser (although with far less precision).