Best tactical light for pistol?

**tabasco_joe** · September 20th, 2011, 09:23 AM

I'm going to set up a rig for night time defense for my home. Pistol will be a SW M&P9 full size. Can I get some guidance on tactical lights, mounts, switches, etc? This will be a somewhat permanent setup kept in the home. I would consider a light/laser unit but that is not mandatory. I would also prefer LED light. Thoughts?

**Legion_Prime** · September 20th, 2011, 09:25 AM

I'd look into Surefire. Sure they're expensive, but you only have to buy them once.

**FLICK** · September 20th, 2011, 10:02 AM

I have a TLR-1 from Streamlight for my M&P9 that I got from Midway for around $100. It works well and I haven't had a problem, but have only had it for a short while and about 200 rounds. I'd have to say that from all the stuff I have read on the web that the Surefire may be the better light, but I couldn't justify the cost and am not excessively hard on my handguns. YMMV.

**IronButt** · September 20th, 2011, 10:20 AM

We have Streamlight TLR-1's on our duty G21's & everybody like's them. They've taken a beating & I don't think we've had a failure yet. I bought one of the newer models with the strobe feature for my personal use.

I don't have any experience with the Surefire lights for handguns, but I have three handhelds & they're top of the line IMO.

**marks** · September 20th, 2011, 11:15 AM

I've got a TLR-1 on my G21, and love it. Built like a tank, and does what it's supposed to do.

**1988 Olds** · September 20th, 2011, 12:33 PM

My dad just got a TLR-3 for his Shotgun and it seems pretty nice

**marks** · September 20th, 2011, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by tabasco_joe

I'm going to set up a rig for night time defense for my home. Pistol will be a SW M&P9 full size. Can I get some guidance on tactical lights, mounts, switches, etc? This will be a somewhat permanent setup kept in the home. I would consider a light/laser unit but that is not mandatory. I would also prefer LED light. Thoughts?

I'd also add, that depending on your living situation, a rail mounted light might not be your best option. For example:

I live alone. If there's someone here, moving around in the house in the middle of the night, it's no one I know. Using the muzzle of my gun as a light, in my case (though giving away your precise location might not be to the best tactical advantage), isn't necessarily a bad thing, in that I won't be shining it on a family member, roommate, etc. In a family setting, I'd probably be more comfortable holding a nice light in my off-hand, so as not to illuminate the wife or kids with the muzzle of my gun.

Something worth thinking about.

**Asmodeus6** · September 20th, 2011, 01:32 PM

TLR 1 or 3.

If you aren't going to buy a surefire...

Buy a streamlight.

**NoMoreOp4** · September 20th, 2011, 01:38 PM

I have a TLR-1s and the original TLR-2. TLR-1s gets swapped out between various different guns, TLR-2 is mounted on my HD pistol, an XD45

Check out my youtube video of the TLR review:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPVcw3mxHxE