Posted: 12/25/2006 2:50:44 AM EDT
|
On my Gen III Glocks I have an accesory rail. Never thought much about a light for a pistol but I am thinking it might make a decent accesory for my G22 as a nightstand weapon. I have seen some lights go for $200, which for a little flashlight seems somewhat ridiculous. Are there any decent quality rail mount lights that dont cost as much as a used gun? If not, can someone explain to me why these lights cost so much? I get why quality optics are expensive....I still dont get why surefire's and the like are so damn much money. Also, if you have a good suggestion and have pics, please post them. Thanks! |
My first guess would be... They are expensive 'cause manufacturers decided to put "tactical" on the box?  I just got a G19 w/ a glock light as a package together. Sure Glock's light is not attractive as others but it does what it's for. I tried at night in my dark restroom with a mirror. As it was turned on against the mirror image of mine, I was then temporalily blinded for a good time. Also it illuminates in the dark well within house. I have not tried outside yet. Oh, Glock light's reflector is not orange skin'd like oh-so-good-looking Surefire lights. You can adjust Glock light's focus to maximize the blinding effect. I believe Glock light is about $90 - $100? I don't know what is out there in the same price range. One more thing, Glock light body is polymer and yesterday I dropped it on concrete garage floor from about 4 ft. Bulb didn't break and there were some places ding'd up. I guess it's pretty good for money. |
This looks pretty nice...how bright is it? I dont know what 80 lumens means in terms of brightness. |
|
I'm actually a fan of the Glock light. It fits the pistols well...my only complaint is that if you run a long shooting session with on the lens is covered in powder residue (this would be an issue with any light I think) they're around $100 which is a decent price. I can't begin to point out how important a light is on a promary home defense weapon. I didn't have any during Katrina... that was a serious lesson learned. Here's one on a 19, which is my wife's gun and our bedside gun. 
|
Trade it for a Gen III?  Havent seen any good trigger guard mounts for a light. Have seen them for lasers, but the mount looked a little too scant for a tactical light. |
|
The Surefires usually have a ~60 or 120 lumen bulb. The 120 bulb drains batteries quickly. The TLR is quite bright, with decent battery life. For the nonrail G21 guy, get a good handheld light. Here is a good one. Actually, guys with lights on their pistol should still have a good hand-held handy. |
It's bright enough for a pistol light believe me. Will easily illuminate a good bit farther than you are going to want to shoot at with a handgun. |
+1 Steve at ADCO Firearms has them. |
Somewhere I saw one of those companys that do grip mods also do a rail . I think it was in the new Swat mag. What is the difference in the M3 and the TLR-1? I have a M3 on order. |
| I have both the Surefire X200 A and X200 B along with the Streamlight TLR-1 and TLR-2. For the money, you can't beat the TLR-1. It uses the same holsters as the M3, but you get a much more durable light. Surefire's speak for themselves. Their X200 series is so good that they discontinued all their other handgun lights, but your gonna pay. |
The M3 and TLR-1 have significant differences. M3 has a polymer (plastic) body and a xenon bulb. The TLR-1has an Aluminum body and an LED light. My department issues Glock and M3 lights along with Holsters. My Sergeant has a TLR-2 (Laser). It is a decent light but heavy and the laser is a waste in my opinion, he doesn't seem to keen on it either. In my opinion, the Glock and M3 are the best bargain and PLENTY bright. I have cleared many buildings with my light. The gun mounted light is one of the best ideas yet. Remember, a good handheld light is essential. There will be times when using your gun as a flashlight would be deamed "Inappropriate". I have 5 different lighs in my patrol car. Stinger, Big streamlight, Surefire M2 and 2 weapon mount lights (Glock and RRA). |
|
|
I have had one of these for 2yrs now. No problems what so ever. www.coolcopgear.com/flashlights/ledwave.htm |
+1 M3 is next |
|
|
Quoted: Just save up for Surefire X200B--LED brightness, wide beam and light as a feather. Here are my favorite weapon lights: X200B and W111D on my Glock 35. [\quote] +1, they are worth it compared to the others I have used. Lighter, tougher, smaller, more weather resistant. IMHO. I got the A version for a longer range beam as I am in a more rural area though (coyotes, dogs, etc.) |
| My light/laser is very accurate at what I have it set at. I set it at 30ft and between 10 and 50 feet I only see a couple inches of difference in the grouping. If I did it over again I would do without the laser function as I think the light is the best part. I hardly ever use the laser plus I don't want to become dependent on a laser for serious aiming. |
honestly i was going to get the surefire x200... but then i saw the TLR 1 and realize that this was the better choice. ive handled both of them side by side and they are literally identical but the streamlight is 100 dollars cheaper. personally i think that the streamlight attaches better to the gun because of its spring tension and thumb screw. 
|
They are not literally identical, the surefire being both lighter and waterproofed to a higher standard, in addition to the special lens for longer range applications on the "A" model. The surefire comes with a more permanent mount that can be installed as well. The TLR 1 is a good light for most applications, and the Surefire is even better. |
| now dont get me wrong, the surefire is a great light..BUT i find it a bit ridiculous to spend an extra 150 to 175 dollars more for 20 lumens less(x200a) or 20 lumens more (x200b) and less than a ounce in weight with a bit higher waterproof rating. me personally i dont plan to do any swimming/diving with my weapon so i think the TLR 1 is the best bang for you buck. 80 lumens, all metal construction, lifetime warranty for 100 bucks you cant beat that. the only draw back i see is that the surefire has remote switches available but streamlight is said to be coming out with those in the future. |
You have a decent point - the only unknown to us really is the electronics and also the switches, not sure if one is better than the other in that regard or not. It would be interesting to test shock resistance too but who wants to submit their lights for that testing! Both are a great improvement over the Glock light, IMO. |
|
I have mounted on the G35 a SF X200b. This is a very bright light with a great beam for in-house use. It will light an entire room because the "halo" is so broad. This is the light I have mounted on the bedroom gun. I used to have a Glock light on a G34. This light never impressed me. The beam was not as bright as I would like. The beams focus was not as, well, as focused as I like. It does fit the G34 well, but I never liked it. It is now sitting in a drawer unused. Currently on the G34 is a TLR-2. The beam on this light is bright, but not as broad as the X200b. But, the addition of the laser in such a compact package makes up for this slight inefficiency. I looked at the M6, but couldn't justify the price on a non-duty weapon. |
If you have the money get one of the X200 models. Save up the extra $, you will be impressed. If not, package it back up, send it back for your refund and go buy that Streamlight and some extra batteries/case etc. with the extra money. The streamlight is nice but for duty use X200 all the way. I have the M3 and the X200B. Some vendors give LE discount on those X200's.  Thats my 2 cents.
|