Crimson Trace Lightguard: Best known for making laser-aiming devices, Crimson Trace developed an Instinctive Activation pad switch that it carried over to a line of weapon lights. These illumination products give an officer the ability to instantly activate the light without moving fingers around the triggerguard. Lightguard products are available for full-sized Glock, Springfield XDM and Smith & Wesson M&P pistols. A version of the light is also available for certain 1911 pistols without an accessory rail. For more information, visit crimsontrace.com or call 800-442-2406.
Crimson Trace Rail Master Pro: Further expanding the company’s line of weapon lights, the Rail Master Pro is a white light and laser-aiming unit designed to mount to virtually any gun with an accessory rail. There is a tap switch to activate the unit, and it can be operated as a light only, a laser only or with the light and laser both activated. Additionally, the light can be set to strobe if desired. For more information, visit crimsontrace.com or call 800-442-2406.
Inforce APL: Durable and lightweight, the Inforce APL throws 200 lumens and will run for 90 minutes on a single CR123A battery. This pistol-mounted light has an ambidextrous paddle switch for activation as well as momentary and constant-on options. Light bodies can be had in black and Flat Dark Earth. For more information, visit inforce-mil.com or call 401-294-2030.
Inforce WMLx: Designed for rifle use, the Inforce WMLx weighs only 4 ounces with batteries, is waterproof to 66 feet and will put up with the abuse of frequent shooting. The light puts out 500 lumens and will run for two hours at that level on a single set of CR123A batteries. For more information, visit inforce-mil.com
or call 401-294-2030.
Lasermax Centerfire: The new LaserMax CenterFire miniaturized weapon light is a streamlined tactical lighting module that mounts on a Glock 42 or Smith & Wesson J-frame compact revolvers. The Centerfire weighs less than an ounce, produces 115+ lumens of pure white light, and sports both constant-on as well as disorienting strobe functions. This compact light is easily user installed and serviced. For more information, visit lasermax.com or call 800-527-3703.
Streamlight TLR-2 IRW: Combining a bright white light with an infrared aiming laser, the TLR-2 IRW offers the ability to illuminate an area or to engage a threat in darkness. This flexibility can be a major tactical advantage for a SWAT team in a high-risk warrant service or hostage rescue incident. The 300-lumen light is rated at 2.5 hours of run time, while the eye-safe laser will run for more than 45 hours. For more information, visit streamlight.com or call 800-523-7488.
Streamlight TLR-4 G: Developed for smaller handguns, the TLR-4 G combines a 115-lumen, white light with a green aiming laser. The unit will attach to virtually any handgun accessory rail without the need for tools. An ambidextrous switch allows for any combination of light and laser with both momentary and constant-on modes. Its run time on a single 3V CR2 battery is 1.25 hours with both the laser and light activated. For more information, visit streamlight.com or call 800-523-7488.
SureFire M600P Fury Scout: With 600 lumens, the new M600P Fury Scout light will be of interest to officers looking for a rifle-mountable light that casts a wide beam. The unit attaches to any Picatinny rail and comes with both a tailcap switch and a remote tape switch. A pair of CR123A batteries powers the light for approximately 90 minutes. For more information, visit surefire.com or call 800-828-8809.
SureFire X400 Ultra: One of the newest offerings from SureFire is the X400 Ultra WeaponLight with a built-in green laser sight. The high-performance LED throws 500 lumens of white light and is designed to withstand heavy recoil. More visible than red, the green laser offers the shooter a supplemental aiming tool. For more information, visit surefire.com or call 800-828-8809.
Viridian CTL: Claiming to be the smallest weapon-mounted tactical light in the world, the Viridian CTL is a 100-lumen light that mounts to the accessory rail of most pistols. Its diminutive size allows it to be carried easily off duty and by plainclothes officers on compact handguns. Even with the small size, it puts out 100 lumens of light and can strobe at 140 lumens. Its run time is 60 to 80 minutes depending on the mode. When used with a Viridian holster, the light can instantly turn on when drawn. For more information, visit viridiangreenlaser.com or call 800-990-9390.
Viridian RTL: If a white light makes sense for your duty weapon, it should also make sense for your backup and off-duty carry guns. Viridian offers the Reactor Tactical Lights (RTLs) for several popular backup guns, including the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, the Ruger LCP and the Ruger LC9. These tiny units pump out 140 lumens of light and offer both constant and strobe modes. For more information, visit viridiangreenlaser.com or call 800-990-9390.
Viridian X5L: Designed to mount to the accessory rail of most handguns, the X5L from Viridian combines a bright tactical light with a green aiming laser. In constant-on mode, the light throws 178 lumens, while the strobe cranks the output to 224 lumens. A single CR123 battery will power the light and laser for 60 minutes. Only using the laser or light will extend battery life up to 10 hours depending on the mode. For more information, call 800-990-9390 or visit viridiangreenlaser.com.
Until recently, weapon-mounted lights were rarely seen on police firearms, and then were often reserved for tactical teams.
The lights were expensive and relatively fragile. The current crop of weapon lights use advanced LED technology to produce very bright light in a compact, rugged platform. LED-based lights are also very efficient on power use, so a run time of one hour or longer is typical.
Fortunately for today’s officer, there are plenty of lighting options available for his or her weapons. From backup guns to rifles, there are options for nearly every firearm carried by law enforcement officers.
Here is a look at some of the most popular weapon-mounted lights available on the market.
For more information on the weapon-mounted lights mentioned above, please visit the following websites:
Crimson Trace Lightguard: visit crimsontrace.com or call 800-442-2406
Crimson Trace Rail Master Pro: visit crimsontrace.com or call 800-442-2406
