Posted: 8/24/2006 12:47:10 PM EDT
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Now that I have some good feedback on a rail, which light makes sense? I am non LEO, non military Joe CCW in the truck kind of guy. Won't use it often (carry another handheld in the truck anyway) but when needed, do I need just something that will work i.e. the SureFire 200 series LED or something blindingly bright like the nitrolon series? The only experience i have with them is with the little mini light on a sub compact XD-40. It is surprisingly bright, though I am pretty sure it wouldn't last long. Because of my limited experience, I would appreciate any first hand knowledge. Buy right the first time and never regret it or end up with a drawer full like all my cheap binoculars and always regret it. 
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For the money, the little basic Streamilight M3s are hard to beat IMHO. I have 7 or 8 of the little buggers (and an M6 for good measure) on various firearms and I've never had one give me any trouble. (Of course, I've never tried to drive a nail with one, either.  )I've also got a couple of the Surefire X200s and, while I really like them and believe that they are superior in many ways to the M3s (esp. for use in harsh conditions), they cost more $$$ so you'll have to decide where that trade-off falls for you. IMHO, either would serve you well at a reasonable price (or even cheaper off EE used ).
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Haven't used the M3, so can't give you a comparison. I run an X200b on a 1911 using the surefire MR07 rail for my LE duty pistol. I work nights, so I use it a lot. I've been very impressed with this light. Very bright, wide beam, compact size, and abosolutely bulletproof (pun intended). 
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The x200b is a 5 watt LED. As bright as my full-size rechargeable maglight. It's not adjustable. The x200a has a narrower beam, but I do a lot of interior and exterior searches at night and the I do not find the x200b lacking. I prefer the x200b to my gladius, which is also a 5w led, but has a narrower beam The MR07 rail is very solid and works great. I use a 6280 holster variant for it. I've been using this combo on duty for almost a year and like it a lot. Currently experimenting with the DevGroup switch, not sure if I like it for general use yet. |
| The Streamlight TLR-1 is the best pistol light out there!! It is LED so there is no filament to burst when the light gets hot (this will happen to any M3 or M3X). The TLR will light up a room very nice and has very good outdoor capabilities. If you ever want to put your TLR on a rifle you can do so in about 10 seconds (This process will take about 10 minutes with a Surefire X200 because you have to physically swap out the plate on the light and the M3 you have to swap out the locking bar. So hands down the TLR is the best light all around and it is also the least expensive. The M3 and M3X only have a 1 year warranty. The TLR and the Surefire of course have a lifetime warranty. I have owned everyone of these lights and still own the TLR and the Surefire x200. The TLR is by far my favorite. |
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I agree with Pistolwretch. Eventually I'm going to have Dawson rails installed on my duty guns. Note that the X200 comes with QD Weaver (Universal) and QD M1913 rails. You can also install a rail lock for either system if you like. This allows you to quickly put the light onto another rail of the same type (example, M1913 to M1913). |
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I found a place locally that actually had some of these lights on hand. The brights one of the bunch was the M3X so that is the way I went. An awful lot of people here and elsewhere recommended the X200. The TLR-1 was brighter than the X200 and the M3X was brighter still. For my application - Non-LEO - this is fine. It will be used very, very seldom and when engaged it will be for seconds, not minutes. Thanks for all the input - it was very helpful By the way, I ended up getting 2 Novak rails instead of the Dawson Precision. They are smaller, better looking, are extremely well made and fit on my Kimber stainless target and Ultra CDP perfectly. Definitely worth considering: http://www.novaksights.com/novak%201911%20tactical%20light%20rail.html |