By Michael A. Black
Proper lighting is essential in stressful shooting situations and Coast has long been at the forefront of offering innovative lights, knives, and multi-tools of high quality that provide valuable assistance to both the outdoorsman, the citizen with a concealed carry permit, and the law enforcement professional.
The Coast PX1R Flashlight comes with both rechargeable and regular batteries.
The adage “You can’t hit what you can’t see” comes to mind when dealing with both potential and imminent threats in low light situations. While many firearms today can be equipped with both laser and flashlight attachments, it’s always advisable to have a back-up device close at hand. Remember Murphy’s Law: “Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong,” and, as I always add, “at the worst possible moment.”
Thus, having a reliable, high quality light to illuminate your perimeter is strongly recommended.
I was recently fortunate enough to be able to do a product test on two of Coast’s newest products, the PX1R LED Flashlight and the slightly larger Polysteel 600R flashlight, as well as viewing some of their knives.
Lighting:
The PX1R adds a rechargeable feature to Coast’s popular PX line. The weather and impact resistant PX1R is small (4.9 inches/12.45 cm) and very light (4.9 oz./116 kg) and offers high (460 lumens) and low (50 lumens) and can project its beam up to 508 feet (155 meters) on high and 164 feet (50 meters) on low. Run time ranges from three and one-half hours on high to a 14-hour length on low. A high/low control feature enables you to switch the power output at the push of a button, and the light can be adjusted from the pure beam focus optic flood light to spotlight focus with a simple twist.
Affixing the small light to the epaulette allows the officer to keep both his hand unencumbered in case an emergency arises.
When placed in flood mode, the light creates a circular beam that can then be adjusted in spotlight mode to produce a far-reaching beam with an accompanying halo effect that illuminates a larger viewing area.
The PX1R works with three regular AAA batteries and also comes with rechargeable battery pack (the LI-ION PACK). This rechargeable Flex Charge Dual Power System has a micro USB port in the battery and tail cap that allows for charging regardless of whether the battery pack is inside or outside the flashlight.
These accessories, as well as a regular set of lithium batteries are included in the PX1R purchase kit. An assortment of five different colors are available, ranging from the traditional black or blue to the more fashionable orange, red, and green.
A reversible metal clip allows the PX1R to be affixed to the jacket, cap, or epaulette for hands-free lighting assistance. This is particularly important for law enforcement personnel who want to keep their dominant hand available for weapon usage while checking a suspect in case of a sudden emergency. As I previously stated, the PX1R is small enough to hold in a shooter’s non-dominant hand, while still bracing the dominant hand holding the weapon. Note that the accompanying photograph shows the proper technique for grasping the small flashlight while still maintaining a proper combat pistol grip
The light is small enough to allow a solid combat grip on the shooter’s pistol.
Not only is the PX1R, as well as the LED, virtually unbreakable, but like all Coast products, the PX1R is backed by Coast’s lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. It retails for $120.00.
A slightly larger, but equally impressive version is the Polysteel 600R. Like its smaller cousin, the PX1R, this big boy (7.9 inches, 12 oz.) offers pure beam focusing and a long range output of 810 feet (209 meters) on high (530 lumens) to 193 feet (59 meters) on low (40 lumens). It operates on four AAA regular batteries or the rechargeable LI-ION PACK which once again features a standard sized USB port that allows for external charging.
The outer poly-coated circular frame is textured to provide a solid grip, and the fluted casing on the end of the light allows for it to be placed on a flat surface to provide a fixed light source. The 600R has enough heft that it can be used as a defensive impact weapon or shatter a car window with its built-in glass breaker. The inner, stainless steel core assures the flashlight is drop and crush proof. The Polysteel 600R is also waterproof, impact resistant, comes with a virtually unbreakable LED, and is available in various colors (black, blue, red, green, and orange). The light retails at $100.00.
Knives:
While lighting is certainly an important factor in both high risk and standard incidents, having a knife handy can also be a crucial factor in success and survival.
Coast is well known for offering a variety of high quality knives that come in a variety of styles and types. All the blades are crafted out of high quality stainless steel and range in price, depending on the size and style.
They have folding knives that come with double and single locking mechanisms, various handles (wood, rubberized, aluminum, nylon), and sizes. The super compact BX213, for instance, has 2.5 inch blade (6.4 cm) and an overall 6 inch (15.2 cm) length when opened. It’s light (slightly over an ounce) and equipped with a back-lock for safety. It retails for only $11.00.
If you’re looking for something larger, the DX713 boasts a 3.5 inch blade (9.25 cm) and an overall length of 8.7 inches (22 cm). It has a double lock safety to prevent the knife from accidentally closing when being used. (Something to be considered when outdoor activities.) The nylon, rubberized handle is molded over the stainless steel frame to prevent rusting. It retails for $23.00.
This photo shows the proper technique for holding the light while maintaining a proper, combat ready grip on the pistol.
At the upper end of the price scale is the TX395, which is one of the knives designed by the elite Navy SEALS. It features a 3.9 inch (9.9 cm) blade and an overall length of 8.9 inches (22.6 cm) when open and 5 inches (12.7 cm) when closed. It’s heavy enough to do functional work like prying open a box or breaking a window. (It has a built-in glass breaker feature.)
The double lock technology adds the safety feature of preventing the knife from accidentally closing on your hand. Unlike the two aforementioned models, the TX395 has an integrated thumb-hole for one-handed opening, and the adjustable pocket clip has three different positions. It retails for $60.00.
Once again, whether you’re an outdoorsman, a legally-armed private citizen, or a law enforcement professional, do yourself a favor and augment your chances for success and survival by including a reliable light and knife in your go-bag. And don’t forget to practice with these devices as well. One day your survival may depend on it.
