Let’s assume you already own a functioning and reliable handgun, an easy upgrade you can add to make sure you’re ready for any situation is a pistol flashlight. Owning a pistol flashlight can come in handy, especially if you have an emergency or get in a situation in the dark.
There are tons of flashlights for pistols, leaving you with a wide range of options. We have put together this guide to help you navigate the market. This guide is a review of the best flashlight for pistol guns currently available on the market. We will also get into what to look out for before buying one.
Table of Contents
1. Olight PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie
First up on this list is the PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie. The main unit on this flashlight comes in a nice and well-made design. The Olight PL-Mini 2 comes with a quick detach option that eliminates your need for a flathead. The rail on this flashlight can also be adjusted to make sure it can house any pistol.
You can easily toggle this flashlight on and off by pressing one of the buttons on each side of the flashlight. By pressing and holding down one of these buttons, you can also briefly turn on the light.
It takes less than 10 seconds to mount and dismount it on your firearm.
The Mini 2 flashlight is available in a compact design and is rechargeable. It is powered by a built-in lithium polymer battery. To charge this flashlight, you should look out for the charging port positioned at the base of the light.
Expect an output of at least 600 lumens. The bright light can also travel as far as 100 meters. The light source is a high-performance CW LED. This flashlight is lightweight making it easy to use in any circumstance. You can expect between 60-90 minutes of usage on a single full charge.
What We Like
- Magnetic charging cable
- Very affordable
- Bright light
- Perfect fit especially for subcompact pistols
- Compact design
- Lightweight
- IPX6 waterproof
- Adjustable rails
What We Don’t Like
- Some designs have a switch control issue
2. DefendTek Gun Flashlight
The DefendTek Gun Flashlight is another great lighting option. This water-resistant flashlight is made from high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum and is powered by non-rechargeable CR2 batteries. Built with adjustable rails, this tactical flashlight can be attached to most pistols and shotguns.
You not only get to enjoy a bright light of 300 lumens in thick darkness, but you can also use the strobe and steady settings on this model to disorient or pinpoint an intended target. A nice feature about this model is how you can just unbox and use it. It’s a ready-to-go flashlight that comes with already charged batteries.
Extra features to make your user experience seamless and easy include a tactical bezel, a rail-mounted casing to prevent dust and water from destroying the flashlight, as well as a quick-release mechanism.
What We Like
- High-quality material
- Bright light
- Water-resistant
- Rail-mounted casing
- Lightweight
- Great value for money
What We Don’t Like
- Non-rechargeable battery
3. Lixada LED Tactical Gun Flashlight
Weighing just 2.5 ounces, the Lixada gun flashlight is a great model of weapons light for your pistol. Made from quality aluminum alloy material with an anodized finish, this flashlight can withstand heavy and rugged use without signs of wear and tear. This also means you can make use of the flashlight in any weather.
A simple flick of the button on either side of this model turns the flashlight on and off instantly. This design features a two-side switch which makes it super easy to use in any hand. Double pressing the switch turns on the strobe feature.
This compact design can be carried around easily and is made to fit all 21mm standard Picatinny rails. This flashlight packs power as it is equipped with an XP-G R5 LED that can beam as far as 100 meters. This not only brings your target into focus but also helps you see your immediate surroundings.
The simple build of this flashlight makes it suitable for multi-use. Not only can you assemble and disassemble it quickly and without extra tools, but you can also use it for night fishing, camping, rock climbing, or cycling. You get a 12-month warranty on this flashlight with purchase.
What We Like
- 12-month warranty
- XP-G R5 LED
- Lightweight
- Multi-purpose mini flashlight
- Weatherproof
- Value for money
What We Don’t Like
- Battery not included
4. MCCC 500 Lumens LED Rail Mount Tactical Gun Flashlight
The MCCC tactical gun flashlight is a lightweight flashlight design made from premium aircraft-standard aluminum alloy. This flashlight comes in a weatherproof design that is suitable for rugged use anytime and anywhere.
This flashlight is powered by an original CREE XML-U3 LED light that is super bright. You can expect a beam radius of around 100 meters and 500 lumens of bright white light. This flashlight model can comfortably fit any pistol built with rails.
This MCCC flashlight model comes powered by a CR123A battery that is included in the package. However, it is important to note that this battery cannot be charged. It does offer other helpful features like the steady-on and defensive strobe mode features.
What We Like
- Bright Light
- Weatherproof
- High-quality material
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Value for money
What We Don’t Like
- Non-rechargeable battery
5. Tacticon BattleTorch V1 Flashlight
The Tacticon BattleTorch V1 Flashlight is a great quality flashlight designed for intense and rugged use. The lenses are both water and fog proof, which means you can maintain a clear vision at all times.
You can switch between the strobe and the flashlight mode depending on your preference and need. This flashlight would fit perfectly on any handgun, or pistol with a weaver or Picatinny rail.
The Tacticon BattleTorch flashlight is battery-powered and can be recharged through magnetic recharging. This allows you to keep the flashlight mounted to the gun at all times in case of any emergency. The bright light output from this flashlight is as high as 440 lumens and will travel 100 meters.
The lightweight and compact design of this flashlight make it compatible with most universal holsters. It also has an added feature of extra mounting holes built into the flashlight. With the purchase of this product, you get a lifetime warranty – assuring great quality and value for your money.
What We Like
- Magnetic charging
- Extra holes for mounting rails
- Lightweight
- Fog proof
- Weatherproof
- Lifetime warranty
- Value for money
What We Don’t Like
- Low battery life
How To Identify a Good Flashlight for Pistol
Here are some of the things to look out for when choosing the best flashlight for your pistol:
Holster Compatibility
For shooters who are planning to always carry their pistol around with a mounted flashlight, you must look for the best or universal holster options.
There aren’t a lot of holster options that can conveniently house a pistol flashlight. So it’s better to start your search as soon as you can.
Finding the Right Lumens for Your Torch
Lumens are the standard measurement for the brightness of your pistol flashlight. The higher the flashlight lumens, the brighter the light emitted. For personal or home defense, or a concentrated beam a 200-600 lumen pistol flashlight should be sufficient.
The main purpose of owning a weapons flashlight is to illuminate your target. However, higher lumen flashlights can also be useful for other uses such as temporarily blinding an attacker, for night fishing, hiking, camping, and cycling.
Strobe Functions
Another cool feature to look out for in pistol-mounted flashlights is the “strobe” effect. This strobe feature allows the flashlight to turn on and off intermittently. There are several settings for this strobe feature such as the slow strobe where you can increase or decrease the interval between flashes.
The main purpose of the strobe feature on the flashlight is to disorient your target or an intruder. Sudden bright light will cause the pupils to contract, imagine how your phone flashlight works when taking a picture in a dark room.
Pistol Flashlight Battery
A pistol flashlight is just as good as the battery it uses. If you’re on a tight budget, owning a rechargeable battery is a good way to save money. There are several models of flashlights with different battery types.
You should pay attention to the battery type and capacity, as well as how long the battery will last before making a decision. You should also consider the additional features that can impact the battery life such as lasers.
Laser
You might also be interested in a flashlight that comes with a laser feature. Generally speaking, pistol lights with lasers are more expensive, making finding a budget choice more difficult. If you’re having trouble using your 3 dot sights, you might want to invest in a light that has this feature.
Quick Release
The people who will benefit from this feature the most are those who will be using their firearms regularly. These are the shooters who have to put on and take off their flashlights frequently.
Offset Mount
An offset mount is a device that allows you to attach your light to the side of your rifle or pistol. This eliminates the need to place the light beneath the pistol. Another advantage is that it allows you to keep your right thumb near the switch, which frees up space behind the barrel.
Pressure Switch
This function allows you to move the light switch to wherever you want it. All you have to do is swap out the tail cap for the pressure switch.
FAQs About the Best Flashlight for Pistol
There are a few questions that frequently pop up as far as this subject is concerned. You can find the answer to some of them here.
Are Pistol Lights Worth It?
If you’re carrying a pistol, you’ll need some type of powerful light. Why? You can’t safely shoot if it is too dark to identify a target. Every year, tragedies occur as a result of persons failing to carry a light, failing to identify their target, and still shooting.
At night, a handgun light gives you the upper hand in multiple ways. You can also temporarily blind someone by shining a bright light into their eyes at night.
Without a light, it can be difficult to identify the target, what they’re holding in their hands, and what their intentions are. They have the upper hand if they’re looking to hurt you. This is easily turned around by a bright flashlight, allowing you time to quickly identify them and respond properly.
The disadvantage of using pistol lights for this is that you must point your pistol directly at your target. If they’re unarmed and you aim the gun at them, you could face major legal consequences.
Pistol Light vs Flashlight?
Handheld lights force you to shoot one-handed in a gunfight. That restriction is not a good thing. You should be able to keep both hands steady on your gun – a pistol light allows that.
Flashlights are ideal for regular use around the house or at work. In the moments building up to a life-or-death confrontation, when you fear a lethal force confrontation is imminent, you need a pistol light.
There are several additional features to look out for in a weapons light which include durability, the material it is made from, and if it is shockproof and waterproof.
Final Thoughts
For safety reasons, owning a white-light flashlight is very important. These flashlights are available in different sizes, price ranges, and are equipped with different features. Choosing the best flashlight for pistol guns is sure to serve you well.
Shooting with a mounted flashlight can also significantly impact your shooting. So we would advise some practice to allow you to get used to it, especially in the dark.