Tactical light

Handheld lights are generally restricted to use with handguns, as long guns such as rifles and shotguns require two hands to operate.

Some flashlights feature a momentary on switch so that the light is quickly turned off by releasing finger pressure on the button.

Police often use large flashlights like the classic D cell Maglite, a sturdy metal unit which, when held correctly, can double as a billy club and as a tactical light.

[5] Smaller tactical flashlights often have crown-like protrusions around the lens to enable its use as a weapon by hammerfist strike.

A United States patent was issued in 1912 for a night sight for firearms demonstrated on a revolver with a bulb mounted in a shock absorber below the barrel and the grip modified to hold a battery and include a pressure switch.

One downside of the weapon-mounted light is that it is always aimed parallel to the bore, so illuminating an object means that it is also targeted.

On the other hand, many modern firearms are incorporating rail integration systems, allowing any appropriately-sized rail-compatible tactical light to be attached.

One example of this is the SureFire 300 and 400 model series, which have retained the same form factor despite receiving numerous modifications over time.

Alkaline batteries also provide moderately long shelf life and low initial cost.

As the rate of discharge increases, a greater proportion of the cells' power is wasted in its internal resistance.

Because of their low internal resistance, lithium batteries are often the primary cell of choice when a high rate of discharge relative to nominal capacity is required.

Rapid capacity loss in comparison to alkaline and lithium batteries limits the use of rechargeable cells to lights in frequent use.

At one time, xenon bulbs offered the brightest light levels, but recent high-power LEDs are brighter and more efficient than comparable xenon-filled incandescent lamps.

Tactical lights are sometimes combined with a laser to form a multifunction unit, able to provide low-light targeting, illumination, or both.