Shooting in the Dark

Ganderite

Ganderite

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Farm south of North Bay
Our club shoots IDPA matches on a regular basis, and the organizer is always thinking up new and interesting scenarios.

The last two were pistol/shotgun and pistol/rifle. Both events involved shooting the same scenarios. once with the lights on and once with the lights off.

With the range lights off, we have to shoot with a flashlight.

I live on a farm and have had to use my 22 rifle more than once to shoot a raccoon that was tangling with my dog. A flashlight helps me to see what is going on, but the sight picture is poor, especially if my light is being held in one hand.

I bought some cheap laser sights on ebay. About $15. These have worked very well. Put the dot on the target and pull the trigger. By not having to look through the sights, the situational awareness is much better. I can see what my dog is doing, so I don't shoot him.

In the lights out match, those of us with a light on our rifle or pistol had a big advantage over those who did not. And those with a light plus a laser did the best.

I don't have a light or laser on my pistol, so used to hold the light in one hand. This did not help my shooting speed or accuracy.

Last month I noticed that one fellow had a light taped to the head band of his muffs. This worker very well and left two hands free. Yesterday I borrowed some vinyl tape and taped my light to my muffs. It worked like a charm.

Tonight I glued a light to an old pair of muffs, and will keep them by the backdoor, ready for the next shoot out with the raccoons. We have some corn planted, so they seem to come from miles away to eat well. I don't mind that, but when they start ripping the siding off the house, I have to step in.

IMG_1286.jpg
 
At the dark matches we have, the light has to be either gun mounted or hand held, as that's how they'd be used in real (for a given value of real admittedly) life. But neat lateral thinking! Nice idea.
 
thats thinking with your head!!

For my 12g I picked up a clamp that locks onto the barrel and holds a light. wont work for your .22 but since i dont have a dog, the 12g works better for protecting my chickens.
 
crash277 said:
thats thinking with your head!!

For my 12g I picked up a clamp that locks onto the barrel and holds a light. wont work for your .22 but since i dont have a dog, the 12g works better for protecting my chickens.
Click to expand...

These usually clamp onto a scope very well as well.
I use a pedator light clamped to the scope....works great for the raccoons trying to dig their way into the chickens.
 
Ganderite said:
Our club shoots IDPA matches on a regular basis, and the organizer is always thinking up new and interesting scenarios. The last two were pistol/shotgun and pistol/rifle. Both events involved shooting the same scenarios. once with the lights on and once with the lights off. With the range lights off, we have to shoot with a flashlight. ...

I don't have a light or laser on my pistol, so used to hold the light in one hand. This did not help my shooting speed or accuracy. Last month I noticed that one fellow had a light taped to the head band of his muffs. This worker very well and left two hands free. Yesterday I borrowed some vinyl tape and taped my light to my muffs. It worked like a charm. Tonight I glued a light to an old pair of muffs, and will keep them by the backdoor, ready for the next shoot out with the raccoons. We have some corn planted, so they seem to come from miles away to eat well. I don't mind that, but when they start ripping the siding off the house, I have to step in.
Click to expand...

With the exception of permanently physically disabled shooters, IDPA rules require that the flashlight be held in the hand:

3.17.3 The flashlight must be retained by the shooter throughout the course of fire, and held in the shooter’s support hand while shooting.
Click to expand...

8.8.4.1 Only hand held lights may be used in IDPA competition. For Physically Disabled shooters, refer to Physically Disabled Shooters Section.
Click to expand...
 
I have shot IDPA using the hand held light. I used the "Harres"(SP?) hold. It was a learning experience. If there is ever a chance you might have to use a gun and a light, it is something you should practice.

The light on my muffs worked very well in the match, so I came home and made a muff-lite to hang by the back door. Now I have hearing protection, light and two hands.

If my wife kicks me out of the house at night, I could go cut wood with the chainsaw with this set up....
 
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Ganderite said:
Our club shoots IDPA matches on a regular basis, and the organizer is always thinking up new and interesting scenarios.

The last two were pistol/shotgun and pistol/rifle. Both events involved shooting the same scenarios. once with the lights on and once with the lights off.

With the range lights off, we have to shoot with a flashlight.

I live on a farm and have had to use my 22 rifle more than once to shoot a raccoon that was tangling with my dog. A flashlight helps me to see what is going on, but the sight picture is poor, especially if my light is being held in one hand.

I bought some cheap laser sights on ebay. About $15. These have worked very well. Put the dot on the target and pull the trigger. By not having to look through the sights, the situational awareness is much better. I can see what my dog is doing, so I don't shoot him.

In the lights out match, those of us with a light on our rifle or pistol had a big advantage over those who did not. And those with a light plus a laser did the best.

I don't have a light or laser on my pistol, so used to hold the light in one hand. This did not help my shooting speed or accuracy.

Last month I noticed that one fellow had a light taped to the head band of his muffs. This worker very well and left two hands free. Yesterday I borrowed some vinyl tape and taped my light to my muffs. It worked like a charm.

Tonight I glued a light to an old pair of muffs, and will keep them by the backdoor, ready for the next shoot out with the raccoons. We have some corn planted, so they seem to come from miles away to eat well. I don't mind that, but when they start ripping the siding off the house, I have to step in.

IMG_1286.jpg
Click to expand...
I recognize that flashlight because I bought the same one this morning at Dollarama for $3. Great bright flashlight!
 
Back in my cop days, we used to practice shooting in the dark with only the red and blue patrol car lights flashing, with siren and radio traffic in the background.

You also had to move to and from places of cover.

Lots of fun actually.
 
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