FOGHORN
May 2022 Twobirds Flying Publications
STREAMLIGHT’S TLR-7 SUB Copyright 2022, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
Streamlight’s TLR-7 SUB
2022
Streamlight’s TLR-7 SUB By: Sal Palma
In preparing for this review, I wanted to determine when the subcompact pistol entered the U.S. market. I want to say circa 2013 with the introduction of the Glock 42 slim line, but that would only give Glock an accolade, and they already see a tremendous amount of praise from myself and others, so I’ll just say that the subcompact pistol came after the hot dog was introduced. Please excuse my frivolity. The sub compact frames were an instant success because they addressed most of the needs for the conceal carry, hereinafter CCW, market. I say most, because it wasn’t long after their introduction that consumers saw a need for belt fed magazine capacities, tactical lights, and lasers to not be outdone by SWAT entry teams, SOF operators and the closet commandos. In response, manufacturers added accessory rails on their subcompact offerings. The new rail equipped subcompacts instantly gained popularity, excluding holster
manufacturers who now needed to come up with a new design to accommodate the rail, but not the accessory.
Accessory manufacturers were left wondering what they could make to fit on the one or two slot accessory rails of the subcompact platforms. Streamlight saw this as an opportunity and in January 2021, the Pennsylvania company, added the TLR-7 Sub to their highly regarded TLR line of weapon mounted tactical lights. Most of Streamlight’s TLR line ship with a variety of clamping keys so adapting the light to a variety of platforms was easily done. The company took a different approach for its TLR-7 SUB, introducing four models for the following host weapons • • • •
GLOCK® 43X/48 MOS and GLOCK® 43X/48 RAIL SIG SAUER® P365/XL 1913 short models Springfield Armory Hellcat®
Copyright 2022, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
Streamlight’s TLR-7 SUB
2022
The TLR-7 SUB provides the CCW customer with a 500-lumen tightly focused beam and an abundance of peripheral lighting to illuminate every corner: revealing a potential threat. It features three modes of operation, constant on, momentary and strobe all accessible via the rear switch assembly. A single tap of the ambidextrous switch places you in constant on, while a press and hold provides momentary activation.
The high ambidextrous switches are a perfect fit for the subcompact pistol.
Strobe mode is disabled from the factory, but it can be user activated by tapping either switch rapidly nine time then tapping and holding on the tenth, the strobe will activate then turn off indicating that the light has been reprogrammed to strobe.
As with most models in Streamlight’s TLR line, the housing is made of O-ring sealed 6000 Series machined aircraft aluminum for heat resistance robustness and IPX7 water resistance.
During normal use, the strobe function is accessed by two taps of either switch in rapid succession. If directed at an assailant, the TLR-7 SUB’s 500lumen output will blind; giving you the advantage needed in a life-threatening selfdefense situation. A few years ago, Streamlight made the decision to move away from the large paddle activation switches to a polymer switch housing, the objective being better ergonomics and greater compactness, that decision carries on in the TLR-7 Sub.
The light operates on a single CR123A battery which delivers a run time of 1.5 hours. The TLR7 SUB is also equipped with a safe-off bezel to prevent accidental activation of the light. Turning the bezel counterclockwise to engage the detent prevents the light from being activated.
At a street price of just over $130, you’ll be hardpressed to find a better and more effective accessory to complement your subcompact pistol; however, you’ll still need to be patient as holster manufacturers catch up. As for Streamlight, value, quality and customer service justify your investment in the TLR-7 SUB, check it out.
-SP Manufacturer Specifications • • • • • • • • •
High Lumens: 500 Run Time: 1.50 hours Beam Distance: 141 meters Max Candela: 5,000 Battery Type: CR123A Lithium Battery: Quantity1 Length: 2.51 inches (6.38 centimeters) Weight: 2.39 ounces (67.76 grams) Colors: Black
Copyright 2022, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights