I've heard arguments that a light which protrudes further than the barrel can offer advantages such as preventing the weapon from going out of battery in close quarters.

I'd like to ask the trainers or folks that know like Jljones and the like, is this internet nonsense? Are there actual advantages to say an X300 over a TLR7A or XC1?

Using it as a standoff device for contact shots is a very niche "advantage" that is unlikely to actually come into play.

But there are certain other tangible advantages to a full-sized light, even on a compact handgun. They generally have a higher lumen light output and longer battery life than more compact weapon lights, plus they tend to be more robust/rugged than more compact weapon lights.


Something else to keep in mind is style of switches, which comes down to personal preference. I disliked the switches on the XC1 when I got one to test out. Similarly, I disliked the switches on the standard TLR-7. The TLR-7A has switches that are a big improvement, and I like those.

I'll say that I was really unimpressed with the XC1 back when they first came out. Both myself as well as several guys I work with had XC1s that ate batteries via parasitic drain. It'd go from full to dead within a week or two, even without any use of the light. Mine was replaced under warranty, but I sold the replacement and stuck with the TLR-1 lights that I've been using for years without issues. The newer XC1s might be better, but I don't know anyone that uses one on a regular basis. Whereas I know several folks who use the TLR-7/7A currently, and the TLR-7A that I got to test out a couple years ago has been going strong. So the TLR-7A would be my pick for a compact weaponlight over the XC-1, both due to the better switches and the better reliability.

I’ve never heard of an incident where someone used their light as a stand-off. I guess it’s possible but incredibly unlikely. I’d consider other things such as output and durability before considering the ability for a stand off shot.

If you need to make a contact shot just throw your thumb over the back of the slide, grip tight, and fire away. It works with glocks for sure- just have to remember to rack the slide to chamber a fresh round after firing.

I think more important in this question is the availability of holsters for the weapon + light. It may be more prudent to seek holsters and choose a light that matches the holsters available.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
I think more important in this question is the availability of holsters for the weapon + light. It may be more prudent to seek holsters and choose a light that matches the holsters available.

Agreed 100%. I've always chosen gun first... then holster... then light... in that order. Was especially true for my duty weapon. Probably puts me in the minority, but--after numerous regrets--I just resent making tradeoffs when it comes to holsters.

I also think a light, ideally, shouldn't protrude beyond the barrel.

In the context of contact shooting, the X300 would have an advantage. For the 1 and eleventy billion Chance you jam the gun into someone so hard that that get out of battery. Everybody knows that I’m not a fan of statistical gunfighting, so there you go.

The X300 will be the superior light. But, it doesn’t come without concessions. If I’m carrying a G19 in a 6390 on a sturdy belt, X300 all day long. The weight and length are not a problem. For concealment belt carry, for most people it’s a toss up between the X300 and TLR7A. Some people’s body type can conceal it, some can’t. In appendix, the TLR7 wins the day for most people.

As to performance, the X300 is the better light. But, I’ve carried the TLR7A quite a bit and for a large percentage of people, they won’t see a difference. My rule of thumb is wearing a gun belt or OWB holster, I run the X300. If I carry IWB or AIWB, I carry the TLR7A. I’ve used both operationally, and inside a house they both work.

I have had nothing but problems with the XC1.

With striker fired guns, I train to put my thumb on the back of the slide when I practice contact shooting anyway. But to me, on a scale from 1 to whoa, contact shooting is about a 1. It’s like clearing malfunctions to me. You really need to know how to do it, but move on after you master it. Jv

The advantage to the X300 Ultra or Turbo (or a TLR-1 HL for that matter) is in their performance as a light. The output and particularly the throw (candela) are just way better. The advantage in the TLR-7A, XC1, XC2, etc. is the compactness, particularly when carrying appendix. The compact lights are substantially less capable as a weapon light.

I really like having a light on my pistol (yes, yes I carry a handheld too) so I went with the lowest profile one I trusted, which is the TLR-7.

I think that as a civilian my need for a weaponlight on my carry gun is pretty unlikely anyway so I gotta believe it’s extremely unlikely that the performance difference in the TLR-7 and something like a X300 will ever be an issue for me.

If I was worried about contact shots I’d carry this

quote:

Originally posted by DaBigBR:
The advantage to the X300 Ultra or Turbo (or a TLR-1 HL for that matter) is in their performance as a light. The output and particularly the throw (candela) are just way better. The advantage in the TLR-7A, XC1, XC2, etc. is the compactness, particularly when carrying appendix. The compact lights are substantially less capable as a weapon light.

Some of that comes down to individual use as well. For example an avg LEO will likely have to traverse everything from wooded fields to large warehouses to dark ally’s with heavy photonic barriers etc. etc. in the course of a shift. In those cases having lots of candela/super high lumen output is preferred.

For somebody like me who’s 99.5% to never need a weapon mounted light and if I do it will be in the smaller confined areas of my home or yard and I will be by myself I personally want a wall of light to give me more situational/peripheral awareness, albeit at closer range. In my use case the TLR-7esqe lights give me more of the light “profile” I would likely want.

Lights are interesting tools and it always amazes me how simple reflector changes can radically change a light. I have an old light with a tiny (by todays standard) 160 lumens but it has a smooth/deep/large reflector and that sucker will throw all 160 lumens into the next county

As for a stand-off device. I think most gun owners are prepare for the worst kind of folks in general and we want to be able to address any foreseeable issue that comes up in life in general. (Have bottled water, fire extinguishers, generators, flashlights, extra This or that, jumper cables etc etc. etc.) and when it comes to shooting/firearms we are the same way. In some ways that is a good thing but in some ways we can all fall down the rabbit hole of what if and quickly go from “I should carry an extra mag just in case to I really should have a belt fed. ”

I love those pistol bayonets though. They crack me up every time. I just picture me picking my teeth with one, opening the Lean Cuisine in the break room etc. . “Your honor…….”I got nothing. ”

It also reminds me of a thread from probably 20 years ago that IIRC wasn’t even on a gun forum that cracks me up to this day….

This dude was bragging that carried a Glock 17 with 4 extra mags, a 26 on his ankle with an extra mag, handcuffs 2 pepper sprays, like 3 knives, etc. etc. it just went on. He finished with “the way I see it I am prepared for ANYTHING”

The very next post simply stated. “Oh yeah, what if you have to swim?” Cracks me up to this day and every time I see the pistol bayonet or I find myself going down the what if rabbit hole I think about that guy.

I agree people go overboard. I think I’m gonna pick up a TLR7A.

Was trying to justify using one of several owned X300s. But I think at the end of the day I want something new. Every single X300 I own has a soggy ass switch on it. Maybe the streamlight will be better.

I like the TLR7a switches very much and I LOVE being able to change the battery from the front (I know it’s stupid and not a big deal but it’s a selling point for me)

Good news: The TLR-7A's switches are not soggy.

Get specifically the TLR-7A Flex model, which comes with both the high and low switches, and you can swap them out and try each type to find which ones you like.

The High switches work best for me, but I know other folks prefer the Low. And I seem to recall at least one person on the forum posting a photo showing a combination, with a High switch on one side and the Low switch on the other.

It all comes down to what works best for your personal hand/grip geometry.

I've pretty much standardized on the -7A with the low switch (duty and off duty).

I tried the high switch on the left and low switch on the right but settled on low switch.

Its not something I seek out but I also don't let it bother me. I pick a light by its ability to light things up and its relative form factor to the gun its going on. If its size is close I'm happy. Yes a protruding light may help keep a gun in battery if your threat has rolls. You still need to manually force the gun into battery if you are going for any contact. My carry guns all have lights unless they are a bug in a pocket. I cant predict my gunfights so I prefer to have the basics and a light is pretty basic especially for not only the shooting but for the actions afterwards and in between. YMMV. Make sure you can find a good holster for your setup and don't let it hinder you but don't think you have a special advantage if it protrudes either.