Talking Tac Lights

Guyon

Guyon

Biscuit Whisperer
Super Mod
Joined
Mar 15, 2000
Messages
45,835
I have an M3 Tactical Illuminator from Insight that used to be on a Remington 870. Since buying a Glock 19, I have moved it over to that weapon for the most part. I would like to buy another dedicated light for the shotgun.

That said, I'd rather not go with expensive forearm systems or even wires and on/off switches. While I do understand the advantages of those systems, I'm really thinking about a KISS light I can click on, do whatever is necessary, and click off.

What brand name tac lights do you all recommend? I was happy enough with the M3 and would not mind another, but I'm curious about other similar lights that would function well.

GL19c.jpg
 
Well I had hoped someone who was a little more expert than me would opine...

I like SureFire everything. I think they practically invented the forened tac light. I've heard Streamlight makes good stuff to.

When I was looking into getting one for my pistol I settled on Surefire but gave up after trying to figure out what kind of railing adapters, switches I wanted or needed and settled for the flexibility of a handheld flash light.

My buddy has a Surefire on his shotgun, and a Streamlight on his glock and is happy with both. I would go with an led or other type of shock dampened light on my shotgun for obvious reasons, and if my life depended on it would go with a Surefire because I have such confidence in their products and they've been doing it for so long.
 
Insight and Streamlight are different names under the same company from what I've read. So the light above is basically an Insight / Streamlight M3.

Edit: Okay, maybe not. I found this reference on one web page: "Please note that Streamlight is no longer the exclusive distributor for the M3 and M6 lights manufactured by Insight Technologies."
 
Last edited:
Streamlight TLR-1. Cannot say enough good about it. Should be able to find one for around $99 or so. Designed for rifle/ SG use, but small enough for a handgun.

Stay away from the TLR-3 (same but w/ a laser). We got 50 and broke 40 in the first 12months. They said the problem was in the laser and was fixed, but we'll see.
 
gunfiter said:
Streamlight TLR-1. Cannot say enough good about it. Should be able to find one for around $99 or so. Designed for rifle/ SG use, but small enough for a handgun.

Stay away from the TLR-3 (same but w/ a laser). We got 50 and broke 40 in the first 12months. They said the problem was in the laser and was fixed, but we'll see.
Click to expand...

:confused: Isn't the laser the TLR-2?

http://www.streamlight.com/product/class.aspx?cid=10
 
Insight Procyon is a great little light,bright well made and not going to kill your wallet at around 120$. I love it on the 870, it compliments the lasermax 1202.

100_0171.jpg
 
For a pistol I find a mounted light is impractical, at least for me. In the event that I'm using a pistol and need a light my surefire G2 (w/Malkoff conversion) in a crosshand hold will work. I'm rarely going to use a pistol and a light at the same time so its more practical for me to have a light on my person that can be used as a standalone.

As for rifle...I have a Surefire M2 with malkoff conversion in a Larue offset mount.

I keep a extra Larue offset mount for the G2 as well incase I need to swap the M2 out (if it ever were to fail). Rule of thumb for me with long guns/shotguns is a light on the weapon and a light on your person. For handguns its personal preferance though I will say this, the day I'm pulling a handgun over my rifle is the day something very bad happend.
 
One thing also is the range you'll use it at... for SF stuff anyway, they have some that are throwers for long range with tighter patterns and some that are much wider areas for clearing something like a house.

Interesting about Streamlight, I always assumed they actually developed their own stuff.
 
I have worked with a lot of different dedicated weapon lights over the years. I know you stated that you did not want the replacement forearm type systems, but I have to say that, in my experience, these hold up the best in hard use. I currently have one on an issue MP-5 and I purchased one for my personally owned M-1 Benelli Super 90 shotgun.

If you want to go to the quick detach rail system lights (for pistol or long gun), I recommend the Surefire X series LEDs. I have a personally owned X200 that I have used for a few years (including some SWAT duty) that mostly stays mounted on a Glock 21. The X300 is supposed to be an improvement, but, though I know people who have used them and love them, I have not personally used one, so I cannot give an answer based on personal experience when it comes to that light.

I saw better performance and reliability with the Surefires than I did with Insight light systems (these were lights mounted on .45 and .40 caliber handguns). My last Streamlight was a hand held rather than weapon mounted light--its performance was not impressive, and it died an inglorious death--having been used mostly in training rather than operations. It was not one of the newer Streamlights, and its sole virtue was that it was issue gear and I did not have to shell out my personal funds for it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top