SureFire reps have been having a lot of fun, hammering nails into pine boards with their X200 WeaponLights and then shining ’em into buyers’ eyes. The X200 is an undeniably rugged and capable light, but with the introduction of the new X300 Handgun WeaponLight, those reps now have a brighter, smarter, even more technologically advanced hammer — not bigger — just better.

I’m painfully picky about weaponlights, quite possibly because — well, duh — I’ve had to bet my life on ’em. Aside from ergonomic controls, strength, weather resistance and low bulk/low-snag attributes, I want: “tactical-level” short-range brightness at the center of the beam, sufficient to seriously degrade an opponent’s vision; “Identify Friend or Foe” illumination at 65' to 75' — typical sidewalk-to-sidewalk with parkways and street-between distance; “facial detail” and “what’s in their hands?” brightness in a 40' hallway; minimal arc-of-muzzle-movement to illuminate a 12'-by-12' room and, finally, with the weapon’s msuzzle 2' outside a doorway, a center-focused beam with enough “corona” to ID threats to the sides, but not enough to illuminate me with light reflected from the doorframe or adjoining walls. Hey, I said “picky,” didn’t I? It’s a tough bill to fill — but SureFire has done it.

The X300’s recoil-proof, solid-state LED delivers a maximum 110 blazing lumens in a tightly-focused center beam, with a gradually diminishing radial corona which doesn’t abruptly end at a defined edge — a virtually perfect tactical compromise. Then, electronic current regulation keeps it producing 60-plus lumens through 2-1/2 hours on a pair of 123 lithium batteries, so there’s no sudden and total loss of light. Available adaptors provide a firm fit for most firearms.

“Handgun WeaponLight?” Teamed with LaserMax’s dazzling Uni-Max Green laser, the X300 has terrific long-gun application too. This 3.7-ounce, watertight wonder lists for $225.

SureFire
18300 Mt. Baldy Circle
Fountain Valley CA 92708
(800) 828-8809
www.surefire.com