Weapon Lights-What say you?

[Axis II]

What do you guys think of this one? Looking to put on an M&P and G19. Got a buddy willing to let one go for $50 or two for $90. Reviews are good, lumens are high and it seems well made. I have one of their $60-70 flashlights I use at work and love it. It seems well built and bright.

https://lapolicegear.com/lapg-fl-xwl01-sliderail-xwl-light.html

 

[WrongHanded]

I cannot speak to that specific light, just pistol weapon lights in general.

I am now a fan of the concept. With some caveats.

• The muzzle should preferably extend beyond the light. This prevents (in my experience) the light's lens from getting covered in smoke, reducing the illumination.
• Practice using it is required to train muscle memory. Not just turning it on as part of the draw, but also turning it off with appropriate timing.

They also most often require a holster design for both the gun and the particular light combination. And they do add bulk, which can be undesirable for concealed carry. If I were to add one to a compact or sub compact pistol - rather than extending the barrel length as I have done on my G20 - I would buy a more compact light than I currently own, which is a Streamlight TLR-1.

I actually have one on the G20, and another that floats between a G23 and a G22. It's too big on the G23 to take advantage of the reduced size of that pistol versus the G22 for any kind of concealment. So smaller would certainly be better.

 

[Electrod47]

I have acquired over the years about a dozen weapon lights for my AR's. Today they sit in a drawer. I have found a bright beam green lazer will light up a room and a good bit of surrounding area outside AND give me instant target acquisition. I keep a bright beam O-Light in hand.

 

[Axis II]

I cannot speak to that specific light, just pistol weapon lights in general.

I am now a fan of the concept. With some caveats.

• The muzzle should preferably extend beyond the light. This prevents (in my experience) the light's lens from getting covered in smoke, reducing the illumination.
• Practice using it is required to train muscle memory. Not just turning it on as part of the draw, but also turning it off with appropriate timing.

They also most often require a holster design for both the gun and the particular light combination. And they do add bulk, which can be undesirable for concealed carry. If I were to add one to a compact or sub compact pistol - rather than extending the barrel length as I have done on my G20 - I would buy a more compact light than I currently own, which is a Streamlight TLR-1.

I actually have one on the G20, and another that floats between a G23 and a G22. It's too big on the G23 to take advantage of the reduced size of that pistol versus the G22 for any kind of concealment. So smaller would certainly be better.

M&P is a fullsize gun and used as a bedside gun and the G19 will be in a Safariland holster for the weapon and light.

 

[trackskippy]

I have a couple of those on a couple of guns I keep in lock boxes. They work well and no complaints. Very much like the Streamlights I have on other guns, and at about half the price. I only paid around $55 for the ones I have, but I guess everything is going up these days.

I also have a couple of the O Lights on a couple of AR's. Same basic lights, but they are a lot brighter. I like them too, but they are almost too bright for indoors. Great for out in the yard though.

One I have uses 123 batteries, the other is rechargeable. I dont recommend getting the one that's rechargeable, as I always find it dead after about a month, where the one that takes 123's is good for as long as the batteries last just sitting there. You cant change out the batteries on the rechargeable either, so you're stuck with keeping after it.

 

[herrwalther]

Make sure you test it right away when it shows up. I bought the exact light and it was dead on arrival. Took almost 2 months to get the money refunded to me. I have bought other stuff from LAPG so I will give the light another chance when I can.

 

[JTQ]

... the G19 will be in a Safariland holster for the weapon and light.

If you plan to holster it, just make sure Safariland covers that combination.

 

[mokin]

I will second what herrwalther posted. But I ordered a couple of those two years ago in a BOGO deal. Both worked and have continued to work fine. Plenty bright for outdoor use. I find them brighter than I generally want for indoors. Like Electrod47 suggested a green laser is probably sufficient.

 

[amprecon]

I have acquired over the years about a dozen weapon lights for my AR's. Today they sit in a drawer. I have found a bright beam green lazer will light up a room and a good bit of surrounding area outside AND give me instant target acquisition. I keep a bright beam O-Light in hand.

What is this green lazer you speak of and where might I acquire?

 

[herrwalther]

What is this green lazer you speak of and where might I acquire?

When I was still putting lasers on my weapons, Viridian was the best I tried. At one point everything I would use for "social work" had a laser on it.

https://viridianweapontech.com/products/viridian-hs1-black-with-green-laser

 

[SquidBubble]

If I have to draw my EDC just to see my target, then I've already f---ed up with some terrible decisions.

On a serious note, I really like the Modlite PLHv2-18650 on my home defense MPX.

 

[Pat Riot]

Personally, I wouldn’t want an 800 lumen light for a pistol that was to be used for home defense. 800 lumens is VERY BRIGHT for indoor use.

I thought perhaps I misread and it was 80 lumens, but it says 800.

From the web page:

• Light: 800 Lumen Cree XP-L LED

I used to have a 500 lumen weapon light on an AR. One night I decided to test it in my house. The reflected light off the walls was so bright that it was startling.
Now my HD lights are no more than 100 lumens. If I need brighter lights I have them but indoors my 100 lumen lights are plenty.

 

[jmr40]

Where practical I like them. So far, I haven't found a good way to conceal carry a gun with a mounted light. But have one on guns kept at the ready inside my home. When I travel the light comes off when carrying, but at night in a hotel room or campground the light goes back on the pistol.

I agree with several others above, a bunch of lumens aren't needed on a handgun, but I do have a more powerful light mounted on an AR and a shotgun. I could illuminate someone 100 yards away with those.

 

[Armored farmer]

Weapon lights are on my HD guns.
I toyed with them on carry guns, and spent time taking them on and off.....checking batteries....special holsters...etc.


My ARs have them in case I need to dispatch a critter in the middle of the night.

 

[webrx]

I like one on my bedside gun, but not a fan on my carry gun, make the holster more bulky, slower to get out, and tbh, maybe I should not be out and about in a place where it is so dark I need a weapon light. Now, for those that put themselves in harms way (LEO's thank you all for what you do) I can see them being a nice addition.

d

 

[Anchorite]

Count me out. I prefer a flashlight that is not attached to a firearm.

 

[Ru4real]

In my home or on my property no light. I guarantee I know it better than anyone else so a quiet darkness is my advantage.

I’m as likely to yell out “Warning, I have a gun” as I am to switch on a light, in a hallway, on a gun or flashlight held in hand.

All of my practice shooting at 7 yards or less doesn’t involve sights, just muscle memory.

If I was law enforcement entering unfamiliar territory, light on the gun I suppose.

 

[Armored farmer]

The strobe function on my weapon light seems like it would be a useful tool to have.
It is blinding, confusing, and intimidating.
IMHO

 

[Electrod47]

What is this green lazer you speak of and where might I acquire?

Before jumping into the high dollar Veridian. Try this and see if you like it. That's what I use replacing 100+ dollar lights.

"At Amazon"
Feyachi GL6 Green Laser Sight with 45 Degree P13 Picatinny Rail Mount and

List Price: $52.99$52.99 Details
Prime Price: $32.39$32.39

Brand Feyachi
Item Weight 4.5 Ounces
Material Aluminum
Compatible Devices Rifle
Mounting Type Picatinny Mount
Night vision Yes

 

[Rodfac]

I've got a TLR-1 attached to the rail on my Sig P226 Mk25....I don't carry the gun with the light attached, but it does do duty as a bedside gun...the light is useful, easy to actuate and essential for inside the home defense IMHO, YMMv, Rod

 

[JeffG]

I have a TLR 1 on my "bump in the night" Glock 23. I also have a Nebo red line 1000 lumen tactical flashlight. I'm not sold on pointing a loaded pistol everywhere I want to look, even when investigating a suspicious noise. I have a Nebo on my AR, but the same limitations apply to using it also. Also, sometimes the splash-back of light blinds me, and makes it useless.

 

[hso]

Feyachi

Those are for the airsoft market, not that some of the accessories for airsoft aren't good enough for firearms. Looking at a lot of the field reviews you find they don't stand up to more than plinking.