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Sometimes doesn’t make sense to carry a firearm without a tactical flashlight attachment.
For one, you’ll always have greater situational awareness, even when it’s pretty dark. Your aim will also improve thanks to the light and laser helping with target acquisition and aim.
Click here to read all about the Pros and Cons of a Weapon Mounted Light
For this, these are the best flashlights with laser for gun options:
- TruGlo TG7650G TruPoint Laser/Light Combo
- SureFire Compact Handgun Light
- Streamlight 69245 TLR-4 Compact Rail Mounted Tactical Light
- Streamlight 69290 TLR-6 Tactical Pistol Mount Flashlight
- Streamlight 69261 TLR-2 Rail Mounted Tactical Light
What To Look for in a Tactical Flashlight
These are the most important things you should look out for in your new tactical flashlight:
Brightness
Brightness is measured in lumens: the more lumens there are, the more bright the light is, and the further it travels. We recommend flashlights with 100 lumens and above.
It’s important to bear in mind though that high brightness usually corresponds with shorter runtimes.
Our Lumens, Lux, and Candela article is a great resource to learn more about Lumens and light output
Strobe
A strobe doesn’t feature in all flashlights, but it’s definitely something to look out for. They’re great for self-defense as the quick flickering and flashing can easily disorient your opponent, giving you a tactical advantage.
Laser
Unlike regular flashlights, weapon-mounted tactical flashlights usually have a laser as an additional feature.
The laser greatly improves aim without needing to use the sight. In many cases, surrender also becomes more likely when the person finds the laser’s dot zeroed in on them.
Usually, the lasers are either red or green, with the following as winners:
- Brightness: Green.
- Visibility: Green.
- Affordability: Red
- Power consumption: Green.
Weapon Compatibility
Not all tactical flashlights fit on all weapons. Some flashlights are designed for handguns only, while others are more versatile and can be mounted on rifles and shotguns.
Additionally, the type of rail you’re using on the weapon is important, for instance, in the Picatinny or Weaver rails. Rails might look similar, but there are differences between them.
Some of these differences include the groove width and spacing, attachment surfaces, and more. For example, groove spacing on Picatinny rails is uniform, and the grooves are wider, which isn’t the case for Weaver rails.
Consequently, not all the flashlights are designed to mount on all rail types. Accessories designed to fit on Picatinny rails won’t fit on a Weaver rail since the groove would be too narrow, but it works the other way round. Although, there’s no reason why you can’t widen the groove to make it compatible if you’re good at using a file.
So, always check the type of rails a flashlight can mount on.
Durability
Tactical flashlights are designed to have a much higher durability than regular ones. You don’t want your mounted light to fail in the middle of a firefight or otherwise dangerous tactical situation.
For this, they should be shock-resistant to deal with the weapon’s recoil. To achieve this, the materials should have damping abilities, such as thermoplastic polymers.
Additionally, they should be resistant to the elements, so check their IPX water rating.
How durable is it? What does IPX6 mean? Read our Ultimate Guide to the ANSI/PLATO FL1 Standard symbols!
In addition, it’s also important to check its retention capabilities. The force produced by the weapon’s recoils during fire can lead to the laser beam’s misalignment, which would require you to re-zero it back in on the target. As such, you want to look for flashlights that ensure zero retention to keep the laser zeroed in properly while using the weapon.
Product Reviews
Best Overall Flashlight with Laser for Guns
Streamlight 69261 TLR-2 Rail Mounted Tactical Light
A great choice for a mountable tactical light, the Streamlight 69261 TLR-2 is lightweight and compact.
For compatibility, you can fit it on a wide range of handguns or long guns, and it can also mount on Picatinny rails.
It produces 630 lumens and has a reach of up to 328 yards, which are both excellent ratings. Additionally, the light’s wide beam pattern allows you to search and cover large areas.
The laser sight enhances your accuracy, and it comes as either red or green. For self-defense purposes, you can use the flashlight’s strobe mode to overpower your opponent.
Powered by two CR123A lithium batteries, which are included, the flashlight can keep running for about 1.25 hours. If it’s just the laser being used, that period can extend up to 45 hours. Note that the batteries are easily replaced with the tethered battery door and latch mechanism.
The product is also capable of withstanding temperature extremes and being exposed to water: the operating temperature range is -40 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and the water-resistance rating is IPX4.
Pros
- Wide beam pattern.
- Very high brightness and beam distance.
- Compatible with many guns.
Cons
- Batteries are hard to remove.
Click here to see the Best Flashlight with Laser for Glocks reviewed!
Best Flashlight with Laser for Glocks
Streamlight 69290 TLR-6 Tactical Pistol Mount Flashlight
Specifically designed for both standard and compact Glock handguns, the Streamlight TLR-6 flashlight is made to attach to the rail or trigger guard of the gun.
The flashlight projects a 100-lumens light that travels up to 97 yards. There’s also a red laser, which can be used alone or simultaneously with the light.
Two CR1/3N lithium-ion batteries, which come with the product, keep it powered up for an hour, or 11 hours if you only have the laser on.
Additionally, there’s an auto-off function that’s time-triggered to conserve battery power. Moreover, you can replace the batteries with the light still mounted on the gun and without the need to resight your laser afterward.
It’s capable of withstanding a 1-meter impact as well as exposure to water, having an IPX4 rating. Its operating temperature ranges from -20 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros
- Has an auto-off function.
- Can be attached to the rail or trigger guard.
- No dismounting required for battery replacement.
Cons
- No strobe mode.
Best Budget Flashlight with Laser for Gun
Streamlight 69245 TLR-4 Compact Rail Mounted Tactical Light
For those with a limited budget, the 69245 TLR-4 tactical light is a great choice.
Of note is that it’s compatible with subcompact and compact weapons: Beretta, Glock, Kimber, Ruger, SIG Sauer, and S&W. You can easily attach it to or detach it from them with its rail clamp design.
The flashlight emits a 115-lumens beam of light with a maximum beam distance of 123 yards. Additionally, it features a green laser sight, which has great visibility and range.
One CR2 battery is included with the following runtimes:
- Light only: Up to 1.75 hours.
- Laser only: 4 hours.
- Both: 1.25 hours.
We like how easy to operate the flashlight is—an on/off switch on both sides to allow for ambidextrous use.
Moreover, the product is impact resistant and is also resistant to water thanks to its IPX4 rating. Additionally, the flashlight can work in temperatures ranging from -20 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros
- Rapidly attachment/detachment.
- Can mount on a variety of weapons.
- Ambidextrous on/off switch.
Cons
- Rail clamp is liable to break.
Best Camo Design Flashlight with Laser
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When it comes to adding more precision and versatility to your AR15, the Combo is more than up for the job.
It can be mounted on both Weaver and Picatinny rails, which makes it compatible with a variety of guns as well as rifles.
The output of this one is 220 lumens, which is average, with an in-built green laser for good range and visibility. In addition, the visibility ranges from 50 yards in daylight to 600 yards during the night. This combines well with the three push-buttons to operate both the light and laser simultaneously, or each on their own.
It also features windage and elevation adjustments, which are at 1 MOA (minutes of angle) and can be done by hand. This will allow you to zero in the laser dot quickly in close-range situations.
Made of durable thermoplastic, the flashlight is resistant to water with an IPX6 rating. It’s also capable of withstanding shock—as many as 1000G’s of recoil.
Pros
- Compatible with both Weaver and Picatinny rails.
- Fine windage and elevation adjustments.
- Great resistance to shock and water.
Cons
- Push buttons can fall off due to recoil.
Click here to see the Best Flashlight with Laser for AR-15 reviewed!
Best Flashlight with Laser for Pistol
SureFire Compact Handgun Light
A fantastic option for those who want a flashlight for their concealed carry, the SureFire XC2 is ultra-lightweight and compact. It’s also mountable on many rail-equipped guns.
The produced light beam is 300 lumens and travels up to 59 yards, and its patterns are optimized for the human eye. So, it’s bright enough, covers a large enough area and produces little glare. This combines well with the red laser, which rarely requires re-zeroing, even from recoil.
However, the flashlight runs for about 30 minutes on one rechargeable AAA NiMH battery. Even though it doesn’t need new batteries consistently, you still don’t get much time to work with.
The flashlight is both durable and easy to use: activating it is simple via a switch on both sides, where the light can be constant or momentary.
Lastly, the gasket sealing provides a high water resistance—a rating of IPX7—so even dropping the flashlight in water won’t damage it.
Pros
- Can be used with concealed carries.
- High water resistance.
- Runs on a rechargeable battery.
Cons
- Short battery life.
Best Flashlight with Laser for Shotgun
TruGlo TG7650G TruPoint Laser/Light Combo
The TruGlo TG7650G won’t disappoint and is a superb choice for a shotgun. However, it also works with other weapon types since you can mount it on Picatinny or Weaver rails.
Capable of emitting 200 lumens, you get to shed enough light to see your targets clearly. Additionally, it comes with a red or green laser sight.
There are three lighting modes: laser only, light only, or both. These are easily accessed on the light’s backplate, which can be used by those right or left-handed.
No tools are needed to detach or attach the flashlight. Instead, a lever does the job quickly, and a remote pressure switch makes turning it on and off easy and quick.
Pros
- Compatible with both Picatinny and Weaver rails
- Compatible with left-handed and right-handed users.
- No tools needed to attach/detach.
Cons
- Laser adjustment can be time-consuming.
Click here to see all of our Weapon Light Reviews!
Conclusion
For the best flashlight with laser for guns, the Streamlight 69261 TLR-2 Rail Mounted Tactical Light emerges as our winner due to its wide array of features that fulfill all-important tactical needs.
It provides a high brightness over a long distance in a wide beam pattern, which is useful in searching and providing cover. You also have the option of choosing between a red or green laser sight.
Additionally, the strobe mode is great for self-defense. Most importantly, the flashlight is also compatible with a wide variety of weapons.