Is there a reason to mount a weapon light on your compact handgun? Absolutely. There is an old saying: “When the lights go out unexpectedly, you realize two things—one, you don’t know your own house as well as you thought, and two, your pinky toe becomes a missile for furniture.”
We talk a lot about training and running various drills to stay proficient with our handguns. But how often have you trained in the dark—at home, or anywhere else?
Having a weapon-mounted light (WML) doesn’t mean you have to use it anytime you draw or fire your weapon. Even in the dark, you may not always need a light on your handgun. But it’s also within the realm of possibility that you’ll need to identify a threat before firing.
This applies at home, an office building, a parking garage, or anywhere else, for that matter. When a threat is present, it doesn’t mean everyone else disappears. Identifying the threat is essential.
So, with that in mind, let’s look at three lights that are compact, affordable, and of great quality. I’ve used all these lights on my handguns and performed various tests on them. All three have earned a place on my top three compact WML list.
Nightstick TCM-5B
Nightstick has become one of my favorite brands for handheld and weapon-mounted lights. They have great customer service, and their product is top-notch.
For compact-sized handguns, the TCM-5B is an excellent light. Made specifically for subcompact handguns, it delivers impressive brightness and versatility in a tiny package. With 650 lumens and a 136-meter beam distance, this light offers exceptional clarity for its size.
Nightstick used toggle switches on both sides, just like on their larger lights. I like that because it operates just like the ones on my larger handguns.
The switches allow for momentary or constant-on activation, like most other WMLs today. It runs on a single CR123 battery that loads from the front via a screw-off battery cap. This design makes it quick and easy to swap out the battery.
It also has a self-locking feature, which is something Nightstick adds to most of their lights. This keeps it from accidentally turning on and running your battery down when you’re not using it.
Built from 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, the Nightstick TCM-5B is durable and lightweight, which are important qualities for use on compact guns. During testing, I froze it overnight, ran it through a full dryer cycle, and soaked it in water for an hour. It held up great, and I still use that same light today.
Nightstick TCM-5B Specs
- Lumens: 650
- Runtime: 2 hours
- Battery: Single CR123
- Beam Distance: 136 meters
- Material: Aircraft-grade aluminum
- Waterproof rating: IP-67
- Weight: 2.5 oz.
- $135
Streamlight TLR-7X
Next on our list is the Streamlight TLR-7X. I first carried a Streamlight when I was fresh out of the police academy. This was when the TLR-1 was the newest thing on the market, and we all wanted one. After years of use, I’ve seen firsthand how durable their lights are. I feel very confident that the smaller TLR-7X will be just as durable.
This light is about the same size as the Nightstick TCM-5B, and it also uses ambidextrous toggle switches.
It runs on a single CR123 battery, like most other compact WMLs, but on this one, Streamlight provides a rechargeable battery. You can still use a regular CR123 for emergencies, but with the SL-B9 rechargeable battery, you won’t have to buy so many extra batteries.
If you carry it daily, I recommend charging it once a month unless you end up using it for an extended time. Then, of course, you will want to charge it sooner.
With the TLR-7X, you get 500 lumens with a beam distance of 140 meters. That’s slightly less bright than the Nightstick, and the runtime is a little shorter at 1.5 hours, using a standard battery. With the rechargeable battery, the run time drops to 1 hour.
Streamlight also lets you swap out the activation paddles for different sizes to suit your hand. I like the ones that came pre-installed, but this could be a benefit to some shooters.
The light is machined from aluminum and includes a “safe-off” feature to prevent accidental activation during storage.
Streamlight TLR-7X Specs
- Lumens: 500
- Runtime: 1.5 hours
- Battery: Single SL-B9 Rechargeable or CR123A
- Beam Distance: 140 meters
- Material: Aircraft aluminum
- Waterproof rating: IP-X7
- Weight: 2.4 oz.
- $135
Sig Foxtrot1X
Sig Sauer’s Foxtrot1X is the third on my list because it’s held up surprisingly well over time. I’ve tested it, dropped it, and used it a great deal at the range.
While shaped a little differently, it’s still compact and fits most compact handguns with a Picatinny rail.
Like the other two, the CR123A battery loads from the front by unscrewing the head of the light. The Foxtrot1X has 450 lumens and a 1.5-hour run time. Even though this light is the least bright compared to the first two, 450 lumens is still enough light for a compact-size handgun (in my opinion). This will be subject to your preference, of course.
Instead of paddles, the Foxtrot1X uses side-mounted pressure switches. This means instead of pressing down on either paddle (like the first two), you press inward toward the body of the light. I don’t necessarily have a problem with this, but with this light, the pressure switches are just a little stiff. It’s not so bad that I don’t like to use it, but it’s noticeably harder to push than the Nightstick or Streamlight.
One feature I really like: the sliding rail interface. It’s adjustable, making it easy to fit a variety of guns.
Sig Foxtrot1X Specs
- Lumens: 450
- Runtime: 1.5 hours
- Battery: Single CR123
- Beam Distance: 120 meters
- Material: High-strength aluminum
- Waterproof rating: IP-X7
- Weight: 2.2 oz.
- Price $99
Which one is right for you?
Choosing the right compact weapon-mounted light for your concealed carry handgun involves several considerations.
The Nightstick is the brightest and has the longest run time and beam distance. Streamlight offers a rechargeable battery and customizable paddle switches. Both of those lights cost about $135.
Sig’s light is the least bright and functions just a little differently, but it’s also the cheapest. At $99, this thing is a great light.
All three of these lights will probably fit about the same size handguns, but I would check for holster compatibility before purchasing.
In the end, the best light is the one that fits your setup and makes you feel confident. Each of these lights offers solid performance at a fair price. Just remember: if you ever find yourself in the dark, a good light could save more than your pinky toe.
