Ok...Here is my delema. I have two holsters for LE duty use. One allows a mounted light one does not. I have a belt holder for the light and can attach it rather quickly. My light holster is a Safariland, my regular holster is a SERPA. If you have used both, you know the draw speed on the SERPA cant be touched by the SL, but I like having my light attached on the draw. The light is older and kinda heavy but the recoil reduction is actually noticable with the light attached...go figure.

So from a tactical standpoint what are your thoughts, experiences, recomendations, etc.

BTW...Im on a budget and cant afford to just go and buy the "perfect" setup so, for the moment, I am stuck with what I got.

Whats your thoughts guys?

You're actually debating draw speed but not figuring in the time it takes you to draw your light, attach it, and reacquire the threat.

Yes, use the Safariland. With enough practice you'll draw just as fast with that one AND have the benefit of the light.

Well I did think of that, and I can draw pretty quick with the SL, But I have never needed the light unless I was performing a building check or threat search, and on those ocassions I had plenty of time to attach the light. I would not try to attach a light for an immediate threat, like a bad traffic stop, or a suprise attack. My thought is will I even have time to activate the light in a close threat situation in the first place. And if I do, am I just giving the suspect a target to shoot at. With that, Am I better off keeping the light..since Im not using it in a tactical aspect full time like SWAT, on standby on my rig, and using the SERPA, or just be a boyscout and be over prepared and use the SL.

I know Im probably overthinking this...like I tend to do. Plus I try not to be a "Gear Bunny" and put every little thing on my belt and weapon just because I can. I have a very minimal setup, but everthing I need is there. I try to combine as much as possible...."bustacap" on my baton, double cuff case in the front, custom "Kydex" holder for my "Scorpion" and "Leatherman" in my cargo pocket...So the idea of combining my light and weapon suits me, but so does the ease of draw and comfort from my SERPA....Choices, Choices!

Anyone have any pros and cons based on experience.

Not knowing what your specific LE job is I always recommend a light mounted on your weapon for patrol, warrants and SWAT and a secondary small light for searching suspects, dope, etc once the scene has been clear of threats. There have been several times over the years that I have froze someone in my weapon light.

Draw speed for LE has been debated for years. Personally I think it is over rated you should have your weapon out first, i.e. the Tuler drill, no one can draw fast enough when behind the curve, thats why you should draw first. We teach our guys to draw first, in other words if you think there is an issuse trust your insticnts and pull your weapon out on the car during approach, you can always holster it up if not needed. If you are serving warrants or conducting building searches, alarm drops etc you should already have it out. If you think about it you can tell when most situations are starting to escalate, I would worry more about reading people and recognizing the threat than the holster and the fraction of the second one has over the other.

All great points. I used to approach about 80% of my traffic detentions, while on night shift at least, with a weapon drawn because of the area I worked in. When I changed to the last agency I was with, I found out that they had a policy against having a weapon drawn unless you had a "known" threat. (Just one of the reasons I am no longer with that agency).

This new agency I am going to has a very liberal policy altogeather. The admin will let you handle your business and do your job, with little interference as long as you dont create liability or officer safety concerns.

I have decided to go with the mounted light. It really wasnt an issue of draw speed, Im about as proficient with one as the other and I follow the rule of having my weapon out first as you mentioned. It was more of comfort issue, and dealing with the added weight as opposed to a little more stream lined approach. After posing the question I kinda took a deeper look and answered my own question....I mean, why would I have spent the money on the light holster in the first place right?

Someday you'll be glad you did. When that traffic stop goes to crap or you get surprised in low-light, having both hands on you weapon and light on the target is a good thing.

I think that is a good choice you will be pleased in the long run. In LE work a weapon light is crucial... stay safe

I like my 6004 with small shroud and weapon light. I think you will too.