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We explore the best tactical lights for Glock, focusing on top choices like the Streamlight TLR-7, known for its balanced brightness, and the Streamlight TLR-8, which adds a laser sight. The Surefire X300 Ultra stands out for its ultra-bright beam, suitable for remote locations.
We also discuss options like the Olight PL-MINI 2 Valkyrie with a rechargeable battery, and the Viridian C5L, notable for its green laser. Each light’s features, including brightness levels, battery life, and suitability for various environments, are considered to help you find the ideal tactical light for your Glock.
When shooting in the dark, you need a pistol light.
But with so many weapon lights available, it can be really difficult to sort out the good from the bad, let alone figure out which one of the good ones fits your needs.
Fortunately for you, you have me. I’m going to draw on my experience as a Glock owner, plus my experience with firearms in general, to show you the best tactical lights for Glock.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at my top tactical light recommendations for Glocks. Then we’ll go over how to choose the right light for you and your Glock pistol.
Our overall top pick for the best tactical light for Glock is the Streamlight TLR-7. This compact little pistol light has a moderate brightness level, easy-to-use controls, and good range.
Now let’s take a closer look.
Here Are the Best Tactical Lights for Glock 19 (Our Picks)
Streamlight TLR-7
First up is the Streamlight TLR-7.
This is a really balanced option in both brightness and budget. With a 500 lumen beam, the TLR-7 is bright enough for outdoor use or to blind an assailant, but not so bright that you couldn’t use it indoors without blinding yourself.
The beam is narrow, which I do prefer for outdoor use because of the longer range. (The TLR-7 has a 140-meter range). With that said, I still feel like my TLR-7 fills up all the corners of the room when I use it indoors.
To start up the light, Streamlight has put controls on both sides of the TLR-7, so it can easily be used by both right and left-handed shooters. The controls are low-profile, meaning they don’t rise very far beyond the sides of the light, preventing them from accidentally snagging on your clothing, holster, or other items.
The TLR-7’s “Safe Off’ functionality also helps to prevent you from accidentally turning on the light if you bump the controls, which helps preserve battery life.
All you have to do to activate the “Safe Off” functionality is turn the head of the light halfway. This moves the contact away from the battery so they don’t connect, stopping the light from turning on regardless of what happens with the controls.
The TLR-7 has a 90-minute battery life and uses a single CR123A battery.
This tactical light is also impact-resistant and waterproof, plus Streamlight protects it with a lifetime warranty. At the same time, it’s very lightweight, weighing in at a mere 2.4 ounces.
Takeaway
The balanced brightness level of the Streamlight TLR-7 makes it a versatile little light that can be used for a variety of purposes. The low-profile, ambidextrous controls, “Safe Off” functionality, and durability are just the icing on the cake.
Streamlight TLR-8
Love the Streamlight TLR-7 but struggling to choose between a tactical light and a laser sight?
Well, with the Streamlight TLR-8, you don’t have to choose.
Like the Streamlight TLR-7, the Streamlight TLR-8 has a narrow, 500-lumen beam with a 140-meter range. Each has a 90-minute battery life and uses one CR123A battery. They both have the same ambidextrous, low-profile controls and both have “Safe Off” functionality. Both are impact-resistant and come with a lifetime warranty.
The Streamlight TLR-8 is virtually identical to the TLR-7 but with the addition of an integrated laser sight.
The primary difference between the TLR-7 and TLR-8 is that the latter has an integrated laser sight. The laser itself is red for high contrast and therefore high visibility against most surfaces. This addition necessitates a few other differences though.
Naturally, it comes with an increase in both price and weight. The price goes up by about half, but there are only about 0.24 extra ounces on the TLR-8.
Beyond that, though, the TLR-8 is only waterproof, not water-resistant, so it can stand up to the rain or getting splashed with water. Just don’t submerge it.
To zero the sight, the TLR-8 has to have screws to adjust the windage and elevation controls.
It’s also important to note that you can’t use the light and laser at the same time. A 500-lumen light is bright enough to wash out a laser so it’s not really visible. Of course, you can and should use them individually.
When using the laser alone, with no flashlight, the Streamlight TLR-8 will last for 18 hours on a single battery.
Takeaway
With the Streamlight TLR-8, you can get all the benefits of the TLR-7, just with the addition of a built-in laser sight. It comes with a little more weight, a little more cost, and a downgrade in waterproofness, plus you can’t use the light at the same time as the laser. All of that stops the Streamlight TLR-8 from being my absolute top pick, but I still love it.
Surefire X300 Ultra
I don’t find myself in need of one often, but when I want an ultra-bright light, I turn to the Surefire X300 Ultra.
It has a 1,000-lumen beam, which is far brighter than I would typically use. Still, I’ve been out in remote locations and been glad that I had a tactical light this bright.
It is absolutely not for indoor use though. You will blind yourself. It will not be a good time. Don’t do it.
A particularly notable feature of the Surefire X300 Ultra’s beam is that it utilizes a precision TIR lens. This focuses the beam to create a large, bright center to the beam while still allowing for a good amount of peripheral illumination. The X300 Ultra has an effective range of roughly 230 yards.
Another really cool feature of the X300 Ultra that Glock owners might appreciate is that it’s actually designed to work with not only Glock Accessory Rails, but also with standard Picatinny/Weaver rails.
That means you can use it on guns well beyond just your Glock, including not only other pistols but also rifles and shotguns. If the beam were a more middle-of-the-road brightness, this light might have the TLR-7 beat for versatility.
Like our first two recommendations, the Surefire X300 Ultra has ambidextrous controls. However, in addition to just the standard on and off settings, the X300 Ultra’s controls also allow for a momentary-on setting.
The Surefire X300 Ultra uses two CR123A batteries to run that powerful beam rather than the single battery used by the TLR-7 and TLR-8. However, it gets 1.25 hours of battery life, so a little less than the two Streamlights despite the two batteries.
It’s also bulkier than the two Streamlights, weighing 4 ounces with the batteries included.
As for durability, the Surefire X300 Ultra is IPX7 waterproof. It features an aircraft-grade aluminum body with a mil-spec hard-anodized finish, which helps it stand up to corrosion, scuffs, and more.
The Surefire X300 Ultra comes in not just black, but also Tan so those of you who got Glocks in the Coyote color can still have a light that matches your pistol’s finish.
Takeaway
One of my favorite features of the Surefire X300 Ultra is that it can be used on not just Glock Accessory Rails, but also Weaver and Picatinny rails. Of course, the bright beam, long effective range, durability, and ambi controls are also all big points in the X300 Ultra’s favor as well.
Streamlight TLR-1 HL
Our next recommendation brings us back to the Streamlight family with another high-powered tactical light.
Like the Surefire X300 Ultra, the Streamlight TLR-1 HL has a 1,000-lumen beam. However, the TLR-1 HL has an effective range of 283 meters.
For those of you who didn’t just type “283 meters to yards” into Google to find out the conversion, that’s almost exactly 309.5 yards, so almost 80 yards more than the Surefire X300 Ultra.
Also like the Surefire X300 Ultra, the Streamlight TLR-1 HL is only for outdoor use.
And like the Streamlight tactical lights we’ve already gone over, the TLR-1 HL has ambidextrous controls. Unlike the other two, the controls of the TLR-1 HL are on the rear of the unit, not the sides.
As for durability, the Streamlight TLR-1 HL is basically the same as the TLR-7. It’s IPX7 waterproof and is also impact-resistant. It’s also protected by a lifetime warranty.
Similar to the Surefire X300 Ultra, the Streamlight TLR-1 is very versatile. The TLR-1 HL won’t just be at home on your Glock. It will fit on Glock rails and standard Picatinny rails as is, but it also comes with keys that allow you to use the light with virtually all of the most popular handguns.
Also like the Surefire X300 Ultra, the TLR-1 HL requires two CR123A batteries. It squeezes a bit more battery life out of those two batteries though with a 90-minute battery life.
At 4.32 ounces, the Streamlight TLR-1 HL is a bit heavier than the Surefire X300 Ultra and is the heaviest tactical light on this list.
Takeaway
The Streamlight TLR-1 HL is another great high-powered tactical light for Glock and it shares some of the best features of the Streamlight TLR-7, Streamlight TLR-8, and Surefire X300 Ultra.
Olight PL-MINI 2 Valkyrie
If you’re looking for a tactical light for your Glock that happens to have a rechargeable battery, look no further than Olight PL-MINI 2 Valkyrie.
Skip the hassles of replacing batteries and making sure that you always have spares on hand. All you have to do to keep the Olight PL-MINI 2 Valkyrie charged is place it on your charger once in a while when you’re not using your Glock. You don’t even have to take it off of your Glock, thanks to the magnetic charger that simply sticks to the bottom of the light’s body.
At one hour, the battery life isn’t as long as the other lights we recommend. Fortunately, it’s so easy to keep the battery charged that I don’t think that’s a big deal. After all, how frequently will you actually need to use your tactical light for more than an hour at a time?
And at less than $100, the Olight PL-MINI 2 Valkyrie is a really affordable option for those who don’t have a lot to spend on a tactical light for their Glock.
The beam is 600 lumens, so it’s another mid-range light in terms of brightness, though it’s a bit brighter than the Streamlight TLR-7. The range is 100 yards.
The 2.57-ounce weight puts it at right around the same weight as both the Streamlight TLR-7 and the TLR-8.
Like the Surefire X300 Ultra, the Olight PL-MINI 2 Valkyrie comes in black and tan, but it also comes in OD green if you want something totally different.
Takeaway
The Olight PL-MINI 2 Valkyrie has two main things going for it: the budget-friendly price point and the rechargeable battery, but it’s also just an excellent all-around mid-range brightness tactical light.
Viridian C5L
So we’ve talked about a few different mid-range brightness lights and a couple of different high-power tactical lights, but what about the low-level brightness options?
For that, one of my favorites is the Viridian C5L. It’s another two-in-one tactical light and laser sight, like the Streamlight TLR-8. It comes in one version with a red laser and another with a green laser. Specifically, I want to talk about the green laser version since it’s a little different from the other two-in-one light and lasers on this list.
But first, let’s go over the basics of the Viridian C5L.
It has a 100-lumen constant beam, plus a 140-lumen strobe function.
The advantage of the low light level is that it doesn’t wash out the laser nearly as much as the Streamlight TLR-8 and you could even conceivably use the light and the laser at the same time. Obviously, the laser won’t be as easy to see with the light on as it would be without, but you will still be able to see it.
Another advantage is that low-level lights require less acclimation from your eyes, meaning that they’ll have less effect on your natural low light vision capabilities. The smaller the difference between your beam and the ambient light level, the easier it will be to see beyond the boundaries of your weapon light’s beam. That means you’ll get much more benefit from existing light sources in the dark, even if it’s just the moon through your window.
The light also features Instant On capability. This means that when paired with Viridian TacLoc holsters, the light will automatically turn on upon exiting the holster, so your light is always ready when you need it.
But what about the green laser?
Red lasers are typically used because they provide high contrast against most backdrops, like green foliage. However, green will also have good contrast against most interior surfaces, unless your home is filled to the brim with plants.
Green lasers are also brighter than red lasers, which allows green lasers to have a much longer range. The laser on the green Viridian C5L has a daytime range of 100 yards, while the nighttime range is a whopping two miles.
This brightness comes at a cost, though: battery life. That’s only relative to the red version of the same laser, though. With a 1-hour battery life when using both the light and laser and a 4-hour battery life when using the light only, the Viridian C5L still has a better battery life than any of the other lights recommended here.
Takeaway
The green laser of the Viridian C5L helps it stand out from the crowd, even among laser and light combos, and the long battery life gives this tactical light an additional advantage.
Streamlight TLR-6
Let’s wrap up our list of Glock tactical light recommendations with one last light from Streamlight, the Streamlight TLR-6.
Like the Viridian C5L and the Streamlight TLR-8, the Streamlight TLR-6 is a combo tactical light and laser sight, and like the Viridian C5L, it’s a low brightness option at 100 lumens.
That’s about as bright as a standard Mini MagLite, so it’s still decently bright and will more or less illuminate a moderately sized room. In the little apartment that I live in that was built in the 1960s and has clearly defined rooms, it’s plenty. If you have a nice, modern open floor plan in a decent-sized house? It’s pushing it.
Both the light and laser are controlled by ambi buttons. Like with the TLR-8, you can zero the laser sight with windage and elevation screws.
Also like the TLR-8, the TLR-6 is resistant to both water and impacts, as well as shock. It also comes with Streamlight’s lifetime warranty, just like all the other Streamlight products we’ve recommended here.
The TLR-6 comes in black and tan to match most Glock finishes.
It uses two CR-1/3N batteries, which provide a 1-hour battery life for the light and an 11-hour battery life for the laser only.
The Streamlight TLR-6 is also tiny in comparison to the other pistol sights here, weighing only 1.16 ounces.
Takeaway
The Streamlight TLR-6 is a compact little two-in-one tactical light and laser sight that will give you just enough light for indoor use.
Buying Guide: Things To Look for The Best Tactical Flashlight for Glock 19
When choosing the best tactical flashlight for a Glock 19, consider factors like the light’s brightness and beam distance, which affect visibility in different environments. The size and weight of the flashlight are important for handling and comfort. Battery life is crucial for reliability, while durability ensures the flashlight withstands harsh conditions.
Additionally, ease of use, such as intuitive controls and quick attachment/detachment mechanisms, is key for efficient operation. These features collectively determine the flashlight’s effectiveness and suitability for various tactical situations.
All of the pistol lights that we’ve recommended here are great, but depending on your particular needs, one may be better than the others. Let’s take a look at the different things that you should keep in mind in order to pick the right light for you and your Glock.
Brightness & Range
Obviously, brightness is one of the most important factors for a tactical flashlight. It is, after all, the whole point.
Lights are available in a wide range of brightnesses, which is measured in lumens. Options range from about 100 lumens to over 1,000 lumens.
Obviously, a brighter light provides more illumination, but too much brightness can actually be a bad thing. A light that’s too bright can blind you if it reflects off of surfaces around you. Very bright lights, around 1,000 lumens, should only be used outdoors where the light won’t bounce off of walls and back into your eyes.
For that reason, lights at lower levels, around 100-600 lumens, are more common. If you just want the minimal light to illuminate your target without interfering with your natural night vision, go with a light no brighter than about 200 lumens.
For an indoor light that will blind a potential attacker without blinding yourself.
In addition to brightness, the range of the beam also matters. Also called throw, range does relate to brightness. Generally, the brighter the light, the further the beam can reach.
That’s not a hard and fast rule, though. There are other factors, like intensity, that also matter. You don’t need to worry about those factors too much, though, since manufacturers will conveniently list the range of the beam in the light’s specs.
Obviously, for indoor use, you don’t need that much range. Your rooms are only so big. For outdoor use, on the other hand, you may want a larger range. You’ll probably want at least a moderate range to reach across your yard, but if your light will be used for checking out a larger piece of property, you’ll generally want to get a light with a much farther range.
Battery
Most pistols lights use one to two CR123A batteries, though there are exceptions.
Ultimately, the battery type isn’t a huge deal, but there are a couple of things that you might want to consider.
One of the main reasons to think about it is that the number and type of battery is one of the main factors affecting the light’s size.
The second reason is that some types of batteries are cheaper and easier to find in stores than others. Fortunately, CR123A batteries are pretty cheap and easy to find in stores, but other battery types are harder to find.
Furthermore, some lights use rechargeable batteries. The advantage of that is that you never have to worry about keeping spare batteries around. All you have to do is charge it every so often. On the other hand, you can’t use the light while it’s charging and you can’t just pop in a new battery to avoid the wait.
More than battery type, you’ll want to think about battery life. You obviously don’t want your light pooping out while you’re in the middle of using it. Honestly, though, there’s really not that much diversity in battery life either though.
Most pistol lights have a battery life of right around an hour. It’s seldom much higher than that.
Size
As we said, the size and number of batteries is one of the main factors that determines the size of the tactical light overall. But why care about the size of the light in the first place?
Well, because size is related to weight.
With handguns, Glocks included, balance matters. Balance is determined by weight distribution. A good handgun is designed so that the weight of the weapon is properly distributed towards the back. This makes guns easier to grip and therefore you can shoot them easier and more comfortably.
Tactical lights have to be added to the front of the pistol by necessity, which shifts the weight distribution of the weapon forward. To minimize this effect, you want to opt for a lightweight pistol light.
The good news is that pistol light tends to be lightweight in general, so they shouldn’t make too much of a difference, especially on a fully loaded Glock.
Durability
Glocks are known for their durability and reliability, so you want a pistol light that can keep up.
You want a light that’s at least water-resistant but preferably waterproof. The difference? Water-resistant lights can handle a splash of water, but waterproof lights can be submerged up to a particular depth. That means a water-resistant light will be okay out in the rain, but won’t tolerate being dropped in a puddle.
For that reason, I consider water resistance essential, but waterproofness is a good “just in case” measure. On a similar note, impact resistance is also important since you never know if you’ll drop or bump your light.
Polymer and aluminum are both durable, but lightweight. Polymer has the added benefit of blending nicely with Glock’s polymer frames.
You’ll also generally want to look for a light with a warranty. That way you’re covered if there’s an issue. Some companies offer lifetime warranties, while other companies’ warranties only last for a year or two. While a warranty probably isn’t something to make or break a light choice on, it’s a good idea to know what you’re getting into if there is a problem.
Ease of Operation
You want your tactical light to be as easy as possible to use. For one, because it’s just more convenient. But on a more serious note, you want as few barriers as possible when it comes to defending yourself.
Select a light with controls that you can easily operate with your hands in a shooting position.
And, of course, you should plan on training with whatever light you select to establish the muscle memory needed for a self-defense situation.
Compatibility with Your Glock Pistol
Finally, once you’ve figured out which tactical light you want to buy, this is the most important thing to keep in mind.
Glocks, fortunately, have a built-in rail that can easily be used to mount your brand new pistol light, but Glock doesn’t use a standard Picatinny or dovetail rail. Their rail is Glock’s own unique design, the Glock Accessory Rail, so you need to make sure your light of choice works with it.
The trick is making sure you’re getting the correct model, not one designed for 1911s, a Smith & Wesson P365, or whatever other pistol.
Fortunately, most lights that mount on MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails will also mount on Glock Accessory rails. Many that don’t include what are called “keys,” which is basically just a fancy word for adapters that can be installed on the light’s mount to allow it to work with different styles of rails.
And even then, Glock is a major brand and virtually all pistol lights come in at least one model that’s Glock Accessory Rail compatible, so you just have to find the right one. I say “at least one” because some lights come in multiple models that fit different Glocks because of differing dimensions.
So make sure you’re getting one that not only fits Glocks in general but also your particular Glock. The links I’ve provided above should lead to the model that fits the most Glocks, but you should still actually look at the list of compatible pistols provided by the manufacturer to make sure it works with your particular Glock model.
While you should be able to return the light if you get the wrong one, that’s a hassle that no one wants to deal with.
FAQ
The US Army uses a modified version of the Streamlight TLR-8 called the MFAL, short for Multifunctional Aiming Light. The MFAL was adopted in 2018 and is used on both M17 and M18 pistols, as well as the M4 carbine rifle.
With that said, for most ops, all branches of the military are going to use night vision devices (NVDs) for low/no light combat situations. NVDs are far more stealthy than a weapon light, which literally puts a beam on your position. Night vision also reveals a far greater field than a flashlight would.
Final Verdict
My top pick is the Streamlight TRS-7 because of its moderate, versatile brightness level and “Safe Off” function, plus the ambidextrous, low-profile controls. Plus, it’s got a really budget-friendly price point.
However, everyone’s needs and wants are different, so it’s impossible to say any particular tactical light is best for all people.
If you’ll be using your tactical light outside, a brighter light with a longer range, like the Streamlight TLR-1 HL or Surefire X300 Ultra may suit you better. Inversely, if you’re looking for a light with a low brightness level, the Streamlight TLR-6 is a good choice.
Looking for a rechargeable battery? Then the Olight PL-MINI 2 Valkyrie may be the Glock tactical light for you.
For a tactical light with a laser sight, the Streamlight TLR-8 could be the move. And if you want a light that has a long-range, the Viridian C5L may be the best option.
Fortunately, between the reviews of each of these excellent quality lights and the buying guide we’ve written to tell you everything you need to know about choosing the right light, you shouldn’t have any issues selecting the best tactical light for your Glock and your needs.