…in the Doc Russia Crisis Center:
It’s kinda the same in Kim’s Bunker, except that there’s a flashlight or two next to every “home defense” firearm, i.e. no further than arm’s reach regardless of my location in the house.
I don’t have a flashlight attached to any of my firearms. No big reason; I just don’t see the need to identify my position if I’m about to activate the bang switch. YMMV, and that’s fine — there’s no need for debate on the issue, because I can see both sides of the argument. It’s just a personal preference.
I might change my opinion in the case of the Poodleshooter Piece:
…but I’m still debating the issue with myself. Frankly, I can’t see a situation developing (for me) in which some serious* anti-social night-time activity might become necessary; but I’m not closing my mind to the eventuality, either.
*that can’t be handled by half a dozen or so rounds of .45 ACP or .357 Magnum, I mean.
I find myself in agreement here. Your short AR is a great truck gun or for use if you find yourself in the street defending yourself and others from the mob. Shoot it inside the house and your hearing is permanently gone, most likely.
A magazine of 45 goodness or 357 magnum will take the wind out the sails of anyone unfortunately enough to try to get into your apartment. That would be a supremely bad situation for them.
The light thing, as you say, isn’t worth arguing, it’s a preference item. You have the light, whether it’s on or off the gun doesn’t matter that much, I think. I keep one on The Gauge™ but not on the pistols. Like you, though, I’ve taken to sometimes leaving the Ruger GP100 4” on the nightstand, well. Just because.
Come to think of it, firing that in the bedroom won’t be much better for my hearing than the AR would be. Note to self: Put two sets of earmuffs on the nightstand. Why didn’t I think of that before now??
I prefer a handgun for home defense because i can use it one handed while the other uses a flashlight, calls the police, opens and closes doors, turn on lights, herd people to safety, etc. A rifle or a pistol with a brace is harder to use one handed.
I don’t put lights on guns for several reasons. I might consider it on a carbine though.