No matter if you’re a skilled marksman or you just have a piece for self-defence, tactical lights are a must-have addition if you’re packing guns. Law enforcement officers, soldiers and hunters all around the world swear by their weapon lights which allow them to be prepared for a wide range of scenarios.
Tactical lights improve accuracy in low-light conditions, help with target identification in dark areas and they’re also used as methods of non-lethal force to temporarily blind and disorient attackers.
Although at first thought, you may think that a simple handheld flashlight can do the work, and you won’t be far from the truth, but if you take firearms seriously, here’s everything you need to know before choosing a reliable tactical light.
Weapon-Mounted or Handheld Lights
When it comes to tactical lights, there’re weapon-mounted and handheld flashlights and each of them has its perks and downsides.
Shooting while holding a flashlight is an old school method used in police training that dates back to the 1930s. Nowadays, handheld lights are usually restricted to use with handguns only because you don’t need two hands to operate the weapon. One of the major perks of carrying a handheld light is that you can identify a potential threat without pulling a gun which can sometimes be completely unnecessary or even illegal. However, holding a flashlight while shooting is a bit more challenging because nothing beats the two-handed grip on your pistol.
Weapon-mounted lights will allow for a two-handed grip and provide much greater speed and accuracy. Moreover, these lights can act as a counterweight for recoil, reducing the rearward thrust generated when a gun is being fired. On the other hand, some argue that the activation switch of the WML is close to the trigger, and it can be the reason for unintentional or accidental discharges.
If you aren’t sure which one is better, you can always carry a handheld flashlight in addition to your weapon-mounted gear to get the best of both worlds.
Push Button or Remote Pressure Switch
Next thing to consider when choosing a tactical light for your pistol, rifle or shotgun is the activation switch. You can choose between push buttons and remote pressure switches.
A push-button or an on/off switch will allow you to activate the light with your support hand while maintaining a firm, two-handed grip on your firearm. It’s a very neat activation solution that will keep your piece looking sleek and low profile.
If you want the freedom to activate the light from anywhere you want, there’s even a better option for you. A remote pressure switch is an extremely useful addition to your mount light. It will allow you to run your flashlight at no additional effort whilst holding your weapon in the most natural manner.
No matter which activation switch you choose, the design should provide controls that are intuitive, ergonomic and specifically suited to the task at hand.
One of the flashlights that tick all these boxes is The Olight PL-Pro Valkyrie. It features an ambidextrous push-forward/side-press activation switch and an optional magnetic remote making it suitable for use on a PDW or a rifle set up. Both switches are completely noiseless for continued concealment. The flashlight pressure switch for the Pro Valkyrie has a 20cm long, straight cord for less tangling and it comes with a removable rail attachment for the pressure pad.
Light Output
The light output is of the utmost importance when choosing tactical lights. Generally speaking, the higher luminance, the better, but there are additional things to keep in mind.
The projection of light is related to the beam configuration which can be spotlight or floodlight. Spotlight beams have a greater throw which means the light will reach a greater distance whereas flood beams will illuminate more of the periphery. It’s best to choose flashlights that use a combination of the two so you can have appropriate luminance in all conditions.
Your flashlight should also have multiple brightness levels and modes that are suitable for different situations. For instance, if you find yourself in a situation where you need to identify a target without compromising your own position, the brief illumination of momentary lights would be a more suitable option.
However, if you need light for longer periods the momentary-on mode will put a lot of pressure on the thumb so in this case the constant-on mode will come in handy. Constant-on modes which provide high luminance can be extremely useful for overcoming photonic barriers, smoke, rain or other low-light conditions.
Last but not least, if there’s a potentially dangerous target that’s approaching you, the rapid flickering light of the strobe mode can serve as an excellent non-lethal way to temporarily blind or disorient the attacker.
Top Picks
If you’re in the need of a reliable tactical light or a flashlight pressure switch, check out these top of the line products that offer the ultimate value for money.
The small and compact M2R dual switch tactical torch has a spotless reputation. Don’t let the size fool you though, this bad boy is super powerful too. The M2R Warrior is equipped with the latest XHP35 HD LED that’s powered by a high voltage 3500mAh 18650 lithium-ion battery with an output range of 1 to 1500 lumens. It features a quiet tail switch and has outdoor and tactical modes for many applications.
You can replace the tail cap with the olight pressure switch to make activating the light more convenient when mounted to a weapon. This pressure switch will provide you with instant illumination whilst barely making a sound.
The Javelot Pro is one of the most popular hunting and rifle lights Australia wide. The Javelot Pro has 4 brightness modes at 2100, 600, 150 and 15 lumens with an incredible 1080m throw that’s perfect for hunting, spotlighting as well as search and rescue applications. The clever dual-switch design makes switching between modes easy and convenient while the magnetic tail cap allows for an optional remote switch attachment.
The powerful light is powered by a substantial battery pack with 7000mAh capacity.
The RWX07 olight pressure switch is the perfect attachment for your Javelot Pro, but you can also use it with the Warrior X and the M2R Pro. It features a noiseless, sensitive pad for hassle-free switch manipulation. The switch pad includes long and elastic contact strip which allows the user to press anywhere on the pad to activate the switch.
Final Thoughts
Don’t make the rookie mistake of underestimating the importance of weapon lights. They are your first line of defence in dark environments. Stay safe out there and upgrade your EDC or rifle with a reliable tactical flashlight or a convenient olight pressure switch.
