A hand-held portable drop-light is provided. The light comprises a handle, a housing, a cover, a novel mounting assembly, and a light bulb. The mounting assembly is configured with a pivoting light bulb socket and positioned within the handle for mounting the light bulb within a housing interior. The housing possesses an aperture through which the container interior and light bulb may be accessed. The cover is reversibly attached to the housing so as to inhibit access to the light bulb through the aperture. When replacing the light bulb, the cover is moved from the aperture and the mounting assembly is pivoted between a retracted position, where the bulb is substantially retained within the housing and an extended position, where a portion of the bulb is positioned outside the housing. In this manner, the light bulb is easily accessed for replacement.