Best Light for a 3.6"

[S&WInExile]

Not much room, only 2 slots. Any suggestions for a light that doesn't extend beyond the end of the barrel would be appreciated. TIA

 

[mscampbell2734]

Strealight TLR-7X. Flush with the muzzle. Can use rechargeable or CR123A batteries. Proven design and track record.

 

[MikeNV]

Not much room, only 2 slots. Any suggestions for a light that doesn't extend beyond the end of the barrel would be appreciated. TIA

You might take a look at the OLIGHT brand. I got an OLIGHT PL-Mini 2 for Christmas. I'm not really into lights on my pistols but this fit my 380EZ with a 3.675" barrel with room to spare. It seems like a nice light.

https://youtu.be/jRyj-MvYlJI

 

[Beju]

The Olight PL-Mini 2 will be pretty flush, but the candela is a mediocre 2,500.

If you want a light that can illuminate a potential threat without directly pointing a gun at them (potential threat can be a very important legal distinction), 2,500 candela probably isn't going to get it done outside of your house.

But, if you mostly want it for the 'bump in the night' in your house, that's fine.

 

[gc70]

The Streamlight TLR-7-X is 2.58" long.
The Olight PL-Mini 3(2) is 2.07" long.

Below is a photo of my M&P 3.6" Compact with an Olight PL-Mini 2 mounted and a ruler sitting atop them for reference. Since my Olight goes nearly to the end of the barrel, I don't see how the half inch longer TLR-7-X could not overhang.

 

[gc70]

The Olight PL-Mini 2 will be pretty flush, but the candela is a mediocre 2,500.

If you want a light that can illuminate a potential threat without directly pointing a gun at them (potential threat can be a very important legal distinction), 2,500 candela probably isn't going to get it done outside of your house.

But, if you mostly want it for the 'bump in the night' in your house, that's fine.

You are correct that mini-lights, and the compact or subcompact pistols they are typically mounted on, are less than ideal outside the house. For outside purposes, my preference is a much stronger light mounted on a rifle or shotgun.

 

[Beju]

You are correct that mini-lights, and the compact or subcompact pistols they are typically mounted on, are less than ideal outside the house. For outside purposes, my preference is a much stronger light mounted on a rifle or shotgun.

I have a tepid centrist position somewhere between 'the TLR-6/original PL-Mini are viable' and 'X300/TLR-1HL or nothing!'

I've owned quite a few different WMLs over the years, even an old incandescent Insight M3X

TLR-6/PL Mini? Sit around mounted to nothing.
PL-Mini 2: Should be okay for home use, I should buy one when they're on sale again so I'm backing up my thoughts with experience.
TLR-7: Good enough for home use, and probably the curtilage of your property in urban/suburban environment.
Duty sized lights: What you want if you want to illuminate potential threats through things like overhead lighting and headlamps. Or, if you've got a fair bit of land and want to be able to shoot the coyote threatening your chickens/dogs/whatever.
TLR-7 HL-X: Intriguingly has the same candela as the TLR-1 HL when you use the rechargeable battery, but in a smaller package.

 

[S&WInExile]

Thanks everyone I will have to look into these 2 models.