Best Pistol Lights for Concealed Carry
Why Carry a Weapon Light?
In defensive situations, you need to identify threats in low light. A weapon-mounted light lets you illuminate and engage without managing a handheld flashlight. It's essential defensive equipment.
Top Pistol Light Picks
Streamlight TLR-7A
500 lumens, compact, proven reliability, great price, excellent holster support
Surefire X300U-A
1,000 lumens, bomb-proof, industry standard, maximum holster options
Streamlight TLR-7 Sub
500 lumens, perfect for Hellcat/P365/43X sized pistols
Olight PL-Mini 2
600 lumens, rechargeable, good value for price
Key Considerations
Lumens: 300+ lumens minimum for defensive use. 500-600 is ideal for CCW lights. More isn't always better—excessive output can create glare indoors.
Size: Compact lights (TLR-7A, PL-Mini) conceal better. Full-size lights (X300) offer more output and battery life but print more.
Activation: Ambidextrous switches are essential. Test activation before carrying—you need intuitive operation under stress.
Holster Compatibility: TLR-7A and X300 have the most holster options. Verify holster availability before purchasing a light.
Battery vs Rechargeable
CR123 batteries (TLR-7A, X300) are reliable and long-lasting. Rechargeable lights (Olight) are convenient but batteries degrade over time. For defensive guns, we prefer replaceable CR123 batteries.
Our Recommendation
The Streamlight TLR-7A is the best pistol light for most CCW setups. At 500 lumens, it's bright enough for any defensive scenario without being excessive. It's compact enough for concealed carry, reliable, and has excellent holster support. The price ($120-140) makes it accessible.
For duty or larger carry guns, the Surefire X300U-A is worth the upgrade. The 1,000 lumens and legendary reliability make it the gold standard.
For related content, see our Streamlight TLR-7A Review and TLR-7X Review.
Important Note
A weapon light does NOT replace a handheld flashlight. Carry both. Never use your weapon-mounted light to search areas—you'll point your gun at everything you illuminate. Use a handheld for searching, weapon light for identified threats.