Weapons mounted lights... Please school me.

[Mauser lover]

Taking as an assumption that I want a mounted light (meaning I'm not interested in you trying to talk me out of it), please describe how the switch on a pistol mounted light works.

Is it just usually a tail cap pushbutton dealiemabob or something fancier? I know there are different sorts, but what is "normal"? I don't want a grip sensitive one on the pistol grip, but I do want to know what works and what doesn't. Will a push button on the tailcap work, or is that universally recognized as bad?

Again, not looking for a debate on the merits or demerits of a mounted light.

Thanks!

 

[Zerodefect]

The Surefire Xc1 has a button/lever thing on it's rear you push DOWN with your support thumb for momentary activation. It also has a slider button for constant (stupid) on, that works like a BB guns safety. You can grind that button down, or glue it off.

So far, I have never bumped it during training. I'd imagine the more powerful X300 lights work the same from Surefire.

I've been meaning to test a dab of black Permatex over the constant on button to hold it off. As it would be cake to remove, and harmless.






I use the Xc1. I keep a E2Dled in my pocket if I need serious lumen's. There is such a thing as too much light, so I prefer the Xc1 indoors. It's easy to get holsters for either of those models, and they're pretty much universally recommended. I've yet to see a better working solution for a pistol light.

 

[bassjam]

I have 3, two of them have a switch that pivots around the centerline the light. You push one side down for constant light, and push up for a momentary light.

The other one is a pretty cheap on, and uses a switch that pushes from left to right. I don't care for it as much.

 

[herrwalther]

I wasn't a fan of the flip switches on Surefire X300 and X400 lines. I did more looking around and went with a smaller company called Viridian. They have one button that sits right below where your trigger finger would be when indexed outside the trigger guard. It takes no thought to activate or remembering which way to push up or down to turn on. Modes are changed by pushing the button on both sides at the same time.


https://viridianweapontech.com/x5l

 

[Ks5shooter]

Sig STL-900 lazer,light and strobe

 

[Chuck R.]

I've got 5 of the pistol type, 4 SureFire X series and an old Insight Technology.

The switches on the SureFires can be pressed from the rear or toggled in either direction up/down for momentary or toggled all the way for constant. Very easy to operate with your support thumb IF you shoot using a thumbs FWD grip.

I do have 1 pressure switch on a SureFire X400 light/laser that I really like. Very easy to use by just squeezing with my firing hand middle finger. I've never had a problem with it. The SureFire pressure switch for the X series also has the toggle switch, so you can go either way.

Chuck