A pistol light is a tactical accessory that attaches to a handgun and provides illumination in low-light or no-light conditions. Pistol lights are used for a variety of purposes, including self-defense, law enforcement, and home security.
| PRODUCT NAME | BUYING LINK |
|---|---|
| 1. Olight PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie 600 Lumens CW LED Tactical Flashlight | BUY ON AMAZON |
| 2. Streamlight 69220 TLR-3 Weapon Mounted Tactical | BUY ON AMAZON |
| 3. OLIGHT PL-2 PL2 Valkyrie 1200 Lumen Rail Mounted Pistol Light | BUY ON AMAZON |
| 4. InForce APLc Glock WML Tactical Mounted Light 200 Lumens | BUY ON AMAZON |
| 5. SureFire X300 Ultra Series LED WeaponLights with TIR Lens | BUY ON AMAZON |
| 6. Streamlight 69110 TLR-1 Weapon Mount Tactical Flashlight | BUY ON AMAZON |
| 7. SureFire Weaponlights Compact Handgun Light | BUY ON AMAZON |
Some of the best pistol lights on the market include:
1. OLIGHT PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie 600 Lumens Magnetic USB Rechargeable Compact Weaponlight
The Olight PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie is a compact and lightweight weaponlight that produces 600 lumens of brightness and has a throw of 100 meters. It features an adjustable rail for compatibility with most pistols, including subcompacts, and convenient magnetic USB charging. The PL-Mini 2 is also durable and easy to install and use.
Key Features
- Adjustable rail
- 600 lumens
- 100-meter throw
- Magnetic USB charging
- Compatible with GL and 1913 rails
- Quick install and removal
Pros
- Bright light output
- Long battery life
- Easy to install and use
- Durable construction
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- Can be expensive
- May not be compatible with all firearms
2. Streamlight 69220 TLR-3 170-Lumen Lightweight, Compact Weapon Mounted Tactical Light
The Streamlight TLR-3 is a lightweight and compact weaponlight that produces 170 lumens of brightness and has a runtime of 1.5 hours. It features a rail grip clamp system for quick and secure attachment/detachment, a one-handed snap-on and tighten interface, and durable and lightweight impact-resistant polymer construction. The TLR-3 also has an ambidextrous momentary/steady on-off switch.
Key Features
- 170 lumens
- 1.5-hour runtime
- Rail grip clamp system for quick and secure attachment/detachment
- One-handed snap-on and tighten interface
- Durable and lightweight impact-resistant polymer construction
- Ambidextrous momentary/steady on-off switch
Pros
- Bright light output for its size
- Long battery life
- Easy to install and use
- Durable construction
- Compact and lightweight
- Affordable
Cons
- May not be as bright as some other weaponlights
- May not be compatible with all firearms
3. OLIGHT PL-2 PL2 Valkyrie 1200 Lumen Rail Mounted Pistol Light
The Olight PL-2 Valkyrie is a compact and lightweight weaponlight that produces 1200 lumens of brightness and has a throw of 257 yards. It is compatible with most GL, S&W, Sig Sauer, Springfield, Beretta, Ruger, Heckler & Koch, FN, Taurus and other handguns. The PL-2 features a silent, ambidexterous control switch, a quick release mount, and a compact design for concealed carry.
Key Features
- 1200 lumens max output
- Focused 257 yard beam
- Compatible with most GL, S&W, Sig Sauer, Springfield, Beretta, Ruger, Heckler & Koch, FN, Taurus and other handguns
- Silent, ambidexterous control switch
- Quick release mount
- Compact for concealed carry
Pros
- Extremely bright
- Long throw
- Compatible with a wide range of handguns
- Easy to use and install
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- Can be expensive
- May not be compatible with all firearms
- Battery life may be shorter than some other weaponlights
4. InForce APLc Glock WML Tactical Mounted Light 200 Lumens for Glock
The InForce APLc Glock WML Tactical Mounted Light is a compact and lightweight weaponlight that produces 200 lumens of brightness and has a runtime of 1 hour. It features a glass-reinforced polymer body, textured paddles for optimal non-slip grip, an ambidextrous on/off switch, and mounts flush with the muzzle of Glock 19. The APLc also has an integrated clamp that interfaces with all Glock rails.
Key Features
- 200 lumens
- 1-hour runtime
- Glass-reinforced polymer body
- Textured paddles for optimal non-slip grip
- Ambidextrous on/off switch
- Mounts flush with the muzzle of Glock 19
- Integrated clamp interfaces with all Glock rails
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Durable construction
- Easy to install and use
- Affordable
- Specifically designed for Glock pistols
Cons
- May not be as bright as some other weaponlights
- Shorter battery life than some other weaponlights
- May not be compatible with all firearms
5. SureFire X300 Ultra Series LED WeaponLights with TIR Lens
The SureFire X300 Ultra Series LED WeaponLights are a great option for those looking for a powerful and reliable weaponlight. They are perfect for use in low-light or no-light conditions, and they can be used on a variety of handguns and long guns.
Key Features
- 600 lumens of output
- Precision TIR lens creates a smooth, tight beam with enough surround light for peripheral illumination
- Integral, ergonomic one-finger ambidextrous momentary and constant on switching
- Instantly attaches to both Universal and Picatinny accessory rails
Pros
- Extremely bright output
- Durable and reliable construction
- Easy to use and install
- Compatible with a wide range of handguns and long guns
Cons
- Can be expensive
- Battery life may be shorter than some other weaponlights
6. Streamlight 69110 TLR-1 300-Lumen Weapon Light
The Streamlight TLR-1 is a popular and affordable weaponlight that produces 300 lumens of brightness and has a runtime of 2.5 hours. It features LED technology, a deep-dish parabolic reflector, and a rail clamp system for quick and secure attachment/detachment. The TLR-1 also has a user programmable strobe feature.
Key Features
- 300 lumens
- 12,000 candela peak beam intensity
- 2.5-hour runtime
- LED technology
- Deep-dish parabolic reflector
- Mounts to Glock-style and MIL-STD-1913 (Picatinny) rails
- Rail clamp system for quick and secure attachment/detachment
- User programmable strobe
Pros
- Bright light output
- Long battery life
- Durable construction
- Easy to install and use
- Compatible with a wide range of handguns
- Affordable
Cons
- May not be as bright as some other weaponlights
- Strobe feature may not be legal for all uses
7. SureFire Weaponlights Compact Handgun Light
The SureFire XC1 is a compact and lightweight weaponlight that produces 200 lumens of brightness. It features a wide, smooth beam pattern, ambidextrous momentary and constant-on activation, and a durable construction. The XC1 is a great option for those looking for a bright and reliable weaponlight that won’t weigh down their handgun.
Key Features
- 200 lumens max output
- Wide, smooth beam pattern
- Ambidextrous momentary and constant-on activation
- Lightweight and compact
- Durable construction
Pros
- Bright light output for its size
- Easy to use and install
- Compact and lightweight
- Durable construction
- Good value for the money
Cons
- May not be as bright as some other weaponlights
- Shorter battery life than some other weaponlights
Final Verdict
There are many great pistol lights on the market, but some of the best include:
- SureFire X300 Ultra
- Streamlight TLR-1 HL
- Olight PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie
- InForce APLc
- SureFire XC1
When choosing a pistol light, it is important to consider the following factors:
- Brightness: Pistol lights produce a variety of brightness levels, measured in lumens. The brightness level you need will depend on your intended use. For self-defense, you’ll want a light that produces at least 300 lumens.
- Beam pattern: Pistol lights have different beam patterns, such as flood, spot, or combo. A flood beam pattern is wider and provides more peripheral vision, while a spot beam pattern is narrower and more focused. A combo beam pattern is a combination of flood and spot.
- Runtime: Runtime is the amount of time a pistol light will operate on a single battery charge. Most pistol lights have a runtime of at least one hour.
- Durability: Pistol lights should be made from durable materials that can withstand the rigors of use.
The best pistol light for you will depend on your individual needs and budget. If you are looking for the brightest and most durable pistol light, the SureFire X300 Ultra is a great option. If you are looking for a more affordable option, the Streamlight TLR-1 HL is a great choice. If you are looking for a compact and lightweight option, the Olight PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie is a great option.
No matter which pistol light you choose, make sure to practice using it with your firearm so that you are familiar with its operation in the event of an emergency.