By Rick Staples

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I've long been a fan of Streamlight products. I carried Streamlight flashlight as a working street cop since I first heard of their lights way back.

I was at a law enforcement product demo day, recently and saw a new light on the Streamlight table. I talked with the local rep and he had a light to me in less than a week.

The new light is designated the TLR-1S HP, big name, big light. This thing puts out 200 lumens for 1.75 hours. When I say it is really bright, I ain't kiddin'. It is designed to be weapon mounted on long guns. It has a 50mm reflector and is the LED format so less likely to break and will last longer. Never say the word, "unbreakable" because somebody will find a way. The light is built tough but weighs only 5.3 ounces. Weight isn't such a problem if you only carry the rifle from the trunk of the car to the firing line. It IS a big issue when you carry the rifle for hours humping other necessary gear, or you are on a SWAT operation for say....13 hours or more. The TLR-1s HP puts out serious white light.

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The light is powered by CR123 lithium batteries. Stream light has packaged the light with an assortment of different rail keys to make the light fit just about any railed gun out there. You can also get the light with a remote switch with a straight or coiled cord.

I put the light on my Colt government carbine and went to the range. Just so you know, I don't beat up my gear, but I did not baby the light either. I shot 100 rounds through the rifle, with the light attached, and checked the light for ill effect. None noted.

I like the light because it is bright, rugged and versatile. There isn't anything about the light I don't care for.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2065590.jpg> Felon's eye view of the light from 10 yards.

I can use the light unmounted, with my handguns that don't have rails. (Yes, they were made like that back in the olden days.) Just about any kind of crossed or uncrossed technique can be used. The Streamlight website is a wealth of information about this light and their other products.

This is a long way from the plastic 4 d cell light taped to the handguard of an AR-15 back in my early SWAT days.

www.streamlight.com

Rick Staples served 35 years, 5 months and 29 days in law enforcement with a mid-sized city police department. He served in patrol, investigations, warrant service, SWAT, fugitive apprehension and training. His last eight years were spent at the Regional Police Academy as a full time trainer. He has been a "gun-guy" for over 46 years. He started his career in 1973, the "blue steel guns and wooden clubs" era.