Need help with weapon light for home defense

[scoutfsu]

Even if the x300 was in my budget, it would stick out past the barrel of my 92. Muzzle burn adds character? lol

 

Sticking out past your barrel is a good thing.  It provides offset for a contact shot. 

 

And muzzle/powder burn is no problem at all.  Put a very light coat of WD40 or whatever on the lens and it wipes right off after training.  Same with the body of any decent light.

 

You can get x300's for $150 and under.  There is NO reason not to at that price.  the x300U is only $200 and an even better option.  Affordable, reliable, good quality lights have never been better or cheaper than they are now.

[MacGyver]

Don't kid yourself.

When something goes bump in the night, you're barely going to be able to think straight enough to grab your gun, much less the light that mostly sits beside the gun, but gets used for other stuff around the house, too.

A light is just like a gun. If you don't have it when you need it, you're not going to get a second chance. That's why my goto Glock 19 and my Kimber Warrior both wear X300s full time.

If you're considering a light, consider a weapon mounted light. If you're thinking about going for one, save your pennies and get an x300 or x300u. They're worth it.

As far as real tactical lights go, there's surefire and "kind of like a surefire." It's them vs. everyone else.

I'm a light junkie. I've got all kinds of lights including some great cheap handhelds. But, there's no way I'm sticking one of those on my weapon. My life and my family's life is worth that consideration.

[TripleDigitRide]

My boss just picked up two of the x300u lights, and they are awesome.

Like Mac said, there's Surefire, then there's everyone else.

[c.a.willard]

There's lots of lights out there just as good if not better than surefire. They've just done a better job of marketing their name. Securing all those govt contracts didn't hurt either.

[mikegideon]

There's lots of lights out there just as good if not better than surefire. They've just done a better job of marketing their name. Securing all those govt contracts didn't hurt either.

The X300 is perfect. What other lights stand up to it?

[gjohnsoniv]

Sticking out past your barrel is a good thing.  It provides offset for a contact shot. 

 

Glad I'm not the only one to think about this and that it's not a crazy idea.

Edited August 14, 2013 by gjohnsoniv

[MacGyver]

There's lots of lights out there just as good if not better than surefire. They've just done a better job of marketing their name. Securing all those govt contracts didn't hurt either.

There are some great lights out there.  The Fenix PD32 Ultimate is an amazing light for the price point.  The Maratac AAA, likewise is one of the best lights I've ever put in my pocket (warning, if you follow the link, you're going to wind up spending $50.  Don't blame me).

 

But, I'd still argue that there's not a better made Weapon Mounted Light out there than either of the CREE powered Surefire x300 variants.  If there's a better light to be had on a pistol, I'd love to know about it.

[mikegideon]

[MacGyver]

Yeah, but those 6V batteries are so hard to find these days...

[mikegideon]

Yeah, but those 6V batteries are so hard to find these days...

 

 

You're MacGyver. You're supposed to know this stuff :)

Edited August 14, 2013 by mikegideon

[MacGyver]

Besides, I like the updated version of the classic better anyway:

 

 

[mikegideon]

I love that thing. Isn't that the Magpul proto?

[MacGyver]

Yes.  Talk about 3D printing at its highest potential.

[OngoingFreedom]

A home invasion will likely occur in poor lighting, so I got my first Streamlight (TLR-1s) for my shotgun. Secondary purpose is for IFF in case the bump in the night is one of my kids. Actually that was the original, primary purpose, to be honest, even though I have good kids.

Lights on defensive guns seemed like a great idea so I kept adding Streamlights. A TLR-1s HP for the rifle, and a TLR-2 HL for my Kel Tec Sub 2000 (currently occupying my pistol at night since I keep waiting for Kel Tec to make the short picatinny rail accessory again).




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[jeff43]

I would like to have some type of light mounted on one of my Glocks, but both are Gen 2's.

[MacGyver]

I would like to have some type of light mounted on one of my Glocks, but both are Gen 2's.

You could always send it to Glock and have them update the frame. 

 

I expect you could also sell one of the Gen2s and buy a Gen3 or Gen4 for less than the $150 + shipping it would cost to have Glock update your weapon.

[Guest The Itis]

There are some great lights out there.  The Fenix PD32 Ultimate is an amazing light for the price point.  The Maratac AAA, likewise is one of the best lights I've ever put in my pocket (warning, if you follow the link, you're going to wind up spending $50.  Don't blame me).

 

But, I'd still argue that there's not a better made Weapon Mounted Light out there than either of the CREE powered Surefire x300 variants.  If there's a better light to be had on a pistol, I'd love to know about it.

 

Well, with the price point of the x300 and such, as with other products, people ask, "is a $200 light twice the light of a $100 light? Four times a $50 light?" etc

 

I'm looking at a Nebo HP190 which can be had for $24. Is an x300 eight times the value of that?

[Guest The Itis]

Random thought and please don't go nuts on me if it's a stupid question- if you have your light on the weapon, then the spotlight jumps around with recoil. Is this significantly disorienting to the shooter? Holding a separate flashlight would not have that problem, but people seem quite averse to having a light separate.

[Erik88]

I have a Streamlight TLR-3. I'm very happy with it.

[mikegideon]

Well, with the price point of the x300 and such, as with other products, people ask, "is a $200 light twice the light of a $100 light? Four times a $50 light?" etc

 

I'm looking at a Nebo HP190 which can be had for $24. Is an x300 eight times the value of that?

 

We're talking about life saving equipment here, right? Or, are we just trying to ninja up a gun? 

[MacGyver]

Is an x300 eight times the value of that?

 That's a question only you can answer.  When I see multiple reviewers state that "This light is NOT intended for range use", I pretty much dismiss it immediately.  I know how I answer the value question.

 

But, if someone only has $24, and isn't going to be able to come up with the money for a better light, maybe a light is better than no light.

 

Another equally disqualifying factor for me is the fact that I can't get a holster that would fit the Nebo, even if I wanted to try one.  Again, it might be fine if you're leaving your weapon on the night stand, but I'm not.  My weapons are systems - weapon, grips, sights, lights, holsters, belt, me...

[mikegideon]

I have a Streamlight TLR-3. I'm very happy with it.

 

Streamlights are a good option. At least, that's what I've heard. The X-300 is a VERY well designed weapon light. I trust it as much as my Glock. The question in my mind, will the TLR-3 fail when a Surefire won't? 

Edited August 14, 2013 by mikegideon

[jeff43]

You could always send it to Glock and have them update the frame. 
 
I expect you could also sell one of the Gen2s and buy a Gen3 or Gen4 for less than the $150 + shipping it would cost to have Glock update your weapon.

I don't really care for the finger grooves on the 3 & 4's. I don't have much trouble holding a light and a rifle while shooting varmints. Lol.

[mikegideon]

I don't really care for the finger grooves on the 3 & 4's. I don't have much trouble holding a light and a rifle while shooting varmints. Lol.

 

Hold that sucker in your teeth like John Wayne :)

[jeff43]

Hold that sucker in your teeth like John Wayne :)

I'll duct tape to my head.lol.