Pistol flashlights

Status
Not open for further replies.

Electricmo

Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2020
Messages
486
Not a fan of lasers. I do however have one nightstand gun that I keep a small flashlight attached to. I have tried it out in a darkened room and it illuminates the room very well. I can see the sights and target area very well. I especially like the strobe feature. Anyone else do this and if so what brands of lights are you using?
 
I have a a ITI M3 and a TRL-2. They are very useful tools, but like any other piece of gear, they require some prctice (training) to properly use them.
 
Right now I have a Viridian C5L on my small carry and a Streamlight TLR-8G on my big carry. Both are great lights that I have had no issues with, and both have green lasers integrated. My C5L got a little warranty work when one of the buttons was sticking slightly, they fixed it up at no cost besides one way shipping. Of the two, it is the only one that has a strobe feature. The TLR-1 has a strobe setting and it is quite common with holster makers if you wanted to carry it at some point.

My big pet peeve is muzzle overhang. I won't put on a light that extends past the muzzle of the handgun. Which is why I did not go with the Viridian X5L Gen 3. If this is something that bothers you as well it may limit some of your options depending on what you are putting it on.
 
I use a TLR-3 on my M&P FS as a nightstand gun. It is nice, slightly shorter than the TLR-1, but that means that there are virtually NO holsters for the combo (I have only found one so far, from an Amazon vendor).
 
I only own Streamlight and Surefire WMLs. They were the brands I carried in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mud, blizzard, drops, lots of getting knocked around, and they just keep going. The one time I had an issue with a Surefire (early XC1) I made a phone call and had a new light in my hands shortly after.

That said, I recognize that they're not the innovators in the space anymore. I would love to have a light similar to my XC1B that's brighter and has an Apple watch type charger I could throw on it. I know some products out there do that with a different brand name. However, I'm slow to commit to new gear, and the bias one develops through tough times tends to die hard.
 
would love to have a light similar to my XC1B that's brighter and has an Apple watch type charger I could throw on it. I know some products out there do that with a different brand name.

Here is my Olight Valkyrie. It has it's own charger(not apple type).
I have been very happy with it. It is a quality product.
20191226_083627.jpg
 
I've owned a Streamlight TLR1-HL and an Olight PL1 Valkyrie (the first model they came out with). Very happy with both, ended up selling the Olight as part of a package deal with a handgun otherwise I'd still have it. If I were deciding between the two, it would come down to which interface I'd prefer, push button (Olight) or the rotating lever type (Streamlight). I'm fine with either personally.
 
"WML" is the term of art. Weapon Mounted Light.

Surefire X300U-A is the go to. Have several. Even use them on carbines.

Streamlight is right behind them, a little less sturdy generally. I have one on a carbine for reasons, and the TLR-6 on my pocket pistol as I prefer the form factor, it's already so small and plastic it should be fine. I also strongly prefer the SF switchology (rotate AND push both work). And me, I LOVE the DG switches. Strap runs back to sit under your middle finger, light turns on when gripped. Some disagree with it for safety reasons, I have a non-trivial human factors background and don't buy those arguments.

Surefire and Streamlight will be the ones that holster makers who build for lights work with as they are duty grade. Others, not so much. To the point that someone makes cases for O-Lights that emulate the footprint of an X300.

From some experience, lots of the other brands are not really up to the task, so if you carry while hunting or whatever, outside, in rain, bang it around: spend the extra on the Surefire or Streamlight. If at home only, pretty much whatever.


Also have a handheld light. Never use the WML for searching, etc.


Next, we'll get you into a red dot on your pistol! :)
 
I run a olight pl2 valk on my Canik Tp9SFX thats our bedside gun. It also has a burris ff3 on top, and the sight and light uh....cowitness? at about 10feet, as in the rounds land about the middle of the lights beam at that range. it makes finding the dot really easy, and could probably be used as a rough guide in a pinch. need to find get one for my 10mm, and have my buddy make me a holster that will hold them.
 
SureFire X300Us here also. I use them on pistols, carbines and my HD shotgun.

I also have a SureFire X400 laser/light on my nightstand pistol.
 
Have a Streamlight TLR-1 HL on the main nightstand gun, the secondary has a TLR-3. Planning up updating to the TLR-8's.
 
I use a TLR-3 on my Sig SP2022, but as some have mentioned above- holster options are limited. I literally ordered a custom holster from Bulgaria (way back in 2013) for this thing that cost me ~$65. All in all, happy with the TLR-3 otherwise - plenty bright and does everything I want it to.

My Glock 43 has the TLR-6, and it's worked out great so far, more holster options available for this setup (i.e. Tulster)
 
I've been off-on looking for a holsters for the Sig 2022 with a WML attached... any suggestions?
 
Right now I have a Viridian C5L on my small carry and a Streamlight TLR-8G on my big carry. Both are great lights that I have had no issues with, and both have green lasers integrated. My C5L got a little warranty work when one of the buttons was sticking slightly, they fixed it up at no cost besides one way shipping. Of the two, it is the only one that has a strobe feature. The TLR-1 has a strobe setting and it is quite common with holster makers if you wanted to carry it at some point.

My big pet peeve is muzzle overhang. I won't put on a light that extends past the muzzle of the handgun. Which is why I did not go with the Viridian X5L Gen 3. If this is something that bothers you as well it may limit some of your options depending on what you are putting it on.

I feel the same about muzzle overhang. I've really been considering the C5L for that very reason. Have you had any problems with the laser not staying zeroed? That's the most frequent complaint I find on the 'nets about this unit.
 
I feel the same about muzzle overhang. I've really been considering the C5L for that very reason. Have you had any problems with the laser not staying zeroed? That's the most frequent complaint I find on the 'nets about this unit.

Mine is one of the older units, before they developed ECR activation. I haven't had any problems maintaining a zero on the laser. The only reason it got replaced as my primary pistol light is it is only 100 lumen output.
 
I've narrowed my choices down to the Viridian C5L or the Streamlight TLR-8A, both in green. The Streamlight is about 1/4 inch longer, but with a much brighter light (100 vs 500 lumens). I also like that the laser is centered instead of offset to the side. The Viridian will fit without any overhang and the ECR is a cool feature. The price difference is about $10, so that's certainly not a deciding factor. Any input or experience to share, please do!

BTW, this will be going on my Taurus PT145 Pro, so that gives you an idea how short the barrel is.
 
Last edited:
I don't have the A model but do have the regular TLR-8 in addition to the C5L. Both are great. I assume the A model addresses the prime issue I have with the regular TLR-7/8 light, some holsters will activate the light when you don't want it to. So the A will make a positive difference depending on your holster.

I found the C5L quite a bit easier to mount than the Streamlight. The Viridian uses swappable rails depending on gun model. It was pretty easy for me to see how the rail would go on based on where the fit rails were on the firearm. The changeable rails also allow the Viridian to get much closer to the trigger guard than the Streamlight. The Streamlight uses model keys with an instruction guide for which key to use with which firearm. Some users prefer that, all personal preference.
 
Not a fan of lasers. I do however have one nightstand gun that I keep a small flashlight attached to. I have tried it out in a darkened room and it illuminates the room very well. I can see the sights and target area very well. I especially like the strobe feature. Anyone else do this and if so what brands of lights are you using?
I have a OLIGHT PL-MINI Valkyrie for my Glock 17..GREAT light, easy to install, secure, USB chargable..not expensive..I have shot at the range with it numerous times to make sure it is all the above, and it is.
 
My favorite has been a crimson trace. one on a mp9 and the other on a mp40. they seem to be the least obtrusive of others i have tried and have been reliable after many thousands fired.

ltg-746_ghosted_web_3.jpg
 
Olight PL-2 on a Glock 22 and Streamlight TLR-7 on FNS-9C. Smaller gun, smaller light. I like them both, but admittedly these are just for play as I don't have a holster for either. I need to fix that situation. My carry gun does not have a light (no rail, is a Glock 27).
gun_lights.jpg
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top