SureFire Training | How To Shoot Using Pistol Lights (w/ Kyle Lamb)

Intro at Royal Range and Course Setup

Clint from Classic Firearms is at Royal Range in Nashville, Tennessee, a facility converted from a former movie theater. The event is a SureFire-hosted training session led by Kyle Lamb of Viking Tactics (VTAC). The focus is on low-light pistol work using weapon-mounted lights, with participants running Glock pistols instead of their usual sidearms such as the SIG P320 or FNX. SureFire X300 Turbo lights are highlighted for their tight, high-candela beam. Clint notes he is equipped with multiple lights but did not bring extra batteries, hoping his gear will stay powered and allow him to clearly see and engage targets during the course.

Firearm Safety Rules and Range Procedures

Kyle Lamb reviews the four fundamental firearm safety rules and how they apply on the line. Every gun is to be treated as loaded, especially since pistols will remain loaded for much of the class. Any handling of weapons, regardless of experience level or role, must occur only on the firing line. Students are reminded never to point a firearm at anything they are not willing to destroy, maintaining strict muzzle awareness around other shooters, range officers, and themselves. Fingers must stay off the trigger until actively engaging a target. Finally, shooters must know their target, what is beyond it, and also what lies between them and the target, emphasizing accountability for every round fired in a low-light environment.

Glock 17 Setup, SureFire X300 Turbo, and Optic Mount

The class pistols are Glock 17 Gen 3 models. Clint mentions experiencing some reload issues due to the slimmer grip profile compared to his usual pistols, but emphasizes that shooters should be capable with any firearm in hand. The guns are equipped with SureFire X300 Turbo lights, noted for their focused, high-candela beam that provides a tight, bright pattern. Timney Alpha triggers are installed, similar to those used in a Matrix Arms pistol Clint has previously run. The slide is not optics-cut; instead, a dovetail-mounted Trijicon RMR is used. This mount sits slightly higher than a dedicated optics cut and integrates front and rear tritium sights, allowing a clear iron sight picture while still making the red dot easy to acquire. Clint points out this setup as an option for those who do not want to have their slide milled, referencing the mount as a Dick Defense solution.

Draw Stroke, Grip, and Retention Positions

Kyle demonstrates his draw stroke from the holster, emphasizing a quick movement to position one, followed by a deliberate, steady extension to the target. As the pistol is presented, the trigger finger begins to prep the trigger only after a proper grip is established. After the shot, he stresses follow-through: sights return to the target, the finger comes off the trigger, and the pistol is safely reholstered. He explains that getting quickly to position one allows time to correct grip before the gun is fully out, avoiding the need to twist or adjust the pistol later. He indexes his support hand at the bottom of the trigger guard as the gun comes up, then simply drives the pistol toward the target. Touching the chest during the draw is suggested as a way to bring both hands together earlier and maintain a solid retention position close to the body, rather than fully extended, for better control in close quarters.

Fighting Stance, Balance, and Movement

Using a student named Lynn as an example, Kyle critiques a flat-footed, square stance that leaves shooters easily pushed off balance. He demonstrates how minimal pressure can disrupt stability when the body is upright and weight is evenly distributed. Instead, he advocates a bladed, aggressive fighting stance similar to how someone would naturally stand in a fight. When Lynn drops his rear foot back into this stance, Kyle shows that he becomes much harder to move, even under firm pressure. Kyle suggests imagining a playing card under each heel, keeping the weight slightly forward rather than locked on the heels. This stance better manages recoil during strings of fire and prepares the shooter to move quickly in any direction, reinforcing that shooting is a form of fighting and should use a fighter’s posture.

Team Movement and Weight Distribution

Kyle expands on movement by focusing on weight distribution and how it affects the ability to initiate motion. He explains that standing flat-footed requires a weight shift before taking a step, which slows response when moving through structures or working with a team. He prefers placing significant weight on the ball of the left foot (for a right-handed shooter). When it is time to move, simply lifting that left foot causes the body’s weight to naturally drive forward. Using Lynn again, Kyle illustrates a two-man team approaching a doorway. If the lead shooter stands flat-footed and then moves, the trailing shooter must adjust unexpectedly. With weight already forward on the lead foot, movement becomes smoother and more predictable for the entire team. This approach is presented as a deliberate technique to improve speed and control in tactical entries and transitions.

Relaxation, Speed, and Shooting Efficiency

Kyle discusses the importance of relaxed muscles for speed and efficiency in shooting. He compares shooters to runners on a starting line, noting that high-level athletes stay relaxed until the moment they launch. Tense muscles move slower and fatigue more quickly. On the firing line, he does not want shooters rigid or overly flexed in their shoulders and upper body. Instead, he encourages a stable stance with an aggressive posture but relaxed musculature. If he taps a student’s shoulders, it is a reminder to loosen up. This relaxation allows faster initiation of movement, smoother transitions, and better recoil management over the course of a training day. The goal is to combine an aggressive stance and proper weight distribution with relaxed, responsive muscles for more effective shooting under stress.

Handheld Light Techniques and Bungee Retention

The training transitions to handheld light use before focusing on weapon-mounted lights. Kyle notes there are many ways to hold a flashlight and shows how his lights are set up with a simple piece of bungee cord. The bungee provides retention if a reload is needed or if the shooter ends up in a physical fight, preventing the light from being easily dropped. He explains that for law enforcement in the United States, he prefers officers conduct searches with a handheld light rather than a weapon-mounted light to avoid unnecessary muzzle exposure on non-threats. He typically carries a SureFire X300 with a DG switch so gripping the pistol activates the light, allowing searching with a handheld and shooting with the weapon light when required. The handheld light, such as a SureFire P2X Fury, is modified with Gorilla tape to create a syringe-style grip ring and to provide readily available tape for gear repairs. The bungee also allows the handheld to serve as a backup light on a carbine’s vertical grip if the primary weapon light fails.