Looking for practical LED gun light

I have a Surefire G2 with an upgraded (120 Lumen?) bulb. It's bright and tough, but it eats expensive CR123 batteries like candy and gives almost zero notice when it's going to go dark. It seems that LED gun lights (Like the G2, a light designed to accompany your firearm, for target identification. Must have a lanyard and tail cap mounted momentary/on/off switch.) and have replaced the older bulb styles, and mini USB rechargeable batteries are even available.

What I'm not finding is a good quality LED gun light that includes a momentary switch with the on/off switch. This makes a quick, silent flash of the light impossible. I've laid my hands on a few LED tactical lights, and I'm impressed with their bright white light and battery options, but I'm really looking for one as ergonomic and user friendly as the Surefire G2 with a momentary tail cap switch.

I have seen where Surefire has LED conversions for the older lights, but they still use the CR123 batteries and I'm trying to avoid them as well. AA and AAA are easy to find, and I've been beating up several Streamlight rechargeable lights for years. They have a momentary/on/off tail cap switch, so I know it can be done with an LED light, I just can't find a brighter one that does.

Does anybody have a favorite?

 

I have an old Surefire that I like. I think it is a 6P. It's only 65 lumen, using CR123 batteries but last a long time. I don't think any LED let's you know when the batteries are going, not sure. I like it because the lumen to time is a good balance as it's enough light to allow me to do most anything and the batteries last a long time...of course I would like double the lumen and thought about getting an upgrade but it's enough. It also hexed shape so if you sit it on something it doesn't roll away which seems like such a no-brainer to me that I don't know why all good flashlight don't do it. Also, it has a twist on/off switch at the end which will never fail due to lousy contact or wear out like a button will - plus - it has a large button right at the end which you push and hold with your thumb to keep the light on which is handy when one needs just a quick look. I thought of replacing it because it truly is old and there are much better ones out there now but I truly like it and it fulfills my requirements and it's damn near bombproof.

 

I use my 1980's AA mini-maglite, with an updated LED bulb and tail switch from Nite Ize. Old flashlight with new parts/features for under $10 USD.

MiniMagLEDUpgrade by Grandpa Patch, on Flickr

 

My choice.
SureFire X300 Ultra Series LED WeaponLights with TIR Lens
by SureFire
3.6 out of 5 stars 666 customer reviews
| 192 answered questions



Price: $214.00 Free Shipping for Prime Members


Special off-white high-performance LED produces 600 lumens, biased in the yellowish-green spectrum optimal for human vision

• Precision TIR lens creates a smooth, tight beam with enough surround light for peripheral illumination
• Switching-Ambidextrous push/toogle, integral, ergonomic one-finger ambidextrous momentary - and constant -on switching
• Integral aluminum T-slot mounting system offers rock-solid attachment to railed hand guns and long guns equipped with MIL-STD 1913 rails
• Construction: High-strength aerospace aluminum with Mil-Spec anodizing; coated, tempered window
• NOTE: Refer the User Manual before use. Bezel diameter: 1.125 inches

 

I have something similar to this made by Surefire, Don't know the model offhand
Mine is in green

 

@HK_User LOL! Are you in sales, sir? LOL! No, I really don't need a super-duper flashlight and certainly not one for my firearm.
For what I do/need and also know, I would never put a light on my firearm that says 'Shoot here!', nope, not going to happen. It's the same reason I don't use a shiny gun...LOL!

 

@hot diggity said "to accompany", not "attach", therefore my suggestion of the min maglite. I agree with @Bandit99 that you never attach a flashlight to your weapon. I it a "Shoot here!" as he says. You really don't want to be checking those things that go bump in the night, point your *flashlight* and local LEO opens fire.

 

If you live in a rural area and if you have a bump in the night you better be ready to ID the Bump that you perceive as a reason "to see what's out there".

If not you may well find yourself paying for a neighbors Bull or worse yet kill a neighbor's child that decided it was time to take your child's invite to come on over for a late night visit.

Nothing is so simple as some suppose as why I have my gear set up with Both a Led Light and a Red or Green Laser.

I start on any project as to a What if. the what if usually begins with "What if and is it worth a trip to the ER (nominal cost of $1000)> My what if ends with "Damn did I just kill some innocent person?"
Nothing hypothetical here, I have been placed in both those situations by thieves and foolish kids.
No billed one time and grounded my kid all summer another time.

I guess I miss the point as to why someone would not want a firmly mounted light that could be toggled on or off in an instant or locked on for an after action survey. All the while being able to hold a weapon for firing or at ease for a "Look See".

 

Yes, as noted, I'm seeking a hand held light to instantly and positively identify a possum from a cat, or a home invasion from kids and college buddies returning late from an away football game. I like a light that causes the recipients eyes to involuntary slam shut from the flash and be able to see only spots in the direction where I had flashed them from.

I like the idea of upgrading several of my older model lights with new switches and LED bulbs. Lots of ergonomic issues, but since this is to be a gift, and "a Surefire flashlight like Dad's" was specified I have a somewhat narrowed field. The new Surefire lights seem to be all LED, and even rechargeable.

*sigh* It was so much easier when Maglite was my go-to light.

 

This is as close as I can find to where I started when I had Mountain Lion and Coyote problems several years ago. Leapers UTG CQB LED Light w/ 400 Lumens LT-EL228Q-A Power: 400, Battery Type: CR123A, Bulb Type: LED, 33% Off
It is on some thread where I show the dead cows.

I still use it (the one I bought ) on the rifle I used and have never removed it.
I had a red dot on that rifle and just needed to light up the night!
It indexes well and you can easily take it off if you want to.

I understand keeping older gear in use but the advancement in LEDs, both the actual light and the beam, output with reduced power draw is too much to ignore.

The above light at less than $50, way matches or exceeds any improvement I could make with up grades of an older light and would be futile and a waste of what time I have.

Coyote problem is greatly reduced and only one Mountain lion in 5 years has been sighted.

Found the thread but the light does not show on the rifle as it is mounted on the left side.
So you think you can walk to the woods and live! Explicit Photos You have been warned.

 

I personally own a few JT Tactical lights and like them. Not super bright though, but do have a focus adjustment - wider beam to small spot beam, and uses one AA battery.
Available on Amazon. Cheap but rugged. If I lose it, I am not out much dough.

 

I certainly agree that for use in hunting animals a light attached to one's rifle is a necessity, especially if you have predators around. I should have been more specific in my reply. My comment was more framed for the two-legged predator and the fact that they might be hunting you. Strange my mind went right to the most terrifying scenario...I guess I am a paranoid. LOL!

What I do around the property is use a very powerful hand held, it's probably 2000 lumen. It also has a red filter if needed. Should I hear a noise on the property, I will usually go and inspect it without a light until I get closer then light them up but it depends on a lot of variables: what kind of noise, where it's coming from, etc. and normally, I would not carry a rifle, just my pistol. Why? For a number of reasons, some that were taught to me in training classes and others are simply personal reasons... However, before I finish, let me give you a true example that recently happened here. It's good food for thought...

It was about 2 months ago when things were relativity still dry. A contractor had been logging not far away and there were some huge slash piles that they started burning but failed to watch them throughout the night. Yep, the fire jumped and raging fire was coming straight for my area. Honestly, we could hit it with a rock. The Firemen got there and were fighting it but wasn't sure they could contain it. So, everyone needed to be prepared to evacuate.

Now, this was at about 1am (01:00) on a Friday night. And, the Deputy went down our road with lights flashing and started knocking on doors which he had access to, houses which didn't have their gates locked. The homes here must have at least 5 acres and the area is wooded and pitch black.

Well, we're out cold so we didn't hear him knocking and by the time we got ourselves awake, he was gone. However, the wife had convinced me that she indeed heard something so... so I grabbed my floodlight and pistol and went and checked the property. I carried the pistol simply low at my side, next to my leg, not pointing it while I search the grounds around the house and garage and then walked all the way to the road but didn't find anything or anyone.

Now, my point here is if I had a rifle with a light attached and went searching - well - I would be pointing a weapon at the same time I was pointing the light and in doing so someone could have mistaken my intent and a nasty accident could have occurred.

Don't get me wrong, Tactical lights are a good tool in the correct scenario but...

Anyway, it's simply food for thought... The firemen did get the fire put out and we didn't have to evacuate and we didn't find out the reason until the following day for the knock on the door.

 

I understand your concerns and I always carry a YELLOW 3 celled Pelican Light when I go outside.

But I do not use it to shoot with, just observe.
It hangs on the Coat Rack at the door.
https://www.opticsplanet.com/pelican-sabrelite-2010-recoil-led-flashlight.html

Not cheap, but what price is safety?

Easy enough to dump the camoed rifle carried at my side and have only the Pelican turned on looking about.
Of course I also carry when I go out or when I stay in.

 

I've heard reports of many tragic shootings by home owners who heard a noise, and after theyd killed the intruder, realized it was an adult child coming to visit for the holidays, a neighbor who'd come to check on them, or a spouse in the kitchen making a sandwich. I'd have the drop on anybody inside the house, without a light. It's still nice to be able to light up college buddies for positive identification. The boys used to bring home some nice looking lady college buddies too.

 

I live alone, and have no reason for visitors, especially at night. I sleep light. ANYONE entering my home at night will be staring down the barrel of a gun. But I'd certainly try to ID the target before shooting.

 

@BTPost " I love my Russian Second NV..."

Can you tell us exactly what you have? I am interested in NV but I honestly have no idea how much I got to spend to get a decent, reliable and rugged pair.