Are the Streamlight gun mounted light worth the money? You can find the TLR 1 S for less money than a Surefire X300 has anyone ever compared the 2?
I’m debating the exact same thing right now.
What other weapon lights are you considering? I’m also looking at the 951 and the 600c, although the 600 is 3 times the cost of the TLR.
I can only speak from it being handgun mounted. They are GTG.
Have a TLR-1 and TLR-1S for my G19’s. I’ve had the TLR-1 since
January, TLR-1S since May. The TLR-1 has seen at least 2300 rnds
mounted on one G19. I did a handgun class with the TLR-1S in august
with no problems. Haven’t mounted them on carbines. I shoot about
200-250 rnds per week with 3 G19’s and one of them always has
either light mounted to it. If you do a search you’ll find they are
generally accepted as GTG. It usually comes down to a preference
of the switching systems. That said my next purchase will be the
new 170lumen X300. Vareity is the spice of life sort of thing.
I have a TLR-1s and a TLR-3. Not a terribly high round count on either, but so far I’ve been very impressed. I think they’re a great value. Finally broke down and ordered holsters for them - a Raven for the M&P and an NTAC for the Walther. The NTAC should be here any day now, the Raven sometime around the first of the year.
The C4 TLR1s are bombproof. I have 3 TLR3s, which have stood up to a tremendous amount of abuse for me. But other have complained of fragility.
Im a huge SF fan and even I have a TLR-1. I think they are great. However SF does have a hassle free warranty. I dont think Streamlight’s warranty is as good.
I have one of the first TLR-1 on my duty gun and it has taken a beating and performed flawlessly. Just got a new Streamlight TLR-1s for my HK 45c, but it will not fit on the rail, keys are too far forward to catch the rail. That is my only gripe on the new TLR series, they are machined slightly different up top now. I do have a SF X300 as well, but for the $, the TLR-1 is a good choice.
The TLR is probably the best weaponlight for the money out there. I know the Surefire X300 is popular in this forum, but I actually prefer the beam profile and controls of TLR. Differences in actual light output are negligible.
The TLR is also highly durable. In addition to members of my police department running TLRs with extremely high round counts, my class leader in academy told me about a demo in which a rep attached a TLR to an unloaded Glock, and proceeded to pound nails into a board using the bottom of the TLR as a hammer. And the TLR worked just fine after the beating.
Paying twice as much for an X300 is absolutely absurd when the just as good if not better (depending on your personal preferences) TLR-1 is available. Buy it without hesitation.
The best $90.00 I’ve spent in a long time…The beam is bright and the unit itself has withstood quite a beating…
I’ve got one on 3 of my guns. Love them. The tape switch and rear assembly is pricey though.
Streamlight has replaced stuff for me no problems. I’ve used their warranty twice and couldn’t be happier. No questions asked, just an RO number and a new one enroute.
Awesome customer service.
Mike
I finally bought a TLR1s and I have to say it works just fine as compared to the SF X200A, X200B, and X300 I have used on duty for years. However, the lack of a DG type switch definitely ranks it below the SF for my use. The ability to use a pistol light one handed is invaluable to me.
http://www.surefire.com/DG-Remote-Tailcap-Switch-X-Series
However, the TLR1s is a pretty good light especially given it’s price and if you are OK with it’s lack of a good remote switch. I am gonna keep it in my long gun bags as a easy on backup light.
Dennis.
The light works perfect for me. I have one on my Glock17 and FNP .45. Bulletproof and no failures. I just have to make sure I clean the damn lens after range/shoot time!!
Smear the lens with a thin coat of oil before you go shoot. It makes clean up afterwards very easy.
What kind of oil? Its not going to cause the lens to melt/warp?
And BTW - I LOVE my FNH!!
When I decided what light to buy for duty use I talked to everyone in my department who had one. I took them all into a dark room (the lights, not the cops) and compared them side by side.
The TLR is a good light, but when you turn the x300 on next to it you feel like there’s no other decision to make and you want the x300. I’m not saying the TLR is bad, but the x300 is better.
And I also think the strobe function on the new TLR is useless. It takes fine motor skills to activate and I found it difficult to activate every time I tried. Poor function in my mind.
I’ve got the Streamlight Vantage C4 light (TLR-1 equivalent) mounted on my fire helmet and its taken a severe beating and still works great. I guarantee that it takes more abuse than any gun mounted light: it’s been through numerous very hot fires, been under water, dropped from an engine (5+ foot fall) and it’s mounted under the brim so my helmet sits on it. It doesn’t have to suffer through recoil but other than that it’s been through the ringer.
i have one on my G17… i like the strobe idea and the switch seems smoother then the X300 which i also own
looking at getting another TLR-1 for another handgun i own
Thanks everyone for the input…
Whatever you have at hand. I’ve used 75-90 gear oil, wheel bearing grease, used motor oil, etc.
The lens isn’t plastic so you can put whatever you want on it. then just wipe it off or hose it with brake cleaner.
Mike