Pistol Lights: What Fits Your Gun (Glock, SIG, FN)

Start with the rail

A weapon light clamps onto the accessory rail under the barrel. Most full-size and compact pistols have one of two types:

1913 Picatinny style: a rail with one or more cross slots. Common on SIG P320, FN 509 and many others.
Glock rail: a single wider slot. Most lights come with swappable rail keys so they fit both Glock and 1913 rails.

Micro pistols use their own rails

Slim carry guns often have short or unique rails. The SIG P365 uses its own rail, and the Glock 43X and 48 need the railed version of the frame. Lights for these guns are sold in versions for each rail.

The Streamlight TLR-7 X Sub (about $159) is a common pick. Buy the version that matches your pistol. In the studios, the Glock 43X and SIG P365 only show lights that fit them.

Compact vs full-size lights

A compact light like the Streamlight TLR-7 X USB (about $160) is shorter and lighter. It fits most compact and full-size pistols and won't hang past the muzzle on a Glock 19.

A full-size light like the Streamlight TLR-1 HL (about $177) or SureFire X300U-A (about $341) is longer, often brighter, and has a bigger battery. It's great on a duty gun but can stick out past the muzzle of a compact pistol.

Lumens and candela

Lumens tell you how much total light comes out. Candela tells you how far the beam reaches. A light with high candela throws a tight, far beam. A light with lower candela and high lumens lights up a wide area up close. For indoor use, a balance of the two works best, and nearly every light in the studios is bright enough.

The holster decides

Your light and holster have to match. Popular lights like the TLR-7 and X300 have holsters for almost every pistol. Less common lights, like the Modlite PL350 (about $309), have fewer holster options. Pick your light and holster together, not one after the other.

Lights by gun

Glock 19, 17 and 45: TLR-7 X USB, TLR-7 HL-X USB, TLR-1 HL, SureFire X300U-A or X300T-A, and the Modlite PL350.
Glock 43X (railed): TLR-7 X Sub.
SIG P320 and P226: TLR-7 X USB, TLR-1 HL, X300 and PL350.
SIG P365: TLR-7 X Sub in the P365 version.
FN 509 Tactical, Five-seveN MRD and FN 510/545: TLR-7 X USB, TLR-7 X Flex (about $157), TLR-1 HL, X300 and PL350. The TLR-7 X Flex has swappable rear switches and stops short of a threaded muzzle.

Switches and install

Most lights use rear paddles or toggles you work with your trigger-hand finger or your support-hand thumb. Try the switch with your normal grip before you buy.

When you install, use the rail key for your gun, tighten the clamp firmly, and check that the light doesn't touch the trigger guard. Never use the light by pointing the gun at something you don't intend to shoot. Weapon light laws are simple in most places, but some ranges and states have rules on lights and lasers, so check yours.

Build it

Open the Glock Studio, SIG Pistol Studio or FN Pistol Studio, pick your pistol, and the Light slot only shows lights that fit it. Prices are rough street prices and change often, so check current listings before you buy.

Parts in this guide

Streamlight TLR-7 X USB

$160 · Weapon light

Streamlight TLR-1 HL

$177 · Weapon light

SureFire X300U-A Ultra

$341 · Weapon light

Modlite PL350 PLHv2

$309 · Weapon light

Streamlight TLR-7 X Sub

$159 · Weapon light

Streamlight TLR-7 X Sub

$159 · Weapon light

Streamlight TLR-7 X Flex

$157 · Weapon light

Open the Glock builder

Prices are typical and change often. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Suppressors and short-barreled rifles are NFA items; check federal, state and local law.