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View Poll Results: Which technique do you prefer when pairing a flashlight with a handgun?
Harries 47 55.95%
Marine Corps 2 2.38%
Chapman 1 1.19%
Ayoob 2 2.38%
FBI 18 21.43%
Hargreaves Lite-Touch 1 1.19%
Keller Technique 0 0%
Neck-Index 9 10.71%
Rogers/Surefire 4 4.76%
Voters: 84. You may not vote on this poll

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Old August 11, 2009, 12:19 PM   #1
Hank15
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Which technique do you prefer when pairing a flashlight with a handgun? Why?

Vote on the poll, list your reasons in your post.

http://www.surefire.com/articles-handheld_techniques <== just for reference.

I noticed the Rogers/Surefire technique isn't mentioned, so...if you're not familiar with it, just hold your flashlight in your weak hand as if it was a syringe ,hold your handgun as you normally would, and voila.

Edit: I spelled Harries wrong. I don't know how to edit polls, so please excuse my mistake.

Last edited by pax; August 11, 2009 at 03:39 PM. Reason: Fixed the spelling. ;) - pax
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Old August 11, 2009, 12:41 PM   #2
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Flashlight and Gun?

I prefer it mounted on the bottom of the frame on my G19 or G35. My TLR-1 works great with dual action switch.
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Old August 11, 2009, 12:42 PM   #3
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I prefer Harries and FBI; choosing between these two is dependent on circumstances.

Harries works very well as a shooting position when you're ensconced. I like the fact that it is essentially Weaver-with-a-flashlight, and that the flashlight is pointed directly at the threat along with the firearm. However, it does not work well around cover and it is downright dangerous as a moving / searching technique both because it encourages you to point the firearm at unidentified people (who may not be a threat) and because it entangles your arms and prevents you from being able to shove or bludgeon your way out of trouble.

FBI technique is my preferred method when not ensconced, when searching or when moving through the house to safety. It works well around either side cover, and keeps the light (bullet magnet) away from my hands, body, and head. It provides good illumination to the sights as well as the target, an important consideration for those not using lasers or night sights. It also allows the flashlight but not the firearm to point directly at an unidentified person whom I may not be willing to shoot. And in close quarters, I do like having my non-shooting hand free to shove or bludgeon or break free as needed if I'm ambushed.

Oh, one more thought. I'm not a fan of Harries for those who haven't yet internalized the muzzle direction as it pertains to the non-dominant hand, because too often people put the flashlight out and then swing their muzzles across their own hands as they bring the firearm into the Harries position. Of course that's a training issue, but it's also a significant concern. If you decide to self-teach this technique, discipline yourself to ALWAYS put gun out, then flashlight -- and to pull flashlight back, then gun -- as you get in and out of the position. Don't do it the other way around.

For FBI, start out by learning to shoot well one-handed. After you've learned that, then transition to shooting one-handed with a flashlight in your other hand.

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Old August 11, 2009, 01:40 PM   #4
Shawn Thompson
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I voted for the neck index; what I actually use is a "jaw index" which is very similar. I like having a little more protection up around the "off switch" (chin).

I find that interlocking techniques like the Harries put me in a position to point my firearm at anything I want to identify with the light. When I took into account that I have young children in my own home it really motivated me to practice other methods that insured their safety as well.

Using this type of method also allows for better retention of my firearm while independant of the operation of the light. In some cases retaining your weapon might be aided by the fact that you can still use your light for quick, sharp defensive blows. Not to mention the increased ability to perform additional tasks such as opening or closing a door without having to compromise my prefered weapon/light technique.

I realize that weapon mounted light systems may help you accomplish similar feats, but again you may find yourself pointing a loaded weapon at someone you may not intend to.
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Old August 11, 2009, 02:44 PM   #5
Al Thompson
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Harries/FBI for me - but - IMHO, you need to be familiar with several. I use the Ayoob when I'm running my Mag-Lite.

Different flashlights and different handguns may make for different techniques. Different people may use different techniques based on body types and physical abilities.

Need more than one tool in the tool box.

Thanks for the link as well - good article!
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Old August 11, 2009, 03:03 PM   #6
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not a real fan of flashlights....i mean dont they just give away your position...
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Old August 11, 2009, 03:14 PM   #7
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I generally prefer the FBI technique with a mag light, but held out and low on the left instead of over my head as pictured in the article. I like having my light stream independent of my bullet path, and the option to club the perp without having to use my gun (still assault with a deadly weapon) in a detain but no-shoot situation. I only really care for WMLs on long guns. The Mayoob and Marine Corps techniques look very awkward to me, and I was never taught to employ the latter when the Corps issued me a Beretta. I think the Harries has a place, but I don't train for it.
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Old August 11, 2009, 03:16 PM   #8
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They do if you're dumb enough to use it that way.
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Old August 11, 2009, 03:21 PM   #9
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Just FYI on the poll, it's the "Harries" technique not the "Harris"
Quote:
I prefer Harries and FBI; choosing between these two is dependent on circumstances.
Yup, I'm with Pax.
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Old August 11, 2009, 03:56 PM   #10
Al Thompson
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TGS, not really an issue. I've lost count of the number of people I've zapped with a good strong (Surefire Nitrolon G3 is a fav) flashlight and absolutely had 2 or 3 seconds to assess the threat and react accordingly.

http://www.surefire.com/G3-Nitrolon

It's ain't your Daddy's flashlight!
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Old August 11, 2009, 04:07 PM   #11
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head lamp...?


Okay sorry, but honestly I like the FBI way... just comfortable with my hands where I need them and if it turns into hand to hand I can strike with the light...
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Old August 11, 2009, 05:19 PM   #12
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I teach Harries Technique to new shooters but from force of habit use FBI technique. Comes from years of one handed shooting and old habits from using what was first taught to me.
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Old August 11, 2009, 05:54 PM   #13
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Harries Technique. Most stable shooting platform for me.
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Old August 11, 2009, 07:49 PM   #14
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Harries (left barrier) and something similar to what they are calling the Chapman technique (right barrier). When moving (running) I will most often adopt a shoulder or neck-index technique.
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Old August 11, 2009, 08:42 PM   #15
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Harries if shooting Weaver, Rogers if shooting Isosceles. As others have said, I think it's wise to not be married to any one technique, either flashlight or shooting stance, but rather being familiar with several and able to adapt technique to situation.
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Old August 11, 2009, 08:54 PM   #16
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I'm with Steviewonder1.
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Old August 11, 2009, 09:02 PM   #17
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I flow between several as necessary, typically but not exclusively neck index, FBI, and Harries.
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Old August 11, 2009, 09:45 PM   #18
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Just FYI, I had no idea what a "Hargraves Lite-Touch was" so I had to look it up. Gosh ya learn something every day.

So just as a reference....

Lite-Touch, Modified FBI, and Cross Support (for long guns)
http://www.nrapublications.org/si/HB_longgun.html

Chapman, Ayoob, Harries, Rogers/Surefire, Modified FBI, Neck Index (for pistol)
http://www.nrapublications.org/si/HB_handgun.html
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Old August 11, 2009, 10:20 PM   #19
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Harries is what I was taught and I actually shot pretty well using it. I've never tried a mounted flashlight.
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Old August 12, 2009, 12:44 AM   #20
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I have a WML and am a huge fan! I was clearing a apartment looking for Man with a Gun and the WML was superb---good two handed grip light and barrel pointed identically. I am buying one for all my guns---next uniform check.
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Old August 12, 2009, 01:43 PM   #21
wm.mcintosh
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Prefer Neck Index

Having tried most of the techniques listed I prefer and encourage my students to at least try the neck index - more than once. I like it becuase it forces the flashlight to follow your line of sight, when it is used properly. All to often I have witnessed trainees looking around and the flashlight is still pointed in the original position - straight ahead.
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Old August 12, 2009, 04:12 PM   #22
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Harries, just feels right has limits but just a habit
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Old August 12, 2009, 07:16 PM   #23
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I like the FBI method. Having the flashlight well away from me just seems wise.
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Old August 12, 2009, 09:36 PM   #24
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I like the Harries, . . . but modify it so that my pistol rests much closer to my left elbow (right hand shooter), . . . taking the light out and away from me.

If the shooter shoots at the light (and if he is accurate) he will miss me to my right, . . . and until I pull the trigger, . . . he most likely will not know where I am in relation to the light, . . . especially if I have my beam on his face.

Anyway, . . . my $.02

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Old August 13, 2009, 11:26 PM   #25
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I use the Harris with the light hand instead going over my shooting arm at the elbow (Im right handed), To clarify my right elbow is under the middle of my left forearm. If I need to I can lower the pistol and take a fast overhand swing with my EL GRANDE maglite. Also if the pistol Jams (not that MY sd gun would) or if it runs out of ammo simply lean the pistol to the right into the light beam for a fast visual inspection.
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