Lumens can be used to compare the brightness between different products. Lumens are a unit used to measure the total quantity of visible light emitted by a light source. Both companies have been manufacturing quality flashlights for a variety of uses since the 1970s. Similarly to how you'd choose Aimpoint or Trijicon if you want to be sure your red dot sight will be ready when you need it, Surefire and Streamlight have proven their reliability for years as weapon light manufacturers. Generally, Surefire and Streamlight are held to the highest regard in terms of reliability. This generally isn't an issue, though subcompact pistols you might be using for concealed carry may only work with smaller lights designed specifically for them.Īside from this, the most important thing to me is reliability. The most obvious thing to consider is that a given light will fit your pistol. Things to Consider When Choosing a Pistol Light Though you could use a handheld flashlight, a good mounted handgun light allows you to use both hands for your normal shooting grip and offers the ability to control the light without breaking your grip. You also have the potential to temporarily 'blind' an attacker going from dark to a bright light shining directly at them. If an intruder breaks into your home at night, an environment they're unfamiliar with, controlling when a room gets lit could be beneficial. You can likely also imagine instances where pistol lights could provide tactical advantages. One of the essential gun safety rules is to 'be sure of your target and what is behind it.' If it's dim or dark, a light source is crucial to follow this rule. Your intuition makes sense because many types of crimes peak between 8 and 10 P.M. If you catch yourself daydreaming about using your handgun in a self-defense scenario, there's a good chance it's taking place at night. Ozark Armament 500 Lumen Pistol Light (Best Budget Option).Streamlight TLR-6 (Best for Subcompact Pistols).Streamlight TLR-8 (Best Compact Light/Laser).Olight PL-MINI 2 Valkyrie (Best Compact Light).Surefire X300U (Most Popular Among Law Enforcement).Streamlight TLR-1 (Overall Light Choice).Streamlight TLR-2 (Overall Light/Laser Choice).For those in a hurry, check out the preview list or jump ahead to our reviews and real-world pictures of our top picks. Below, I'll go into more detail about how we chose these options and the features of each of them.

Inforce 500 lumen light