FOG HORN
September, 2016 Twobirds Flying Publication
Streamlight TLR-6 Universal Kit
Copyright 2016, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.
Streamlight TLR-6 Universal Kit
2016
Streamlight TLR-6 Universal Kit By: Sal Palma
As a conceal carry holder, you have a responsibility to know your local laws and the concept of proximity is not to be ignored or trivialized because it is far more important than you may think. In many jurisdictions you’d better be able to prove that a threat existed before you use lethal force; for example, an assailant holding a knife standing 25 yards away may not be considered a threat, but one standing 7 yards away most certainly is. So, the question that I’d like to pose is do you need a light and aiming laser? I suggest that you certainly do!
Today’s Conceal Carry holders or those in open carry jurisdictions have more options for accessorizing their favorite carry pistols than ever before. This is an opportunity that flows from the exceptional work of companies like Streamlight. In 2016, holster manufacturers who are traditionally slow in turning out new designs, have started supporting compact pistol frames equipped with lights, lasers or lightlaser combinations like the TLR-6.
In close proximities your time to react to a threat is relatively short and it’s precisely in this situation that you’re less likely to be able to use your fixed sights. Having a laser equipped carry pistol allows you to index your target and effectively engage the assailant while mitigating the risk of collateral damage from a stray bullet. In a self-defense situation a laser’s red dot won’t cause your assailant to drop his weapon and run, that’s marketing hyperbole; what it does do is make it possible for you to place an accurate shot without finding and using your fixed sights. In conceal carry situations when you come out of your holster, it is all business. This is how you can expect a self-defense scenario to take place…
In days gone by, a widely accepted opinion was that a conceal carry firearm did not need a laser, light or laser-light accessory. The thinking behind that notion was application driven and the desire to minimize printing. The flawed assumption flows from the idea that since selfdefense occurs at close proximity, there is no need for aiming and lighting accessories, leaving weapon compactness to trump all when in reality it’s proximity that drives the need for laser aiming.
You’re walking down the street to get to your vehicle or other destination when someone walks towards you and 10 or 15 feet away, maybe even less, the assailant pulls a knife, crowbar or other weapon. You’ll most likely need to draw your pistol and fire from the hip Copyright 2016, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
Streamlight TLR-6 Universal Kit
2016
instead of extending and aiming, that laser dot on your target is your best friend. Streamlight designed the TLR-6 with that situation in mind. I wrote a complete review of the TLR-6 in 2015 that you can read here so in the interest of avoiding repetitiveness, I’ll summarize what Streamlight has in store for you with its outstanding TLR-6. The light-laser combination is programmable and fully ambidextrous. The owner can place the TLR-6 in one of three modes, light only, laser only or light and laser. The light remembers the selected mode and comes up in that mode when activated. The accessory can be activated with the support hand or with the index finger of your strong hand as you come out of your holster. There is no momentary activation all three modes are constant. The TLR-6 produces a very generous 100 lumens of white light and includes a red aiming laser.
So, how can Streamlight improve on what is truly an outstanding accessory?
They created the Universal Kit which offers the TLR-6 engine with 6 different housings to accommodate virtually all of the subcompact frames on the market.
As of this writing, Streamlight does not offer a TLR-6G (Green Laser). The TLR-6 is powered by two CR1/3N lithium batteries (included) and the batteries can be easily replaced while it is still mounted on the gun.
Copyright 2016, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
Streamlight TLR-6 Universal Kit
2016
The TLR-6 Universal Kit provides support for 18+ subcompact:
1. 3. 5.
GLOCK® 42 GLOCK® 26 GLOCK® 33
2. 4. 6.
7.
M&P SHIELD™ 9 SIG SAUER® P938® KAHR® ARMS CT9 KAHR® ARMS CM9 KAHR® ARMS CW40 KAHR® ARMS TP9 KAHR® ARMS PM9 KAHR® ARMS P40
8.
9. 11. 13. 15. 17. 19. 21.
10. 12. 14. 16. 18. 20. 22.
GLOCK® 43 GLOCK® 27 M&P SHIELD™ 40 SIG SAUER® P238® KIMBER® MICRO KAHR® ARMS CW9 KAHR® ARMS CT40 KAHR® ARMS CM40 KAHR® ARMS P9 KAHR® ARMS TP40 KAHR® ARMS PM40
The TLR-6 model specific will run you about $100; the Universal Kit is only 20% more at $119.99. So, if you own one or more subcompact carry pistols that you like to use, all you’ll need is the TLR-6 Universal Kit. That’s a tremendous value from a company that has found the perfect balance between value and performance. I couldn’t recommend the TLR-6 Universal Kit more highly. I give it a great big thumbs up! Check it out. Manufacturer’s Specifications http://www.streamlight.com/enus/product/product.html?pid=328
Selecting the appropriate housing for your firearm is very simple but not obvious and you’ll need to open each of the shells to locate the factory markings on the inside surface. After you’ve selected the correct shell simply drop in the TLR-6 engine and attached to the firearm.
Copyright 2016, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved