• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

Unconcealed Carry -- MagLight

B

Bill Marsh

Joined
Mar 26, 2002
Messages
1,861
I have done a bit of traveling and I have often carried an unconcealed flashlight. I like the MagLight 3 D-cell version. $20 at Home depot or Costco. Small problem is that I can not find D-Cells in odd packs. You can get two, four, eight -- well, just get TWO MagLIghts and SIX batteries, but I digress.

I like it because it is not balatently a weapon. Cop shines HIS MagLight in my car and sees a khuk, crowbar, pistol, shotgun, sword even a baseball bat, he is going to get suspicious.

I get in a bad situation carrying a big knife, club, gun --- the other guy will certainly be getting ready or start shooting. But just carrying a flashlight? I guess it would be better at night, but don't a lot of 'situations' happen at night?

Though it would not be my weapon of choice, it might slow an opponent down enough to get the Glock or whatever out of my pocket.

A three cell MagLight can be an incredible club. I carry mine in a belt ring that you slip the flashlight down until the head holds it there.

Now I don't go into the really bad places anyhow, but I have been happy I had it a few times. I buy run-down real estate and have run into a few homeless dug in and not liking me there. Well, I have my Glock also, but the flashlight is comforting and would definetley turn out someone's lights.

Another advantage is that it puts out a lot of light. And you already have it out if you need it, just swing. Don't have to get it out of your pocket or some other concealed carry place.

I hold mine in my right hand with my thumb on the switch, up near the head. With the body resting on my shoulder. This puts it in a great position for a downward smash.

No police, airline checker (in carry-on baggage), or any other militant has had a problem with my flashlight. One guy did make me turn it on to be sure it was merely a flashlight, but back in my carry-on and on the plane. The same time they confiscated my wife's manicure scissors, but left me alone.

All I was carrying was a nice flashlight.

http://www.maglite.com/productline.asp

If you want to get serious, here is one that will do much more.

http://www.autoweapons.com/photosv/dcellgun.html
 
I was going to get the smaller maglight when a friend said; "look; when do you really need a flashlight? When you're broken down by the side of the road at night, right? And what will you use should some low life stop by to take what he can get from you? The bigger the flashlight the better."

I have the 4 D cell. I looked at the five, but that really is getting obsence.



munk
 
My 4-cell has been a faithful companion for at least a decade. My friend had a 6-cell that you could almost use as a walking stick.
 
Perfect for "flash and smash" self defense:

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main.pl?pgm=co_disp&func=displ&strfnbr=6&prrfnbr=1132&sesent=0,0

They also have more sheeple friendly looking ones, without the teeth on the bezel.

I too have been looking at self defense outside of the pocket knife. A pocket knife can be deadly, but doesn't necessarily stop an attack quickly. Not to mention the fact that you come across as evil when you defend yourself with one, no matter how justified you were. I made some micarta koppo sticks and have been testing those out.
 
Inova has some led flashlights (T3,T4) that are as small as the Surefire but cheaper on ebay in the 60 dollar range and as bright if not brighter (85 lumens for the T3) and it uses the same type of batteries. Small enough for everyday carry and I might add I carry a Surefire 6P and 9N at work. Haven't tried either of them yet but looking into getting a T3.


James
 
I have the same 4-D cell maglite that I carried in the cab in 1982. It has survived the lens being melted by some kid with a lighter, the reflector being ruined and replaced by me, two sets of exploded batteries when I left it in the hot sun, and being stolen twice. The last time I had to go to the guys house the next day and demand it back, as he had swiped it as I was going off shift. (Long story!)

Only change I have made is to add the krypton bulbs, and from Mag instrument about 10 years ago I ordered the D-ring tailcap which is flat and has an integral ring so the light can stand on end much easier (lantern mode) or hang by the tailcap off a hook.

My brother was a cop for 15 years, and he said all the guys used Duracells in their Mags lights as they were a bit heavier. (? Ouch!) Mine has been dropped, thrown, smashed several windows, and put a series of dents into the new trunk lid of an '85 Buick ($30 long ride, wouldn't pay when we got home, and told me to "F&^k Off".) Still works.

BTW, in "The Truth About Self-Protection" circa early 80's, Massad Ayoob had a Chapter I still vividly recall called "Fighting Flashlights." He said as I recall that the 4-D cell was minimum, the 5-D cell better, and the 6-D cell Mag-lite the ultimate "fighting flashlight!" Well, yeah, but he also advocated carrying them all stuck down in your hip pocket with the rest of the light up under your shirt. How ridiculous would this be with even a 4-D cell? I always wondered what in hell he was thinking.

Anyway, I'm with Bill and Munk on the sizes. I have several 3-D cells I keep around the house, and a couple of D-Cell leather flashlight rings from the police supply place I can thread onto my belt when I go outside at night or take the dog for a walk. In the car is the 4-D cell snapped into the brackets they sell.

A 3-D cell hanging from your belt is the perfect size. The new Streamlights and Sure-Fires are nice, but don't have quite the same "thunk" value of the original Mag-lights....(-:

Regards,

Norm

P.S. That Ares .410 light is sweet! but $600! :eek: You would sure give some bad guy a surprise though, and nothing to draw.
 
My current black 4-D dates to 1979 or so and rides next to my seat in the truck or in a belt loop as described...but I also have a pretty 3-D red one that is mounted in the truck "saddlebag" (Avalanche).

.
 
The batteries leaked in mine. Now one of the leaky batteries is stuck in the tube. :(

I can't get it out.

Make sure you change yer batteries every few years.
 
Svashtar said:
BTW, in "The Truth About Self-Protection" circa early 80's, Massad Ayoob had a Chapter I still vividly recall called "Fighting Flashlights."
Click to expand...
Ayoob goes into some additional detail in his slightly more obscure "Fundamentals of Modern Police Impact Weapons."
 
BruiseLeee said:
The batteries leaked in mine. Now one of the leaky batteries is stuck in the tube. :(

I can't get it out.

Make sure you change yer batteries every few years.
Click to expand...

Bruise...try standing it uprightand pouring in a cola product (diet Pepsi worked for me). It *should free the corrosion, but the swelling might still require you to open both ends and *drive* the cell out with a hammer (I have several and would be glad let you borrow one if you like).


.
 
Nasty said:
Bruise...try standing it uprightand pouring in a cola product (diet Pepsi worked for me). It *should free the corrosion, but the swelling might still require you to open both ends and *drive* the cell out with a hammer (I have several and would be glad let you borrow one if you like).


.
Click to expand...

How do you get the other end off? I didn't know it was removable. I'll will try this. thanks. :)
 
BruiseLeee said:
How do you get the other end off? I didn't know it was removable. I'll will try this. thanks. :)
Click to expand...
Just remember Bruise, Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey.:rolleyes: :p :D ;)
 
Nasty said:
Bruise...try standing it uprightand pouring in a cola product (diet Pepsi worked for me). It *should free the corrosion, but the swelling might still require you to open both ends and *drive* the cell out with a hammer (I have several and would be glad let you borrow one if you like).


.
Click to expand...

If Bruise needs a hammer, he'll sharpen a khuk! :eek:

:D
 
Howard, you friggn slay me!

Bruise, the batteries kablooied in mine once and the switch died ~ maglite sent me a new one, don't know if they still do that or not.

I am partial to the 4 c cell maglites, I think that they are easier to hang on to. But then again I might be a wussy :rolleyes:
 
The batteries leaked in mine. Now one of the leaky batteries is stuck in the tube.

I can't get it out.

Make sure you change yer batteries every few years."" Bruise

Yep, me too. Except the batteries didn't get stuck. I had written it off as no good but I cleaned it up and it still works 5 years later. I also Wrapped the knurled grip with white twine that makes it easier to find in the dark and improves grip in case the light gets slippery with iron rich liquid ;) :D

I also have a surefire that accompanies me when things go bump in the night and my handgun is in the other hand...

Someone should move that to the political forum
Click to expand...
ROTFLMAO!! :D
 
I always use Duracells and had a set leak. MAG sent me a new light under a warranty agreement with Duracell. Not sure if they still have the same policy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top