Streamlight TLR 9: 16650 Rechargeable Pistol WML

[spyderco monkey]

At SHOT show last year, I discovered that Streamlight's new TLR 9 WML (https://www.amazon.com/STREAMLIGHT-69464-Low-Profile-Rail-Mounted-Batteries/dp/B084SWJM8S/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Streamlight+tlr9&qid=1612721005&sr=8-1) could fit the 16650 rechargeable battery in my EDC flashlight. The guys at the Streamlight booth didn't know that, and nothing I've seen from Streamlight shows that they even realize they've created a great, rechargeable capable WML.

https://i.redd.it/m93ya115g7d41.jpg

I recently snagged a TLR 9, and so far I'm pretty impressed.

https://i.ibb.co/zST8VV7/Glock-17-L-TLR-9.jpg

TLR 9 w/ 16650 = 128.1g / 4.52oz

I had been concerned that the use of a 4.2v battery would drop the brightness vs the 6v 2XCR123, but if it has I haven't noticed it. The light is plenty bright running the 16650.

7 yards night:
https://i.ibb.co/4KM3qBn/TLR-9-Night-Sights.jpg

7 yards TLR 9:
https://i.ibb.co/2SHcMMZ/TLR-9-Beam.jpg

50 yards night:
https://i.ibb.co/N7cs5dh/TLR-9-Night.jpg

50 yards TLR 9 (slide removed from frame for this pic):
https://i.ibb.co/f0cjgfS/TLR-9-50-yards.jpg

Overall I'm pleased. By being able to use rechargeable batteries, I can get a lot more use practicing with the light, as well as making the light more useful for just shooting at night / in poorly lit indoor ranges. With CR123 lights, I was always hesitant to turn them on, as each little activation lowered the overall charge in the light.

[SoCalDep]

Very cool!

What with the increasing popularity of 18650 rifle WMLs, this is something I should have thought of but didn’t. I wasn’t a huge fan of the TLR-9 when it was introduced but this makes a lot of sense. Not just that, they could market Li-Ion based pistol lights where the TLR-7A size platform has the same output as the longer TLR-9 - just with shorter run-time.

Add to that the design allows battery change without removing the light so it would be rechargeable with the ability to carry spares rather than having to charge the light itself like some other offerings.

Especially with their newest subcompact and remote switch capable lights I’m pretty excited. I wonder how much redesign would be necessary to go 18650 for compatibility with the batteries in other Streamlights and with rifle WMLs?

[joshs]

Very cool!

What with the increasing popularity of 18650 rifle WMLs, this is something I should have thought of but didn’t. I wasn’t a huge fan of the TLR-9 when it was introduced but this makes a lot of sense. Not just that, they could market Li-Ion based pistol lights where the TLR-7A size platform has the same output as the longer TLR-9 - just with shorter run-time.

A TLR-7A (https://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-69424-Low-Profile-Rail-Mounted-Tactical/dp/B084SWJQG6/ref=sr_1_2?crid=29O6NC344C6MY&dchild=1&keywords=streamlight+tlr7a+pistol+light&qid=1612721081&sprefix=Streamlight+tlr7%2Caps%2C206&sr=8-2) sized light that could take an 18350 with TLR-9 output would be awesome.

[spyderco monkey]

Very cool!

What with the increasing popularity of 18650 rifle WMLs, this is something I should have thought of but didn’t. I wasn’t a huge fan of the TLR-9 when it was introduced but this makes a lot of sense. Not just that, they could market Li-Ion based pistol lights where the TLR-7A size platform has the same output as the longer TLR-9 - just with shorter run-time.

Add to that the design allows battery change without removing the light so it would be rechargeable with the ability to carry spares rather than having to charge the light itself like some other offerings.

Especially with their newest subcompact and remote switch capable lights I’m pretty excited. I wonder how much redesign would be necessary to go 18650 for compatibility with the batteries in other Streamlights and with rifle WMLs?

Yes, thats something that I liked and should have mentioned in the review; the ability to change out the battery without removing the light from the pistol. I'm planning on locktiting mine into place with blue thread locker, as I've had flashlights vibrate loose in the past.

This format has a lot of possibility though. Given the removable head, I think a custom flashlight maker could replace the current led - a very wide spill beam profile - with an Osram White Flat. These are the LED's used in current state of the art thrower flashlights. The very narrow beam produced by this LED will help overcome the inherent limitations of the shallow reflector used by the TLR 9 (necessary to keep length down.)

The GT Nano, for example, is tiny, but has 23k Candela by pairing a Osram with a rechargeable lithium battery, to give a sense of future possibilities for even compact lights.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0031/0155/6806/products/5bf6c33cb45f9fd7595e0664b19bb2fd.jpg?v=1602729742

https://www.nealsgadgets.com/products/lumintop-gt-nano-flashlight

With the OSRAM LED, this tiny light can produce a beam like this:
https://i.redd.it/ekxhumy67qv51.jpg

So the future possibilities of 'front loading rechargeable WML' is quite bright.

In terms of the TLR 9, it could be converted to 18650's in the future, they'd just have to make the light a bit wider, heavier, and possibly a hair longer.

But, even though all my lights are 18650's, I dont find the use of 16650 here objectionable. 2 batteries is like $16, and they use the same charger as my 18650's, so the hassle in minimal. Keep one battery in the gun, keep a spare in a case, easy peasy.

https://www.orbtronic.com/16650-li-ion-battery-rechargeable-protected

I think the big thing is tipping Streamlight to the possibility they've opened up here with the TLR 9 for rechargeable pistol WML.

On an aesthetic note, while I run a 17L, the TLR 9 looks like it was born for use in a G34:

https://i.redd.it/6yxdte3zeha51.jpg

https://i.redd.it/vp6q4mv1xiv51.jpg

https://i.redd.it/7g4fvpo2bmc51.jpg

Sadly none of those are mine; simply shared from Reddit.

[pooty]

hey hey someone else bought a Flux. man that brace would have been perfect if it was a part of the frame instead of bolt on.

[LittleLebowski]

#MyMindSaysNoButMyBodySaysYes (https://pistol-forum.com/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=MyMindSaysNoButMyBodySaysYes)

67253

[spyderco monkey]

Streamlight has released a TLR10 - the TLR9 with a integral red laser. Presumably the 16650 hack also works for it as well.

I just wish it were a Green Laser...

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2021/02/19/streamlight-tlr-10-gun-light/

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tlr-10-feat.png

[Bergeron]

I just wish it were a Green Laser...

I must assume that's what's coming next...and agreed!

[DaBigBR]

I think the big miss on these lower profile lights is not doing a better job of integrating the laser. I would rather see the TLR-7/A and TLR-9 just a bit chunkier in favor of getting the laser more in line with the bore on the laser models. Mostly to ensure holster compatibility.

[Phred]

Can anyone confirm if the TLR-9 will fit a Safariland light bearing holster? Specifically on a Glock 22.

[Tokarev]

More info:


https://youtu.be/m5zNtuQDJQU



Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Hot Cereal]

The TLR9 is definitely a cool WML concept. In my own humble opinion I would have more use for it on a long gun than a pistol. I think it's footprint is counterintuitive with the current trends in pistol design- full-size grip and compact length slide. That said, WML and flashlights need to be capable of accepting rechargeable batteries, this is a step in the right direction. I'd take a slight output decrease if it meant I could use rechargeables in them.

[Mirolynmonbro]

Anyone making AIWBs for this? So far I've only found Tier 1 Concealed

[MandoWookie]

Does anyone have any info on holster fit, or options?
I have been looking at these, and have seen some references to it fitting TLR-1 holsters, but no specifics.
Is it referring to only duty style holsters( like Safariland) or would that also apply to kydex holsters, like a JM Custom set up for a TLR-1?
I assume not, but am curious.

[runcible]

What's the retrospective on this combination of TLR-9 and 16650? I've recently streamlined my various carry modalities around the TLR-7, and I'm *this* close to popping a 16350 into it.

[Clusterfrack]

What's the retrospective on this combination of TLR-9 and 16650? I've recently streamlined my various carry modalities around the TLR-7, and I'm *this* close to popping a 16350 into it.

I did this and it worked well. YMMV…

[runcible]

I did this and it worked well. YMMV…

Awesome! What brand\model are you using?

[Clusterfrack]

I put an eFest IMR16340 in a TLR-7 to see what would happen. It was bright. No issues… yet?

[GearFondler]

Bumping this to see if anyone has sourced a good AIWB holster for the TLR-9... specifically a Light Bearing Enigma compatible one. Thanks.

[spyderco monkey]

Bumping this to see if anyone has sourced a good AIWB holster for the TLR-9... specifically a Light Bearing Enigma compatible one. Thanks.

Werkz made me a very nice OWB holster for my G17L with TLR-9. Their website is completely byzantine in terms of models so I cant find it now, so I'd just email them about whether they have an AIWB version.

https://werkz.com/lightbearingholster.html

https://i.ibb.co/2sxdcyv/TLR-9-G17-L-Werkz-holster.jpg

[Magsz]

I've been running 16340's in handheld lights for the last six years.

I'm really not sure why this hasn't caught on? It's like its some kind of secret?

I have yet to burn a light up or blow up a single battery.

I had two sets of two 16340's in a rotation in my first light t-max for six years. This light was used and abused on duty. I would charge a set prior to each four day work rotation and run them dead by the end of the fourth day. Each set of batteries had hundreds of charge and discharge cycles on them.

The TLR7 sub can run just fine on a 16340. My X300's run just fine on 16340's.

[Tokarev]

US Duty Gear is showing compatibility with the TLR-9 for the L2 and L3 duty holsters.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Tokarev]

Has anyone mentioned this already?

I'd like to see Streamlight make a similar light that runs on a 18350. Shorten the body and then change the head and reflector for a bit tighter beam and 1k output. Essentially something akin to the Modlite but less expensive.

For size, here's the Modlite with the -9. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220727/48fbed931c09e95d072f691d49c341c3.jpg

I'd guess that Streamlight could tweak the circuitry for duel fuel. A lithium 123 at 500 lumens or whatever and then a 18350 at higher output.

And also make a remote switch option.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[spyderco monkey]

There are now 'Paddle Shifters' for the TLR7 / TLR9:

https://soldiersystems.net/2022/07/27/tlr7a-emissary-paddle-shifter/

https://soldiersystems.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/image-56-11-1536x1024.jpg

[El Cid]

There are now 'Paddle Shifters' for the TLR7 / TLR9:

https://soldiersystems.net/2022/07/27/tlr7a-emissary-paddle-shifter/

https://soldiersystems.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/image-56-11-1536x1024.jpg

Digging those switches! Wonder how they play with Kydex concealable holsters?

[GearFondler]

Digging those switches! Wonder how they play with Kydex concealable holsters?The entire switch area will be blocked out for the light body to pass through so I don't see how there would be any issue.
The biggest issue is that hardly anyone makes an AIWB holster for the TLR9.

[Up1911Fan]

The entire switch area will be blocked out for the light body to pass through so I don't see how there would be any issue.
The biggest issue is that hardly anyone makes an AIWB holster for the TLR9.

It fit's the 7 too.

[GearFondler]

It fit's the 7 too.Yep... I'm aware and have a few of them. But I'd be tempted to try the TLR9 to see how it carries. For now I'll just keep waiting to see if Cloud Defense ever releases their WML.

[Up1911Fan]

Yep... I'm aware and have a few of them. But I'd be tempted to try the TLR9 to see how it carries. For now I'll just keep waiting to see if Cloud Defense ever releases their WML.

How are they compared to the factory switches?

[GearFondler]

How are they compared to the factory switches?Sorry, I just meant I have a few TLR7 's... No idea on these switches yet.

[El Cid]

Yep... I'm aware and have a few of them. But I'd be tempted to try the TLR9 to see how it carries. For now I'll just keep waiting to see if Cloud Defense ever releases their WML.

I am starting to worry the CD may be really far out. I want a light for my Beretta and was strongly considering the TLR9 because it’s slimmer than the X300u I typically use. But holster support for the -9 is limited. Factor in a pizza gun with optic and now the search is even more challenging. lol!

[GearFondler]

I am starting to worry the CD may be really far out. I want a light for my Beretta and was strongly considering the TLR9 because it’s slimmer than the X300u I typically use. But holster support for the -9 is limited. Factor in a pizza gun with optic and now the search is even more challenging. lol!Same here... The X300 is a bit too wide and long for total comfort and that's why the CD option has me so excited. The TLR9 is thinner however and that's what tempts me a bit in the meantime.