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9 Best Weapon Light For Ar-15 On The Market In 2018

Transport yourself to a thick wood for a moment. You are out with your party hunting. It’s dark. An animal moves somewhere in front of you. You want to take a shot, but you can’t see clearly.

What do you lack?

Answer: good vision.

Thankfully, you can simply solve this by attaching a tactical flashlight on your hunting rifle. And that brings us to our today’s topic: the best weapon light for Ar-15 rifles.

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Why Use A Weapon Light For AR 15?

The weapon light is one of the most popular gun accessories designed to be attached to the AR-15. And like other firearms, the question of whether it's indispensable is something that is commonly asked by many users.

Do you really need to use a weapon light for your Ar-15?

While it's not possible to run around in your full firearm kit and body armor, there are certain modifications you need all the time to prepare for different situations without appearing paranoid to people. One of such modifications is a weapon light.

And so to your question...yes, you definitely need a weapon light for your AR-15 especially if you plan to move in the dark.

Below are few lifesaving reasons to convince you more:

Aid to Identify Targets in the Dark

One of the significant advantages of adding a weapon light to your AR-15 arsenal is that it helps you identify potential threats in the night.

Whether you're using your firearm for self-defense in your home or you go hunting out with it in the dark, being able to determine whether a shadowy figure is a real threat before pulling the trigger is very important.

Several tragic cases have been reported where a homeowner unintentionally shot at a family member or friend coming home early from a vacation only to discover later that he had shot at the wrong person.

It's not easy to identify people's faces in the dark especially when in an alarming situation where all your promptings are to act fast in the face of the seemingly perceived danger.

However, with a weapon light, you will be able to identify whether a shadowy figure is a friend or foe by bathing the target with bright white light and act more expediently.

Enhanced Accuracy

Using a gun-attached white light can dramatically improve your accuracy. With both hands on your weapon, you will have maximum control on your shooting.

In other words, you will be able to get on your target more efficiently and faster than when you are using your AR-15 with a separate light source. This is very important especially in high-stress operation or when under high tension. This way, you don't have to juggle between two items from time to time.

Blind Attackers

For almost anyone inside a dark room, the first reaction to bright light is disorienting. This gives you a massive advantage over your target especially in a state where the person is an attacker. More so, you would be able to quickly determine if the person is really a threat and straightaway put shots on target if it’s necessary.

Best Weapon Lights for Ar-15 Reviews

1. Streamlight 69260 TLR-1 HL Weapon Mount Tactical Flashlight Light Review

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Hunting is one of those all-American pastimes. And the tools of hunting are always getting better. For instance, it’s not always possible to see the game properly in the dark. With this Streamlight tactical flashlight, you will clearly perceive the figure in the shadows.

And the light is quite bright. The animal will be flooded in light, enabling you to identify what kind of animal it is, and to keep it in your crosshairs. The weapon light has C4 LED technology which produces a bright white light of 12,000-candela peak beam intensity.

While Watts quantify how much energy is needed to light a product, lumens quantify how much light is produced. The minimum amount of light needed to disorient vision is 50 lumens. At 800 lumens, this weapon light will temporarily blind the animal immobilizing it, enough for you to either identify it or take a shot..

You will also be happy to learn that you can use this Streamlight in a broad range of weapons. So if you have other guns, other than your Ar-15(s), this one’s a keeper.

Highlighted Features:​

  • C4 LED; 12,000-candela peak beam intensity
  • 800 lumens
  • One-handed snap-on and tighten interface; ensures your hands are not on or around the muzzle when you attach or detach the weapon light
  • 6000 series machined aircraft aluminum which has anodized finish; high temperature, shock-mounted glass lens
  • TIR (Total Internal Reflection) optic which produces a concentrated beam of light that has optimum peripheral illumination
  • Runs for 1.25 hours

2. SureFire X300 Ultra Series LED WeaponLight Review

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One of the best-known brands in the weapon light market is SureFire. Its X300 LED Weapon light has all the features of an excellent light for your Ar-15 rifle.

For one, it produces 600 lumens of light which is enough to help you see in the dark when you are hunting. A precision TIR (Total Internal Reflection) lens focuses this light, giving that smooth, tight beam which has a good amount of reach. It is just what you need to temporarily impair game’s vision, giving you the opportunity to act swiftly.

The X300 produces a smooth, tight beam of light which has enough surround light to enable peripheral illumination. This means that the light beam will give you a wide reach while also maintaining sufficient peripheral illumination.

The peripheral illumination enables you to maintain situational awareness. Without enough peripheral illumination, you can’t see well enough, which is a disadvantage you don’t want to have when you are in a situation that requires your sight, your wits, your instinct, and your quick movement. The ability to see will give you the edge you need to control the situation.

The X300 is compatible with the Universal and Picatinny rails you find in many handguns. And if you have a rail-less handgun, you can use a SureFire’s MR adapter mount. Most AR-15x have Picatinny rails, so this weapon light is a good fit.

Highlighted Features:​

  • Attaches securely to both Universal and Picatinny accessory rails
  • Off-white, high-performance LED which produces 600 lumens, biased in the yellow-greenish spectrum which is optimal for human vision
  • Quick-detach rail lock system (rapid and secure detachment)
  • Smooth, tight beam which has enough surround light for peripheral illumination
  • Accepts optional pressure-activated switches for precision control without altering your grip on the weapon
  • High-strength aerospace aluminum with mil-spec (military standards); hard, anodized for extreme durability

3. Monstrum Tactical 90 Lumens LED Flashlight

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If you are looking for value for your money, you should not pass up this Monstrum LED weapon-mounted flashlight.

The flashlight comes with a rail mount; so if your gun doesn’t have one, you don’t have to buy one. You can use it with all manner of guns, from pistols to rifles, and shotguns. As such, it is ideal for your Ar-15.

And if your Ar-15, or any other gun you own, has a Weaver or Picatinny rail, you don’t have anything to worry about in that case either because the flashlight will attach to these rail mounts easily and securely.

One thing you want in your weapon light is durability. You are using it, mostly, in extreme conditions. If your weapon light is made from flimsy material, it can’t take the hits, and won’t give you a long enough period of service. This Monstrum Tactical flashlight can take a hit. Made from aircraft grade aluminum, the weapon light is sturdy as well as lightweight.

However, I will point out that it doesn’t produce as much light as some of the weapon lights we have looked at. At 90 lumens, it is rather on the low end. However, this is still plenty of light, considering the recommended minimum required to disorient your target/assailant is 50 lumens.

Highlighted Features:​

  • Detachable remote pressure switch
  • Compact-90 lumens
  • Has rail mount
  • Compatible with Weaver or Picatinny rail
  • Has one CR123A battery included when you purchase

4. Streamlight PolyTac LED Flashlight

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The second Streamlight weapon light we look at in the article does not produce as much light as the first one. It produces 120 lumens of light. This is sufficient to temporarily interfere with the vision of the gameyou are aiming at, providing you with enough time to make your move.

However, the light is intensely concentrated. Note that lumens only tell you how much light a flashlight is producing. They don’t measure brightness. Brightness depends on how intensely focused the light is. And that’s where the candelas come in. This weapon light has a 4,800-candela peak beam intensity. This is still less than the previous Streamlight.

It outpaces its competition when it comes to runtime. The first one had a runtime of 1.25 hours; but with this one, you will easily have 3 hours of use, which makes it the apt weapon light for a hunting Ar-15. You want to spend as much time as you can in the woods without worrying about the battery dying on you.

You can mount it on different guns, not just your Ar-15. It will securely fit upon any Picatinny or Weaver rail. It is also worth noting that it will accept all standard weaver tactical accessories. And if you don’t have a mount, don’t worry; it comes with a Mounting Solutions Plus (MPS) one-inch offset ring flashlight mount just in case.

And if your hands get sweaty in the heat of the moment, such as when you are hunting, this weapon light is just the thing for you. It has a superior grip texture which has a slip-resistant yet comfortable feel.

Highlighted Features:​

  • 120 lumens
  • 3-hour runtime
  • Tailcap push button provides one-handed momentary or constant “on” operation
  • Has Mounting Solutions Plus one-inch offset ring flashlight mount
  • C4 LED-4,800 Candela peak beam intensity

5. Orion H40-W 500 Lumen LED Tactical Flashlight

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If you are going hunting, this is the tactical flashlight to consider. It has been made to withstand harsh environmental conditions. For instance, it is compact and recoil-proof. This is an important consideration, especially for someone who may be new to handling guns.

The flashlight gets this robustness from its virtually indestructible LED emitter. It is certainly the gun for active, energetic gun users hunting in wild environments. It is also water resistant. Consider mounting it on your Ar-15 next time you go hunting.

It has a Cree XM-L U2 LED which produces a bright 500-lumen beam of light that will illuminate the area, providing the situational awareness you need to see where you are going, and what is in your crosshairs.

This Orion tactical flashlight has a constant “on” button switch. That means it will stay on without you having to keep your thumb on the switch. So you can concentrate on what you are sighting rather than having part of your attention on ensuring the thumb doesn’t lift off the switch.

Besides, when you fire your weapon, the recoil tends to make your thumb slip off the switch. And that would cause the light to turn off. When you press the switch to turn it back on, it may be too late – the target has escaped!

But sometimes you need the momentary switch. So this flashlight offers both choices. So when the situation requires the flexibility of switching the light on or off instantly, you can use the momentary switch instead.

Highlighted Features:​

  • LED which produces 500 lumens
  • Constant “on” button switch as well as a momentary one, dependent on your tactical need
  • Compact, water resistant, and recoil-proof
  • Comes with a Picatinny/Weaver rail mount, which you can install on any rifle, including your Ar-15
  • One-year free warranty, with free replacement of any defective or broken parts

6. CISNO New 1000LM LED Tactical Flashlight

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If you are looking for a weapon light that produces a great amount of light, I suggest you check out this CISNO tactical flashlight. It outpaces the competition by miles in that regard.

At 1000 lumens, you will be bathing the terrain in light. If you don’t see very well in the dark, don’t pass this one up. It is excellent for hunting at night in a thick wood. Veteran hunters will like that. It is also important to point out that it emits less heat than other LED bulbs.

It is also strong and durable. It is made of 6061T aluminum alloy which has gone through anodic oxidation. The anodizing process leaves a layer of aluminum oxide on the aluminum. It protects aluminum from corrosion and abrasion. So you can count on the weapon light that it won’t wear away quickly or be highly vulnerable to rust.

For the sake of convenience, this CISNO has two tail switches. It has the regular button switch, and it has the two modes remote switch. The two modes are “constantly” and “temporarily press”. They are both important as differing scenarios will require the use of either.

It comes with a one-ring 45-degree offset mount which you can attach to your Ar-15 when you go hunting.

Plus, it’s waterproof. That’s exactly what you are looking for in an outdoor weapon accessory. When you are hunting in the back country, the rain may arrive unexpectedly with no proper shade in sight. You will appreciate this waterproof weapon light should that happen to you.

Highlighted Features:​

  • Normal button switch and two modes remote switch (constant on and temporarily press)
  • Waterproof
  • Shock absorption
  • Anodized Aluminum Alloy
  • Bright Cree L2 LED bulb: 1000 lumens
  • One-ring offset mount
  • Battery not included

7. CISNO L2 LED 1000LM Outdoor Hunting Tactical Flashlight 

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This CISNO is another hunting weapon-mounted flashlight you can confidently use with your Ar-15 and get excellent results. The Cree L2 LED bulb will provide a bright glow. That way, you can spot your target without losing it.

And it’s robust and durable too. The body comprises anodized aluminum. This makes it resistant to corrosion or abrasion. When you are out hunting, the rifle is bound to rub against a variety of textures, some of them quite rough; for instance, when you put down your gun on a rock, or if it falls on the grass, against the bark of a tree, and so forth. Such encounters are mostly accidental, but the surfaces are abrasive and may quickly wear away the body of your weapon light. The aluminum oxide layer protects the aluminum body from such damage.

The matte black surface of the weapon light’s body has low reflectivity. That is exactly what you need when operating in a dark environment.

And if you don’t have a mount, there is nothing to worry about. You won’t have to buy one. This weapon light comes with a 20mm Picatinny mount which your AR-15 can easily accommodate.

The CISNO comes with two switches. First, the regular on/off switch. And then there is the remote switch which has two options: momentary or constant “on”.

Plus, it’s waterproof. So if the rain catches you unawares, you have one less thing to worry about. But you should still wipe off the water carefully when you get to a sheltered place.

Highlighted Features:​

  • Powered by a 1x3 7V 18650 battery; the battery is not included
  • Anodized aluminum body; less reflective matte black
  • Comes with mount for 20mm Picatinny
  • Two switches: regular on/off; and remote switch for momentary on and constant-on
  • Waterproof

8. Aimkon HiLight P10S 500 Lumen Pistol LED Strobe Flashlight

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For a bright light, consider this Aimkon HiLight strobe flashlight. It comes with a Cree XM-L2 LED that produces a bright glow of 500 lumens.

A CR123 lithium battery powers the flashlight. You won’t have to buy a battery for the flashlight as it comes with one.

The weapon light will run for 55 minutes before you have to recharge the battery. This should give you enough use when hunting, provided you don’t keep the light on continually.

It has a sliding on/off switch, which you can turn on or off rapidly. This is important for when you are hunting and have to make quick, reflexive, intuitive movements or otherwise lose your target. It does not have a pressure switch.

And for a mount, it comes with a Weaver. You can easily detach it if you wish, and replace it with the mount of your choice. In any case, it’s good to have a spare mount.

The flashlight is also quite light. It weighs only 2.8 oz. The last thing you want when you are hunting is a heavy flashlight weighing you down. You will hardly notice this lightweight flashlight as you carry and aim your Ar-15, while walking in the woods or wherever you are using it.

And it’s the only weapon light in this article that has a strobe function. The strobe light is just what you need to disorientate your target. Strobe flashlights have the following effects.

Highlighted Features:​

  • Disorienting the target
  • Disrupting the target’s vision
  • Reducing the target’s night adaptation
  • This is useful, whether you need a weapon light for hunting or to guard against intruders
  • Sliding on/off switch-Integrated, detachable weaver mount
  • 3-inch length; 2.8-ounce weight
  • Cree XM-L2 LED with 500 lumen output
  • CR123 battery
  • Strobe function

9. Streamlight 69220 TLR-3 Weapon Mounted Tactical Light

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It uses lithium batteries which provide a continuous runtime of 1.5 hours. So long as you don’t keep it continuously on, but rather only when you are aiming at a target, you will still have enough charge to spare at the end of your hunting expedition.

It also comes with keys for your Picatinny or Glock-style rails. And it includes a rail clamp that you can attach or detach with ease from the weapon’s side. You don’t want to waste precious time when you are on the march. Attach, aim, shoot, all in quick succession – that’s how it should be.

The weapon light is lightweight. It’s just what you need for the long marches in the woods when you go hunting.

You can use it with a wide variety of weapons. It is designed to fit sub-compact and compact weapons, handguns of all sizes, including your Ar-15.

The Streamlight weapon light is highly robust and durable. The case body comprises a nylon polymer that is super resistant to impact. So when your gun falls or bangs against a surface, it will not get damaged. This is crucial for when it is in the car, banging against the floor of your car.

On the other hand, the face cap consists of 6000 series machined aircraft aluminum with an anodized finish to protect it from abrasion and corrosion. This adds to the weapon light’s durability and robustness. And the lens is made from high-temperature borofloat glass. Plus, the C4 LED technology is impervious to shock.

The Streamlight tactical light is also waterproof. You don’t have to worry when it starts to rain when you are out hunting.

Highlighted Features:​

  • White light illumination
  • Lithium battery with 1.5 continuous runtime
  • Waterproof
  • Has rail locating keys you can use with Picatinny or Glock-style rails
  • Lightweight

Ar-15 Flashlight Requirements

If you are looking for the best Are-15 weapon light for the money, what should you consider?

Amount of light

First, consider light. How much light you need depends on the purpose of your Ar-15. However, it is safe to assume that more light is better because in most cases it is.

The amount of light a weapon light produces is measured in lumens. Compare the lumens of the various weapon-mounted lights you are considering.

The minimum amount of light needed to disorientate your target/assailant is 50 lumens. So anything above that is good. Some weapon lights provide as much as 1000 lumens, as you will see in the reviews, while others provide as low as 100 lumens.

Brightness of the light

The next thing you should consider is how bright the light is. While lumens measure the amount of light, candelas measure the intensity of the light. Brighter is certainly better because it enables you to see your target better.

Battery power

Next, check the battery of the weapon light. Ideally, you want something that can give you at least one hour of continuous use. The more runtime it provides, the more attractive that battery is.

Strength and durability

The weapon light should have the hardiness to take the shocks caused by recoil and from being used in harsh environmental conditions. It should also be water resistant. Consider aircraft grade aluminum with an anodized aluminum finish. The aluminum is lightweight and robust, and the aluminum oxide on top protects it from abrasion and corrosion.

Ar-15 Flashlight Brands on the Market

The brands we have reviewed in this article are among the most popular and respected in the tactical light market. They are Streamlight, Aimkon HiLight, CISNO, Orion, Monstrum, and SureFire.

Other flashlights you can use with your Ar-15 include InForce, Barsca, UTG, Van Buren, Insight, and LightXpress.

Final Verdict

A weapon light will greatly improve your shooting ability at night. You don’t have to go back home immediately after the dusk falls. You can extend your fun further by purchasing a good tactical light. The nine you have read about are some of the best in the market – which did you like most?

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 1 comments
ROBERT HARRIS - October 18, 2017

what is considered the best proven light for an AR rifle platform to include the military. the light will need to be attached to a pic rail system.

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