No.
But the visual “scare factor” does help focus the shooter’s attention, AND the attacker’s attention on his , er, “midsection” of interest.
Toss in a pair of aviator shades and a black jacket, and I would say it’s a requirement.
I keep a flashlight next to me at night. If it should happen I’ll have both going. 1600 lumens should give me an advantage. I’m not stupid, want to see who I’m shooting.
:: Flashlight can help you identify who is in front of you and prevent tragedies before making that choice to use deadly force ::
Added effect is that, in the dark, the bright light “freezes” an intruder’s sight, making it difficult to engage the victim.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcWVL4B-4pI
EDC pistol, no.
Nightstand pistol, gunlight rail-mounted.
A laser pointer is unnecessary, IMO, since I have trained to shoot at night with flashlights and I know the sights stand out very well against a lit target.
Do you really need a Laser/Flashlight on Pistols for Home Defense?
Yes, most definitely yes!
In 2008 a lady threatened my life and proved she could whack me by illegally entering our home when we where away, 3 times. We were both quite scared.
So I got a laser/light for my XD40. And practiced over and over retrieving it in dark and aiming. What I learned is the light is very blinding to the attacker, the red dot was bright enough to show very well on the target. After several practice sessions I was very confident I could splatter this bitch all over the bedroom walls.
Without the lights the attacker would not have been blinded and the shot would have to be taken in the dark based on sound, which means no positive target identification.
I tried turning on the nite stand lamp instead of using the XD40’s light & fumbled a couple times knocking the lamp over.
BTW, that light setup is useless in daylight.
What?! No mention of the “shoot me first” jacket (AKA Photojournalist vest) ?!?!
I don’t use a laser on my 12 gauge pump....just sayin’.
Not necessary but it is a combat multiplier.
Home security is often needed after getting woken up from a sleep, so yes, laser is very useful. Also for those of us that wear glasses, we may not have time to put on the glasses before needing to aim the weapon.
It also lets them or whoever is with them know exactly where you are.
My daughter opted for the laser sighting, partly because she had no voice at the time she bought her gun. The laser counts as giving the bad guy “fair warning” when she could not do so vocally.
Absolutely! A bright flashlight in the eyes makes the person you are pointing it unable to determine your exact position and it illuminates the target. Win/Win
My Kimber .45 has Crimson Trace lazer built in to the hand grip.
Nice.
I hit where the red dot goes.
Tracers and laser sights work both ways.
Springfield XDs 3.3” .45 with Big Dot night sights and a Streamlight TLR-3 is my nightstand weapon. EDC: Big Dot sights only on all of my handguns. No lasers.
This is a good discussion. I’ve been looking at laser mount especially for nighttime, As I am slower than I used to be as far as aim.
.410 pump action shotgun for home defense, not pistol.
It just seems to me that the flashlight is like illuminating yourself as a target. I think that’s been over done on tv. There’s quite enough ambient light around my home without that. But I do go for the laser. It helps to zero in my target at night.