I’m thinking about buying a rail mounted tactical light for my home defense 3rd gen G21. What are you guys using? I looked at a factory Glock tactical light the other day & it was priced right ($75), but I’m open to other options.
Im sure there will soon be people with more experience commenting on this to help you out, but most people on here will recommend the surefire x300 which is a really badass light but also expensive (if 75$ is what you were hoping to pay). If 75 dollarsish is your price range i would recommend streamlights TLR series (TLR-1, 2, and 3) The TLR-1 is very similar to the x300 but can be had for 100 dollars online right now. Dont know much about the glock light but never met anyone who ran one, im sure there is a reason. For 25$ more you could get a more trusted light- thats what id do.
I know there are hoardes of people that will say to go with SF x300…
But its pricey. So what do you guys think about the Insight Procyon and WX series of weaponlights?
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I still run one of the old M3s I got back for Y2K. I really do need to see about getting an upgrade…
www.ombexpress.com had a sale on Streamlight TLR-1s lights for $84.99. If you add a few batteries to break the $89.99 mark you get free shipping. The TLR-1s is 160 lumens and has a strobe feature. While the Surefire X300 is a fantastic light, and surefire’s warranty is second to none, I was able to buy 3 TLR-1s’s for the price of 1 X300. Just a thought.
Edit to add: They’re backordered until 3/12/11 but you should be able to still place an order for that price.
I have several TLR-1s, including the one on my duty weapon.
I was interested in the upgrading to the X300 until I tried one out on another officer’s weapon. I wasn’t too keen on how for momentary activation you have to push forward on the rocker swith with your thumb instead of down like the TLR [for right handed.] According to the officer, the recoil would jam his thumb a bit when he fired it using momentary on [it was on his Glock 22].
I also like how you can tighten the TLR down to the light rail so it won’t come loose.
I’ve been carrying my P2000 .40 with the TLR attached full time and have fired quite a few rounds with no issues.
I use an M3X and it is fantastic, though if I were buying another light, I would go with the TLR1.
Avoid the Glocklight.
Its overly bulky and not that great when compared to other lights on the market.
The TLR1 is a great light and the way in which the switches activate is easy and intuitive. The only problem with the TLR1 is that it requires blue threadlock in order to ensure that it will stay attached to the weapon over time.
The X300 is also a great light but i find the switches stiff. The momentary activation feature is nice but freaks me out a little when it comes to white light AD’s. Granted, ive never actually had one but you never know.
The M3 is a great light but unless you’re going to get the newer m3x with the LED emitter you’re going to end up with a vastly inferior light.
The WX150 is a beast of a light and offers the end user alot of very good features. Strobe, an X300 style mounting solution, a ton of lumens, a very focused beam, robust construction and independent easy to operate switches.
If your budget is under 100 bones, go with a TLR1, you will like it. If you can spend a little more look hard and long at either an X300 or a WX150.
I have a TLR 1 and a Xiphos blackhawk light. If it is strictly a home defense gun the TLR 1 x300 or any of the insight lights are great. If it is a gun that will be carried and the light is taken on and off daily I would say spend the extra bones and buy the blackhawk light. While the blackhawk secures very well, it also comes off very easy with no tools, which can’t be said for any of the other lights (unless you don’t tighten down the light which means it could come off under recoil).
Good luck in your search.
The X300 and the WX150 are both quick attach/detach.
I have a surefire x300 mounted on a g17 and love it. The best price that I could find it for was at www.brightflashlights.com folks there are pleasant and not pushy so I give them a thumbs up
dont get too caught up on lumens. we have a variety of lights including all the streamlights and the x300. the x300 is a much better level of light. the streamlight advertises more lumens but it has a lot of flood and seems dull next to the x300. the x300 will overpower the tlr1 when next to each other to the point that you dont notice the tlr1.
the only real downfall to the x300 is the price. i would look at your use. the x300 is significantly stronger and more durabl. but its 3x the cost. streamlight is a great company with great customer service.
i like them both. i personally use the tlr1 since my boss uses the x300 and he lets me take the tlr1 home. we also have multiples of the tlr1. im more than happy with it. but as far as the lumens being higher… this is just marketing i think. the surefire is clearly a brighter light.
My personal vote is for the Surefire X-series. The big advantage for me is the DG switching option. However, that adds another what, $80 to the cost. IMHO, worth it, but if that’s too much, I’d say go with the TLR. You won’t be disappointed.
I have a TLR-1 (personally procured) and a Procyon that was issued through my team. I prefer the Procyon, especially the strobe feature, which, while VERY rarely used, is still a nice tool for the toolbox. Everything I’ve heard about the WX150 and seen from demo’ing it just makes it look like a better version of the Procyon. My only real issue with the Procyon/WX150 is the inability to use a “tape” switch for activation, but that’s definitely not a show stopper.
I know it’s heresy to even suggest it in a lot of places, but I simply don’t see what you get for your money with the Surefire over the TLR family, the M3X, or the Procyon/WX150. In fact, the only Surefire lights I still own are bright yellow G2s in the glove box of each of my cars…
Regards,
Kevin
If you’re going to carry it, get a Surefire because they’re a lot more secure in my experience. If it’s just going to be on your bed side gun, then get the TLR-1 because it’s cheaper and it will do everything the X300 will do. Or for the same price as the X300 you can get the TLR-2 which has a laser.
The X300, Procyon/WX150 and TLR-1 are all good choices and better than the Glock light.
I vote x300.
Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a weapon mounted light is how bright its output is. While being able to burn out a potential threat’s retinas from a mile away is great, if your light is very bright you can end up blinding yourself when you activate it, especially if you will be using it on a home defense weapon in a house with white walls.
For example, I have a Pelican light mounted on an M4 that is 110+ lumens, and if I have the light activated and pointed at the ground [our range has palish grey gravel] at night the light will end up blinding me to the point where I develop that purplish blob in my vision, where as a light around the 80 lumen level isn’t near as harsh, but will still temporarily blind a threat on the receiving end.
Surefire X300 if you have the coin, Streamlight TLR-1 if you don’t. Any less and I’d prefer to have a handheld.
Not sure if it was mentioned but have you (any of you) checked out the
NEW Crimson Trace LIGHT guard?
http://www.crimsontrace.com/tabid/621/Default.aspx
I have the laser guard on my LCP and PF9 but neither of those are my home defense weapon.
I am looking at one of these for my nightstand M&P40 FS.
Like the laser guard you can have it on or off with just the pressure of you’re middle finger.
*never have used a mounted light on my weapon so i am by far in NO position
to give advice as many of the previous posters use mounted lights on their duty weapons and those are the ones “in the know”.