To use on a Springfield trp operator. This is my first weapon light, and I have to say I’m not real impressed. The switch is heavy to get into the constant position and it sits a little to far in front of the trigger guard. Having to use the weak hand thumb to press the switch up feels weird, and it’s tough to get enough purchase in the switch to use my trigger finger. Do these take a lot of getting used to, or is it maybe just not a good for for me?
I’m thinking of taking this back and buying a sf x300. What do you guys say?
You shouldn’t be using the constant position because you are a shooter, not a lighthouse. Use the temporary position which requires switching the left side down (if you’re right handed, this is much easier) It is actually a much more intuitive switch than pushing forward the Surefire X Series.
I started with the TLR-1 series in OIF and only recently (1yr) got Surefire lights because I wanted the IR Laser on the X400V (Which is a total piece of shit) and found the momentary switching of the Surefire switches totally suck. Do they suck? No, it’s just a training issue.
As for the positioning, I haven’t found much difference between the TLR and Surefire X300 series. I think (most) 1911s just place the rail a bit too far forward. Try getting a Glock 19 and joining the 21st Century (I kid, I kid…)
It’s your call - if you own other SF X300s I would, for consistency’s sake, sell the TLR and get another X300. If you don’t, I would simply practice more. I have a TLR that is over a decade old that still rocks and rolls.
OK so it’s a software issue not a hardware issue. I didn’t know the momentary on was what I should be using. That seems a little more intuitive, still wish it was up with the left thumb not down, changes my grip a little.
I spit coffee out on the lighthouse comment!
I’ve tried glocks, and they just aren’t for me. I prefer the feel of heavy steel, the trigger and controls on a 1911. Yes I know, it’s last century.
I have them on a Glock 19 and 30SF. They do take a little getting used to. I only train with the momentary-on. I don’t foresee a need for constant on. I do keep a Surefire G2X with each handgun (one upstairs, one downstairs) if I should need a real flashlight.
I love my tlr-1’s. Of note, on all my pistols and rifles which have a light I activate the light with my weak hand thumb by default. I would not recommend using your trigger finger, of either hand. In my opinion, under stress, trying to go fast, switching to weak side, ECT, you could possibly shoot instead of activate the light and vice versa. So for me thumbs do safeties and lights, trigger fingers do triggers.
If it were me I’d recommend returning it and getting an X300 instead. In my experience, the TLR-1 ND’s wayyy to easily since the switch isn’t that difficult to depress for momentary activation. This leads to light ND’s (particularly when drawing or reholstering), even sometimes when shooting depending on your hand size/grip. Since I consider light ND’s to be bad juju in low light/no light environments, the TLR-1 is out for me.
I use the TLR on my bedside 1911, since I was coming from using a insight m3 the switch was something I was used to using.
That being said it is a easy switch to bump. I put the gun in my pistol case to take to the range and it got bumped on and all but killed the batteries. My solution to that is pop the light of before I go to the range and flip a battery.
I haven’t experienced any ND other than the bag and I haven’t yet worked with a holster yet since I’m still looking for one that I like. But how I have been practicing the use of lights, I use 2 a surfire G2 and the TLR. The G2 gets used for admin duties and light control while getting the gun into play.
Continuing this outstanding discussion and thorough analysis of the TLR… I’ve noticed that I miss the quick detach ability that the M3 light had.
There’s two things I like about quick detach. First, I can change to a non-light holster quickly and leave the light behind. And the second, in a pinch, I could pull the M3 off quickly and us it like a hand held light without pointing a pistol at what I’m illuminating.
The TLR fell off when I was practicing with my Safariland holster because, I assume the knob backed out. So I have to use a screw driver to crank it down to make sure the shit doesn’t fall off.
It becomes a tool necessary light to take off. Not ideal.
I get you about the value of toolless quick disconnect. Especially for “non-duty” users like me. The breakdown seems to be designing a reliable user controlled QD vs random, spontaneous QD.
I don’t know if you have experienced any issues, but the M3 has something of a reputation for going walkabout. If anyone has a recommendation for a quality light with a reliable QD function I for one would love to hear it. Until then I guess I’ll be sticking with TLR 1/7.
I never ran the M3 very much because I’m not a fan of pistol mounted lights for a couple of reasons. So my M3 is like new.
The TLR seems much more robust, but I was pissed when it fell off the fuggin gun. I’d love to shoot at night again to see if the TLR can cut through muzzle smoke better. It sure blasts through window glare a lot better than any of my other lights.
Honestly I’m not much of a fan myself. Not the way I believe in them for carbines. If I was carrying a pistol on-duty I might think differently, but I don’t. The nightstand pistol wears a light, bump-in-the-night is it’s role. The carry gun light spends more time in the drawer than on the gun, cuz reasons.
For carry I have my EDC handheld. I train/practice shooting with the light, but not enough. Mostly a fan of the Harries technique, the Rogers hold feels AFU to me, with little benefit.
Totally agree. I was messing with this light some more today. The round part of a handcuff key is perfect for tightening the light. I suppose I’ll figure out a system, but QD would make this thing perfect.
