Saying “flashlight” and “Glock” in the same sentence sounds a little funny to me—not because I don’t think Glock can make a great light, but because they don’t make much of anything besides handguns.
But the GTL (Glock Tactical Light) was their step into the world of handgun accessories, and now they are offering the GTL II, which is much better than the first version.
Glock has built its reputation on doing one thing — producing polymer-framed, striker-fired handguns. Whether it’s the Glock 19, Glock 48, or the full-sized Glock 17, each model is essentially a variation of the same formula.
Some people complain that Glock handguns are a little on the ugly side. I’ll admit, I used to see Glock as the reliable duty gun, but also thought they were a little on the boring side.
With each generation, however, they’ve improved the ergonomics. When I first saw the new GLT II light, I thought, “Wow that’s about as ugly as their guns are.” But, of course, I couldn’t help myself and ended getting one to check out.
So, if you’re on the fence about this new light, maybe I can help you decide which way to jump.
The Glock GTL II
The Glock GTL II is designed specifically for Glock pistols, which is kind of cool. Even though it has the same boxy, square look as the guns, they did a great job with the custom fit.
When the light is mounted, it almost blends with the gun, making them look like one solid piece. That’s what really caught my attention.
This light works on most double-stack Glock handguns and some Glock clones, though it may not fit all models. Since Glock designed this light for their guns, the latch is specifically made to fit into the groove of the Picatinny rail.
Most lights have adjustable latches (cross bars) that can be moved to fit different guns. So, if you want to use the GTL II on another handgun, the groove on the Picatinny rail would need to be in the same place.
What I like about the GTL II
Because the GTL II was made for Glock guns, it’s super easy to put on. You simply slide the light on the rail and insert the latch. Unlike most lights that use a clamp, the latch pushes through the side of the light and locks in place, giving it a smooth, finished look.
Another great feature is how the paddle switches (power switch) fit over the sides of the trigger guard. The light stops in just the right place—making the paddles easy to reach without intruding into the trigger guard.
Glock also put a little texturing on the sides of the paddle switches to help keep your finger from sliding off.
When it comes to loading the battery, Glock did a great job with the design. A simple quarter turn of the light’s head (lid) removes it, and a rubber gasket helps keep moisture and water out.
It doesn’t take much pressure to activate either paddle and it functions about how you would expect. A quick push turns the light to constant-on, while a momentary push keeps it on only while the paddle is held.
Two quick pushes switch the light from constant to strobe which is nice for those who use the strobe function.
The light runs on one CR 123A battery, with a rated runtime of 70 minutes.
What I don’t like about the GTL II
The more I use the light and mess with it, the more I like it, but there is one thing I would like to see improved down the road: the brightness.
According to Glock, the GTL II is a 600-lumen light. I’ll admit there have been times on duty when my 1000 lumen light was too bright. There have been numerous times when I would activate it and the reflection from a car, wall, or other surface would just about blind me.
There is a good argument for both a bright and not-so-bright light mounted on your gun. A dimmer light will allow you to see and help your eyes adjust faster to the dark when you turn it off. But most people find more benefits in a brighter light so I think Glock should increase the lumens just a little.
When it comes to battery life, 70 minutes isn’t bad for a single-battery light. Of course, increasing the lumens would shorten that runtime.
The battery is easy to change, and CR123A batteries are not expensive so I wouldn’t mind giving up a little battery life for a few more lumens. Maybe they could add a second brightness setting so people could choose?
Holster Compatibility
This is an important factor if you’re looking to purchase a new light. Good holsters aren’t cheap and it’s worth paying attention to compatibility. If a light is not compatible with a holster you already have, you may yourself purchasing a new holster as well.
While the GTL II has a more squared-off shape than most other lights, it’s relatively thin. It fits great in all my leather holsters designed for a Glock 19/17 with a light.
When it comes to polymer holsters, it’s hit and miss. While it did fit in all my duty holsters, it’s loose in some of them. The best fit I found was my Safariland 6378-2832 holster made for a Glock 19/23. This is a level one retention holster and the gun fits the same as it does with my Streamlight TLR-1.
There are not a lot of options for conceal carry just yet, but I’m sure companies will be producing some in the near future.
The best fitting light for a Glock handgun?
Overall, I think I like this light, which is ironic because the square Glock-like look of the GTL II was what I didn’t like, initially.
After using it for a while, I’ve changed my mind. I like the looks of it. It’s a short light, so while it works on full-size guns, it looks best on models like the Glock 19 or 45 with shorter barrels.
When it stops flush with the end of the gun, it creates a clean, squared-off profile. Some will like this aesthetic, and some won’t, but it grew on me over time.
I would like to see a higher-lumen version of this light someday, but that’s just me. Other than that, the quality appears to be great, and the fit is the best I’ve ever seen for a handgun/light combo. At $135, it’s not a bad price for a light designed specifically for standard-framed Glock pistols.
