Not really Shadowrun (per se), but more along the lines of interesting tidbits of information for those of you who interject vague, semi-realism in your games.

http://www.strategosintl.com/pdfs/Flashlig...tTechniques.pdf

It deals with some of the more common grips for holding a handgun and a flashlight and addresses merits and flaws of each technique.

Although I suppose it would fall more under the heading of "small unit tactics".

The file is in Adobe, so you need either Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.

-Siege

Ahh, the joys of Google and a slow afternoon.

http://call.army.mil/products/TRNGQTR/arti...r/RoomClear.pdf

For those of you curious about the finer points of clearing a room during Urban Operations --and you know who you are...

-Siege

That, and the nice 6-cell maglite gives you a good beatstick if someone gets too close.

There are various reasons why you might not have a barrel-mounted light.

Most notably cost -- not every cop can afford the extra cash to buy a mount and tac light for his weapon.

But the most reasonable answer for most people -- if you have a flashlight out prior to drawing your weapon, you will want to optimize the situation. You won't have time to re-holster the light, nor would you want to drop it, adding to the environmental chaos.

Your agency or department might even have regs against weapon accessories (for various reasons).

Also, some weapons don't have barrel mounts for lights and other accessories -- either they don't make them for the model of weapon or the weapon itself is incapable of accepting such a mount.

-Siege

The last two pages of that guide describe the advantages of using an external flashlight even when you've got a gun-light.

That's a very cool find. Thanks Siege.

Happy to oblige.

-Siege