Every Day Carry Light -- rail-mounted or compact flashlight?

[JoeWickman]

Hi Everybody,

Enjoying the site. It's nice to know I'm not the only one carrying out there.

I'm wondering what you guys have found handy for an EDC light. A light, like a knife, would come in handy as an everyday tool, and could function in an emergency to blind an opponent or identify a weapon in their hand.

I see two options:

1) A rail-mountable light such as the Glock gtl 10

Is it really realistic that I'm going to use the rail mount with an IWB holster? Probably not.
Could I carry it in a pouch on my belt? I guess so. But if I've got to mount it, what's the point?
It's not like I'm clearing houses on a regular basis. (ever)

2) A compact flashlight such as the Fenix LD or TK series.
I could carry one of these on my belt next to my extra mag. It would be easy enough to carry everyday, provided I stick to the compact line.

Thoughts?
What do you carry?

-- jwick

[ramrunnr]

My Glock in the nightstand is Option one (Streamlight TLR-3), my EDC carry is option 2 (Fenix LD20).

I rail mounted light in a IWB, I haven't seen a IWB holster that would hold a handgun with a light mounted. I think that the handheld is better for EDC because you are not going to have the time to fumble with putting a light on the gun, you might not have time for the light period.

[Templing]

I carry a light as I feel better about scanning an area with white light without having a gun pointed at something. My laser with follow up with targeting after I found a target.

[disneyr]

+1 to what Templing said. Ditto.

[aj's 40 cal]

my house gun M&P .40 has a streamlight tlr-2 (light laser combo) on it, but i carry my springfield XD-subcompact in a crossbreed supertuck and use a streamlight PT2L that clips on my belt, pocket, or cargo pocket and it has 180 lumens of light and a strobe mode. great buy for $40.

[CPW1265]

My edc is a 4Sevens AA2 quark Tactical. It runs on 2 AA's and is great. Because I can get AA's anywhere . It comes with a clip and is quite inexpensive at $60. I carry it everywhere just like my firearm.
In regards to a weapon mounted light smith and wesson has a new one for $90 on cheaperthandirt.com

[JoeWickman]

Thanks everybody. That really helps sort it out in my mind. I think the most practical move is to go with the stand-alone light, rather than a rail-mounted one.

[Firefighterchen]

I have an o light m series light as my handheld. I will eventually buy a trl series light for my handgun, and buy raven concealment (iwb and owb). Why choose one or the other, have both :-)

[trailboss]

Like everything now, there are many forums. One forum I read is all about flashlights.
a while back they took a pole of the members. "If you could only have one flashlight, which one". Over 800 members voted. Here are the top five flashlights from that poll in order.

HDS Systems: HDS Systems - Everyday Carry (EDC) Flashlights
SureFire 6P Original Flashlight
H501 Headlamp AA Flood w/ new UI
NITECORE Official Website| Professional Flashlight manufacturer
SureFire A2 LED Aviator® Flashlight

I have #3 and #4(my EDC). Both are awesome.

[msw105]

i have a streamlight tlr-2s for my glock 17. Even though its a fairly small unit I wouldn't try to and keep it on my pistol IWB.