The Glock 42 and G43 are excellent concealed-carry pistols for professionals and enthusiasts alike, but they lack accessory rails. So, the engineers at LaserMax decided to build their new CenterFire weapon light specifically for these pocket pistols. The new CenterFire uses an ultra-bright 115-lumen LED to illuminate your target. It mounts to the Glock’s triggerguard and maintains its low-profile, snag-free design, making it ideal for concealed carry.
While LaserMax has been making pistol lights and lasers for years, the new Spartan SPS-C-R adds something new the mix: both. Powered by a single AAA battery, the new Spartan SPS-C-R sports both a 120-lumen tactical light and an adjustable red laser sight. (Green lasers are also available.) Features include a 10-minute auto-off power-saver, oversized electronic touch pads and durable polymer/aluminum construction.
These tactical lights are actually made by Microtac on behalf of Colt Manufacturing. However, they still represent the same level of quality and performance shooters expect from the Colt name. The 200AAA and 400AAA versions of the M-Scepter are designed to be attached to Picatinny rails while producing 170 and 400 lumens, respectively, with just AAA batteries. The 400AAA and 200AAA both feature momentary and constant-on modes.
As the name implies, the Microtac Predator series lights are designed with hunters in mind. Both 100- and 200-lumen versions are available with white, green or red light. The latter two colors are ideal for hunters either tracking wounded prey or simply surveying their property for the glint of a hungry predator’s eyes. Powered by AAA batteries, these are affordable, lightweight flashlights perfect for a hunting or home-defense carbine or shotgun.
The new Crimson Trace LG-485 Laserguard is a laser-aiming module designed specifically for the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield series of handguns. Because of this, it molds seamlessly into the triggerguard of the Shield while still providing a laser adjustable for both windage and elevation. Available in both green and red laser varieties, this new Laserguard offers concealed carriers of the Shield a versatile tool to increase their accuracy and speed in low- or no-light conditions.
AK rifle enthusiasts rejoice! The LiNQ wireless weapon light system is finally coming to the AKM/AK-47 series of rifles. Like the wireless LiNQ light and laser combo available for ARs, the new LNQ-103G replaces the standard pistol grip of an AK with a polymer unit featuring integral controls for the rail-mounted light/laser unit. This allows shooters to activate their tactical light and laser while keeping both hands on the weapon. The unit produces 300 lumens of white light and a green laser.
Blasting out a blinding 1,000 lumens, the TK25 builds on the success of previous Fenix TK series lights. The TK25 is available in both R&B and infrared configurations, and unlike previous Fenix lights, it utilizes parallel LED emitters that the user switches between by twisting the head of the flashlight. On the infrared model, doing so toggles between standard and infrared mode. With the R&B model, this changes between white light and either a red or blue LED.
Described as the smallest, lightest weapon light on the market, the Sentinel WS1 represents FourSevens’ first entry into the weapon-mounted illumination market. The super-low-profile light produces an incredible 600-lumen beam with a single rechargeable USB battery. The small tactical light also contains a Bluetooth communicator that notifies the owner’s phone when the battery is running low and needs to be recharged. The weapon light has dual ambidextrous switches that are totally configurable for momentary and constant modes of operation.
Mounting a weapon light on a long gun is a great way to increase your hit probability in low-light conditions, and the engineers at Hardened Arms have come up with a novel solution by building a quality AR-15 handguard with an integral weapon light. The LumaShark is a railed, free-floating handguard made from 6061-T1 aluminum and sporting a pair of low-profile, 120-lumen CREE tactical lights. It’s a great add-on for close-quarters engagements.
One of Olight’s most successful illuminators, the PL-1 Valkyrie, has been overhauled for 2017. Now the upgraded PL-2 produces an astounding 1,200 lumens from its CREE XHP35 LED with just two CR123 batteries. Like the original, this version still features a QD throw-lever for attaching to any Picatinny rail system.
Smith & Wesson’s Delta Force series lights are designed to mount on weapons with standard Picatinny rails. Featuring an LED emitter, the RM-20 features three different settings (high, low and strobe) with both constant and momentary-on modes of operation. The light is activated by a touchpad at the back of the end cap, and it runs on a pair of CR123 batteries. The RM-10 is similar but runs on a single CR123 battery.
Original-pattern 1911 handguns don’t feature the now-ubiquitous rail found on most modern handguns. Shooters who have one of these older-style guns weren’t able to run any of Streamlight’s offerings until the recent advent of this newest addition to the company’s lineup. This new TLR tactical light attaches to the host 1911’s triggerguard itself and features a 100-lumen LED emitter along with an integrated 640nm red laser. Both are rated to function in temperatures ranging from -20 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Concealed-carry firearms are normally too small to mount serious weapon lights to, and most lights that actually fit them can snag on clothing and holsters when drawn from concealment. As a result, Streamlight has created the TLR-6 light/laser combination unit specifically for concealed-carry firearms. With a housing made from high-impact polymer, the new TLR-6 features a 100-lumen LED light and an integrated 640nm red laser.
While most shooters know Streamlight for its pistol lights, lasers and combo units, the company also makes excellent rifle and shotgun flashlights as well. The ProTac Rail Mount HL-X emits a blinding 1,000 lumens and now mounts to any Picatinny rail. The new light has a purported run time of 90 minutes on high and 23 hours on its low setting. It can be powered by either two CR123 batteries or a single rechargeable Streamlight 18650 battery.
These new Scout lights from SureFire are designed to deliver dazzlingly bright light when mounted on any long gun like an AR-15 or tactical shotgun with a railed handguard. They secure to a standard Picatinny rail with integral, low-profile mounts. The two mounts available keep the light in an offset position so it remains as close to the rifle as possible and reduces the overall profile of the host firearm. The M312 and M322 both produce 300 lumens of light but come with different mounts to suit your needs.
The M612/M622 Ultra Scout lights from SureFire take the M312/M322 series and cranks it up a notch—to 600 lumens to be exact. These lights are also designed to mount on a long gun’s Picatinny rail. The M612 comes with an RM45 offset mount while the M622 comes with an ADM weapon mount. Both have a run time of approximately 1.75 hours.
While holsters wouldn’t normally warrant a spot on a lights and lasers list, the SureFire MasterFire system is an exception. Where most holsters secure a firearm directly, the SureFire MasterFire attaches to a mounted SureFire WeaponLight so shooters don’t have to buy holsters for their specific pistols, and because of the design, pistols can be holstered with a sound suppressor attached. Given that it’s made by a company known for its products’ durability, it’ll be interesting to see if this new holster catches on with military and police personnel.
The new XC2 is based on the XC1, the lightest SureFire WeaponLight on the market. Like the XC1, the XC2 still features the MaxVision beam—a proprietary reflector/bezel combination that produces a super-wide beam of light. Where the XC2 differentiates itself from its predecessor is with the inclusion of a laser aiming module. While that’s pretty neat itself, what’s amazing is that the size of the unit is almost unchanged. It’s like getting something for nothing.
UTG’s newest product is the 400-Lumen Subcompact Pistol Light. As its name suggests, this new compact tactical weapon light produces 400 lumens of bright white light from its LED emitter. Also, the unit features ambidextrous controls and attaches to a standard railed dust cover with a tension screw. The body of the light is built from hardcoat anodized aircraft-grade aluminum, and the unit is powered by a single CR2 battery.
The firearms world is awash in accessories ranging from the super practical to the pointless. Some look cool but won’t add much functionality to your favorite weapons. New lights and lasers might just be the best add-ons, however, because they’ll help you identify targets in low-light conditions and allow you to actually hit what you’re aiming at even if you can’t use your iron sights. There are literally hundreds of options available today, but these are some of the best lights and lasers hitting the market right now.
