Did a search but didn’t see anything newer than around 2013 or so. Figured I’d toss up a new thread on the subject. Looking for an inexpensive (but preferably not ‘cheap’) light that can be attached to the picatinny rails of a pistol. For me, specifically a Glock 23.
I see a bunch on Amazon/Ebay in the $16-$30 price range and of course ones that really get into the $$$. I’d like to know if anyone has purchased one of these inexpensive ones and what you think of it. How easy to mod if necessary? How reliable? If you have a link to what you purchased that would be great.
Not looking to go shoot thousands of rounds with the light on the gun, rather something that can be depended on for that off chance something goes bump-in-the-night.
Any thoughts/experience/links are appreciated fellas.
I completely missed that thread, appreciate you posting the link. Wow, great price! I’ve had good dealings with GB in the past and I think this may be a good way to go, thank you.
I took it all apart to look at it, but I haven’t seen a need to make any changes. The head unscrews from the body, and it contains the led and driver. It’s a simple 1-mode boost driver. The pics on gearbest show an XR-E emitter, but mine came with an XP-E. The output is appropriate for a weapon light I think. Bright enough to temporarily blind someone if you point it in their eyes, but not enough to flashback at yourself. I keep a brighter light next to the gun for other searching.
They’re very nice and if this were a duty light then I’d spend the money. But for the ‘bump-in-the-night’ type of light that won’t see all that much use really it would be overkill. Particularly when I have a couple of other lights readily available on the night stand if needed.
Just went through the same search for my night stand pistol. With accounts at all the overseas retailers, I figured something had to be out there sub $20 that fit the bill. Even Amazon has a long list of Chinese pistol rail lights for cheap.
In the end, bought the Streamlight TRL-3 during the holidays for less than $50. Very happy with it and not concerned taking the light to the range.
My 2 cents - the bulb and lens of the light is RIGHT UNDER the muzzle. Better off having a good budget flashlight in hand vs a budget pistol light attached to the firearm.
I know you’re looking for a “silver bullet” because I just did the same. Consider a box of ammo costs $20 and that gets spent with no return or resale.
Something in the driver bay came loose. What I would recommend doing, is when you first get the light, inject some silicone or something into the driver bay to “pot” it and let that dry before firing the gun.
I’m going to try to salvage it, but in stock form I wouldn’t depend on it.
Sorry it didn’t stand up to shooting. Guess you have to expect that given the cost but you’d think a light designed to go on a firearm would actually withstand some shooting. Maybe not 10K rounds but at least a few hundred before something breaks on it. But breaking on the first time to the range definitely doesn’t inspire confidence.
Think you’ll try a new driver? If you do, let me know what you did and what type of parts you tried. May do the same if/when mine actually arrives. Sounds like it should be pretty easy to mod.
Well…… I got pretty frustrated with it and did a little more damage than was necessary. I think there is some glue in strategic places on the head. There is a small hole/cutout on the side of the driver, I would say just put some silicone in through that hole. That’s what I now wish I would have done.
I might actually order another one just so I can learn from my mistakes. I still like the form factor, though you have to be careful which side you lay the gun down on. The switch can turn the gun on if laid down on that side.
The "Lumintop X10":http://www.lumintop.com/x10.html has always interested me. Great looking little pistol light. I've been trying to get Lumintop to send me one for review but so far it's a no go. :D None of their other lights have disappointed me and are built very well. No reason the X10 wouldn't be too.
$55 on Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/LuminTop-X10-Cree-XR-E-CR2-LED-Mini-Strobe-Flashlight-fit-Weaver-Rail-/391237786201
This body style is available cheaper in other listings, but this one has the picture I was referencing. It looks almost like a P60 pill in this one. I think I might like this style of switch better too, it’s similar to how streamlight does it.
Some time ago, my friend asked me to find him a budget light to replace his broken Streamlight TLR-1 (which costs around $240 here!). There is really not much out there. Especial if you want to find something that doesn’t have a laser (illegal in our country) and would fit a holster made for Streamlight. In the end, I ordered this one (link):
He says it’s ok, but nothing to write home about. The brightness is comparable with the TLR-1.
