Holster and Light for Glock 19

[23JAZ]

I am going to take a low light class in September and I'm looking for a light and a holster for my G19. My 2 light options are the Inforce APL and Streamlight TRL-1 I do not want a Surefire. I'm leaning toward the APL but it doesn't seem like Safariland makes a SLS or ALS for a 19 with an APL and I definitely want a holster with active retention. As of right now I have no plans to EDC with a weapon mounted light. It will most likely be a nightstand gun light with the occasional hunting and or camping carry. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated please.

[PNWTO]

I think G-Code does their SOC series with a cowling for the TLR-1.

[Steaz]

I am going to take a low light class in September and I'm looking for a light and a holster for my G19. My 2 light options are the Inforce APL and Streamlight TRL-1 I do not want a Surefire. I'm leaning toward the APL but it doesn't seem like Safariland makes a SLS or ALS for a 19 with an APL and I definitely want a holster with active retention. As of right now I have no plans to EDC with a weapon mounted light. It will most likely be a nightstand gun light with the occasional hunting and or camping carry. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated please.

Safariland makes an ALS for the compact Glocks and TLR-1, and I believe Streamlight ranks more highly than Inforce.

[Gray222]

Please don't buy gcode....


First try to support PF businesses like JMCK. They have a lightbearing holster. Same with CCC and dark Star gear (I believe).

MTG also has one, that I personally got recently.

If it has to have retention owb, then Safariland 7ts.

[El Cid]

Day to day I carry a G19 with APL in a Raven OWB or JM IWB. Since you mentioned Safariland, I'm thinking you may be looking for more of a duty style setup. My ALS holsters for the Glocks with X300 work perfectly with the APL.

[HopetonBrown]

I got rid of my APL. Too easy to inadvertently turn it off/on.

[23JAZ]

I got rid of my APL. Too easy to inadvertently turn it off/on.

So is the consensus that the TRL-1 is a better overall light? I was kind of leaning toward the APL, I think 200 lumens, 1 battery, and the smaller footprint put it in the lead.


Day to day I carry a G19 with APL in a Raven OWB or JM IWB. Since you mentioned Safariland, I'm thinking you may be looking for more of a duty style setup. My ALS holsters for the Glocks with X300 work perfectly with the APL.

I carry appendix, concealed 100% of the time. This would just be a class holster and an out in the woods holster.

[El Cid]

So is the consensus that the TRL-1 is a better overall light? I was kind of leaning toward the APL, I think 200 lumens, 1 battery, and the smaller footprint put it in the lead.



I carry appendix, concealed 100% of the time. This would just be a class holster and an out in the woods holster.

Not sure what the consensus is here. The APL can be more easily turned on in the holster than other lights. But I find it easier to operate when using it. Also, the FBI tested all their Glocks with several brands of weapon lights (Surefire, Inforce, and Streamlight for sure - no idea if others were tested). Depending on who you ask the outcome was either that the APL was the only light to have zero malfunctions, or it only malfunctioned on the G23, but the G23 malf'd with every type of light.

Also if you do carry inside the waistband the APL is the skinniest of the major brands. As for Streamlight I have historically been unimpressed with the ones I've seen used (TLR's) on handguns and rifles. I've used X300's and more recently the X300U. They have been great! I'm using a TLR-6 on my G43 and have been happy with it so far. I have noticed that when I turn it on/off it can move the entire unit causing it to shift left of zero. It's how the unit attaches that allows this from what I can see.

I've been using a weapon light 24/7 since around 2007 or 2008, on and off duty. If I don't use the APL I will use the Surefire.

[Steaz]

Not sure what the consensus is here. The APL can be more easily turned on in the holster than other lights. But I find it easier to operate when using it. Also, the FBI tested all their Glocks with several brands of weapon lights (Surefire, Inforce, and Streamlight for sure - no idea if others were tested). Depending on who you ask the outcome was either that the APL was the only light to have zero malfunctions, or it only malfunctioned on the G23, but the G23 malf'd with every type of light.

Also if you do carry inside the waistband the APL is the skinniest of the major brands. As for Streamlight I have historically been unimpressed with the ones I've seen used (TLR's) on handguns and rifles. I've used X300's and more recently the X300U. They have been great! I'm using a TLR-6 on my G43 and have been happy with it so far. I have noticed that when I turn it on/off it can move the entire unit causing it to shift left of zero. It's how the unit attaches that allows this from what I can see.

I've been using a weapon light 24/7 since around 2007 or 2008, on and off duty. If I don't use the APL I will use the Surefire.

What about the TLR's (which models?) left you unimpressed?

[Default.mp3]

My friend had less-than-stellar experiences with the APL. IIRC, they had to replace his old clamp model due to it being torqued off his M&P by hand or being shot off, while the replacement thumbscrew model had battery drain issues and cracking of the body.

Beyond that, I'd check to see if the course of instruction has any provision for WMLs; most of my low-light courses so far have focused much more heavily on handheld manipulations, with almost no formal instruction on WML usage.

[El Cid]

What about the TLR's (which models?) left you unimpressed?

I quit paying attention to them several years ago so they could have stepped up their game recently. The TLR-1 and whichever one has the built-in laser. The laser version was used by our SWAT team and they were always complaining about them not working reliably. That was on a mix of plastic and steel framed guns. The TLR-1's were on a few AR's on our squad and no matter how tightly they were installed on the rail they would fly off under recoil. The guys I saw this happen with were both squared away and not your typical LEO who just shoots whatever they're told.

I may try one down the road but have several X300's and they are no where near in need of replacement. In fact my first one now gets used and abused in classes and matches. I'm waiting to see how long before it does and I've been using it since 07 or 08.

I thought I had a pic that better showed the wear but this is the best I have for now.
http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/El_CidAF_ResQ/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2249_zpss73feeix.jpg

[drummer]

I am going to take a low light class in September and I'm looking for a light and a holster for my G19. My 2 light options are the Inforce APL and Streamlight TRL-1 I do not want a Surefire. I'm leaning toward the APL but it doesn't seem like Safariland makes a SLS or ALS for a 19 with an APL and I definitely want a holster with active retention. As of right now I have no plans to EDC with a weapon mounted light. It will most likely be a nightstand gun light with the occasional hunting and or camping carry. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated please.

I've been very happy with the Safariland 7TS series holsters. I've been purchasing the model for the Glock 17 for our personnel and they fit 17s and 19s with any light I've tried...Streamlight TLR-1, APL, and Surefire X300. At agency pricing you can't beat them. We add the Sentry for added security.

I've long been a Surefire fan, including the X300, but have switched completely to the APL due to the switch and size. It's much easier to activate from my shooting grip than the X300/TLR-1 butterfly types. The newest models of APL seem to be doing ok. I sent an earlier one back for battery drain which appears non-existent on the latest ones. They aren't as bright as the other models but are bright enough for handgun use.

I also had JMCK mold an IWB for me to fit the Glock 19 and APL. I wear it everyday unless I put on a duty rig, which is the 7TS.

[HopetonBrown]

My APL died after about after two 1 day pistol classes. So about 600 rounds. They were very nice on the phone and sent me a new one before receiving the old one back. It had the older style clamp which I liked, and neither of them flew off the gun (Glock 19 & 34). My local club has night matches and I've used both an APL and X300-A on my G34. I've accidentally turned the APL off at least once.


The APL can be more easily turned on in the holster than other lights.

Brought a buddy to a night match. His APL was on in his holster, so he stepped to the start position, drew his pistol to turn off the light. He hadn't yet been given the LAMR command yet and was DQ'd.

[Armiger]

If you're carrying with a light IWB, my first choice is the APL. It's size wins. It's not XC1 small, but i'm not entirely sold on the XC1 either.. The Gen1s had some issues staying on the gun (the latch mechanism was neat, but not that solid.) - That issue has been fixed with the Gen2s.

If you're not worried about IWB carry, TLR-1 lights are solid. I like their switching better than the APL, and even slightly better than the x300's, personally. You said the single battery is a selling point on the APL, but 2x batteries in the TLR lights mean more lumens and/or longer runtime and you wont notice any extra bulk OWB.

It's also worth noting that Streamlight's CS has always done me right.

[OnionsAndDragons]

If you're carrying with a light IWB, my first choice is the APL. It's size wins. It's not XC1 small, but i'm not entirely sold on the XC1 either.. The Gen1s had some issues staying on the gun (the latch mechanism was neat, but not that solid.) - That issue has been fixed with the Gen2s.

If you're not worried about IWB carry, TLR-1 lights are solid. I like their switching better than the APL, and even slightly better than the x300's, personally. You said the single battery is a selling point on the APL, but 2x batteries in the TLR lights mean more lumens and/or longer runtime and you wont notice any extra bulk OWB.

It's also worth noting that Streamlight's CS has always done me right.

This much mirrors my feeling and experience.

I think if I were to run a WML daily, it would be an x300 model simply for the combo of track record and DG switch. Since I do not, I have been very happy with the TLR-1 and tLR-1 high lumen models. Streamlight is a very easy company to do business with.

I would also seriously suggest that if you do not carry a gun with a WML on the regular, you should not take the class with one unless it is a requirement.

[Chuck Whitlock]

I am going to take a low light class in September and I'm looking for a light and a holster for my G19. My 2 light options are the Inforce APL and Streamlight TRL-1 I do not want a Surefire. I'm leaning toward the APL but it doesn't seem like Safariland makes a SLS or ALS for a 19 with an APL and I definitely want a holster with active retention. As of right now I have no plans to EDC with a weapon mounted light. It will most likely be a nightstand gun light with the occasional hunting and or camping carry. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated please.

Is this just for the class, or to have handy down the road? I have an older TLR1 and an ALS holster that I could loan you, if you are interested.

[ragnar_d]

I quit paying attention to them several years ago so they could have stepped up their game recently. The TLR-1 and whichever one has the built-in laser. The laser version was used by our SWAT team and they were always complaining about them not working reliably. That was on a mix of plastic and steel framed guns. The TLR-1's were on a few AR's on our squad and no matter how tightly they were installed on the rail they would fly off under recoil. The guys I saw this happen with were both squared away and not your typical LEO who just shoots whatever they're told.

I may try one down the road but have several X300's and they are no where near in need of replacement. In fact my first one now gets used and abused in classes and matches. I'm waiting to see how long before it does and I've been using it since 07 or 08.

I thought I had a pic that better showed the wear but this is the best I have for now.

My X300 looks similar after riding around in a RCS Phantom for 7 years:
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad201/ragnar_d/19_Hollster_Wear-Copy_zps0c41af4c.jpg

[Rex G]

DSG Arms makes the Alpha, which I favor for a light-bearing pistol, if no active retention devices are needed. The Safariland 6360 works very well for me as a duty holster, and will probably remain my training and extreme-environment holster after retirement. The 6360 has both the ALS and SLS retention devices, plus the shield. Safariland has options, with separate model numbers, that is the same basic holster body, with fewer retention/protection devices, and different belt attachments.

I have extreme brand loyalty for Surefire weapon-mounted and hand-held lights, which is not the same thing as being a fan-boy. I had a run of bad luck with Surefire SL-20 and Stinger products, starting in the Eighties. As for other brands, well, I just see no reason to be any other brand's beta tester, when I know Surefire products have performed well for me.