Recommend me a Weapon Light

Look at:

Surefire X300: small, lightweight, robust, expensive.

Streamlight TLR: large, robust, relatively inexpensive.

Blackhawk Xiphos: very small, lightweight, expensive, relatively fragile.

If I was going to use it heavily in repeated classes or use it in the course of a job (military, leo) that required me to mount it and run rounds through the weapon often with 100% reliability, I would go with a surefire x300.

If I was going to use it occasionally, only for one or two classes, just in case or my life didn't depend on it for frequent use (actually running rounds through the weapon on a daily basis with the light attached)...I'd buy a Streamlight TLR-1s. Actually, I did. It is tough as nails and has never let me down. Of course, I've only used it as a handheld light for doing work and attaching it to run some drills at night occasionally. It's very tough IMHO since it has been subjected to some regular work light use, I've dropped it on or in about everything imaginable and ran it through some muck like mud under the house when a pipe burst.



I've used mine heavily and it still works. Used hard, possibbly abused. For me, the money savings between the streamlight and surefire were worth it. But make no mistake, if a buddy asked me what I would recommend to take with him to work as an leo or soldier...I'd tell him to take the surefire x300.

Another possible choice is the Insight Tech M3X LED. I like the easy on off without a screw clamp and the switch design. I think it falls between the Surefire and the Streamlight cost wise.

http://www.insighttechnology.com/

I like the Surefire X300 pistol weaponlight.

Make sure you don't go too bright. 170 lumens is a bit much. The X300 I tried was at the absolute limit of brightness I'd want indoors. I prefere a dimmer 80 lumen E2D incan.

TLR-1 is the best buy for the money. I've put in excess of 25k rounds on mine with zero issues. In calumets from 9mm, .357 sig, .40, .45, and 5.56. Still works great and locks up tight as the first day I got it.

-Jenrick

The X300 is the best light you can buy. It might not be the best for your use, but it doesn't get any better, even for what they're asking for them.

three words: duct tape, maglight.

I swear it will greatly reduce felt recoil...

I've decided I should finally get a weapon light after I played with a Glock Weapon Light yesterday at a LGS. It didn't seem that bright though so what do you recommend for a light? I want one that is bright enough to easily disorient someone.

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Am I the only one disturbed by this intended application?

I have an Insight M6 LED. Very nice...

CWL said:

Am I the only one disturbed by this intended application?

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Likely.

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My TLR-1 is great for my purposes, namely nightstand gun. It has 200 lumens of blinding power and is built very strong.

My home protection guns have a Streamlight TLR-2S and an Insight M3. Both are great lights.

I have several Streamlight TLR-2 (laser/lights). I'm a fan of gun mounted lasers, so when I bought the first gun mounted light I got the TLR-2.

The Streamlights have worked so well I haven't seen any reason to try another brand.

I now have them on everything from 22 pistols and rifles, to 12 ga shotguns.

I want one that is bright enough to easily disorient someone.

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In the dark the light will blnd them but that may not stop them from launching bullets in your general direction.


This is an example of what the gun mounted light and better yet what the laser/light will do for you.
My back yard at night.


25 yards.

FIVETWOSEVEN said:

It would be used in my HD setup, I would turn it on to ID a threat and when that happens, I don't want them to see good enough to shoot at the light and hit me.

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Old wives' tale anyways. Just buy a light that works for you and don't be scared into not using it by the internets.

Glock in one hand, Stinger in another.

FIVETWOSEVEN said:

Not really, have you ever had a really bright light shined in your face? A friend did that once with a flickering light and I was still able to see where the light was coming from and when my other friend started to walk towards me cause I returning fire with my mag light. This was outside and it was just past sunset with no other lights.

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I have, in training with sim rounds. If the light is at an angle where bad guy can hit you, you're already looking at him and pulling the trigger. If not, and his strategy is to shoot at the light as many warriors suggest, he's likely going to miss. This is, of course assuming he isn't robbing you with a weapon mounted light. This is why I have a Surefire on my SD weapons.

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The biggest thing is not to CLEAR your home with the light on. It just points out to everyone where you are. I can navigate my house in the dark, but its better to stay put and let the intruder walk into your line of fire. Flash the light at him from a point off-center to your body. If its a friendly, begin the lecture. If its foe, open fire.
I have the Insight for my XD. My 870 has a surefire forend.

I wouldn't recommend "clearing" your home anyways, light or no light. Even so, just about anything negative anyone here can come up with for having a weapon mounted light can be overcome with proper knowledge and training. Besides, you can always choose not to turn on your light. If there isn't one there, that takes away that choice.

Also, what do you mean a point off center from your body? If you mean holding your weapon away from your body, that's not a very good idea. If you mean have a handheld light nearby as well, that's a great idea.

Yes I do mean away from your body. If someone is going to fire into the light, dont make the light right in front of your torso. If they are looking right at you when you flash them, dont let them know right where you are. Being behind the light you will see where they are. In front of the light the only option is to attack the source of the light and hope you get lucky.
I'm speaking of a pistol, with a weapon mounted light. With the shotgun it would be difficult to get back to "ready" position quickly.

Ok, well I can't agree with you there. Holding your weapon away from your body puts you at a bigger disadvantage than the target seeing your light ever will. You should have your weapon at the alert/low ready, or you should be using a hand held as well. Your weapon isn't used to confuse your enemy, it's used to stop your enemy.

I got the Streamlight TLR-1. Seemed pretty similar to a SureFire for 1/3 the price.