Weapon lights and laser sights for both handguns and long guns are valuable assets for officers in all assignments. The following from 12 leading law enforcement suppliers are some of the most innovative and highest quality versions of these tools on the market.
Weapon Lights, Laser Sights
SIG’s Green Laser Aiming Device (G-LAD) for long guns produces a green laser beam that's visible for 60 yards in daylight and up to one mile at night. The G-LAD's target dot is smaller than two inches at 100 yards. Manufactured with an anodized aircraft aluminum housing, the G-LAD system includes mounts for Picatinny rails, a momentary activation pressure pad and core, and a momentary activation tail cap. It's easily mounted on any rail-equipped long gun and features high-end optical scope-like adjustments for windage and elevation. The G-LAD can be used with optical scopes for ultimate accuracy. Photo: Dave Douglas
Elzetta Design's lights are both tough and bright. The Elzetta ZFL-M60 Weapon-Grade LED Flashlight produces 235 out-the-front lumens. It features optical beam projection (not a mere reflector), creating an intense light pattern with a "soft edge" that minimizes the tunnel-vision effect common with other lights. Made from hard anodized 6061-T6 aluminum, the ZFL-M60 features fully-potted electronics to withstand harsh recoil and severe impact. Mounts are available for a wide variety of ARs and other long guns, including tactical shotguns.
Laser sights are particularly useful on compact concealed carry pistols that are designed for point-blank self-defense and point shooting. That's why LaserLyte has recently been focusing its energies on producing side mount laser systems for Ruger and Kel-Tec subcompacts. The side mount lasers are easy to install and zero. The programmable laser features a pulse or constant-on mode. An auto-off function protects the batteries from unnecessary drain. LaserLyte's no-snag design facilitates smooth draws and reholstering.
The market leader in laser sights, Crimson Trace is known for its Lasergrips, which are available for a wide variety of handguns, including Glocks and Smith & Wesson M&P duty weapons. In addition to the handgun lasers, the company makes long gun foregrips that are available with either red or green laser sights. The MVF 515 Green Modular Vertical Foregrip has a laser that produces a half-inch dot at 50 feet. It's fully adjustable for windage and elevation, and it's backed by a three-year warranty. Photo: Dave Douglas
Best known for making green laser sights, Viridian (from the Latin word for green) now makes an extremely compact weapon-mounted light. The C Series TacLight (CTL) tucks neatly between the trigger guard and the muzzle of any railed handgun, including subcompacts. Although it's small, the CTL is very powerful, producing 100 lumens of white light and 140 lumens of strobe.
The SureFire X300 weapons light fits both handguns and long guns and generates 170 lumens of white light focused by a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) lens. Features include a rail-lock system with adapters for attachment and detachment on Universal and Picatinny rails. An ambidextrous push/toggle switch provides one-finger operation for either momentary or constant-on operation. Optional pistol grip switches are available. The light is constructed of aerospace aluminum and features an O-ring and gasket so it is submersible to 22 meters. Powered by two lithium CR123A batteries.
Earlier this summer LaserMax announced that it is producing a CenterFire Laser sight for the new Smith & Wesson M&P Shield concealed carry pistol. The CenterFire laser for the M&P Shield was designed to integrate with the contours of the pistol. The laser mounts directly to the frame without need for changing out or altering parts. It can be user installed in minutes. The constant red laser is positioned directly under the bore for optimal accuracy. Features include ambidextrous activation and a distinct on/off switch that lets the user decide when it's needed.
Best known for the Tactical Blue Dot line of handheld flashlights, which was designed by an officer for officers, Brite-Strike does not make a dedicated weapons light. It does, however, make an adapter that will transform a Tactical Blue Dot handheld into a long gun light. The Remote Pressure Switch replaces the tail cap on the Tactical Blue Dot. The light can then be fitted on a long gun using any .83-inch diameter mount.
At this year's SHOT show, Streamlight introduced the extremely powerful TLR-1 HP long gun light. Available in four versions, the TLR-1 HP can illuminate threats out to 400 meters with 200 lumens of light and 46,000 candela peak beam intensity. All that power comes from a fairly compact package. The TLR-1 HP weighs just 5.3 ounces and is only 5.25 inches long with a head diameter of 2.2 inches. Runtime is 1.75 hours on two CR123A lithium batteries. The TLR-1 HP can be quickly mounted using Streamlight's one-handed snap-on interface.
The ATN Javelin line of long gun lights includes the Javelin 600W, an exceptionally bright tactical light that produces 600 lumens. That much light output can actually temporarily blind a suspect for up to 10 seconds. Considering that most gun battles between cops and bad guys last less than 10 seconds, that's a major tactical advantage. The J600W is a rugged piece of equipment constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum and weighing nearly a pound. So it's not for everybody. Fortunately, there are two smaller lights in the Javelin line. Both are tactically bright, ranging from 200 lumens to 220 lumens.
The Mepro MOR Tri-Powered Reflex Sight with Red Laser Pointer was designed and built for the Israeli Special Forces by Meprolight, an Israeli company. This package combines a high-quality tri-powered (fiber optic, tritium, and LED) reflex sight with a laser. You can also get this package with infrared and a visible red laser. An innovative single boresight mechanism allows the operator to simultaneously zero both aiming devices. Meprolight products are distributed in the United States by the Mako Group.
The PowerTac Warrior is a tactical handheld flashlight that is also sold as a weapon light. Marketed as the Warrior Weapon Package, the kit includes the PowerTac Warrior LED flashlight, a mount, and a pressure switch. The Warrior flashlight features a Cree XM-L LED that produces 650 lumens. That's powerful enough to cast a beam out to 400 meters. Runtime on high is 1.3 hours.