In low light operations having a flashlight is a must (that is if you don’t have night vision), used sparingly it’s a great tactical tool and nothing is more handy than a weapon light.  Attached to the gun the flashlight can almost be used as an aiming device (assuming the contact is not too far) and is always guaranteed to light up the area that the gun is pointed at.

For the last four odd years I’ve been using the Insight M3, which has served me well but I’ve wanted something that is LED based for many reasons (more efficient, last longer, does not generate heat, just to name a few).  When I decided to order a new pair of Magnum boots on LA Police Gear, I saw that it had a sale on the Streamlight TLR-1 so I decided to add it to my shopping list. 🙂

The Streamlight TRL-1 weapon light comes with two Streamlight CR123 batteries as well as a few different mounts (Glock, 1913, S&W 99, TSW and Berretta 92) and a basic instruction manual. According to Streamlight the TLR-1 puts out light in the 135 lumens range, while I do not have a device to measure this it is brighter than my old Insight M3.  The flashlight is constructed of aluminum, is waterproof and the LED is rated for 50,000 hours. Run time according to Streamlight is 2 1/2  hours of continuous output.

Now that the “specs” are out of the way the Streamlight TLR-1 is roughly the same size as Insight M3 though it’s slightly heavier (the M3 is plastic).

Mounting the light is different from the Insight M3 (more on that in a sec) but the controls are in the same spot and function in the same manner. To mount the light onto a pistol or picatinny rail is a bit different from other weapon lights.  Instead of sliding along the rail, move the TLR-1 into position, press the twist/secure button and the light clamps in place.  Tighten the screw (hand tight is enough) and the TLR-1 is nice and secure on your gun rail. Dimensions of the flashlights are about the same and with the TLR-1 installed on the TM Glock 17, I do not have any problems inserting the combination into my Safariland 6004 Glock w/M3 thigh holster.

At the rear there’s a clip which secures the err rear switch mechanism (don’t know what it’s called) and it’s pretty darn tight.  The first few times you’ll definitely need to use a tool (a coin works quite well) to snap it out of place but once it breaks in, you should be able to do it with just your fingers.  When the battery compartment is open, insert your batteries then close things up.

With the Streamlight TLR-1 locked in place on your weapon, you certainly have a something that’s ready to rock in low light conditions.  The 135 lumens rating is high enough to blind opponents in a CQB environment and the LED bulb means you’ll have something that can run for a long time without killing the batteries, burn out or generate a ton of heat (yeah I’m guilty of accidentally leaving activating the my weapon light while in my kit bag).

The Streamlight TLR-1 is still new to me and time will tell if it serves me as well as my old Insight M3.  The manufacturing quality seems top notch and Streamlight has a good reputation, I have little doubts that my search for a LED based pistol weapon light is over.