I’m looking for a light for pocket carry on a regular basis. I would like to use it in conjunction with my M&P9c for defense, courses, etc. I would also like something that I could mount on my 6920 when needed until I get a seperate light for that purpose. It is not necessary that I be able to mount on the rail of the M&P but if something like an X300 would fit the bill for the other categories then so be it. Tail cap switch a must. Two brightness settings would be nice but not a dealbreaker. At this point I feel like there are just too many choices. I don’t know where to start.
Pocket carry on the pistol I presume? If so, the X200B and X300 are damn nice.
No, pocket carry off the pistol. I would use it in weak side hand for low light drills, etc. If something fits the bill and also fits on the pistol then I might give it a try but I don’t see myself every carrying my pistol with a light mounted.
The only light (worth a crap) that will fit the M&P Compacts is the Streamlight TLR-3.
I have one, and it is a good little light. It uses a C4 LED which is rated at 90 Lumens. It is also designed to have a bit more wide angle of light dispursion than some larger pistol lights like the Surefire X300.
It is not as bright as a Surefire X300 or Streamlight TLR-1 but it is nice and very small, and light. It is activated with a rocker switch. It would work in a pinch as a hand held, but it would not be as nice as a dedicated hand held light.
For a good cheap light the Surefire G2 is excellent. Also the Tomahawk hand helds work very well when used with a pistol.
ETA: edited to add…fenix makes some good small EDC lights. http://mp-pistol.com/boards/index.php?showtopic=15546
I read too quickly over the “c” in the original. He’s right ^^^^ the X series Surefires will not fit the Compacts. They also would not make very good handheld lights off the gun, in my opinion. The ergos are very poor for retention, activation, etc while being held in the hand. Would certainly work in a pinch.
If you can practice the Surefire/Rogers, Harries, Hackathorn/Vickers, modified FBI, etc a G2LED would be a great light that you could throw in any number of AR mounts for going on a AR too.
I’d just say get something less expensive and simple to start with that can still be used after you move forward. I agree with SHIVAN that a SF G2L fits the bill and can become a fine carbine light afterward with a cheap and light VTAC mount.
On that point, as you get more serious about tactical shooting (or just to buy more toys) you WILL buy more lights because switching stuff around is a PIA and you will have a better understanding of what you need/want. Start cheap and smart to learn!
There are also other non-Surefire offerings (mostly Chinese) which are fine as well and offer more levels for less $$, your call.
Dennis.
Try reading through these threads for some EDC insight: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=33698 and https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=31193
That’s what I had in mind. Use on the carbine is more theoretical at this point so more important that I have something that carries easy. Thanks for the info.
If you’re going the G2/6P route, do yourself a favor. Buy a cheap G2 ($40ish) and buy a TNVC LED drop in. I carry a 6P set up like this everyday on my duty belt. All of my M4’s have this set –up also.
I bought a Surefire drop-in LED, complete waste of money.
Another nice light is the Surefire E2D LED. It has the two brightness settings that you mentioned. Incidentally that’s why I no longer carry this light as my “work” light. The lower setting is nice for admin stuff…but it sucks when you’re using the strobe or fire fly technique during a search.
Gun mounted: You can’t beat the X300. The Glock wears it everyday.
YMMV.
Once again the OP cannot use an X300 on his weapon, it simply won’t fit.
Secondly I would hardly call the Surefire LED head a “waste of money”. It may not do all of the gee wiz crap the TNVC thing can do, but I promise you it has been tested to a WAY higher standard than the TVNC stuff has and you can count on it to work.
Also there are many who believe once you exceed about 90-120 lumens of light it’s just a waste, and it is much easier to “flashbulb” yourself and cause temporary blindness with reflections from concrete walls, white painted walls, or mirrors.
Again, YMMV.
I’ve got several of this new-ish line of Coleman high output LED pocket flashlights that Walmarts been selling for $24.99. Like a 3" long little guy that throws 80 lumen (sure looks it, brighter than my G2s). They have a larger version about the G2’s side throwing 120. I like the small one for easy riding around a pocket. My current one has survived about 10 mos so far just fine. No hard use on a weapon of course.
But I was recently given a Surefire E2D LED Defender as appreciation for some basic pistol instruction and it’s wicked cool but just at the limit of pocket carry. Helluva light though.
+1 on the T3. The T3 I have on a G17 is a very nice little light so far (just a couple months).
Correct me if I’m wrong but that looks like I would have a single power at 256 lumens. Sounds great for the cabine but that might be a litte overpowering for everyday use.
For pocket carry you are somewhat limited in choices, unless you wear cargo pants daily and want to use the thigh pocket. I’d look hard at the Novatac/HDS/Ra Clicky lights as they are actually small enough to front-pocket carry, yet will fit a standard 1" light mount.
With those lights you will get a programmable with multiple levels and either a flush or protruding tail switch.
I’ll probably go with either the E1B or the Novotac 120T. Both look like they would work for me. I may get the E1B just to get another free Larue hat.
http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Categories.bok?category=Light%20/%20Laser%20Mounts
My dad carries a G2L with a Z49 tailcap everyday in his pants pockets. He wears jeans and just pushes it all the way over towards the seam on his leg (i.e. toward the outside edge of his hip).
I’ve never had a problem with mine being overpowering, but maybe it would be too much for your applications.
As others have said, maybe the E1B is the ticket.
I have mounted the Poly-Tac LED from Streamlight on my carbine, it is a great
light at 120 lumens.
You can read the details from the link below.
I have a Fenix PD30 and for the price ($65) its very nice. very compact, has multiple output levels (including strobe)
It fits nice in the pocket, and compact on the rifle.
You can’t go wrong with Surefire products. Great American company with a great warranty. There are other options:
EagleTac T100C2: http://www.pts-flashlights.com/products/product.aspx?pid=152-154-6689
EagleTac T20C2: http://flashlightconnection.com/Eagl…hite-p153.html
Fenix TK 10: https://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_85&products_id=517
Jet Beam JetIII Military/Law Enforcement: http://www.bugoutgearusa.com/jemi.html
Malkoff LED Drop In: http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop2/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_8&products_id=