Glock 38 Lights

 

In the world of semi-automatic pistols, tactical lights are more than just accessories; they are essential tools that enhance the firearm's functionality, especially in low-light conditions. For models of Glock 38, having a reliable tactical light can mean the difference between seeing and being unseen, providing a significant advantage in various situations. This article explores the best tactical lights for Glock 38, ensuring that you can make an informed decision to improve your firearm's performance and safety.

The Best Tactical Lights for Glock 38

When it comes to tactical lights, brands like SureFire, Streamlight, Olight, and Crimson Trace are at the forefront, offering cutting-edge technology and robust designs. For Glock 38, we've selected the top three tactical lights that stand out for their performance, compatibility, and value.

1. StreamLight TLR-1 HL Rail-Mounted Light

This pistol light is ideal for compact and full-sized handguns. It has an ambidextrous toggle lever for momentary and stay-on modes. This tactical light is a standard and a favorite among handgun owners. It features a stunning 800 lumen beam which is basically an equivalent of a lighthouse power light and the end of your pew. The rai mounted light can light up an alley or blind the attacker.

The weight of the StreamLight TLR-1 HL Rail-Mounted light is 4.2 ounces which is somewhere between light and heavy in terms of tactical lights, so you won’t feel a huge difference with the light mounted on your handgun. The rail clamp has a design that makes it possible for the user to rapidly attach and detach the light from the weapon. You do not have to go through the instructions as the process is often clear to many people. The dimensions are 3.4 x 3 x 3 inches. The average battery life is 1.75 hours of constant light and it runs on a lithium battery.

Pros • Exceotional Brightness • Broad Beam Pattern • Robust Construction • Long Lasting

Cons • Price Point • Size & Weight • Battery Maintenance

2. StreamLight TLR-6

The Streamlight TLR-6 is the go-to tactical light for subcompact Glock 38 models, offering excellent illumination in a compact and lightweight design, complete with an integrated aiming laser.

The Streamlight TLR-6, a compact tactical light designed for subcompact handguns, boasts a lightweight and unobtrusive design, weighing in at just 1.27 ounces. This featherweight attribute ensures that adding the TLR-6 to your firearm does not significantly alter its balance or handling, maintaining the natural feel of your handgun. The integrated rail clamp on the TLR-6 is ingeniously crafted for swift and easy attachment or detachment from the weapon, allowing users to equip or remove the light without the need for tools or a cumbersome setup process. With dimensions of 2.3 x 0.85 x 1.42 inches, the TLR-6 is remarkably compact, ensuring it does not interfere with the firearm's profile or functionality. It offers an operational life of up to 1 hour with both the LED illuminator and laser active, powered by two CR1/3N batteries. This combination of compact size, ease of use, and efficient power usage makes the TLR-6 an excellent choice for enhancing your handgun's capabilities without adding unnecessary bulk or complexity.

Pros • Compact & Lightweght • Integrated Laser • Ease Of Instalation • Versatile Compatibility

Cons • Brightness • Model Specific Design • Battery life

3. Olight Baldr Pro

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Compared to the previous rail light, the Olight Baldr Pro 1350 Lumens Tactical Flashlight is almost double in size and weight – 3.30’’ (length) x 1.44’’ (width) at 4.55 oz. However, its performance is extremely high and it is considered by many a leader among compact rail lightning tools. It’s mounting is quite quick and convenient and it can be attached to any gun with a Picatinny or Glock rail.

The output of this light is 1350 lumens and the beam distance it offers is approximately 284 yards, which is quite substantial for a mounted light. Moreover, it lets you switch between 3 different LED options – white LED only, green light only and a combination of white LED and green light. The green light can be utilized well especially at night. As far as the running time is concerned, it can last up to 125 minutes on high mode and nearly 240 minutes on low mode (the lumen output is decreased to 300 lumens).

The material it’s made of is solid aluminum alloy, which gives the flashlight extremely high strength and reliability. Although you wouldn’t be able to use it underwater much, it’s still waterproof to splashing water from all directions.

Pros • High lumen output • Picatinny and Glock rails compatibility • Green light feature

Cons • Waterproof only to splashes • Run time

4. Surefire X300

The Surefire X300 Ultra Series LED WeaponLights with TIR Lens for your Glock 38 is the ultimate golden standard tactical light. 500 lumens, a rail-lock mount, made out of high-strength aerospace aluminium. What more can you ask for. The great and specific feature is a bright white light that illuminates whatever you want and a laser that points the target for you.

You’ll get an ambidextrous switch for easier operations. The X300 is a little bit longer that your average tactical light. The length of the tactical light may seem as a downside but actually its a positive thing as it is not in the muzzle blast area and won’t get dirty after a trip to the range. The dimensions are 3.6 x 4 x 3 inches.

The TIR lens allows adequate peripheral vision. It has an easy-to-use one-finger touch system that makes it easy to engage or disengage the flashlight. Available in Black and Tan color (Amazon).

Pros • Impressive performance • Great reputation and reviews • Great light spread

Cons • Durability is inferior to other models • HIgher price tag

5. Streamlight TLR-7

The StreamLight TLR-7 Tactical light for your Glock 38 is a great choice as it has a low profile design that prevents snagging and a “safe off” feature prevents accidental activation, saving batteries. Ultra lightweight and compact, the TLR-7 Weapon-Mounted Tactical Light features high lumen operation and provides 1.5 hours of continuous run time from a single lithium battery. The light uses a C4 LED technology. This means that you end up with a powerful and blinding light that works for everyone. The intense beam is important for piercing the darkness giving better visibility in a snap. The light intensity can be easily adjusted offering different levels of brightness.

The TLR-7 comes packed with 500 lumens. This is enough to handle almost everything The battery will last for 1.5 hours when both LED, and laser has been turned on. The battery lasts longer on the other functions. It weighs only 2.4 ounces with the battery and the dimensions are 2.15 x 1.18 x 1.27 inches.

This light laser combo has been built for durability, it is made of machine aluminium construction, has an anodized finish and is also high impact and chemically resistant. More information (Amazon)

Pros • Lightweight build • Powerful lumen output

Cons • Doesn't feature a ligt + laser combo

6. Streamlight TLR-8A

The Streamlight TLR-8A Weapon light offers some cool stats. 500 Lumens of light, 140metres of distance and a 1.5 hour light or light/laser combo run time. That is a great start and a great bang for the buck. This light/laser combo comes with an ambidextrous rear switch, it is easilly acessible and you won't need that much muscle memory to operate and the light itself features a safe off feature to prevent accidental activation.

The TLR-8A is constructed out of anodized machined aluminium and offers the sntadard high-end durability of aluminium materials, The lens is made out of high temperature, shock mounted, impact resistant Borofloat glass. You can swhitch strobe or light modes and this light will securely and firlmly fir your rail. Get it with a lifetime warranty and use it to iluminate all that you need.

The TLR-8 A includes customized ambidextrous on/off rear switch in either a Low or High option to match your Shooting style. More information (Amazon)

Pros • 500 lumens, 140m distance • Light + Laser combo

Cons • 1.5 hour battery life

7. Olight PL-Pro Valkyrie

The PL-PRO Valkyrie (PL-PRO) is the rechargeable version of the best-selling weaponlight PL-2. Powered by a built-in rechargeable battery, the PL-PRO delivers two adjustable outputs; 1,500 and 300 lumens. The rail adapter allows the PL-PRO to be installed on weapons with a MIL-STD-1913 or Glock rail. It uses a heavy-duty quick attach and release mounting system along with the ambidextrous push-forward/side-press activation switch.The PL-PRO has been upgraded with a lockout mode and a magnetic port that is compatible with the MCC charging cable and remote pressure switch, making it more suitable for use on rifles. With high performance, ease of operation and versatility, the PL-PRO redefines the weaponlight.

The PL-PRO has multiple lumen outputs that can last for various time periods. A 1500 lumen output will not last long, but a standard 300 lumen mode will last for 1.5 hours. The strobe mode that this light offers has a 1500 lumen output and a frequency of 13Hz.

The Olight PL Pro Valkyrie is also available in Desert Tan color. More information (Amazon)

Pros • Several Modes available • Affordable price

Cons • Battery won't last long on high outputs

8. Streamlight TLR-2S Laser Light Combo - The Expensive High End Option

The StreamLight TLR-2 High Lumen Rail-Mounted Laser Light Combo for your Glock 38 offers a HL Model light topped with a red laser pointer in the center of the light corona. The light uses a C4 LED technology. This means that you end up with a powerful and blinding light that works for everyone. The intense beam is important for piercing the darkness giving better visibility in a snap. The light intensity can be easily adjusted offering different levels of brightness.

The TLR-2 s comes packed with 300 lumens. This is enough to handle almost everything The battery will last for 1.75 hours when both LED, and laser has been turned on. The battery lasts longer on the other functions. It weighs only 1 pound and the dimensions are 3.4 x 3 x 3 inches. The average battery life is 1.25 hours of constant light. You can also get a “G” version which has the laser colored green but has a higher price tag.

This light laser combo has been built for durability, it is made of machine aluminium construction, has an anodized finish and is also high impact and chemically resistant. More information (Amazon)

Pros • Combo with laser • Ultimate performance

Cons • More expensive

Best Light & Laser Holsters For Glock 38

 

Holsters that can accommodate firearms with tactical lights are sometimes hard to find. If you don’t want to select a universal fit holster but you want a custom made light bearing holster you may sometimes have a hard time finding one. We selected the best custom made holsters that accommodate tactical lights and you can find them below in leather, nylon and kydex.

Why do I need a light for my 38

 

Have the questions: what is the best tactical light for Glock 38 or what are the benefits of pistol lights ever came to your mind? Well we gave you the answer to the first question in the beginning and will answer the second question now.

The very basic of why you should get yourself a tactical light for your Glock 38 is very simple - it’s illumination. This can be beneficial in terms of self defense or any type of carry. Professionals, such as soldiers or Law Enforcement officers often have experience with tactical lights and know their benefits. So why not join them and bask in the illuminating light of tactical lights. The 4 important benefits of rail mounted flashlights are.

Range

A bright and luminous handgun light extends your natural handgun range and sight. You get a much clearer picture of your surroundings and gain the ability to track your target with a flash of light. Clear, high-quality light provides a more clear sight path with few fuzzy areas or areas of excessive shadow that can make it difficult to hone in on a target or potential threat.

Illumination In Times Of Need

When you find yourself in any dark area, no matter if any threat or danger is present, the light from your tactical flashlight can be life saving. If the need is bigger, you can use the light from the gun flight to alert your presence. The brightest flashlights will emit the longest and strongest streams of light which will make it easier for rescue personnel or family members to ascertain your location. Think outside the box and use your light smart.

Bright Light - Weapon Itself

If you don’t want to use deadly force you can use your Glock 38 tactical flashlight to stun your target or to threaten him without the need of any physical activity. There are some incredibly bright lights currently available on the marketplace. Most shooters know that non-lethal ways of stunning or running off a potential threat are far preferable to using deadly force.

Enhancing your capabilities

The market now is overwhelmed with state of the art gun accessories that every shooter can utilise for himself/herself. That means that military-grade materials and technologies can be put under the barrel. Weapon lights for pistol are now having the best features available to the civilian market and having a light or a light laser combo is a benefit at all times.

How To Install Glock 38 Tactical Lights

 

Installing your Glock 38 may seem hard, but actually is not. This small guide will help you understand the basics needed for a proper installation. As usual, always read the instructions from your tactical light supplier first and then look for guidance on the internet.

1. Safety First

Before you begin doing any sort of cleaning, maintenance, upgrade, or repairs to your weapon, be sure that you remove any ammunition and only work on unloaded weapons. Many people will read this warning and roll their eyes, but there are too many preventable injuries and even fatalities that result from someone working on a loaded weapon. No matter how much experience you have with a firearm, double check every time to ensure that is unloaded before proceeding.

2. Clear The Rail

Before installing any accessory to a firearm, you want to ensure that you are working with a clean, debris-free surface. Using patches or even a light rag along with sterile alcohol, gently clean the rail mount and allow it to dry for a few minutes.

3. Install the Battery

Before you even mount the handgun light, it is recommended that you install the battery. To do this, you need to twist the bulb assembly at the end of the flashlight. Once the top is removed, you will see the place where you place the AA or CR123 batteries. Remember to gently replace the bulb assembly and do not over-tighten or you may cause threading.

4. Preparing the Mounting

You will want to use an Allen wrench for this part of the installation process. Here, you will use the including mounting by placing it on the front rail of the weapon and wrenching it firmly into place. Again, it is important that you do not over tighten the mounting assembly.

5. Attaching the Flashlight

Again, you will use an Allen wrench for this final step in the installation process. You will need to loosen the mounting bolt on the recently attached mount. Then, position the flashlight on the mount before tightening it into place. Once again, you want to take care, not to over tighten the flashlight assembly. It is simple and takes just a few minutes to properly install a weapon-mounted flashlight, but it should be noted that they do require some regular maintenance just as any other accessory.

Understanding Tactical Lights for Glock 38

 

In the realm of tactical gear for Glock 38, tactical lights stand out for their utility and versatility. These devices come in various forms, each designed to enhance the firearm's effectiveness under different conditions. Among the most critical features to consider when selecting a tactical light are adjustable brightness levels, beam distance, and battery life. Understanding how each of these factors influences performance can help you choose the right tactical light for your needs.

Adjustable Brightness Levels

Brightness, measured in lumens, determines how much light the tactical light emits. Adjustable brightness is a crucial feature because it allows the user to adapt the light output to the situation. High brightness levels are beneficial for illuminating large areas or disorienting potential threats, while lower settings are ideal for navigation or situations where stealth is required. This adaptability ensures that the user can maintain situational awareness without compromising their position or vision.

Beam Distance

Beam distance, often measured in meters, refers to how far the light can illuminate. A longer beam distance is beneficial for identifying threats from a distance, allowing for earlier decision-making and reaction. However, the effectiveness of beam distance also depends on the beam's spread (the width of the light beam), as a focused beam can illuminate distant objects but may not be ideal for close, wide-area illumination.

Battery Life

The longevity of a tactical light's battery determines how long the light can be used before needing a recharge or battery replacement. Battery life is influenced by the light's brightness setting and the type of battery used. Tactical lights with longer battery life are essential for extended operations or situations where charging facilities are not available..

LED Tactical Lights

ILED (Light Emitting Diode) tactical lights are preferred for their durability, energy efficiency, and powerful illumination. They are less prone to breakage compared to traditional bulbs and offer longer battery life, making them ideal for the demanding environments Glock 38 owners might find themselves in..

Advantages of Tactical Lights in Various Scenarios for Glock 38

 

Tactical lights are not just tools for illumination; they are critical components that can significantly enhance the operational capabilities of Glock 38 in various scenarios. By providing light in dark environments, they help in identifying potential threats, navigating unfamiliar areas, and ensuring accurate target identification. Let's explore the advantages of tactical lights in three distinct scenarios: home defense, law enforcement operations, and recreational activities.

Home Defense

In a home defense situation, the ability to quickly and accurately identify a potential threat is paramount. A tactical light attached to your Glock 38 can illuminate dark spaces by instantly lighting up dark corners, hallways, or rooms, ensuring that you have a clear view of the situation. It can also disorient intruders as the high brightness level of a tactical light can temporarily blind or disorient an intruder, providing you with a tactical advantage. Furthermore, it supports accurate identification, preventing the tragic risk of misidentifying a family member or a non-threatening individual by clearly illuminating the subject before any decision is made.

Law Enforcement Operations

For law enforcement professionals, tactical lights are indispensable tools during night patrols, searches, or tactical operations. In these high-stakes environments, tactical lights: enhance night vision by allowing officers to see clearly in low-light conditions, improving situational awareness and reaction times; signal for help as, in addition to illumination, tactical lights can be used to signal for backup or communicate with team members in situations where stealth is maintained; and control situations because a brightly illuminated area can deter criminal activity, as the presence of law enforcement is clearly visible. Additionally, the ability to illuminate a scene from a distance can help in assessing threats before approaching.

Recreational Use

For enthusiasts engaging in nighttime shooting sports or hunting, tactical lights provide: navigation in the dark by safely navigating through wooded areas or rough terrain in the dark, reducing the risk of accidents; target identification to ensure clear and precise identification of targets, preventing mistaken targets in hunting or providing accuracy in sport shooting; and enhanced shooting experience to improve the overall experience and safety of shooting activities after dusk, allowing for extended hours of engagement in recreational pursuits.

Popular Light Brands for Glock

 

If you are looking for advice on tactical light brands for your Glock take a look at our review of the best light brands on the market. The links below lead to the best gun light manufacturers that are available on the market, product-wise and price-wise. You will find brands such as StreamLight, Olgiht, Surefire, Viridian, Inforce and many more.

Streamlight

Streamlight is a company located in Eagleville, Pennsylvania, USA that manufactures flashlights powered by various rechargeable and disposable batteries. Apart from rail mounted lasers they also feature hand-held lasers.Several of their products utilize dual sources, combining the long life of LED lamps with more powerful but shorter-lived conventional incandescent lamps. They also produce a series of Laser Illuminators such as the TLR-2 which is a combination LED weapon light and laser. Check out the offer for your Glock 38 below.

Surefire

SureFire, LLC. is an American company based in Fountain Valley, California. Their main products are flashlights, headlamps, weapon-mounted lights and laser sights. In addition, Surefire makes knives, sound suppressors, Picatinny Rails and batteries. The company is a major supplier of flashlights to the U.S. Armed Forces. Surefire products are commonly used in the US by law enforcement agencies. Check out the offer for your Glock 38 below.

Viridian

Viridian Green Laser Sight manufactures green lasers for handguns, it’s their speciality and they don’t offer red lasers. Viridian is a supplier of the military, law enforcement and also civilian users - offering high end quality for all. Viridian laser sights have 5 mW beam intensities (Class IIIa), and all models have ambidextrous activation and are constructed of 6061 Aircraft Grade Aluminum and Zytel polymer.[2] In 2013, Viridian introduced their new Reactor 5 laser model, which is a trigger guard laser for popular subcompact pistols. And the good thing about Viridian is that the amount of lasers in the aftermarket allows you to grab yours relatively easily. Check out the offer for your Glock 38 below.

Inforce

Inforce is a company that specialises in tactical lights. They offer rifle/carbine lights, that have an intensity of up to 800 lumens for a timespan of 2 hours, they offer pistol lights that have a runtime of 1.5 hours with 400 lumens and last but not least, they offer hand-held TFx lights that are lightweight and can light up to 700 lumens. Check out the offer for your Glock 38 below.

Olight

Olight is a company that specialises in the development and sale of tactical lights. The company itself is based in China and they sell their products worldwide. They have a wide range of lights not only for handgun and/or firearms but they cover a large variety of products. You will definitely have no problem finding an Olight for your Glock 38

Pistol-Mounted vs. Hand-Held Tactical Lights

 

If you came all the way down here you must know the benefits of rail mounted lights. But some shooters prefer tactical flashlights held in their hands. So, what is better - pistol mounted or hand-held?

Do you remember all the cool cop movies, where they aimed their gun at the bad guy while at the same time illuminating him/her with a flashlight? If you do then know that this was not only a Hollywood trick. A flashlight can easily fit in your pocket and become a part of your EDC and you can use the benefits of it only in the time of need. Hand-held lights for Glock 38 are especially useful in a number of situations. If you don’t want to end up searching for a custom holster for your rail-mounted light, then the choice of hand-held lights is a great one. There is also no need of getting used to a different weight of your handgun, as a rail-mounted flashlight puts additional weight on the barrel and might affect your aim. And if you just need to light your path in a dark alley or forest you don’t have to draw your weapon and be, well, be the guy that uses his gun as a flashlight. But beware that hand-held lights require practice. If you find yourself in a high stress or tenuous situation, having something that requires grace and skill is not exactly ideal. For people who have a lot of practice, there can be a preference for a hand-held light as you have more flexibility in where you can aim it and still have your weapon pointed at a target.

Tactical lights are affordable and easy to find. Have in mind that lights require batteries. And the brighter the light the more power it needs. Most of lights often use 2 types of batteries. AA and CR123. AA batteries usually have a 1.5 V voltage. CR123 batteries also have a usual 1.5 V voltage and differ only in the chemical elements powering them, so it’s basically the same.

Glock 38 Laser Batteries

Your Glock 38 laser will only work properly if you have proper batteries for it. Each respective laser requires specific batteries in order to function properly and for a long period of time. So while you shop for your 38 laser be sure to pay attention to the batteries used.

Tactical Light Training Books Also For Glock

 

One of the key things to remember is regular and repeated practice. Glock 38 laser training is best practiced while being supervised by a professional, be it on the range or anywhere else. If you can’t afford a specialist you can always find good resources in books. Tactical training books and how to’s are one step in your way of training. Yes, you can find loads of articles online, but a book is tough to beat.

Own the Night: Selection and Use of Tactical Lights and Laser Sights

This book covers the basics of handgun light training. It is an almanac for every responsible gun owner that wants to improve their aim with a light. The book covers the instructions very well, but you have to pay attention that it was published in 2009 so some of the technical and model-specific information may be outdated.