Weaponlight considerations

[Pk14]

Hello -

I picked up my Kimber Warrior yesterday and am now in the hunt for the right weaponlight. When equipped with the light, it will be my primary HD pistol.

I have briefly looked at the Surefire X200, Streamlight TRL-1, TRL-2, and the Insight M3X. The TRL-1 appeared to have a brighter output than the X200A in the gun store (could have been a weak battery).

I have a CT grip-equipped SP-101 which is now my wife's primary gun - I appreciate the value of the laser both for practice and for round placement. I mention this because I am not dismissing a laser / light combo from consideration.

The two questions are: Does the addition of the laser to the light bring significant additional benefit over a light-only unit (Given the nights sights on the weapon)?

Is the M3X brighter than a TRL-1 at 10 yards? If there is no practical difference, I'm leaning towards the TRL-1 vice the X200, purely from a price perspective - if the X200 is worth another $150, please help me understand why.

Your experiences are welcome in helping me sort out the choices.

Thanks!
Pk

 

[Sniper X]

I feel that a light laser combo will definitly be a better bet than a light only. There are situations where a laser without light on or a light with no laser will be tactially favorable. I'd get what you want to baased on price becasue both you stated are good weapons lights.

 

[tydephan]

PK,

I recently wrote a review on the TLR-2.

I like the addition of the laser. If you are ever in a position where you must point-shoot, it is a handy tool to have.

The TLR lights are holy-crap bright.

Can't compare the M3X, sorry.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I have three Streamlight TLR-2 laser/lights.

I like them so well I'm going to buy one and maybe two more.

I've been a fan of lasers for some time but when I heard of a laser/light I thought that was a strange idea.
After using them I'm convinced that's the way to go.

It's nice to just light up the target but it's great to light up the target and instantly see where your bullet will hit.

It's good on a pistol but even excellent on a shotgun.

This



Becomes this



Which becomes this, with a laser in the light and #4 buckshot and a slug.
(note, the hostage target was just an available target for the pictures but I did aim right to avoid the hostage)

 

[Sniper X]

So is dude with the glasses now going to be called WADHEAD? HA!

 

[CountGlockula]

First of all, learn to use your gun before handling the light. The weapon light is an accessory, not a neccessity.

I'm a firm believer of durable and reliable weapon lights and Surefires are, to me, the best that's out there. They may be expensive but it's a good investment. You can hammer a nail with them for pete's sake.

I currently have the X200B (wide beam) on my Glock 35:

This was taken at a close distance:

It's LED light is super bright.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

You can hammer a nail with them for pete's sake.

They always freak out at Home Depot when I try that

Are the cheaper Streamlight/Insight M3's any good? they are supposed to be 80-90 lumens.

 

[Ala Dan]

Well Put~!

Agreed, learn to use your weapon first~! I do not see a tactical advantage
too a laser/light system; sorry guy's. 'Bout the only thing a laser might do
is keep you from having too shoot someone; as they probably would be
terrified once the laser "painted" them. OTOH, I can see where weapons
mounted flashlights would be useful. I have a Streamlight TLR-1 mounted
on my Springfield XD- .45 ACP, that I use for my primary home D' handgun.
Again however, "I'm from the old school of thinking" and firmly believe that
if you throw light at an armed adversary, the light beam does not need to
be directly in front of any part of your body~!

 

[Mad Chemist]

I have a light with a pressure switch mounted on my 870 and I absolutely love it. I think it's an excellent addition for a home defense/riot gun.

I'm not a fan of pistol mounted gadgets. The only one that appears acceptable to me at the moment are the CT grips since they don't seem to get in the way of anything.

I really don't like the idea of a light on my handgun. I use an E2D handheld light with my handguns and prefer this setup because of the extra options available.

I can hold the light away from my body.
I can use the momentary on/off function.
I can illuminate something/someone without sweeping it with my gun.
I can turn on the light and leave it as a decoy.

None of these tasks are easily performed with a light that is mounted to a handgun.

Just my .02, others may not feel the same way.

 

[Fawkes]

I'm not a fan of lasers. I had two instances where the laser was tweaked and not only did i not hit where I was aiming, but missed the target all together. I'll stick with iron sights, thanks.

Now, as to the light, I'm a Surefire fan. I have a 6P that has been around since they invented dirt, and it works like a charm. Granted, it's not mounted to anything though. I used a friends USP last week, which has an X200. I have to say it made me think of getting a gun with a rail on it just so that I can have one.

I'd really like to have it when I do low light training at FAS this summer.

 

[tydephan]

'Bout the only thing a laser might do
is keep you from having too shoot someone; as they probably would be
terrified once the laser "painted" them.

Seems like an advantage to having a laser to me...

 

[Pk14]

Thanks for the great info and help so far

I have really appreciated the TRL-1 and TRL-2 reviews.

I totally agree that weapon handling and engagement basics need to be second nature before expanding the employment envelope into less than optimum (range) conditions. My primary carry gun has been a CDP Pro and I've carried 1911s and others in the service. The Warrior was picked simply because of a great experience with a CCW instructor's weapon during a qual (exceptional accuracy and it was set up with an X200 light) and the need for a HD pistol for myself, now that my wife has claimed the SP-101.

As I noted in the original post, the CT gripped SP-101 fits the tactical scenario for my wife where we would expect her to need it.

Getting a light is a done deal. Still undecided on adding the laser capability. I do not have the benefit of experience with night sights and a tactical light - are the night sights washed out at all with the brightness of the lights under consideration? I can see from the shotgun mounted TRL-2 photos above where the laser can be beneficial. From other camera shots, it is difficult to assess how the night sights fare for visibility.

Has anyone done a head-to-head comparison with the X200 and the TRL-1?

Thanks again for the great info.

Pk

 

[Ala Dan]

I've not done "head too head comparisons" but I do believe the Streamlight
TLR-1 would serve your purpose. Besides, they are less expensive than the
higher cost Surefire X-200 series, so you could buy 2 or 3 if you like. I am
totally satisified with the output of the TLR-1, as its very bright and can
illuminate any object that I feel needs it.

I recently had a vechile stolen from right beside my front porch, with the
porch light burning brightly. The TLR-1 mounted on to the Springer XD is
just a little valuable insurance to aid me, just in case the punks decide to
return.

BTW, I don't go a'round advocating the use of deadly physical force; but
brother you had better believe if someone "paints" me with a laser, I'm
taking a defensive position and prepare too return fire~!

 

[JLStorm]

I have the TLR2 and I think its simply awesome. I have easily shot 1500 rounds with it mounted on my HK USP 45 with no ill effects to the laser. It also comes with a great lifetime warranty. As far as the M3, M3X, M6, and M6X according to Streamlight they were all made for them out of house (insight) and the main difference is that the m6X laser housing is waterproof. However streamlight states the the laser quality and strenght and shock resistance is the same or better on the TLR2 and the warranty is more comprehensive and for the lifetime of the product unlike the M6x.

Hope this helps, feel free to contact streamlight customer service they are wonderful people to work with.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Ala Dan
"I'm from the old school of thinking" and firmly believe that
if you throw light at an armed adversary, the light beam does not need to
be directly in front of any part of your body~!

You have pointed out one of the best features of a (good) gun mounted laser/light.

I do not have to bring the gun in front of my face in order to see the gun sights to be assured of hitting the BG. I do not have to bring the gun in front of my face, there by BLOCKING from my sight, much of what is in front of me.

If needed I can hold the gun ANYWHERE, even at arms length out to the side and still easily hit the target.

Matter of fact last week the last three times I practiced with my J Frame Crimson Trace laser I was holding the gun about belt high and a little to the right and getting consistent head shots from 10 yards on my little silhouette targets.
It's really quite simple Red Dot=Black hole.

 

[M2 Carbine]

One thing that's not mentioned much is the problem of even finding the gun's night sights with or with out your eye glasses as you get older. I've tried the night sights and hand held flashlight and I'm not exaggerating a bit that I'd probably be shot several times before I could find the sights while wearing my glasses in the dark and without my glasses, forget it.

So no matter what light, hand held or gun mounted, I might be using I'm still at a big disadvantage trying to line up iron or night sights.

But on the other hand I tried shooting with the laser without my glasses and speed and hits are no problem.
The light complements the laser and the laser compliments the light.

 

[yongxingfreesty]

ive got the tlr-1. its super bright.

i have it mounted on a g17 with a 33rnd magazine.

it will soon go on the p226 when it gets here in a couple of weeks.

then it will be on the usp .45 in a month of two.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

About the only thing I can throw in here is that lights with LED's instead of bulbs tend to:

1) be more recoil friendly - in that LED's can handle the repeated shock of recoil over time better than an incandescent bulb can.

2) LED's also have a longer run time where bulbs really suck the juice right out of the batteries.

3) LED's don't burn out.

Of course, LED's are not perfect, insomuch that they tend to be not as bright as their bulbed brethren.

Also, you pay a premium for Surefire's quality - they have pretty much set the standard against which all others are measured.

 

[Pk14]

Thank you for the great inputs

I'm going with the TRL-2 - I appreciate the flexibility of light only. laser only, or both - it is still more cost effective than a TRL-1 and a CT grip, particularly when I've found a better grip for the Warrior. This forum rocks!

Pk

 

[nhhillbilly]

TRL-1 to Surefire SX 200

I have M3, TRL-1 and SX200. The MX 3 need bulb replacements regularly. I have never had a problem with the TRL-1 or SX200. I have been looking for a cc holster to keep the light attached. Not sure what one I am going to get though.