20Apr
The Streamlight TRL-1 Pistol Mounted Light
The TLR-1 provides a bright white light with the addition of an excellent peripheral coverage.
Developments by both law enforcement organisations and the military and their supplier based industries led to the modification of the Weaver “cross slot” telescopic sight base to a standardised dimension, which took place at the US Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, USA. This became the Picatinny M1913 Rail and was adopted worldwide. The M1913 rail system lead to the development of lithium battery powered miniaturised lighting systems that could be directly attached to all types of firearms.
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The StreamlightTLR-1 Pistol Mounted Light
The Streamlight TRL-1 Pistol Mounted LightCurrently there are many firearm mounted parallel with the barrel mini flashlights available. In the past you would have to carry a flash light in one hand, while the other hand held your pistol. There were techniques promoted, which either placed the light under the gun arm or alongside it respectively. However, these techniques must be learned and all have a certain degree of clumsiness. For many years this was the standard as high output halogen and incandescent bulbs lacked the illuminating power without the bulk of a C or D cell battery and firearms lacked the appropriate mounting systems to attach a torch of this size to a handgun.
Developments by both law enforcement organisations and the military and their supplier based industries led to the modification of the Weaver “cross slot” telescopic sight base to a standardised dimension, which took place at the US Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, USA. This became the Picatinny M1913 Rail and was adopted worldwide. The M1913 rail system lead to the development of lithium battery powered miniaturised lighting systems that could be directly attached to all types of firearms.
The Streamlight TLR1 tactical firearm light can be mounted on
any M1913 Picatinny rail, such as on this Glock 17 shown.
Streamlight, who manufacturers the TLR-1 used in this review, are a long time supplier to law enforcement agencies, military units and emergency response personnel and their product is a well executed light which can be rail mounted to rifles, shotguns or pistols. The length is 3.35” from the front to the end of switch plates and the weight is only 4.18 oz. The construction is from hard anodized aluminium alloy, hardened glass crystal lens and solid rubber seals. Two Lithium CR-123 3 volt batteries are required. Battery life is approximately 2.5 hours regulated run time. The TRL-1 is very bright and shines a beam of light for a good distance. Within 50 meters it will function flawlessly and light up what you are pointing it at. The Streamlight TLR-1 provides a 630 lumen blast of light for maximum illumination while clearing a room or searching an alley. Its wide beam pattern lights up large areas so you can identify who or what is nearby. I also tested the “waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes” claim, which it passed without any issues.
The TLR-1 comes with addition mounting blocks which allow it to be attached
to Beretta and Smith and Wesson pistols as well as the M1913 mounting system
Operariona; Action
Operational ActionThe on/off switch is a rocker arm on the back of the light with a center pivot point. The result is a switch you can activate from either side of the pistol it is attached to, which has the positive benefit of making the TLR-1 ambidextrous in use. On the left end of the switch if you push it down you get the touch activation. If you push it up it clicks on and stays lit. The opposite will operate for the right side of the switch, with up being touch activation and down is click on.
The TLR-1 will cast a wide and bright beam that will allow you to
properly illuminate the area in which your target is located
The light is straight forward to use in addition to attaching straight onto a Picatinny rail it also comes with inserts that fit the popular rail sizes that can be encountered. The light unit is simply placed over the rail and the left side mounted thumbscrew is pressed inward, with the unit snaps into place and the thumbscrew is tightened to lock it onto your pistol. Note that one advantage of this system compared to others is that you do not have to slide the lamp onto the handgun from the muzzle end.
The TLR-1 provides a bright white light with an excellent peripheral coverage. The Streamlight TLR-1 offers a recoil proof, weapon mounted light that provides the handgun user the ability to properly identify their target to allow the user to make the correct decision to engage a target.
One must be careful about trigger finger placement when using the light and like any other piece of equipment there is both a learning and training curve. The ambidextrous momentary and continuous on switches provide access with either both of your hands the trigger fingers and thumbs. The primary advantage of having the entire pistol and light operation operate with one hand leaves the other hand free to perform other tasks as required.
The Streamlight TLR-1 provides a 160 lumen output of light
for maximum illumination while clearing a room
Complete Package
Complete PackageEverything you need to use the TLR-1 is included in the product packaging, which includes the TLR-1 light itself, two CR-123 batteries and several different mounting rail keys for the Picatinny M1913, Smith and Wesson and the Beretta pistols. Each rail key is clearly marked to identify what it fits. Also included is the mounting screw and locking nut with an Allen head tool for installation. An instruction manual in English, Spanish, French and German is also included.
The TLR-1 strobe functionality has a 160 Lumen Output. The strobe feature adds the ability to disorient an attacker in a low light situation. Shining a very bright light in an opponents face will cause disorientation and adding strobe to it will all but stop someone in their tracks.
The TLR-1 provides a bright white light with the addition
of an excellent peripheral coverage.
The TLR-1 comes serialised to help keep track of it and has everything you need to get it mounted and ready to help protect you in either a low or no light situation. Mounting the weapon light is quick and simple with the quick mounting attachment that comes standard on the light. There is a large mounting screw that can easily be turned by hand for the initial mounting and then a slot for a coin that can tighten the screw down nice and tight. For a more permanent mounting option, the light comes with a set screw and nut and washer that will all you to mount it to the weapon using the included Allen wrench.
The light is taken off the firearm for the batteries to be installed or changed and the battery cover is a very tight fit that will ensure that moisture and other debris that could build up is kept out. The batteries will offer 2.5 hours of constant run time for the light. Streamlight also sells attachments that will allow the owner to add a pressure switch that can be mounted on the grip of a pistol or forend of a rifle. Streamlight products are developed to be both well made and durable and I had no issues with using the TLR-1.
The Fobus RBT1719 Tactical Holster will securely hold the Glock 17 pistol with the
Streamlight TRL-1 attached to the M1913 Picatinny rail on the pistol
During our range review we were able to utilise the excellent Fobus RBT1719 Tactical Holster. This holster both securely carries the pistol with the TRL-1 Streamlight light attached to the Glock 17. When you undo the securing strap on the RBT1719 holster you draw the pistol rearwards to remove it from the holster and then present the pistol to the target.
Undoing the securing strap on the Fobus RBT1719 Tactical Holster and drawing
rearwards allows the pistol with the TRL-1 attached to be drawn from the holster.
For Further information
www.streamlight.com
Streamlight n the UK
www.vikingarms.com
Fobus Holsters
www.fobus.com
