Best Weapon and Handheld Lights for Concealed Carry: Olight & Streamlight Buyer’s Guide 

Why Every Concealed Carrier Needs a Light

Most defensive encounters happen in low-light or no-light conditions. Identifying threats quickly and clearly can mean the difference between control and confusion. That’s why lights—whether weapon-mounted or handheld—aren’t accessories; they’re essentials.

At JX Tactical, we carry trusted Streamlight and Olight models that serve everyone from concealed carriers to law enforcement. Even better, our light-bearing holsters are purpose-built to accommodate pistols equipped with popular lights, ensuring your setup is secure and ready when you are.

Weapon-Mounted vs Handheld Lights

Weapon-Mounted Lights (WMLs)

A weapon-mounted light attaches directly to your pistol’s rail. It stays aligned with the muzzle, giving you instant illumination the moment you need it.

Advantages:

• One-handed operation—light and firearm work together.
  
  
• Faster target identification under stress.
  
  
• Compact models like the Streamlight TLR-7 Sub are perfect for concealed carry pistols such as the Glock 43X MOS, Glock 48, Sig P365, and Sig P365 XL.

Drawbacks:

• Weapon lights are not for searching, only for target illumination.
• Adds bulk to your pistol, requiring a light-bearing holster.
  
  
• Can’t be used independently from the gun—pointing the light means pointing the firearm.
  
  

Handheld Tactical Lights

Handheld flashlights like the Olight Baton 3 Pro or Seeker 4 Pro are versatile tools for everyday carry. They can be used for navigation, signaling, or identification without unholstering your pistol.

Advantages:

• Usable in any situation, not just when your firearm is drawn.
  
  
• Great for home defense, vehicle use, or EDC carry.
  
  
• Doesn’t affect holster fit or pistol size.
  
  

Drawbacks:

• Requires two-hand technique if shooting and illuminating simultaneously.
  
  
• Not as fast as a WML for immediate defensive use.
  
  

The Bottom Line: For most carriers, the ideal solution is both—a weapon light for immediate defensive needs and a handheld light for everyday use.

Key Features to Look For

When choosing a light, consider the following:

• Lumens & Candela: Lumens measure overall brightness; candela measures beam intensity and throw. Concealed carriers often prefer 500–1,000 lumens with balanced candela. Duty users may prefer 1,500+ lumens for maximum reach.
  
  
• Durability: Look for aluminum housings, IPX-rated water resistance, and shock resistance.
  
  
• Battery Type: Rechargeable USB-C and magnetic charging are convenient, while CR123A batteries offer reliability and quick change option.
  
  
• Size & Weight: Compact for concealed carry, full-size for duty or home defense.
  
  
• Switch Options: Rear paddles, tail caps, or pressure switches—activation must be intuitive under stress.
  
  
• Modes: Strobe, turbo, and low-output modes add versatility for signaling or navigation.
  
  

Spotlight: Streamlight Weapon Lights

Streamlight is one of the most trusted names in weapon lighting, with models suited for everything from concealed carry to duty.

• Streamlight TLR-7 Sub HL-X: A high-output compact option delivering 1,000 lumens and 10,000 candela, perfect for carriers who want maximum brightness in a small package. Ideal for pistols like the Glock 43X MOS, Glock 48, Sig P365, and P365 XL.
  
  
• Streamlight TLR-7A / TLR-7X: Slightly larger but still compact, offering enhanced controls and runtime—great for mid-sized pistols like Glock 19s.
  
  
• Streamlight TLR-1 HL-X: A full-size duty light with 1,500 lumens and a 282-meter beam reach. Rugged and powerful, it’s built for law enforcement, security, and home defense.
  
  

All of these lights are fully compatible with JX Tactical light-bearing holsters, including setups for the Glock 48, Sig P365, P365 XL, P365 X-Macro, Glock 19, Glock 17, Sig P320, and Sig P320 Full.

Spotlight: Olight Handheld & Weapon Lights

Olight is known for innovation, sleek design, and high-output performance. Their lineup covers everything from pocket-sized EDC lights to powerful weapon-mounted systems.

• Olight Baton 3 / Baton 3 Pro: Compact, rechargeable handhelds that push over 1,200 lumens in a pocket-sized design. Perfect for everyday carry and general use.
  
  
• Olight Seeker 4 Pro: A high-power handheld tactical flashlight delivering up to 4,600 lumens with magnetic charging and multiple output modes. Excellent for home defense, vehicle use, or duty environments.
  
  
• Olight PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie: Compact rail-mounted pistol light with adjustable mounting system and USB magnetic charging, offering up to 600 lumens. A top choice for concealed carriers running slim pistols.
  
  
• Olight Baldr Mini: A compact WML with integrated green laser for quicker target acquisition. Great for carriers who want a dual-purpose light and aiming solution.
  
  

These models pair well with JX Tactical holsters, ensuring reliable fitment for today’s most popular concealed carry and duty pistols.

Use Case	Recommended Light	Why It Works
Concealed carry	Olight PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie or Olight Baldr Mini	Compact, lightweight
High-output concealed carry	Streamlight TLR-7 Sub HL-X	1,000 lumens / 10,000 candela for maximum brightness in a compact size.  Perfect for Glock 43X MOS, Glock 48, Sig P365, and P365 XL
Duty / Security	Streamlight TLR-1 HL-X	1,500 lumens, 282m beam, rugged build for professional use. Perfect for Glock 19 or Glock 17, Sig P320, Walther PDP
Everyday EDC tasks	Olight Baton 3 / Baton 3 Pro	Rechargeable, pocket-sized, versatile brightness modes
Home / Vehicle defense	Olight Seeker 4 Pro	4,600 lumens, high power with multiple modes, excellent for wide-area illumination

Quick Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Right Light

How Lights Pair with JX Tactical Gear

The best light is only as effective as the holster that carries it. That’s why JX Tactical designs light-bearing holsters for today’s most popular pistol/light combinations, including:

• Glock 43X MOS with/ TLR-7 Sub or TLR-7 Sub HL-X
  
  
• Glock 48 with/ TLR-7 Sub or TLR-7 Sub HL-X
  
  
• Sig P365 with/ TLR-7 Sub or Sub HL-X
  
  
• Sig P365 XL with/ TLR-7 Sub or Sub HL-X
  
  
• Sig P365 X-Macro with/ TLR-7 Sub or TLR-7 Sub HL-X
  
  

Every JX Tactical holster is also optics-cut ready, so you can confidently run both a red dot optic and a weapon light on your pistol.

For handheld lights, our slim-profile holsters leave room for pocket or belt carry, keeping your flashlight just as accessible as your firearm.

(See also: our [Optics Buyer’s Guide blog] and [Holster Comparison blog] to build a full setup that fits your carry style.)

Conclusion: Carry With Confidence

A pistol without a light leaves you at a disadvantage when it matters most. Whether you choose a compact Streamlight TLR-7 Sub for everyday carry, a powerful Olight Seeker 4 Pro for home defense, or both, the right light ensures you’ll never be left in the dark.

At JX Tactical, we provide not just the lights themselves but also the holsters built to carry them—so your gear always works together.

Explore our full lineup of Streamlight and Olight weapon and handheld lights today, and equip yourself with the tools to carry with confidence.