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Feasture_4326
Even though the SL switch design has been gone longer than it was around, the author and some friends prefer it.
With the recent release of another full-size pistol-mounted light, the topic of Switchology for those lights has come up again.
Now, to be transparent, I was a little late adopting a pistol-mounted light. I put my first one on a duty gun in 1999. A Surefire 6-volt Classic on a Colt Mfg. 1911A1. Part of the delay was waiting for the arrival of a Safariland 6004 holster that would accept it.
With well over 30 years of pistol lights, those of us using them have seen a variety of options.
Surefire
My first SF pistol lights were the Classic series. For a 1911 and S&W 645/4506, you attached it with a replacement slide stop before tightening a set screw on the trigger guard. While it could be activated by pushing forward on a sliding switch, the pressure pad was the most common method. It was wired into the body and ran back to the grips with a cable. There, a piece of hook tape was glued to the grip, and the loop tape on the pad secured it.
SF’s 6 volt Classic light. You turned it on with the bottom thre fingers of your shooting hand on the pressure pad. Or you tried to push the serrated plate forward.
Next up were the Military and Nitrolon lights. Each came with a hardwired SL switch built into the light. As this was before light rails being common, mine was attached with the Dawson Precision rail system.
The SF Nitrolon with a built-in switch. The first SL design.
When the X200 came out, a detachable SL switch that replaced the rocker switch cap was available. It came back to the frame, directly under the trigger guard, then wrapped around the front of the frame. The SL looked like a flat horseshoe. One activated the light by compressing the switch inward at about 1:30 and 10:30. Again, it was inwards from two angles rather than straight back under the trigger guard.
When activating Streamlight’s rocker switch, it has to be driven down on the right or up on the left. Here it is driven down with the edge of the support hand’s index finger.
I’m told Surefire stopped making it due to cost and, potentially, because of wear-related replacements.
A few years later, we got the X300 and the DG switch. Like a similar but wider offering from Streamlight, the DG sits directly below the trigger guard, then runs partway down the pistol’s front strap. It is activated by squeezing the bottom pad of the middle finger straight back.
As rocker switches have come on the X200, X200B, and the X300/U/T models, those have become more common.
Streamlight’s M-3, from circa 2000. It has an early design rocker switch.
Streamlight and Others
Starting with their all-plastic M3 Tactical Illuminator, they have used a spring-loaded rocker switch.
Interestingly, the Surefire rocker switch behaves the same regardless of which hand activates it. However, Streamlight’s rocker switch operates differently on one side of the gun compared to the other. If you rotate the switch up on the left-hand side, it is constant on. Rotating it down gives you momentary light.
Modlite’s PL350 line has a Surefire-style rocker switch.
When turning on a light with a push forward switch – Streamlight & Cloud Defensive – I end up compromising my grip.
Newer Options
Streamlight’s TLR-7 and others have come to market with a push/click forward switch design. This includes their newest TLR-1 HLX (that I have just started to work with). An issue from my perspective is that while I can activate them with my support and a compromised grip, it is very difficult for me to turn them on one-handed, probably due to my short fingers.
Some newer designs have paddles that must be pushed inward to turn them on and off. This could cause the trigger finger to inadvertently enter the trigger guard.
Cloud Defensive’s new EPL has push/click forward switches.
PHLster’s ARC add-on let me activate the light with my strong hand index finger – by rotating the lever up.
PHLSter’s ARC
A few years back, PHLSter Holsters attempted to address the length of the switches. Their ARC kit provided replacement heads for both Surefire and Streamlight, extending the switches themselves. This meant you could activate the light with only one hand.
And, when you do that, do it by sweeping the switch UP rather than down. The upward motion does a better job of keeping your index finger away from the trigger.
The positioning of the DG switch on the pistol’s front strap.
Remote Switches and NDs
When the X300 light and DG switch hit the profession in greater numbers, there were a few widely reported negligent discharges. A fatal one occurred at the Plano, TX, PD. In speaking with a supervisor, it was clear that the individual who pressed the trigger during a Buy-Bust arrest was one of the uniformed employees who was unable to meet the standard, despite the training provided.
Like a trigger press? If Rule #3 has not been hardwired in, that motion could aggravate the issue.
Interestingly, I have not heard of any events involving the Streamlight option.
While not commonly seen, Streamlight has mmade a contoured remote for their light – like the DG switch.
To my recollection, during numerous conversations over the years, no one has mentioned NDs with the SL switch. We are aware that this is not the case with the DG design – I am not opposed to them; I strongly prefer the SL.
Final Thoughts
#1 Regardless of which one you have, learn how to use it with a two-hand grip, as well as Strong-Hand and Weak-Hand Only.
The SL’s design allows it to be activated with pressure from about 1:30 and 10:30 rather than straight back, like the trigger.
#2 Hey, Surefire, would you P-L-E-A-S-E bring back the SL switch design. It will address several issues and make pistol lights much more usable for a wider range of officers. Don’t believe me? Call Fisher.
