Pistol light

[BLJ]

Liked to have a new light for the Shield X.
Had a TLR-8 with the green laser in the past that seemed solid. They are a little light in run time at .5 hours.

Not sure if I would actually need a laser. Looking for a solid light more than anything else.

This will be for a SW Shield X 9mm. 3.6 barrel with a Picatinny rail. Thanks.

 

[RockAndSage]

For a compact/mid sized gun, the TLR-7 HL-X is a pretty optimal balance of brightness (both spill and throw) and being pretty small. Very easy to change batteries, as it's an out-the-front design. Been very happy with mine. Would go with something bigger/brighter if it were a duty weapon, but for G-19 or smaller sized gun, it's pretty optimal. Wouldn't worry at all about a laser for EDC.

 

[BLJ]

Thanks.
To clarify the use of the pistol will be a home and woods gun. Carried concealed (in some sort of chest pack or bino harness) or in a chest holster or belt holster (haven’t decided on that yet either).

I agree about the laser as I’m going to eventually put a red dot on it. I don’t think that a laser would be necessary and possibly a conflict with a red dot.

I’ll look into the 7.

 

[Steve300xcw]

FWIW, I have learned that I dont need as much light as I thought especially for a house gun, , 1k lumens is ALOT inside of a room.

 

[BLJ]

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For anyone interested I ended up with 2 of these.
Very little time in them but considering the price they’ve been solid.

 

[RWT]

I’ve been going through a similar situation. I picked up the O light BadlR with green laser. A Crimson Trace with red laser and had a TLR 7HX on a gun that came in a trade. Like them all but really like the laser option. I believe the laser changes a 2 legged critters attitude much quicker than a generic light. The laser clearly emphasizes lethal intent. I am not relying on the laser as a true aiming device, however, it helps with poor vision at distance. I am running irons on all but the TLR as it came with a RMR.

I do shoot the RMR more accurately at all distances, but it is not as quick to target. I am much faster with irons. Need to buy a timer to determine if it is worth it to switch to an optical sight.

 

[StupidLightweight]

I agree with you, RWT. Red dots have gotten all the attention the past decade, but irons and lasers are still my choice for personal defense against two-legged critters. The main advantage to red dots on carry guns is for extended distance shooting, especially at four-legged animals like coyotes or raccoons.

 

[Oldffemt]

The laser is useless in the woods fyi. Every twig, leaf or blade of grass interferes. Then if the target is moving it can disorient you when you’re watching the target get closer and that damn laser is dancing around in the brush. I had a bear trying to get at my hanging food bag while I was trying to get it down for dinner in the dark after a long day hunting. I’m a light only guy now.

 

[JoeK]

get some training/practice with the RDS and you'll end up faster and more accurate both at all distances. up close you don't need ANY sights for defensive accuracy anyways. It takes some time to adjust your presentation to the RDS but it's just a physiology advantage when your eyes don't have to shift focus to line up with an iron sight, it's really just better. not that Irons don't work fine too and have for a long time. but if your actually aligning the sight(s) it takes 1/10ths of sec at the very least, time that a RDS cuts out.

But this thread is about lights.
I'm happy with TLR-7HLX for carry use, my primary use of a pistol. It's a lot of power and throw and I've had better reliability with streamlight than I have with Surefire. small samples of both but that's my experience of actually shooting once in a while in low light and carrying a pistol daily. My Surefire XSC failed multiple times and was warrantied becuase the battery retention is a shit design. the extra size of the HLX is well worth it IMO as it's way brighter and so far has been reliable, haven't been carrying it for long yet. it's all the light you need for duty use but I can't attest to the run time, doesn't concern me.
My X-300 clamp bolt sheared, no issues with the electronics but I've been lazy about replacing the bolt so I haven't been running it.
Olight are affordable, and bright/good specs, but not well regarded for reliability amongst instructors who see a lot of lights come through classes.

 

[StupidLightweight]

The laser is useless in the woods fyi. Every twig, leaf or blade of grass interferes. Then if the target is moving it can disorient you when you’re watching the target get closer and that damn laser is dancing around in the brush. I had a bear trying to get at my hanging food bag while I was trying to get it down for dinner in the dark after a long day hunting. I’m a light only guy now.

You bring up a great application for a laser. During a bear attack, just shine the laser on the ground to distract the bear like you would a cat. Problem solved.

Speaking of that, a laser pointer could also be used by archers to lure the bear in for a closer shot. Brilliant!