In this article, we review the best pistol lights available in 2018. Many newer handguns are sold with the rails already in place to mount a light or laser device. They are easy to mount and make shooting at night result in a much more successful outcome.
There are two different types of rails that are used on handguns the Weaver Rail or the Picatinny. The best pistol light should be versatile enough to be mounted on either type of rail system. If you have a handgun that does not have a built-in rail there are trigger rails that you can add on as aftermarket that will outfit your gun with a rail system.
If you are not comfortable with modifying your handgun you are not alone that is one of the biggest barriers as to why more people are not buying these lights. If you are uncomfortable with mounting these type of lights on your own, you can easily have a shop do it for you.
Pistol Light Comparison Chart
Mobile Device Users: For best results, turn your phone landscape (wide view) to see the entire comparison chart.
Product | Wallet | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
Streamlight 69260 TLR-1 High Lumen (our top pick) | $$$$ | 97 |
$$ | 86 | |
$$$$ | 92 | |
$$$ | 86 | |
$$ | 82 | |
$$$ | 76 |
Why Should You Own a Pistol Light?
Whether you are in law enforcement or you have handguns for personal protection, a pistol light is a necessity to get the full use out of your weapon. It is not a replacement for a tactical flashlight! That is a serious safety issue, so you do need both.
It is for once you find your target and a handheld flashlight is used to find your target. A pistol light will help you to keep your target in sight in the dark. It can also work as a deterrent. If a target sees it and that they are in your line of sight it may be enough to stop them in their tracks.
Pistol Light Buying Considerations
Finding the best is a time-consuming process. We wanted to be able to determine which features would be for the largest number of users so what we did was make a list of the most wanted features.
Ease of Use
One of the biggest barriers to purchasing a pistol light is concern about modifying the handgun or it getting in the way of the function of the gun we determined that a top rated pistol light would have to be one that was easy to install and easy to use. We decided that reading what customers had to say was the best way to find the best models.
Size and Features
We further whittled down our list by determining which size and features would serve users best. This is what we were able to come up with.
Top 3 – Pistol Flashlights of 2020
1. Surefire LED Weapon Light with Laser
Specs:
- Tactical quality military specification quality
- 170 lumens output
- Toggle switch one finger operation (leaves trigger finger free)
- Highly accurate laser
What others have to say:
Consumers have nothing but positive things to say about the construction, the accuracy of the laser and the durability of the light.
What we love:
The toggle switch can be activated with one finger, so you never have to take your finger off the trigger. It has a high lumens output which can easily disorient a threat with night vision; the laser is an excellent feature.
Check Amazon To View Current Pricing & Availability
2. Streamlight TLR-4 69240 Compact
Specs:
- Fits a full range of weapons
- Ambidextrous on-off switch
- Compact and lightweight
- Accurate laser system
What others have to say:
Users liked that this was compact. It sticks out maybe less than an inch past the barrel on most handguns. It’s a great option for anyone that wants a compact light that is easy to install.
What we love:
We also like that it can fit on most any handgun thanks to the included key system which makes mounting easy.
Check Amazon To View Current Pricing & Availability
3. Tactical Lumen LED Flashlight for Pistols
Specs:
- Can be used on compact handguns
- Can also be used on rifles and shotguns with rails
- Aluminum body
- 150 Lumen light
- Quick release mount
What others have to say:
This is a great little light. Most consumers were very happy with their purchase. It is also very easy to mount.
What we love:
We love the simplicity of this light. It is very easy to mount and to release. It does not offer the laser feature.
Check Amazon To View Current Pricing & Availability
Conclusion
The best pistol light is the Surefire LED Weapon Light with Laser it can be seen as high dollar by some users, but it is well worth the investment. The light is rugged and can withstand the rigors of everyday shooting without ever losing its accuracy.