Flashlight versus Rail-mounted Light - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

jtkratzer · 07-09-2007, 12:35 PM

Just curious why, other than the toggle switch and durability, why are rail-mounted lights so freaking expensive compared to a flashlight from the same company.

Just looking at a nice LED flashlight from SureFire, $99...their rail light for pistols starts at $250...I'd like to have a light on my XD, but that's a chunk of change...I'm most of the way to another gun with that type of money.

propellerhead · 07-09-2007, 01:03 PM

I'm guessing it's because small parts are harder to manufacture. They have tighter tolerances and must fit on the rail. A handheld one doesn't have to be exact. The materials are probably more expensive too since they have to be light weight and survive being less than an inch from the gun blast.

spoolup · 07-09-2007, 01:08 PM

As for a cheap but working rail mounted weapon light, look at teh Stremlight TLR1 for about $100. Good output, decently bright, holds up good (I have one on my CX4 storm, but have stuck it on the XD45C a few times but I do not have a holster for it, so its pretty dedicated to my CX4). As for a surefire led for $100, which one were you gonna get? the E1 is not birght enough (in my opnion) but you could take a P6 and do a cree conversion for $80 so maybe that is the way you were talking? other than that, all others retail for more that $100?? But you may find them cheaper thru some places too, maybe Im confusing myself.

I personally use the XD45C and surefire M3T with the 250lumen bulb (MN11 if im not mistaking) on the nightstand next to my bed to get me to the gun safe where the CX4 or 870P (both loaded with lights and plenty of use) awaits, if the need ever arrises. The M3T is incrediably blinding, but it is more difficult to control the weapon when use to shooting with both hands on the gun (again I am new to pistols and still learning.. hope to improve with time).

Somethings are just crazy priced. I spent $550 on the M500AB light on my AR.

**Rustynuts** · 07-09-2007, 04:08 PM

You forgot to mention the repeated shock loading from recoil. Probably not as big a deal with LED based lights, but still.

Iostream · 07-09-2007, 04:57 PM

They need to create a pistol mounted flashlight thats relative in power to it's bigger brother while making it considerably smaller that it's bigger brother.

I sure as hell wouldn't want a SF Defender mounted on my XD...hehe.

Tally XD · 07-09-2007, 05:05 PM

JT, I just got my new Streichers Supply catalog today. There is a company called InSight Technologies that has a rail mounted tac light called the X2 Subcompact Light for $109. Fits nicely on the 4" service models.

Glxso201 · 07-09-2007, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tally XD

JT, I just got my new Streichers Supply catalog today. There is a company called InSight Technologies that has a rail mounted tac light called the X2 Subcompact Light for $109. Fits nicely on the 4" service models.

S.A. and Insight Tech. designed that light specifically for the XD subcompact when it was released

Tally XD · 07-09-2007, 07:19 PM

OoOooooooooOOoOoo!!! Thats why it looks so good on a XD!!

Is it worth the $100? I mean, its not a cheapo Chinese made piece of crap is it?

jbutenhoff · 07-09-2007, 08:22 PM

Give me my 4 D cell mag light any day. 2 main advantages. 1, if the perp is armed he will not be firing right at me as I can hold the light away from my center. 2, if the perp gets in close or there is a weapon malfunction the mag light is still a formidable weapon up close...

Tally XD · 07-09-2007, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbutenhoff

Give me my 4 D cell mag light any day. 2 main advantages. 1, if the perp is armed he will not be firing right at me as I can hold the light away from my center. 2, if the perp gets in close or there is a weapon malfunction the mag light is still a formidable weapon up close...

Good theory, but is it suggested or even safe to befiring your weapon at a possibly moving target using only one hand on the gun?

I personally chose a small framed 3watt LED tac light (handheld) that is small enough so that I can hold it AND keep both hands onthe gun at the same time. I do agree on the handheld part though. Gun mounted tac lights are mostly for wasting cash in my opinion. I would own one, but only if I had money to blow.

07-09-2007, 12:35 PM	#1
jtkratzer XDTalk 15K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lancaster Co., PA Posts: 17,478	Flashlight versus Rail-mounted Light Just curious why, other than the toggle switch and durability, why are rail-mounted lights so freaking expensive compared to a flashlight from the same company. Just looking at a nice LED flashlight from SureFire, $99...their rail light for pistols starts at $250...I'd like to have a light on my XD, but that's a chunk of change...I'm most of the way to another gun with that type of money. __________________ "I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it." - Thomas Jefferson The Gun Lounge Pennyslvania Firearms Owners Association Hockey Forum

07-09-2007, 01:03 PM	#2
propellerhead XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Foat Wurth, TX Posts: 3,512	I'm guessing it's because small parts are harder to manufacture. They have tighter tolerances and must fit on the rail. A handheld one doesn't have to be exact. The materials are probably more expensive too since they have to be light weight and survive being less than an inch from the gun blast. __________________ XD-9 Tactical for IDPA, XD-40 Subcompact for concealed carry, XD-45 Service for home defense. Three calibers, three models, three purposes. No compromises.

07-09-2007, 04:57 PM	#5
Iostream XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 223	They need to create a pistol mounted flashlight thats relative in power to it's bigger brother while making it considerably smaller that it's bigger brother. I sure as hell wouldn't want a SF Defender mounted on my XD...hehe. __________________ *"What the hell is an aluminum falcon* ?"**

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07-09-2007, 01:08 PM	#3
spoolup XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Downtown SLC Posts: 219	As for a cheap but working rail mounted weapon light, look at teh Stremlight TLR1 for about $100. Good output, decently bright, holds up good (I have one on my CX4 storm, but have stuck it on the XD45C a few times but I do not have a holster for it, so its pretty dedicated to my CX4). As for a surefire led for $100, which one were you gonna get? the E1 is not birght enough (in my opnion) but you could take a P6 and do a cree conversion for $80 so maybe that is the way you were talking? other than that, all others retail for more that $100?? But you may find them cheaper thru some places too, maybe Im confusing myself. I personally use the XD45C and surefire M3T with the 250lumen bulb (MN11 if im not mistaking) on the nightstand next to my bed to get me to the gun safe where the CX4 or 870P (both loaded with lights and plenty of use) awaits, if the need ever arrises. The M3T is incrediably blinding, but it is more difficult to control the weapon when use to shooting with both hands on the gun (again I am new to pistols and still learning.. hope to improve with time). Somethings are just crazy priced. I spent $550 on the M500AB light on my AR.

07-09-2007, 04:08 PM	#4
Rustynuts XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,318	You forgot to mention the repeated shock loading from recoil. Probably not as big a deal with LED based lights, but still.

07-09-2007, 08:22 PM	#9
jbutenhoff XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 2	Give me my 4 D cell mag light any day. 2 main advantages. 1, if the perp is armed he will not be firing right at me as I can hold the light away from my center. 2, if the perp gets in close or there is a weapon malfunction the mag light is still a formidable weapon up close...