Is Maglight my best bet?

B

Bladeswinger

Joined
Jul 1, 2001
Messages
1,297
Is maglight still the best as far as using a flashlight for a high impact weapon? I'm looking for a good flashlight that can smash a wattermellon to bits and still shine a light afterwards. If not, please direct me to the best thing available in that area. Thank you!
 
While working in the ER I treated countless (uncontrolable) individuals who were controlled by Maglights. The individuals had various sizes of lacerations on their heads but the Maglights continued to work well. One individual had the imprint of the on/off switch in his forehead but the light went on to lead a long and productive life.:D I don't know about any of the rest but the Maglight sure passed this test...


Dean
 
probably. i dont know of any other flashlight as inexpensive, durable, heavy, and readily available as a 3D (or larger) maglite. not the brightest, certainly not the lightest (weight), and only mediocre beam quality but when a head has to be bashed nothing beats it.
 
I've been very happy with my Streamlight SL20X. As a matter of fact that is the light of choice for Police Officers in my area. Bright as hell, durable, rechargeable, and makes a good impact weapon if need be.
 
My younger sister often works late at night so I gave her a 5-C-cell MagLite for her birthday. It works even better during bright sunlight.;) ;) ;)
 
You will probably find more policemen using Streamlights for that purpose. More light, less weight, FASTER SWING!;) ;)
 
Do a search for "maglight" in the Practical Tactical forum. I know this has been covered. I believe the recommended light was the 3 and 4 C cell lights. Better grip and faster than the D cell lights.

Scott
 
Hi...

Maglight is a decent light...

Its fast becoming a dinosaur when it comes to light though...

The Beam quite Frankly Blows.. I thought they were the best thing going until I started playing with other lights...

Put it this way,, I've got probably close to a dozen or so of them kicking around.. Most are collecting dust...
I wouldn't buy another....

Look into the Streamlights..

They are very well made,, kick Maglights a$$ when it comes to beam shape and throw...

One thing for sure..Maglight use to be #1,, but if they don't get off their butts and develope some different lights, and fast,, they are going to be at the bottom of the Heap,, Real quick....If they aren't there already...R&D at Maglight seems non existent...

ttyle

Eric...
 
Originally posted by Normark
...The Beam quite Frankly Blows.. I thought they were the best thing going until I started playing with other lights...
Click to expand...

Agreed. I didn't know how good a flashlight can be until I started buying Surefires. Of course, the difference in price is something to consider.
 
I have to disagree with the other posters.

You can get a good sized C or D cell Maglite for under $20. Then go to Radio Shack and buy one of their Xenon bulbs designed to fit in your new Maglite for about two bucks.

You now have an inexpensive portable sun that can also be used to club the stuffing out of things, for less than the cost of a bundle of Surefire batteries. The light will be obscenely bright and virtually indestructable.

Maglites do not have the perfectly even, focused beam of high-end flashlights; but this has never presented a problem for me. Generally, you use a flashlight to see in the dark. Anything you can see with a Streamlight can be seen with a Maglite, it will just be illuminated a bit unevenly.

The perfectly even beam of expensive flashlights is a cool (and expensive)technological achievement, but I don't see how it offers any real practical benefits to justify the expense.
 
you know something?...this post motivated me
to appreciate my Maglights more...they are
57 Chevy's but you know what?...they are
dependable classics...and the best we had
just a few years ago...still count on my
Inova and Surefire stuff though...
 
My 6D maglite has been a trusty companion in several dodgy situations over the past 10 years or so. I was once told by a serving copper that the 5C maglite is best as it most resembles the width and weight of a side-handled baton. I know the 6D maglite is slighty over heavy and awkward to swing but out of all the 'bad guys' (burgulars & car thieves) I've come across not a single one has been willing to tackle someone with a two foot metal pipe in their hand, even when they do get some of their night vision back.
I live in the UK were buying a surefire=selling an organ and were all law abiding people are banned from carrying ANY self defense tool at all. That kind of leaves us with cricket bats and big torches and Ive never been one for team sports. My advice is you could do worse than a maglite for an impact weapon.
 
Hey Guys..

No doubt that the Maglight is a very well made flashlight.. For the typical every day user,, its perfectly fine.. Its a good light,, but seriously lack in a few vital areas..

I think Maglight could use a bit of an upgrade in output myself...

I've also got a 6 D cell mag,, that I've used Alot.. I've stopped a home invader in his track as he came up an embankment allowing a cop to tackle him to the ground..

The site of a 240lb guy in a batters stance with a 24" "Pipe" was enough for him to rethink his position.. Funny a cop with a gun was his 2nd option and he took it..LOL:)

I'm seriously thinking of taping my Surefire to my 6D cell Maglight...

Now thats what I call a flashlight!!! :)

ttyle

Eric...
 
Originally posted by donn
...I live in the UK were buying a surefire=selling an organ and were all law abiding people are banned from carrying ANY self defense tool at all. That kind of leaves us with cricket bats and big torches and Ive never been one for team sports. My advice is you could do worse than a maglite for an impact weapon.
Click to expand...


Well...
I have 1 surefire, and two more on the way.
Don't buy them in the UK or Europe, get 'em shipped in.

Use *anything* as an impact weapon and you could get into trouble.
I used to carry a 2D Mag in a ring clip if I was worried anyone would want to chat with me.

I now carry a walking stick - which I have reasonable grounds for carrying - or sometimes metal pole to seperate dogs... since that is made by ASP, if I used it, I might have to drop it down a drain afterwards.

In other places, you'll be told that to defend yourself - the most important thing is to learn and practice. The best weapon in the world is useless if you don't know how to use it...

My *key* to being unsurprised when walking at night in the dark is two inquisitive terriers. Once I surprised a couple of young men who were - let's say - creeping up a bit. The dogs alerted me to their presence. The 6P with 120lumen HOLA lit 'em up. "Evening, chaps. Can I help you?" No, they didn't require my assistance. Mind you, I'm a big rascal anyway. 6'3" and 16 stone 10 [234lbs], so maybe they just wanted to chat to someone smaller.
 
love my 5 'c' cell streamlight batonlite, have had it for 10 yrs i bet, a good light/great weapon imho - i really like the 'c' cells better than the 'd' cells for weapons use, but the 'd' will work ok, just heavier.

greg
 
I've got a 6D Maglight Mounted on the floor of my truck below the stick in case **** ever gets hairy rolling through Oakland. Its the "brotha be cool!" stick. And it's made more then one bum change his mind on screwing with me. Even though the light sucks compared to surefire, It's about as bright as an E2E with new batteries, and its just the right length to reach out and touch someone with.
 
Maglight compared to a Streamlight = no comparison, The amount of light and the focus of the light DOES make a difference if what your looking for in the dark is hiding from you or is coming after you: I walked up to another officer one night who was searching for a guy who was hiding in the trees, he was shining his maglight back and forth and not seeing anything, I turned on my Streamlight and in one pass spotted the guy hiding under some shrubs and sticks. The maglight just didnt have the light output or focus to do it.

The Streamlights are just as durable as any old maglight, I have one thats been carried for about 10 years, it's been dropped on the pavement many times, dropped off the baclony of a apartment building, run over by a car, busted more side windows of cars then I can remember, left in the rain, used as a prybar, used as a baton and has never failed, only replaced the batteries 1x in all those years, so is it made well? Heck yea!

Maglights are good for haveing several laying around in case of a emergency.
Streamlights are the best full sized lights made, and the best light you can use.
Sure-Fire is the best small flashlights there are.
 
Hey Shane...

"Tape"

whats the matter with me..
i'll just make a Concealex holder for it!! :)

Would ber a Great flashlight though Eh!!
LOL

ttyle

Eric...
 
I haven't tried a Surefire in a "real life" situation. Only seen one mounted on a Glock 34 I though about buying some time ago. It sure was bright!!!
But...my 6 cell D Maglite has been my constant companion in the car for the last six years and has more than once helped me out of tricky situations - both requiring lots of light for a long time and a bit of "persuasion" on occasions!
They aren't perfect and not very bright compared to the high end stuff, but they are perfect for me.
I can't afford to loose a $ 60-100 flashlight during night training (bujinkan) and an inexpensive AA Maglite is perfect.
Anyway, less is more in such a situation, as light gives away your postition like nothing else when it's dark!

Bo
 
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