Choose The Right Weapon Mounted Light

Let’s shed some light on, well… lights. Let’s shed some more light on, well, lights. The main reason I separate handguns from shotguns, rifles, and other firearms in this discussion, is because of the important factor of weight. A light on a shoulder arm is a mere afterthought, but a light on a pistol can be a major factor in its utility. There is little imagination required to mount a large and intense light on a rifle today; in the past, it was mil-spec Picatinny. In fact, the minutia of the industry has become so ingrained that dozens are now producing different ways to manage cables and pressure switches. The science is in a comfortable place, but I don’t expect it to change for some time. While my statement might seem reasonable, i’ve attended classes and events where people have taken a steadfast stance on one side or the other. I will try to cover the two sides of the argument regarding weapon-mounted light here, but i am firmly in favor of a light that is not a hindrance to daily use. It’s not as simple as “lights are good” or “lights are bad”. The essence of a handgun is to be a tool for action, its predictable function overriding all other features at the moment of truth. A rifle, on the other hand, must be accurate first, otherwise, it’s barely worth its weight. The most important feature of a handgun, after accuracy and power, is reliability. This is not a subject for debate. I can’t imagine a reasonable person putting reliability over something like the size of a group when lives are at stake. If a light interferes, it’s not worth it. Weight and size are just as important to function as capacity or safety type. I found that for many gun owners lights are added as an afterthought without much research. A light can not only change the weight and balance, but also add length to a gun and impact draw. For example, a Glock 19 fitted with a SureFire light X300 is as long as the 5-inch 1911. The 5-inch 1911 is not affected in this way because the X300 light does not extend past the muzzle. Draw is not affected much. You need to take into account the added length of a draw. The Glock 19 with SureFire X300 has the same length as a 5-inch pistol with the same light, but the 1911 will not be affected by the draw. Why not choose a Glock34 instead if you have to draw a long distance? You’ll get a gun with a softer recoil and more velocity if you have the same length on your belt. I was at a recent media event doing some coverage, and we ended up discussing this topic. These guys all said they wouldn’t let students attend the class without a weapon mounted light. “You won’t make it without a light” was the message I received. I believe this is false. Not all police departments provide lights on pistols. Let alone the number of civilians that defend themselves every day. In the classes I’ve attended, the majority of instructors have encouraged students to carry two lights: one for use as a standalone light and another on their handgun. I can understand the logic behind it, but I do not think that this is possible for someone to do 100 percent of the times. Carrying a separate flashlight is the best option if you can keep it with you all the time, whether you have a gun on you or not. I’ve been a convert in the last few years and carry a SureFire ring with Thyrm as a daily item. I do not carry it when I expect to return home during daylight hours. Even if I do not have a firearm, I always carry a flashlight if I am out after dark. A handheld light can be a useful tool in everyday life. It doesn’t have to be a weapon-grade model. SureFire lights have a good reputation and are durable. These are mounted on the author’s larger pistols, where they provide the best value for their size. I believe that the light should be as reliable as your gun, which means that you should have a 100 percent positive experience with it. I like SureFire, Streamlight and other lights on my pistols. I’ve never had any problems with them in terms of functionality, but I have broken a few of them over the years. I had a SureFire X300 where I lost the finger tabs during a class that involved a lot of drawing and holstering and a Streamlight TLR-1 HL with a faulty battery compartment gasket. I have a lot of these lights and I consider these isolated issues. I also prefer a rugged mounting system because I want my lights to be able withstand any impact. The SureFire has a fast-attachment feature, but in my experience I have also seen the light fly off the gun. I prefer the X300UB with the thumb-screw-style mount. I use the A model for Glocks and this one on 1911s. I’ve seen many people purchase their gun lights from Amazon, with mixed results. I have no problem with Olight. I understand that many people are on a tight budget and don’t want to spend a lot of money on accessories. Olight makes some excellent products and I consider them to be the best of the lower-cost lights. In most cases it’s a better decision to buy a SureFire, or Streamlight, and save money. I’ve limited my own lights to only those that are most effective for realistic roles. I rotate between 1911s, Glocks J-Frame Smiths, and a Sig P365. Streamlight offers a wide variety of options. The TLR1 is a traditional model that’s wide and bulky, but it’s known to be reliable. My main field guns are 1911s. I prefer.45 ACP when hunting deer and have had success with them. I use SureFire X300UB models with these guns. One is a custom-built gun for hunting, and the other is a Colt M45A1. My holsters are designed for the light on the custom gun. I don’t usually carry my Colt with the light attached, despite its rail. I don’t want to add any extra weight to the gun, but I do like the SureFire when it’s on the nightstand. I have four SureFire light that I use regularly and they are extremely durable. These “full-size lights” are best mounted on full-size pistols ranging from 4.5 to 5.5 inches. I like my lights to be tucked away behind the muzzle. On the 1911, this is not an issue. For Glock pistols I prefer compact lights, particularly the Streamlight TLR-7. I have both the regular and pressure switch versions. These fit neatly into a 4-inch Glock. I have them on my regular carry G19, Gen 5, and my 19X with a threaded barrel. I enjoy that, when using a suppressor, the compact light doesn’t make the Glock so front heavy as with a SureFire.Streamlight’s TLR7 line is very impressive and offers great brightness and user-friendly controls. The best part is that you can change the batteries without having to remove the light from the gun. They load from the front. It also has a manual-off setting to prevent battery waste during daylight hours. The button lowers your finger on the 19 making it feel more like a G26. The 19X is a bit larger and allows a fuller grip without feeling like you are “stacking up” your fingers. I want to make the most of their small size and light weight. I know that there are options, but I do not want to negate their ability to be easily dropped in a wallet. I believe a light for a 3-inch or 2-inch 357 mag is just unnecessary. The distances at which these guns can be effective are just too short to justify the weight and it is a liability when drawing quickly from a purse. A handheld would be better paired with a micro-pistol. There are many schools of thought about the theory of light. They can be very useful for self-defense in the street. Lights can also be a beacon, which makes you more visible, especially if your goal is to hide or run away. They’re also not always a good idea in the home. You’re just as likely as to give away your location to an intruder with one, as you would be if you turned on the lights in the room. I urge you to practice in your own home. Your cozy domestic space can turn into a maze of blind corners and moving shadows at night. You should practice using a handheld flashlight with your family or friends to make sure you understand how to use it in this situation. You’ll be surprised by the first time you try it. Even familiar faces can be a surprise when you don’t expect them in the room. The target grids and bullseyes are in MOA. Subscribe to the Gun Digest newsletter and we will send you your print-at home target pack immediately. Enter your email below.