Off the top of my head ANR Design and Black Rhino Concealment both can accommodate that with kydex. Safariland makes a 6360 police duty holster for he P30L with X300U, and there is somebody I can't remember making a kydex that indexes and retains off of the light that would do the trick, too.

Surefire is a safe bet, if a bit pricey. I will admit I'm not up on the latest models they have available.

If you want to carry it in a belt holster, I'd suggest a 6P as there seem to be plenty of options there. I still have a 6P I bought back in the 90s (ok...it was a 6R, but I converted it to 6P). I replaced the incandescent bulb with a Malkoff LED assembly (I believe it was the warm-flood, 200 lumens model...does a good job replicating the quality of an incandescent bulb). I also replaced the standard tailcap with a clicky-type, but I can switch back if I decide to carry it again. It works well for me and is currently my nightstand light. For carrying, I can think of at least two makers off the top of my head who make combo mag/light pouches for the 6P.

Does Surefire still make the E1B? I carried one of those clipped to my pocket the last time I did security work. It worked great for me. I also have an E2E, I believe it's called. Mine is the older incandescent version. Works well with a pocket clip.

Unfortunately, my favorite brand, 4Sevens, is no longer in business, IIRC. The one light I have from them currently serves back-up/travel duty in my backpack. I regret not having picked up more models when I had the chance.

Fenix is a good quality light. I have one, a PD20, I believe, that I used as a keychain light for a while. The only thing I didn't like was that it had no momentary switching. You had to push the tailcap button until it clicked, then release to turn it on. If they have models with momentary tailcap buttons, or at least push-clickys, I may revisit their line.

Nitecore lights get generally good reviews. I have one that's my EDC, a MT1A. Biggest problem with it is that the pocket clip sucks. It pops off with very little pressure, so I carry it sans clip in my pocket, not the most quickly accessible location.

Streamlight is good, though my only experience with them was a small keychain light that broke it's keychain mount. I keep meaning to try a larger, but still carry-able, handheld light from them.

I've heard good things about Olight, but no personal experience.

There is a lot of great information in this thread so far. Thank you guys very much!

Does anyone have experience with the Surefire Tactician? It seems to have some pretty solid features. I'm also looking at a Malkoff Bodyguard, but that's quite expensive for a first light.

I would suggest a lower cost light like the G2, Streamlight PolyTac etc.

Use it in the class and get a good idea of what features you want in a light and what techniques you like best based on the class experience.

Then, use that experience to buy a high end light for your EDC use if you want. The less expensive light always has a home as a backup to a weapon light on the nightstand or on gear.

Over the years I have accumulated a few lights, one of my old G2s is on my armor under the bed. The other is on my wife's. My very old 6Z Combatlight was upgraded with a Malkoff LED and is on the nightstand. I have a different EDC light I carry and my HD AR has an X300 mounted.

quote:

Originally posted by Brett257:
HK P30/Surefire X300 Ultra

Safariland 6376-2952

quote:

Originally posted by Brett257:
Thanks for all of the information and recommendations. I appreciate it very much.

quote:

Originally posted by henryarnaud:
Have you considered contacting the school/instructor and seeing what they suggest for the class?

I did contact him. I was given two options:

1. Pistol with weapon mounted light. Light compatible holster required.

2. Pistol with handheld light of my choice. Holster for the light on the weak hand side.

While I have a weapon mounted light, I don’t have a holster. I’ve looked at around the internet and couldn’t find one that accommodates my pistol and light combination. Therefore, I’m going with option number two. He didn’t have a specific recommendation on which light to use.

That is an easy answer;

Don’t take the class. If the instructor is going to attempt to teach any method of low light shooting, or low light firearm manipulation that does not include a handheld light, he shouldn’t be teaching.

A weapon light should only ever be used for illuminating an identified target, not searching for and identifying threats. As such you will never be needed to shoot with a weapon Light in a scenario where you do not have a conventional light handy. Consequently all practices involving a weapon light should involve the simultaneous manipulation of handheld light.

Very big fan of my Streamlight Protac 2L-X.

https://www.amazon.com/Streaml...t%2Caps%2C655&sr=8-3

The tail switch is very nice, it's momentary-on with a press, and the click for constant-on is deep, so it's hard to accidentally click it to constant-on. It's also got a nice low-profile head, much nicer to carry than my old Surefire 6P.

Whichever way you go, pick something compatible with rechargeable 18650 batteries and order yourself a few of those. Getting rechargeable batteries when I bought that light probably paid for the light in a few months.

Streamlight handhelds are decent quality and reasonably priced for an "EDC" pocket light. I used to carry the Protac 2L and now carry a Protac HL which is substantially larger but has a little higher output.

I too used to believe the sun rose and set with Surefire products.

I have been more than pleased with my Fenix PD35TAC for the last few years. Excellent product that I carry daily.

quote:

Originally posted by car541:
That is an easy answer;

Don’t take the class. If the instructor is going to attempt to teach any method of low light shooting, or low light firearm manipulation that does not include a handheld light, he shouldn’t be teaching.

A weapon light should only ever be used for illuminating an identified target, not searching for and identifying threats. As such you will never be needed to shoot with a weapon Light in a scenario where you do not have a conventional light handy. Consequently all practices involving a weapon light should involve the simultaneous manipulation of handheld light.

"Easy answer," sounds like you have it all figured out then.

So, you are well versed in low light usage, and also experienced enough so to know this instructor's class is garbage based on that small bit of information provided by the OP. OK.

In real-world operations (LE and .mil) an awful lot of searching and threat ID happens with weapons lights. Perhaps; there is a way to do that with proper muzzle control?

Also, do you have a magic formula to ensure you will never be in a situation where you have a weapon light, but not a handheld one? Off the top of my head I can think of a number of realistic ways that can happen.

You can ensure you will never have a weapon light only...by not owning any weapon lights...but I don;t know how you can ensure it won't be the only thing you have if you've got one.

I switched to First Light products 2 years ago. Torq and TMax pro.

I own probably 40 Surefire flashlights. I like them. Let me offer some suggestions.

Ideally, tactically, you should probably use a flashlight that has a tactical tail cap. This is not a clicky. Press it forward, light turns on. Let go, light turns off. It does not click on. You can turn the tailcap clockwise to turn the light on permanently, should you need to.

The old 6P is still excellent. It is aluminum, has excellent knurling, is the proper size, and has a proper tactical tailcap. Of course, drop in a Malkoff LED drop in, to get you 450 to 750 lumens. Used/new 6P on eBay for $40, plus a $60 Malkoff drop in, about $100 for this option.

Surefire Fury. Amazing light. About $200

Surefire G2Z Combat light, 800 lumens, about $100. This is a good option, for not too much money.

Surefire GSX LE, 600 lumens, excellent budget option, about $65 to $70.

I have their other E series "tactical" lights, like the Tactician, EDCL2T, etc and don't think very highly of them. They are too skinny for tactical use, the rear tail cap button is too small. They are OK lights, but I would choose something else for a pistol class.

Elzetta Bones is a decent light. 650 lumens, about $145. Built like a tank.

Personally, I really like the Surefire 6P that's been upgraded. Holsters are abundant for it, its the right size, feels good in the hand, etc.

https://www.ebay.com/p/SureFir...ght-6P-BK/2302135243

Thanks again everyone for the suggestions and information. I ended up finding a Streamlight 2L-X with the rechargeable battery for a good price, so I bought it.

I was tempted by the Fenix PD35TAC, but went with the cheaper Streamlight for my first light.