The Disadvantages of Two-Handed Flashlight-Gun Techniques

The first two-handed technique for holding both gun and flashlight involves holding the flashlight in front of you with your non-dominant hand, while resting your gun-holding hand on top, as seen in the left-side image above. You’ll oftentimes see this technique being done on cop shows. 

The second two-handed approach is called the Rogers technique. The Rogers technique is a modification of the normal shooting grip with the flashlight trapped between the first and second or second and third finger of your non-dominant hand, as seen in the right-side image above.

While both grips have some merit, each has some downsides that compromise your safety and the safety of others when using a firearm in a low-light situation.

The big downside of both two-handed techniques is that if you want to shine a light on something, you also have to point your gun at that object or person. While you may be practicing good safety measures by keeping your finger off the trigger, you have to accept the risk that you’re pointing your muzzle at a potential non-threat, like a child or a weird neighbour.

Moreover, two-handed techniques may leave you vulnerable to a head strike. With both hands holding the gun and flashlight, you have no way of protecting your head from a swing from a hidden attacker.

Another issue with the two-handed techniques is that, with the exception of the Rogers technique, none of them really offer any decent recoil control over one-handed shooting.

Finally, if you’re not careful, it can be easy to activate your gun’s magazine release when using a two-handed technique.

Instead of a two-handed shooting technique, it is recommended that a one-handed approach be used called the “Eye Index Technique.” The Eye Index Technique is a modification of a gun/flashlight technique called the “Neck Index.”

As with all these techniques, consistent training is very important!