A weapon-mounted light (WML) on your handgun is a must for low-light concealed carry or home defense, ensuring you can identify threats without compromising your grip. But with countless options, how do you pick the right one? We’re focusing on four popular brands—Streamlight, Olight, SureFire, and Inforce—because their widespread use means better Kydex holster compatibility, crucial for a secure carry setup. We’ll break down what to look for in lumens, candela, and size, helping you choose a light that fits your needs and pairs with our IWB holsters.

Why These Brands? Popularity & Holster Compatibility

Streamlight, Olight, SureFire, and Inforce dominate the WML market due to their reliability and broad adoption. Why does this matter? Popular lights are more likely to have Kydex holsters available, especially for concealed carry. Obscure brands often lack holster options, leaving you stuck with a light you can’t carry securely. Stick with these brands, and you’ll find plenty of holsters—like our IWB models for the Sig Sauer P365 XMacro or Glock 19—that fit light-equipped setups perfectly.

Lumens vs. Candela: Understanding the Difference

Two key metrics define a WML’s performance: lumens and candela. Here’s how they differ.

  • Lumens: Measures total light output, or brightness. Higher lumens (e.g., 1,000) illuminate larger areas, ideal for indoor or urban environments. For concealed carry, 500–1,000 lumens is typically sufficient to avoid over-blinding indoors.
  • Candela: Measures beam intensity, or how focused the light is. Higher candela (e.g., 20,000) means longer throw, great for spotting threats at a distance outdoors. For handguns, 5,000–20,000 candela balances close and mid-range use.

A good WML balances lumens for spill (peripheral illumination) and candela for throw, ensuring you can see both nearby and farther targets. 

Comparing Top Handgun Lights

Let’s dive into Streamlight, Olight, SureFire, and Inforce, focusing on lumens, candela, size, and holster fit for every day carry.

Streamlight: The Quality-Price Sweet Spot

Streamlight strikes a perfect balance between performance and affordability, making it a favorite for concealed carriers. Models like the TLR-7 and TLR-7 Sub are compact and holster-friendly.

  • TLR-7: 500 lumens, 5,000 candela, 2.58 inches long, 2.4 oz. Fits compact pistols like the Glock 19 with a Picatinny rail. Its slim design minimizes printing, and ambidextrous switches are easy to use.
  • TLR-7 Sub: 500 lumens, 5,000 candela, 2.51 inches, 2.4 oz. Tailored for subcompacts like the P365 XL or Glock 48, ideal for IWB carry.
  • TLR-7 HL-X: 1,000 lumens, 22,000 candela, 2.61 inches, 2.58 oz. A brighter option but slightly longer, still concealable with the right holster.

Why Choose Streamlight? Affordable (~$140–$170), durable aluminum construction, and wide holster compatibility make Streamlight a top pick. Its battery options (CR123A or rechargeable SL-B9) add flexibility.

Streamlight TLR1 Series

Olight: Budget-Friendly with Decent Quality

Olight offers cost-effective WMLs with solid performance, though as a Chinese company, there's definitely some question concerning durability and design. Still, its value and magnetic charging appeal to budget-conscious carriers.

  • PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie: 600 lumens, 2,500 candela, 2.07 inches, 2.57 oz. Compact for subcompacts like the Springfield Hellcat, with a rechargeable battery. Holster options are limited but available. We actually offer a holster/light package deal.
  • Baldr Mini: 600 lumens, 4,225 candela, 2.24 inches, 3.07 oz. Similar to the PL-Mini 2 but with more candela and a laser. Can be purchased direct from us.

Why Choose Olight? Budget-friendly (~$100–$150) with decent quality, but holster availability is spottier than Streamlight or SureFire. Magnetic charging is a plus, but some users note shorter battery life.

Olight PL-Mini 2 and Baldr Mini

SureFire: The Premium Choice

SureFire is the gold standard for professionals, offering unmatched durability and beam quality at a premium price. Its lights are widely holster-compatible but costly.

  • X300 Ultra: 1,000 lumens, 11,300 candela, 3.6 inches, 4.1 oz. Ideal for full-size pistols like the Glock 19, with a wide beam for urban settings. Its size requires larger holsters.
  • XSC: 350 lumens, 2,000 candela, ~2.5 inches, ~2 oz. Designed for subcompacts like the P365 or Hellcat, perfect for concealed carry.

Why Choose SureFire? Top-tier reliability (~$280–$370) and holster support, but the high cost may deter casual users. Great for those prioritizing ruggedness.

Surefire X300

Inforce: Decent but Limited

Inforce offers reliable lights, but its handgun lineup is narrower, with fewer holster options.

  • WILD2: 1,000 lumens, 30,000 candela, 3.5 inches, 4.7 oz. Bright with a strong throw, but its larger size suits full-size pistols like the FN 509 over subcompacts. Holster fit is less common.
  • WILD1: 500 lumens, 5,000 candela, 2.53 inches, 2.9 oz. It lacks the punch of the Wild 2, but is considerably smaller.

Why Choose Inforce? Good performance (~$150), but limited models and holster availability make it less ideal for concealed carry compared to Streamlight or SureFire.

Inforce Wild 1 and Wild 2

What to Look for in a Handgun WML

  • Lumens: Aim for 500–1,000 lumens for concealed carry. Streamlight TLR-7 (500) or Olight PL-Pro (1,500) cover most needs; SureFire X300 Ultra (1,000) excels for urban settings.
  • Candela: 5,000–20,000 candela works for handguns. Inforce WILD2 (30,000) offers long throw, while Streamlight TLR-7 Sub (5,000) balances close-range spill.
  • Size: Compact lights (2.5–2.6 inches) like the TLR-7 Sub or SureFire XSC minimize printing for IWB carry. Larger lights that stick out past the end of the barrel can still be carried IWB, but are more noticeable while wearing them; making them a great choice for OWB use. 
  • Holster Compatibility: Stick with popular brands for Kydex holster options. Streamlight and SureFire have the most support; Olight and Inforce are catching up.

Pairing Your WML with a Kydex Holster

A WML is only as good as its holster. FDO Industries’ lightbearing IWB holsters are molded for light-equipped pistols like the Glock 19, P365 XMacro, Springfield Hellcat, CZ P10c, etc. Our holsters support optics and adjustable retention, ensuring a secure, concealable fit. 

Final Thoughts

Choosing a handgun WML comes down to balancing lumens, candela, size, and holster compatibility. Streamlight offers the best value with models like the TLR-7 Sub, ideal for concealed carry. Olight’s budget-friendly PL-Mini 2 suits cost-conscious users, despite fewer holster options. SureFire’s X300 Ultra is premium for professionals, while Inforce’s WILD2 lags in handgun variety. Think about your needs based upon your most likely use-case scenario and decide from there.

 

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