Pistol light - P226 Extreme?

[emil77]

Hi y'all,

I would like to purchase a light for my new P226 Extreme. I found a thread here from January basically asking the same question, most recommended either a Surefire or a Streamlight.

So educate me a little on pistols, do I need one with a laser? The P226 is my home defense handgun. How exactly do you turn it on, you grip the pistol then use your index finger to rotate the switch? How about a pressure switch? Is it worth it to install on? Is it just as good to rotate switch vs a pressure switch? Are the pressure switches cumbersome?

Any other tips/ideas/opinions welcomed.

[AreWeFree]

12ga, ar, or ak with light.

[Daze]

Streamlight / Surefire

Both the pistol lights you mentioned activate with a paddle switch I think it is called. You activate with your index finger ( the Surefire is actually dual pressure and paddle so you can just push on the switch like a pressure switch,) Most people will advise against the pressure switch on the grip because of the tendency to grip accidentally under stress in something like a home defense situation, giving yourself away before intended. Only laser I use on pistols are IR lasers for running NVG. Save the money for ammo and range time and it will be more value than the laser IMHO.
I've had both on P226R's/P229R's. Both are great lights I prefer my Surefire of the two, but my TLR-1 Streamlight's seemed to fit my Sig P series pistols better than my Surefire X300 did. I prefer activation switch on the Surefire, particularly for a quick burst when not actually switching on the light.
However the Streamlight actually had tighter lockup to the weapon rail. So the X300 rides my M&P instead.There are a couple other good options as well, but 90% of holsters will be fit for one of those two lights in my experience.

[Scratch705]

i use a streamlight tlr-1 and it has a finger toggle.

i like just having the light b/c it can be used to blind any intruders easily compared to a laser, and allows you to easily identify the target.

and in home defense ranges, it is a very big aiming tool. it won't get you pinpoint shots, but depending on the light spread whatever you are pointing the light at, you will be able to get shots on.

[emil77]

Thanks for the feedback.

[Lonestargrizzly]

Does your sig have a standard rail or the curved sig rail?

[unusedusername]

I use the thumb of my support hand to activate the x400 on my 226.

My index finger is busy. I've found through low-light range practice that it's much more natural for me to use my other hand on that control.

I also tried the -DG tapeswitch, I found I didn't like it. Adding extra pressure below the trigger guard caused me to throw my shots.

I can reach the switch one handed, although support-hand only with the flashlight is pretty awkward.

The x400 works on both curved and standard rails on 226s. I have both.

[Soginator]

I have a TLR-1. It is great. I think most of us just have experience with the fit of it on the pistol, but so far it hugs my p226 extreme perfectly. I have no doubts it will work if I need it to.

[mlevans66]

Either light is good but the SF is more costly and battle proven. The TLR is NOT SLOUCH for home defense and will work well on that Sig. Look at your budget before buying. Both have a toggle switch in the back that kinda mirror each other. The SF with its lums can have some serious splash back on light colored walls.

[Scratch705]

Either light is good but the SF is more costly and battle proven. The TLR is NOT SLOUCH for home defense and will work well on that Sig. Look at your budget before buying. Both have a toggle switch in the back that kinda mirror each other. The SF with its lums can have some serious splash back on light colored walls.

i can attest to the splash back.

i have the tlr-1hl (800 lumens) and if i point it directly at my light tan walls, i am blinded when coming from pitch black sleeping.

i have adjusted myself to practice with the gun at low ready when near walls with the light on.

maybe the regular tlr-1 (300 lumens) would not be an issue.

[CouchOperator]

X300U. You should know your home well enough, and the proper use of umbrella and baseboard lighting will mitigate any worry about blinding yourself (which i personally call BS on)

[OCEquestrian]

Does your sig have a standard rail or the curved sig rail?

[Lonestargrizzly]

That's what I was curious about, because I'm not sure that all lights will fit on the proprietary sig rail.

[emil77]

Thanks for the help everyone. I decided to go with the Streamlight 69260 TLR-1 HL.