Auto-on flashlight or laser?

[JWKilgore]

During a discussion today we were talking about the usefulness of a laser or light in a real draw-and-fire self defense situation. Other than the Crimson Trace type where they come on automatically when you grip the gun properly, I say they're all but useless "in the wild". Maybe if you are defending yourself in your house and you have time to think to switch it on they have a use. Otherwise, self-defense theory is that if you have time to pause and switch your laser/light on, you drew too soon.

 

Is anyone aware of an auto-on laser or light system? This would be something as simple as a large spring-loaded switch on the laser housing. The switch would be depressed while it is in a holster (off) and spring open when the weapon is drawn (on). One thought is that it would have to be configured such that simply gripping the weapon with the off hand shouldn't turn the light back off. Or it could have a magnet embedded in the holster to switch the light off.

[gjohnsoniv]

IIRC Surefire makes one for their lights.  It wraps below you trigger guard and has a pressure pad at the very end where your middle finger would be.  So essentially it works like the Crimson Trace.

[dcloudy777]

I don't want anything emitting a visible signature from my gun until I'm very sure I want it to.

[MacGyver]

This is a problem that could probably be solved by some good training - both in the classroom and on the range.  Think about this a little bit and I think you'll come to the conclusion that the cons far outweigh the pros.

 

Not that you couldn't sell the heck out of one.  Lord knows the gun owning public has repeatedly proven that they'll buy about anything. 

 

Both of my primary carry pistols carry lights, specifically Surefire x300s.  Turning them on when I need them isn't an issue.

[mmirob]

Someone already thought of that gadget!  http://www.viridiangreenlaser.com/products/tacloc/

 

Comes on when you draw from holster.  It's been around for awhile now.  But it's plastic/poly/kydex or the like and not very comfy.

[JWKilgore]

mmirob, that's exactly what I was asking about. For what it's worth, it appears as if all their current line of lights/laser have the feature, and they sell an ECR "upgrade kit" for $15 that allows you to use any holster to activate the light. It's probably just an overpriced magnet. 

 

This was originally just a hypothetical discussion, but since the product actually already exists I may do some research on getting one for my wife's carry pistol. Yes, yes, I know that with practice turning the light/laser on during draw becomes second nature, but getting her to practice drawing is not an easy task.