What do you all recommend for a rail mounted pistol light?
Pistol light suggestions?
- Thread starter Daniel n
- Start date
I put a Streamlight tlr8 g on my Glock 45 mos 9mm. Really like it. Very bright and has the green laser. The laser can be turned off if you don't use it. I'm thinking about getting the same light in the sub model for my Glock 43x mos.
poorhunter
Well-Known Member
TLR7
TLR-1 I have a half dozen or so of them. I have trusted my life to them for the last 12 years or so. My duty sidearm currently wears a TLR-1HL. Mine and my wife's home defense handgun also wear a TLR-1.
I will say that no matter what you choose make sure you practice with it in the dark if you are going to use it on a defensive handgun. The biggest problem I see even in law enforcement is that people want to manipulate the toggle switch with their trigger finger and that is not the correct way for obvious reasons.
I will say that no matter what you choose make sure you practice with it in the dark if you are going to use it on a defensive handgun. The biggest problem I see even in law enforcement is that people want to manipulate the toggle switch with their trigger finger and that is not the correct way for obvious reasons.
TNhunter
Well-Known Member
Just ordered an Olight PL8R
Like my olights.
TNhunter
Well-Known Member
Just got an Olight pl3r for new fn 510.
A buddy had a nightstick WMT that I was really impressed with. He had an extra he let me have for a great deal. I'll provide some reviews after I've had it awhile.
Funny how things change. Decades ago Police were taught not to put a light on a handgun. The reasons were obvious. Its commonplace today.
TnTom
Active Member
Olight Baldr S 800 lumens, 3 stages, 1st is a green lazer, 2nd is lazer and lamp, 3rd is lamp alone. 2 brightness levels, easy to sight in, sighted mine at 18 yd's $129.00 if I remember. I didnt realize it had the brightness levels until I re-read the instructions (use the pdf as the one that comes with it is printed in the tiniest font known to man and you can zoom the file to ease your eyeballs. One complaint is that the "battery charge" indicator is a tiny single light on the side and doesnt come on till the charge level is down to 10%, On the upside is that the charging cord is magnetic plugs in to any 110 outlet and shows a green full charge on the on the cord next to the where the magnet is. Its on my Sig Mosquito .22 and use it to shoot armadillo and hits right where you point it. Its a good unit and comes with of extra mounting components for Glocks. Easy on and off for removing. No regrets.
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TnTom
Active Member
The 800 lums on bright is more than adequate
ImThere
Well-Known Member
So I can hold a pistol in each hand instead of a flashlight in one and a gun in the other!
I carry mine at night when I take the dog out. I also carry it when hunting evenings.
Tlr1. I like one brightness level.
one thing to pay attention to is how long the claimed lumens last. Some of the lights for example say 800 lumens but the light will only do that for say 5mins then it goes down to 400. That was one of the complaints with Olight on some models. On paper its great but in the real world useage its not.
Not bashing Olight at all, and it may not be the case anymore but I know for sure it was at one time.
I did a ton of research on them a while back and came to this conculsion. Streamlight is the best option for quality but also more expensive. Olight is the best option if you are trying to save some money but is still a pretty good light.
Not bashing Olight at all, and it may not be the case anymore but I know for sure it was at one time.
I did a ton of research on them a while back and came to this conculsion. Streamlight is the best option for quality but also more expensive. Olight is the best option if you are trying to save some money but is still a pretty good light.
TnTom
Active Member
Your research is spot on. Ive not tested the length of time it will remain on high but did discover I must remember to check if its level of charge is down to 10% when it would not stay on for more than a moment, I missed the opportunity to take a shot because suddenly I had no power. The charge indicator is minute and will not glow unless the light is on then very hard to see. I do not use the light to search but only turn it on when I have a target spotted so "theroretically" if you dont ever turn it on it wont run down, well using it or not I think it still comsumes power to some extent because the "on" time was far from the total time it should should not have been down to nothing. I just have to be diligent and check for the 10% lite. Cost was a factor. I do have one on my rifles 1200 lums and never experienced it out of power, unlike the Baldr 800. It, the 1200 never let me down and off hand I dont remember its model #. Thanks for the great feedback Ill check out the Streamlight.
I recently bought the Holosun P. ID, Holosun P.ID HC and the Fenix GL19R V2, the Holosun P.ID series are well built, are plenty bright and have a decent lumen drop off graph but the switch is a little tougher to activate which is good and bad.
The Fenix was the cheapest and just as bright as the Holosun P.ID HC with about the same throw and maybe a little more spot, the switch is very easy to activate, good and bad but lumens drop off faster.
Holosun P.ID (the HC version does about the same but has higher candela).
Fenix GL19R V2
And you can see it drops off quick in the first 5 minutes.
I like them both but for different reasons, the P.ID HC and the Fenix GL19R V2 are great against photonic barriers, the Fenix is quick detach but the P.ID HC is more durable. Both hold around 500 lumens for 30+ minutes and both can be recharged without removing the light.
The P.ID can be found for around $80, the P.ID HC for around $150.
Picked up the Fenix for $75 from Fenixlighting with my ID.me discount.
The only issue I have experienced so far is if my pistol is dirty, I'm shooting 9mm subs 950fps, I have a heavy suppressor and have one of these lights mounted, I sometimes get a stove pipe but as long as I keep my pistol well oiled then I'm good or if I use a lighter suppressor.
The Fenix was the cheapest and just as bright as the Holosun P.ID HC with about the same throw and maybe a little more spot, the switch is very easy to activate, good and bad but lumens drop off faster.
Holosun P.ID (the HC version does about the same but has higher candela).
Fenix GL19R V2
And you can see it drops off quick in the first 5 minutes.
I like them both but for different reasons, the P.ID HC and the Fenix GL19R V2 are great against photonic barriers, the Fenix is quick detach but the P.ID HC is more durable. Both hold around 500 lumens for 30+ minutes and both can be recharged without removing the light.
The P.ID can be found for around $80, the P.ID HC for around $150.
Picked up the Fenix for $75 from Fenixlighting with my ID.me discount.
The only issue I have experienced so far is if my pistol is dirty, I'm shooting 9mm subs 950fps, I have a heavy suppressor and have one of these lights mounted, I sometimes get a stove pipe but as long as I keep my pistol well oiled then I'm good or if I use a lighter suppressor.
this throwing this out there but seems Harbor Freight has a streamlight clone now. Watched a few videos on it and it actually has some really good reviews. Only CON those people have said is it only has a 90 day warranty vs the lifetime from streamlight, however for $50 you could buy 3 of them for the same price as the streamlight.
Doubt I would use it on an every day carry but for a training or nightstand gun I prob will grab one to use
https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lumen-tactical-rail-mount-led-light-70460.html
Doubt I would use it on an every day carry but for a training or nightstand gun I prob will grab one to use
https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lumen-tactical-rail-mount-led-light-70460.html
