Hello! Looking for compact budget lights that can handle 9mm pistol recoil

LED Flashlights – General Info
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Hello Everyone!
A quick intro: I have a military and electronics/aviation/instrumentation/technician background.
I’ve purchased a new handgun, and have spent many hours researching lights to put on it.
I’m sure this question may have been answered many times, and I did do lots of post searches, but I thought a more recent post might get some good answers or info on newly released products.
The light won’t be permanently on the gun, and I also want it for everyday purposes.
That’s the main reason why I really don’t want a dedicated weapon light. (I’ll just leave the quick mount on it.)

You guys/gals have extensive experience in the lighting world. I’m looking to tap into it, and thank you in advance :slight_smile: .
I need a pretty compact light with the following spec’s:
CR123 or AA type batteries (or rechargables).
Less than about 90mm in length. Body diameter should be less than 25.4mm or 1 inch. I’m mounting w/ 1 scope ring, and I can make/buy inserts to reduce the diameter to whatever I wish.
The ability to withstand 9mm handgun recoil.
I vastly prefer something with a twisty head or side switch vs. tail click so I can mount it all the way to the trigger guard.
If not, then I will get an offset quick picatinny mount, but that’s a secondary choice, and additional weight.
I’d like something that has more than one mode so I can conserve some battery power.
I’d like something that maxes our near 250-300 lumens, but could run about 100-150 at a mid level for a few hours minimum.

I’ve looked at a ton of lights, and even had an olight S15R baton ordered, until they finally returned my email and told me
that recoil would destroy it, so I cancelled my order…
I’ve also looked at lights like the Fenix E15 2016, and probably just about every brand out there. But it’s the ability to handle recoil that keeps me from making an informed purchase.

I do have the tech ability to modify a light w/ potting compound, etc…but don’t want to turn this into a new hobby…

I’d like the light itself to go anywhere from $15 to $40, and I will buy a charger/batteries/mount, etc…if I don’t find a kit.
I’ve also looked at placed like MTN electronics, and a bunch of the online/overseas vendors listed in these forums.

And yes I know there are arguments about mounting lights on handguns, and also about get-what-you-pay-for, and while I appreciate their merits, I’m still going to pursue this, and as a budget project.

Thanks in advance for your time and advice—I truly appreciate it!!

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Olight m10? Or Solarforce l2m?

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The welcome wagon will be around soon.

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this one ,I wish olight would make one with a green laser,Olight PL-1 Valkyrie 1x CR123A 400 Lumens CREE XP-L CW LED Tactical Li so I can mount in my 10mm and 9mm

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I just bought one of these for my ruger 9mm. Overall the build is excellent, solid aluminum all around. I wasn’t expecting much because of the price, but was pleasantly surprised. I haven’t actually had time to shoot with it yet, but it’s completely solid on the rail. If I need to beef up a couple solder points or add potting, it’s very easy to access. For this price you can’t go wrong. It even came with a Panasonic CR123.

http://m.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_258747.html

Edit: here it is on my gun

Edit I can’t recommend this light anymore, it failed the first time at the range.

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Thanks You for the plentiful and quick responses!
I’ll be checking all of them out, and greatly appreciate the included links! :slight_smile:

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So long as the driver is fully potted and the battery springs are stiff enough to not break contact when the weapon recoils, I would say with relative confidence that most lights would survive 9mm for at least a couple thousand rounds.

Nitecore has a line of lights that have springs on both ends of the battery tube, to better absorb shocks like weapon recoil. It’s been some time since I looked at them, but it may warrant some further investigation on your part

How important is it that the light is reliable? Will your life depend on it on a day to day basis? If it were that important, you might want to look into a higher price range.

Welcome!

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The olight is pretty much the same as the S15 that I cancelled. They say their product will be destroyed by recoil.
Some of the solarforce products look good; I’ll look into them a bit more.
Thanks!

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with no failures ,I just can’t find any hsters to fit Ade Advanced Optics® Tactical Green Laser Sight with 200 Lumen LED Flashlight + Built in RIS Rail Mounts https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IO8WMGK/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_c87Owb3QP9N9Y

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put over 1000 rounds of full power 10mm loads and 1500 9mm +p loads with the ligjt/laser from Amazon with no problems ,point of impact change or anything another light that may intrest you is the laserspeed from AliExpress.

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I’d just get a dedicated weapon light and maybe even a holster that would accommodate it. More money, but you’re all set and it’s always there. When I think self/home defense I allow for a higher budget.

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Thanks for the additional suggestions. I will look into them and please keep them coming.

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you didn’t like ,the olight weapons light? It was supposed to be designed specifically for handguns.

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That olight weapons light is almost $100 or more and I’m not looking for one that is weapon specific.

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I have used and made and sold ,alot of solar force L2 ,and then their is the Convoy - S2 , and you can install a Nanjing 7135 style driver with springs on both +&- sides and you can pot the 7135 chips with artic silver ,Ricard has done this for me you can go anywhere from 300-1100 lumens very easily ,but no twisty head or side switch.

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@ pilotdog:

Regarding that Richfire light on GB:

Description indicates XP-E, pic shows XR-E; which did you get? (already answered in the other thread! (XP-E…))
Also curious, does the light handle 16340 Li-ion?
I like the quick-release paddle idea, as long as the tension is strong enough to hold under recoil. For the price, I might bite…

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No idea on the 16340.

well about that “quick release”… I only have one handgun, and the rails on mine are composite so I don’t know how much they vary from gun to gun. That being said, this light is VERY tight on the rails. I have only taken it off twice, the first time I had to field strip the gun (so the slide wasn’t moving in my hand) and really use some brute force to get it off. It didn’t leave any scars on the gun or anything, but when I put it back on I greased it up with silicone flashlight lube first. Hopefully that will help when I need to take it off again.