Flashlights as weapons?

[GeeBee]

A buddy just picked up one of these for Christmas:

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/...1132/sesent/00

He has some training in knives and kubotan and made it
look like a practical (with zero resistance) little weapon for strikes and pressure points. The beam was incredibly bright. I'm sure it would temporarily blind your night vision. I read a kubotan post were many members
said they carry 2 and 3 cell "maglites".

What's your opinion on Flashlights as "self defense" weapons?

I'm especially interested in the LEO/Military opinions.
Also, in general, would a flashlight like this with a "striking ring" be considered a concealed weapon?

Does anyone know of a better/similar model at a better price point?

Thanks in advance,
GB

[Musubi Dojo]

Not an LEO.

I'm a big fan of the mini mags and knock offs. They're cheap, solid and not an obvious weapon.

Cheers
c

[Cliff Hargrave]

I prefer them a little bigger:



Best impact weapon ever made. I have about a 100% stop rate with one. I dropped two cops and a bad guy in one fight with one

[Musubi Dojo]

I prefer them a little bigger:



Best impact weapon ever made. I have about a 100% stop rate with one. I dropped two cops and a bad guy in one fight with one

Did the cops owe you money or something?

[Yang Wei Xin]

I think the "EXECUTIVE DEFENDER" inscription on the side gives it away as a weapon.

[GeeBee]

Cliff - 100% compliance - nice! Any advice on a pocket version?

Josh - Yeah, that is pretty funny!
Like "replica .50 cal" in the movie "Snatch".

[jjaje]

hit them, then zap them.

http://www.defensedevices.com/stunflashlight.html

[TicTac]

Flashlights are great (and frequently used) self defense tools in Law Enforcement. We actually teach a ten hour impact weapons course at my department for all new hires. This course includes an 'improvised weapons' section where flashlights, police radios, tire irons, sticks, rocks and pretty much anything that comes to mind are discussed and approved as impact weapons. My department trains that when the $hit hits the fan there are no more rules, except do what it takes to win the fight.


Flashlights are the most frequently used improvised Law Enforcement impact weapon for a couple of reasons:

First - It is shaped almost exactly like a straight baton. This means that we are comfortable using it as an impact weapon and that it serves this purpose well. I think that flashlight companies know this and it is intentional.

Second and probably most important - Availability. Most LE Officers carry a flashlight, even during the day. Not only that, but we carry them in our hand very frequently.

I don't have much experience with Kubatons and not much more with Yawara sticks (I did learn a Yawara Kata from Jujitsu expert Don Cameron), but I would not hesitate to use a small flashlight in a Yawara technique (be it a jab, Yawara strike or pressure point manipulation) if the situation called for it. Honestly I don't know if this will ever happen though. I tend to forget about the "Batman belt" and all of the tools stored there when physical violence is used against me. I either draw my firearm or go hands on. More the reason why Physical Tactics training and MA are so important.

[Brian Dugger]

Well, anything of this nature that lends itself to added strength and leverage is strongly suggested whatever the circumstance apart from training. One could say something such as this "multiplies" or "amplifies" application facets. One of those facets I know for certain, is it hurts like the devil!

[DragonMind]

I prefer this one

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/...4186/sesent/00

The lanyard gives me some additional options for striking and flexible weapons techniques. I don't use a flashlight (or an ASP for that matter) as an impact weapon; carrying one large enough to make a good impact weapon is just too impractical for a civilian.

[TEA]

For Christmas, my Mother-in-Law gave us a couple of Surefire knock-offs that she got for fairly cheap at Sams Club. They seem about as bright as a Surefire and are just the right size to use as a kuboton. No strike bezel, though.