Looking for a solid tactical pistol light

Crosswind

Crosswind

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
12   0   0
Location
Lower Mainland, BC
Hello,

I'm looking for just one very durable and reliable underbarrel flashlight for my handguns. I plan to use it for 25m target shooting, outdoors at night, and I want to be able to see dark-coloured target paper.

I'm looking for something that is rock solid, shock-resistant (able to survive a 1m drop with gun's weight on top of it), and relatively waterproof, dustproof, and mudproof. Many handguns are designed to survive being dragged through the dirt and still perform; it be pretty pointless if an accessory light can't do the same.

Note that I have zero experience with light modules. I have never even handled such an item at a gun store. The reason why I ask CGN members first, is because as a newbie, I'll likely be seduced by which light module "looks" best on my handguns; then buy it just to find out that the item has many quirks that I just can't get over.

So far I'm considering the latest versions of the Streamlight TLR-1, Surefire X300, and Insight M3X. Cost isn't that much of an issue for me, since I'm willing to pay for long service life. If there are other lights that you'd recommend, please let me know.

I'll appreciate any opinions and I'll be very glad to hear from anybody with first-hand experience with accessory lights.

Thanks,
 
All 3 you listed are well made and offer very similar attributes. The TLR 1 can be bought ( and some places still ship to Canada) for $150 CAD Approx. The X300 is retardedly over priced. Not too sure on the price of the Insight.

I have owned and operated TLR 1 and X300. TLR 1 is the champ in my books in regards to performance, lumens and the controls.
 
Last edited:
I love my Insight M3X. Never had any issues with it. But of the three, you wont have any issues.
 
X300

The X300 is my reccomendation. I have had one for over a year now and it's served admirably.
I really like the flexability of being able to mount it to a universal rail or a picatinny rail, with either the sliding crossbar or the sprung tab.
Both my SIG and AR have their own X300 with DG14 and XT07 tailcaps, respectively. Those accessories make the X300 that much better at it's job as a weapon light.
No tools are needed to mount or remove the light, so it can jump from gun to gun, if need be.
On my AR, it replaced my M900A and made it so much lighter and handier. It can be moved anywhere on the rails or removed and put onto your pistol.
If I were able to satisfactorialy mount one to my 870 and replace the heavy old 618, I would. I find that the light quality is better than even the P61 bulb, and it is just so much lighter. It would make for a handier, lighter shotgun, but again, the mounting is my sticking point.
Versatile, light, and simple with good output and good battery life. It is an outstanding example of Surefire's innovative engineering and quality.
Is there a downfall to the X300? IR filters wont work on it because it's an LED and not an incandescent bulb.
Dang. :rolleyes:
 
I have the Insight M3 and the Surefire X200a, and I far prefer the Surefire. The Surefire feels a bit more solid (aluminum rather than plastic/polymer body), and has a whiter light. No experience with the M3X, so not sure if there is a difference in the light temperature.

If you go the Surefire route, ensure that you get the 'a' model, rather than the 'b'. The 'a' model gives you a tighter beam, better for shooting at 25m. The 'b' model gives you much more side light, better for close quarters, clearing rooms, etc.

None of these are going to give you a ton of light though. For serious outdoors in the dark work, get yourself a powerful handheld flashlight. I've got a 600 lumen Solarforce L600 light that is fantastic, and lights up the night sky.
 
AdamO said:
I have the Insight M3 and the Surefire X200a, and I far prefer the Surefire. The Surefire feels a bit more solid (aluminum rather than plastic/polymer body), and has a whiter light. No experience with the M3X, so not sure if there is a difference in the light temperature.

If you go the Surefire route, ensure that you get the 'a' model, rather than the 'b'. The 'a' model gives you a tighter beam, better for shooting at 25m. The 'b' model gives you much more side light, better for close quarters, clearing rooms, etc.

None of these are going to give you a ton of light though. For serious outdoors in the dark work, get yourself a powerful handheld flashlight. I've got a 600 lumen Solarforce L600 light that is fantastic, and lights up the night sky.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips AdamO, I've always wondered whether those small accessory lights are able to produce enough to shoot accurately at 25m. However, bringing my own spotlight to the range kinda defeats the purpose of target practice at night, and a handheld flashlight means I can only shoot one-handed; unless I'm wearing a miner's hat, lol.

TW25B brings up another rather important issue; what is the general availability of these products in British Columbia?
 
I have used the Insight M3X and Streamlight TLR-2 both on my handguns.

Personally speaking I like the feel and controls on the TLR-2 better then that of the M3X.
The StreamLight's are 80 lumons and if I remember right the M3X are 100 lumons?

If you live in BC, go to Dave's Surplus in New West and check them out yourself. See what one fits your fingers better.
 
LED vs. incandescent; polymer vs. anodized aluminum alloy

Crosswind said:
...I'm looking for just one very durable and reliable underbarrel flashlight for my handguns. I plan to use it for 25m target shooting, outdoors at night, and I want to be able to see dark-coloured target paper. I'm looking for something that is rock solid, shock-resistant (able to survive a 1m drop with gun's weight on top of it), and relatively waterproof, dustproof, and mudproof. Many handguns are designed to survive being dragged through the dirt and still perform; it be pretty pointless if an accessory light can't do the same. Note that I have zero experience with light modules. I have never even handled such an item at a gun store. The reason why I ask CGN members first, is because as a newbie, I'll likely be seduced by which light module "looks" best on my handguns; then buy it just to find out that the item has many quirks that I just can't get over. So far I'm considering the latest versions of the Streamlight TLR-1, Surefire X300, and Insight M3X. Cost isn't that much of an issue for me, since I'm willing to pay for long service life. If there are other lights that you'd recommend, please let me know. I'll appreciate any opinions and I'll be very glad to hear from anybody with first-hand experience with accessory lights...
Click to expand...

Any of the above will serve your purpose.

Generally, LED lamps are reputed to be more shock-resistant - and to have a much longer life - than incandescent lamps. The incandescent M3X is current military issue; these people are also equipped with night vision devices and the LED lamps are not useful as a infrared illuminator (in case that matters to you); M3X lights are issued with a spare bulb. The polymer housing of the M3X is very strong, scratch-resistant, and markedly larger than the aluminum alloy housing of the others; if you were to envision wearing your light-mounted pistol in an IWB, the X300 would be a lot more comfortable. If you were to plan on 'dragging it through the dirt' the polymer M3X would hide it's scars better than the others.

You should decide whether NV is a requirement, look at the holster availability for your pistol(s) mounted with the respective lights, and then decide whether you'll be wearing an IWB holster.

That will narrow it down.

You didn't mention what particular pistols you're buying it for. You will also want to confirm that the light in question will actually fit on the firearm(s) in question. (Just because it has a rail doesn't mean that it is picatinny. The STI GP6, for example, won't accept either the X300 or the M3X - I don't know about the TLR-1 or anything else.)
 
Thanks Wendell, that's some very thoughtful and useful advice!

I'm currently shooting a SIG P226 and an H&K HK45; I was hoping to get just one light module that can hop between the two of them, but now I'm thinking to match polymer with polymer and aluminum with aluminum. How well the lights fit with respect to pistol and shooter will be high on the list of requirements.

Like many firearms owners, I'm extremely neat and tidy with my firearms. However, I don't want to be one of those guys that freak out just because my firearm got wet or fell into the dirt. If something like that does happen during a shooting competition, the psychological effect will eat at you until you finally get time to thoroughly clean it. So I plan on simulating weapon drops during pressure situations and shooting in the rain, and then attempting to shoot normally and accurately without making excuses. I'm hoping that such practice will instill greater trust in my weapons:)
 
Crosswind said:
I'm currently shooting a SIG P226 and an H&K HK45;

However, I don't want to be one of those guys that freak out just because my firearm got wet or fell into the dirt. If something like that does happen during a shooting competition, the psychological effect will eat at you until you finally get time to thoroughly clean it. So I plan on simulating weapon drops during pressure situations and shooting in the rain, and then attempting to shoot normally and accurately without making excuses. I'm hoping that such practice will instill greater trust in my weapons:)
Click to expand...

My x200a never comes off my Sig226. It's been shot in all kinds of weather conditions, rail, snow, hail, etc - and neither has ever skipped a beat. I do clean mine pretty promptly afterwards though - don't want to leave the wood grips and shiny stainless barrel covered in crud for too long!

Sig-226R.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom