Favorite Flashlight / Laser Combo for bottom rails?

[jdfthetech]

I'm considering purchasing a bottom mount flashlight and a laser for my 4 inch XD9 and have very little experience with the brands and features of lights / lasers in general. I want a blindingly bright light for night home defense and also the ability to power it down if that's possible.

What would be your recommended goto brands / models to look at?

I've also considered getting something like the laser max which replaces the recoil guide rod and then a regular light on the mount, but I'm unsure if the laser max is any good.

I have read quite a few articles about different products but they all seem to be a bit . . . fakeish so I'm asking here in order to get some honest opinions.

[P5Ret]

Streamlight and Surefire seem to be at or near the top for most people. I'm partial to Streamlight more so then Surefire. Just my opinion, but your don't want a "blindingly bright light for night home defense", unless you want to also blind yourself.

Any light you are going to use in a high stress situation should be as simple to operate as you can get. Multiple brightness settings are all well and good, but when the sh*& hits the fan you don't want to be trying to work the light. Just turn it on and go.

[Ej6fade]

You don't need a laser. Answer to your question is either a Surefire x300 or Streamlight TLR1; I'm partial to surefire, because I have broken at least 5 Streamlight lights, but I haven't broken any Surefires yet, and that includes running a G2X handheld light on a Mossberg 500. Its preferable to only have 1 output, as its less to think about in a stressful situation, but I guess strobe can be helpful if you think it would be helpful to you. Those laser guide rods are gimmick, pass on those.

I vote Surefire X300. If you REALLY are itching for a laser, the Surefire X400 has a light/laser combo

[JTROKS]

I have a Gen3 Glock 23 with the Lasermax. With the takedown tabs serving as on off by pushing either left or right, with middle as the off position. I used to keep the gun in a fanny pack style carrier with my extra mags and other items I consider essential in the event of a bump in the night or persistent uninvited guest. The compartment of the bag that secures the gun is not foam insulated. The extra mags in the next compartment can end up bumping the switch to on position leaving me with a dead laser on 3 occasions. My pancake style leather holster will also allow inadvertent activation of the laser. I just keep the gun out of the bag ready to go with the bag hanging near it.

[Frito Bandido]

I really like the Streamlight TLR series of lights, both on their functionality and their price. I'm certain that Surefire lights are great and all, but the prices they ask for are just outlandishly expensive. I have dropped my TLRs and shot them on high-recoiling shotguns and all that - never skipped a beat and I have no reason to believe they are any less durable than a Surefire.

[JS41989]

Surefire X300 or XC1 are always my go to lights. Lasers are meh.

[jdfthetech]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks!

The advice on multiple light options makes sense so I'll just stick with a lower lumen level and simple on/off.

As for lasers, I'm not 100% sold on them, just something I'd like to try out.

You don't need a laser. Answer to your question is either a Surefire x300 or Streamlight TLR1; I'm partial to surefire, because I have broken at least 5 Streamlight lights, but I haven't broken any Surefires yet, and that includes running a G2X handheld light on a Mossberg 500. Its preferable to only have 1 output, as its less to think about in a stressful situation, but I guess strobe can be helpful if you think it would be helpful to you. Those laser guide rods are gimmick, pass on those.

I vote Surefire X300. If you REALLY are itching for a laser, the Surefire X400 has a light/laser combo

Can you tell me how you broke the streamlights? What model streamlights were you using? After looking, I like the TLR6 a lot simply with how they blend it into the gun frame, but curious what caused your breakage issues.

[Darquan]

My vote is to also skip the laser.

When I got into handguns many moons ago I "had" to have them. I bought an Insight M6 for a Glock and a Lasermax for a Beretta. Old school by today's standards, but what I have experience with. After many years and a few rounds and a few classes and more range trips I still find the light useful, but I have not turned on a laser in years.

On the M6 you just center the light and you are close enough for a shooting situation where you need a light. I imagine that is true of many if not all weapon lights.

One time I attempted to use the Lasermax and it would not turn on. After cleaning off the lens it worked perfectly. It had just been so long since I had used it, I had let it get filthy. So that is a maintenance item to be aware of.

If I were to be buying them today I would skip lasers. But if you really "have" to have it, go for it. It is your money and range time. Both the Lasermax and Insight M6 have worked for nearly 20 years, a few batteries and many rounds. They both still line up with the sights whenever I test them. There are newer makes and models, but I have only used these so I cannot comment on the others.

I guess checking to see if my pistol lasers are still functioning just made my weekend to do list. Although I am not sure why I bother.

[bmk20398]

I use StreamLight TLR-4 or TLR-6

backup is... handy flashlight

[Ej6fade]

...

[m850168]

I have an older X400 (not the Ultra, about 170 lumens) and it's great. I am using the DG grip switch, which is tough to stomach at $99 but extremely worth it - makes the whole setup idiot proof. The cost for the Surefire paid off for me - the light didn't turn on once, and they replaced it with zero hassle. The 170 lumens is plenty bright for me indoors; I have a handheld 320 lumen light that is blinding against the white wall when I wake up in the middle of the night.

If I was doing it over again, I'd probably do a X300. The laser is far below the bore, and it means pretty much the only holster options are custom. A separate laser (like a CrimsonTrace Lasergrip or Lasermax Laser) removes the holster issue. Lasers are pretty slow to acquire relative to sights, so the major benefit to them is unconventional shooting positions. That said, they do let you shoot quite accurately from positions where you can't see the sights, rare as those situations might be.

[sonofeugene]

Surefire. Great rugged light. 500 lumens. Forget the laser.

[Germ1]

I like to mount a Glock brand Glock 19 onto my Glock 19.

[SkyHawk]

TLR-4 is nice and gives you the option of laser/laser-light/light. That is what I have on XD 9 service model for the wife.

[TheSierraDrifter]

My experiences:

TLR-1 HL G - very bright, could be too much for indoors, depending on home size and other factors. Good controls, with momentary. Also has excellent spill light.

Viridian C5L - wish it was brighter, simple on/off switch, but no momentary. Compact size. More options for combinations of light/laser.

Viridian X5L - the amount is just about right for indoors, but needs more spill. Simple on/off switch, but no momentary. More options for combinations of light/laser.

My favorite? It really depends on the use. I know a lot of Calgunners don't recommend lasers, but if you're eyesight isn't the best, a laser will really help during low-light or at night, along with the bright light.