Inforce WML Review

[jstyer]

Mods, not sure if this should go here... Feel free to move as necessary.

So I just picked up an Inforce WML of sorts. I say 'of sorts' because this is a custom unit that ONLY has the high beam 125 lumen momentary mode and a 75mW IR beam. The normal WML has a strobe mode, low beam, and constant on feature in both the IR and white lights. You can call or email Inforce and request the momentary only version if you're not down with the multi mode stuff. Personally I like any sort of weapon mounted light to have only one beam style. That way I don't accidentally stumble upon another mode when I meant to cook with gas...

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6056/6852496204_59a578ae84_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77663382@N04/6852496204/)
Blaster w/WML (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77663382@N04/6852496204/) by jstyer (http://www.flickr.com/people/77663382@N04/), on Flickr

So as far as the light goes, I'm really, really liking it for a 12 o'clock position light. It is super low profile, it has a built in pressure pad, incredibly light weight (3 oz with battery), and it is IR capable. All of that for a light in the $150-175 range. Those features go pretty far in my book. Also, as you can see below, your front sight is not obscured at all with the light in the 12 o'clock.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6052/6852496302_587b2ae075_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77663382@N04/6852496302/)
Front SIght with WML Mounted (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77663382@N04/6852496302/) by jstyer (http://www.flickr.com/people/77663382@N04/), on Flickr

First up is aesthetics/build. I really dig the way the light looks. And I’ve included some pictures of both sides and the top of the light as well as a shot of the light on my gun so you can see how it looks for yourself. The build quality seems decent to me. The manufacturer claims water resistance to 66 feet and it looks like it could stand up to that claim. The switch has a thick rubber membrane over the button and has a very nice tactile ‘click’ to it that I don’t really find on momentary switches like the SR-07. There is also a pretty chunky o-ring at the bezel. Seeing as how the construction is nearly all polymer I’m anxious to see how it holds up to hard use, but right off the bat it doesn’t seem as bullet proof as Surefire’s offerings. I’ll update as I bang it around some.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/6852495890_0d2f63b96f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77663382@N04/6852495890/)
Inforce WML (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77663382@N04/6852495890/) by jstyer (http://www.flickr.com/people/77663382@N04/), on Flickr

As far as mounting the light goes, it has by far one of the most ingenious mounting devices that I’ve seen. It’s simply a spring loaded clamp on the side of the light that you can tighten down with a set screw that pushes out from the body and keeps the clamp squeezed down tight. In my experience the light comes on and off easily, and locks down rock solid. I’ve only shot 900 rounds through the gun with the light mounted, and haven’t necessarily slammed the light against anything but it’s held up very well with no loosening so far. Another advantage to the 12 o’clock position, especially if you’re running a fixed sight, is that your light is relatively well protected.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6237/6998618495_af8c8ffb4d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77663382@N04/6998618495/)
Inforce WML (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77663382@N04/6998618495/) by jstyer (http://www.flickr.com/people/77663382@N04/), on Flickr

When it comes to controls, the light uses the single button on top to activate the light. Which on my model strictly means activation of the momentary feature. There is a flip lever on the side of the light where you can easily toggle from IR to White light mode, there is also a physical rotating lockout device that can be raised over the switch to prevent AD’s. In addition to this you can also twist the bezel about a quarter turn to disable the light. Further loosening the bezel allows you to switch out the single 123 battery. However since it is single button, single mode light; there is no way to activate the light to a constant on mode. For my uses this is not a big deal, but it could potentially be a liability if you need to run the light in a one handed operation situation.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6998618399_de75ec7c06_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77663382@N04/6998618399/)
Inforce Top (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77663382@N04/6998618399/) by jstyer (http://www.flickr.com/people/77663382@N04/), on Flickr

The output of the light is very clear and artifact free. But that being said, it is just 125 lumens and doesn’t have a very far throw. I would say that the white light is usable to 50 yards for human sized target discrimination. To put it in more qualitative terms, the beam is nearly identically as bright as a TLR-1, but with not as wide of a beam profile. I’ve tested the IR mode on a moonless night with a PVS-14 and I must say that I was pretty surprised by the throw of the IR light. Identifying a partially obscured human at 40 yards was absolutely no problem.

To acquire the light I spoke with Matthew Wolfe at Inforce (mwolfe@inforce-mil.com). He was very pleasant and straightforward to deal with and was genuinely interested in getting me the light with the features I wanted.

So if I had to break it down it would go something like this.

PROS:
Very Lightweight
Very Low Profile
Easy to mount.
Easy to switch from White to IR
Very useable IR beam.
Waterproof to 66 feet.
Great Customer Service

CONS:
Only 125 Lumens
Potential long term durability risks.
Single mode model only available by special order.
No constant on for one handed operation.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7092/6998618777_164d100ce8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77663382@N04/6998618777/)
Blaster w/WML (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77663382@N04/6998618777/) by jstyer (http://www.flickr.com/people/77663382@N04/), on Flickr

[jstyer]

Whoops... Mod's could you rename this to "Inforce WML Review" sorry about that...

[JDM]

Looks like a cool light. Please keep us updated on the durability!

[Steve S.]

I first immediately dismissed this light due to the many light modes and lack of momentary on.

I had no idea you could request it in this configuration.

Big thanks for putting the info out there, dude. I'll have to get one for an upcoming build.

[VolGrad]

Alright, any updates on this WML?

I see they now have a 200 lumen model. I'm curious about this option as I was considering putting a X300 Ultra or a X300 Mini Scout on my SBR but my guy at my LGS suggested I look at the Inforce. Now, I trust my LGS guy as he knows some stuff so don't just dismiss the suggestion based on LGS talk. Note the intended use is on a HD SBR that doesn't see hard use. I am not a carbine guy and frankly don't even store the SBR out of my safe.

[HopetonBrown]

My HSP 200 lumen WML was dead out of the box. Conveniently I already had a return ticket for an APL that didn't make it past 500 rounds on a G19, so I sent them back together.

[breakingtime91]

Hey Vol, I've had this light for about 4 months. During that time it's been mounted on an Ak on a offset mount, it has held up very well to the heat and hasn't dimmed at all. I have also used it as a guide on a barricade before (on accident) and it didn't budge or even scratch. Hope this helps


Also BCM sells the momentary on version on their website.

[Tamara]

Alright, any updates on this WML?

I see they now have a 200 lumen model. I'm curious about this option as I was considering putting a X300 Ultra or a X300 Mini Scout on my SBR but my guy at my LGS suggested I look at the Inforce. Now, I trust my LGS guy as he knows some stuff so don't just dismiss the suggestion based on LGS talk. Note the intended use is on a HD SBR that doesn't see hard use. I am not a carbine guy and frankly don't even store the SBR out of my safe.

I have one that I received for T&E and was considering running on my 870, but went with the dedicated forend instead. The Inforce seems like a decent unit and is on my M&P15-22 because I can use the top rail mounting to make it reasonably analogous in activation to the tape switch for the Scout Light on my BCM carbine.

I think the mounting clamp setup is positively ingenious.

[VolGrad]

Thanks for the replies. Keep them coming.

I haven't found much online as far as recent reviews and all have been from unknown sources.

Frankly, I'm sort of clumsy'ish so I like the idea of avoiding a tape switch and can't really chew gum and walk at the same time so working a tailcap on a regular light or even a rocker switch on a pistol WML mounted on the rifle is a bit intimidating. This setup seems pretty simple.

If the concensus on the light is it's durable/reliable and the only complaints are things like low lumens then I am OK with that. I don't need to burn retinas or search vast areas with a white light on a carbine.

[breakingtime91]

I'm definitely in the same boat as you, I find the lumens perfect for outside and inside. I was never much a fan of a high lumen output on a carbine or it being multi function. Travis Haley does a pretty good review of it on his blog ( take it for what it is though, since he partnered with Insight to make the light). But for a SBR it would be perfect, with or without the offset mount, it's very light and has a bar you put up so it's impossible to nd the light, not a huge deal in the states but a nice feature for the guys going over seas.

Edit: he partnered to make the momentary on only version of the light*

[Serpico1985]

Seems like you could not run the light at 12 o'clock with a fixed front sight or a folding front sight up. Correct or no?

[Palmguy]

Seems like you could not run the light at 12 o'clock with a fixed front sight or a folding front sight up. Correct or no?

Not an issue on my SR15 with the KAC micro front.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

[philpac33]

http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag99/philpac33/null_zps80dfe618.jpg (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/philpac33/media/null_zps80dfe618.jpg.html)
I've been running this HSP/Inforce WML for about 10 months and have been very pleased. It's a 200 lumen, momentary only version which is just right for me. When I first got it I experimented with mounting it at 6:00 and 9:00; this light works extremely well at 12:00. I've put over 3000 rounds downrange since and the light continues to function normally although the lens tends to get gunked up some, especially sitting above the BCM comp. I try to remember to wipe a little oil on the lens to make cleanup easier. I think I paid $100- money well spent.

[LittleLebowski]

Who else is running an Inforce light? Which is the model to get?

[Kyle Reese]

Who else is running an Inforce light? Which is the model to get?

I've got an APL on my nightstand pistol. It's a well thought out piece of kit; intuitive, well made and priced right.

[Sasage]

I plan on picking up two for my long guns once $ is available.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

[fn/form]

My 5.56 14.5" twins have been running the momentary/150 lumen versions at 10:30 via IWC 45deg mount for the last 18mo. Plenty of light indoors and within a big yard. Mine are on 12" rail, no significant barrel shadows in mounted view. They spend most of the time taking turns rattling around in the truck in a case/rack or bedside. The occasional 3 gun match. No function problems on either light, and I'm surprised the set screw keeps tight. I like the ability to turn them off like a Surefire G2, only you turn the bezel instead of the tail cap.

I believe most of the newer ones are 200 lumen.

[joshs]

Who else is running an Inforce light? Which is the model to get?

If it's for a carbine, I think the WML is better. The APL would have the same problems as an X300 without some type of shroud. It's too easy to hit the activation switch and get a light ND when shooting from a barricade.

If it's for a pistol, the APL is the only option from Inforce.

[breakingtime91]

LL my buddy is running one, the monetary on coupled with the thorntail offset works great. He's using it on a BCM mid length. One feature I really like is the bar you can put up, completely mitigates the chance of a light ND but comes off easy when needed. The apl is also awesome, works much better for me then the TLR or x300 i have tried.

[Sasage]

http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag99/philpac33/null_zps80dfe618.jpg (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/philpac33/media/null_zps80dfe618.jpg.html)
I've been running this HSP/Inforce WML for about 10 months and have been very pleased. It's a 200 lumen, momentary only version which is just right for me. When I first got it I experimented with mounting it at 6:00 and 9:00; this light works extremely well at 12:00. I've put over 3000 rounds downrange since and the light continues to function normally although the lens tends to get gunked up some, especially sitting above the BCM comp. I try to remember to wipe a little oil on the lens to make cleanup easier. I think I paid $100- money well spent.

Have you tried 10 o clock or is 12 o clock preferred?