Streamlight TLR-9 Gun Light Review, the HUGE Tactical Light!

Streamlight TLR-9 GSG1911
The Streamlight TLR-9 makes a great addition to the ATI-imported GSG 1911. IMG Jim Grant

When it comes to tactical lights, more is always better. Sure, some companies will tell you that you only need a few hundred lumens for indoor work, but I need to wield the power of the Egyptian-Sun-God, Ra whenever I hit my light’s “on” switch.

Problem is, the majority of the guns I carry or use for home defense are designed around fitting mid-sized or compact firearms. And as a result, don’t tend to be overwhelmingly bright – and I mean that in the most literal sense. Sure, 400-lumen pistol lights are bright as hell in a dark house, but I live out in the sticks. That means I often want something with a little more throw and lumens for positively identifying predators of the animal or hominid variety at a distant treeline.

Streamlight TLR-9

This is why I was thrilled at SHOT Show 2020 to see Streamlight release their new tac-light – the TLR-9. For the uninformed, the TLR-9 is an extra-long version of the TLR-7 pistol light that uses a pair of CR-123 batteries to power its retina-melting 1,000-lumen emitter. The thing looks like the stretched limo version of the compact Streamlight options.

Which is why it pairs perfectly with long-barreled firearms like the Glock 40 Pistol, or my favorite, the M1911.

And it just so happens that my favorite tool to discreetly dispatch the smaller critters is a rimfire 1911 from ATI – the GSG 1911. While already a slick setup with just the light, add in a quality lightweight suppressor like my SlingShot Ti from Innovative Arms (Provided by SilencerShop.com), and you have a real winner. It’s Hollywood-quiet, silly accurate, and bright enough to clearly illuminate targets past 50 yards – what more could a shooter ask for?

Streamlight TLR-9 GSG 1911
The Streamlight TLR-9’s 1,000 lumens rip through the darkness. IMG Jim Grant

Ergonomics

The Streamlight TLR-9, like all the models, features fully ambidextrous controls that toggle the light on and off. If a shooter presses and holds the buttons down, the light will only stay on for as long as the button is held. This is ideal for when shooters want to quickly verify a potential threat without giving themselves away too much. Though truth be told, with a 1,000 lumens bellowing out of the TLR-9, everyone will know exactly where you are – except whom or whatever was foolish enough to look directly into the light.

Another great thing about the TLR-9 is that it’s one of the new Flex models from Streamlight. Meaning, it ships with both a high and low switch. This may not seem like much, but it can make an enormous difference for shooters with either small or large hands that would otherwise struggle to actuate the switches.  Speaking of which, both of the sets of Flex buttons are designed to protrude just barely behind the trigger guard on both sides. This allows a shooter to either use the button with their trigger finger or with their support hand’s thumb.

Mounting Options

One thing about other tactical lights that always bothers me is the lack of mounting options on many of them. For certain guns, this equates to the shooter having to contort their grip to use the light. Which is an annoyance on a gun range, but could be a serious issue in a gunfight where adrenaline dumps make even the most dexterous shooter’s hands into an all-thumbs mess.

Thankfully this isn’t an issue with Streamlight products. Most of their TLR-series ship with what they call a key kit. This kit consists of six interchangeable plates that permit mounting the Streamlight product on a very major variety of handgun. Moreso, it also has a mount for Picatinny rails and a pair for mounting more forward and more rearward to better suit an individual shooter’s taste.

Streamlight TLR-9 Value

Here’s one that gets me in trouble oftentimes. Once you get a taste of the good stuff, it’s hard to go back to boxed wine. As a result, I’m very accustomed to high-quality lights with great features, solid durability, and incredible performance. But there’s no free lunch, so the Streamlight isn’t a bargain-bin $30 light.

That said, with an MSRP of $200 (cheaper $$ online) the TLR-9 Flex isn’t exorbitantly expensive. But that price point will put it beyond the financial means of many new, or cash-strapped shooters. The great news is that these lights are rarely ever found at MSRP, and often $50 or more below it. In fact, after a quick search, I was already able to find it for $35 less than retail. So shooters should keep an eye on AmmoLand’s daily deals to make sure they get it for as low a price as possible.

Conclusion

But even if a shooter pays full retail for the Streamlight TLR-9 Light, they’re still getting their money’s worth. It’s a high-quality, super-bright tactical light with excellent ergonomics, tons of different interfaces and it uses common batteries. In fact, the only thing I wish they would have changed on the light would be to incorporate their rechargeable 18650 battery instead of a pair of CR-123s. But, that’s a minor gripe.


About Jim Grant

Jim is one of the elite editors for AmmoLand.com, who in addition to his mastery of prose, can wield a camera with expert finesse. He loves anything and everything guns but holds firearms from the Cold War in a special place in his heart.

When he’s not reviewing guns or shooting for fun and competition, Jim can be found hiking and hunting with his wife Kimberly, and their dog Peanut in the South Carolina low country.

Jim Grant

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Country Boy

Nice light but sorta long, likely heavy too. I like the Olight 1200 lumen pistol/rifle light at 4oz. of weight. It also uses 2 cr123 batteries AND has a good working QD feature for easy removal. Comes with Glock and 1913 pic rails lugs too.. Catch them on sale for @ 67-88 buxs . Black Friday is your friend. Yep, made in China, but seems to hold up just fine thus far into 2+ yrs.

Neanderthal75

Yes its attributes are marvelous! Sadly it is made by the PRC, you know Red China? These are the very people who are quite literally doing their best to kill us, destroy our nation, and undermine our academic foundations, political foundations, and who hack every corporate and government institution they can find a way into each and every day!

But hey, go ahead and keep supporting the people who are trying to murder your country and your family, what could possibly go wrong?

Last edited 2 years ago by Neanderthal75
RichDD

So what you’re saying is that it will be ironic to kill an impending attack with their own products???

john

Lot of pistol to be packing / range work maybe

Bill

I would also add a quick detach base so I could use it on whatever pistol AR that had the need!

RichDD

You forgot the most difficult part of this light.
Finding a level II, or level III holster that will accommodate this light.
I plan to run it on my XDm Elite 10mm, but cannot find anyone making a duty holster for that combination.