Hey shooters! We are back with yet another amazing review. We are lining up our best picks for the light this time, which you can use with your Fn 509 Tactical.
Fn 509 tactical, known best for its use in military and home defense, is a pistol every gun enthusiast would be proud of owning. And when it comes to a weapon that has most of its use residing in tactical circumstances, a perfect light is what you need the most.
After comprehensive research and based on my expertise in firearms, I have narrowed it down to five of the lights that deem fit for your Fn 509 tactical. The comparison and evaluation were based on performance, price, and durability.
Top 5 Fn 509 Tactical Lights
Here are the top 5 weapon flashlights for FN 509 tactical pistol.
- Streamlight TLR-1 HL ( Best overall fn 509 light)
- Streamlight TLR-7A Flex (Best light for carriage)
- Olight PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie (Best weapon light for home defense)
- STREAMLIGHT TLR-7 ( Best weapon light for beginners)
- SureFire X300 Ultra X300U-B (Best versatile weapon light)
Product | Key Features | Rating |
Streamlight TLR-1 HL | Brilliant light intensity Long battery life Balanced beam pattern Easy mounting Ambidextrous switch Tethered battery door IPX-7 waterproof | 4.9 |
Streamlight TLR-7A Flex | Bright and concentrated light Brilliant battery life Low and high mounting styles Safe-off feature IPX-7 waterproof | 4.9 |
Olight PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie | Rechargeable battery Compact Quick and safe attachment IPX-6 waterproof | 4.8 |
Streamlight TLR-7 | Budget-friendly Compact design Bright light with a wide spill Ambidextrous switch IPX 7 waterproof | 4.8 |
SureFire X300 Ultra | Versatile DG and XT remote Durable Bright and intense Ambidextrous switch | 4.8 |
1. Streamlight TLR-1 HL – Best Overall Flashlight
It won’t be wrong to say that Streamlight has a monopoly when it comes to tactical and firearm-related lights and LEDs. In the same product line, we have TLR-1 that does not only have a potential output of 1000 lumens (lighting up a greater area) but also possesses 20000 candelas of beam intensity, which is the main factor in quantifying the performance of light, especially one mounted on a weapon.
One thing that makes it the best in its league is the balanced beam pattern. When you turn it on, you can see a central hot spot since the brighter core beam, and then it fades out around the edges and has a wide spill that increases the field of view and allows you to spot anything in the surroundings without losing focus at the main target.
Also, it provides you with 1.5 hours of run time on battery. And comes with a great setting for installing batteries with an easy click and tethered switch, so you don’t end up losing the battery door. Cool, isn’t it!
Personal Experience
I used to own the previous version of TLR with 800 lumens and 12000 candelas. Now that I had bought this upgraded version, I wanted to try them out side by side to see the difference, and I wasn’t disappointed. I tried it at a distance of 30 yards in my backyard and then at approx. 110 yards at the other side of the lake, and the performance was impeccable. Bright, intense, and widespread at the edges. Perfect! The new TLR-1 with 1000 lumens could be differentiated from the 800 one on the account of light intensity, though.
Reason To Buy
If you desire a light that’ll match the elegance of your Fn 509 tactical and would also be efficient and brilliant in performance, then Streamlight TLR-1 is the product for you.
2. Streamlight TLR-7A Flex – Best Light for Carriage
Streamlight’s TLR HL series is already a hit. The Flex series differ from the one discussed earlier on the accounts of low-profile and mounting options. TLR 7A Flex’s compact design makes it easy to mount and handle. And who doesn’t love an accessory that doesn’t take up much space. You’d adore this if you use it on duty and have to carry the weapon with you most of the time since it was predominately designed for pistols, and that’s where it excels.
Another amazing feature that makes it a fan favorite is that it gives the user to choose the mounting type according to his shooting style. If you prefer a higher grip style, put the high mount on, or if you are a fan of a low mount that prevents snagging, I must add, then you can just switch it up without inconvenience.
A light that’s compact, easy on hands, and bright, it’s a grab!
Personal experience
I tested it out in my backyard, starting from aiming at 50 meters and going up to 150 meters. It had a great intensity and peripheral spill, much like its fellow TLR HL. Also, I loved the two mounting options and ambidextrous switch feature because my left-handed friend, a fan of the high mounting style, could join me.
Reason To Buy
A Streamlight light, with most of the features same as the one with a higher price – TLR- 7A Flex gives you a great value for money and is the best pick for its compact design and excellent performance.
3. Olight PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie – Best flashLight For Home Defense
Olight PL-mini 2 Valkyrie’s compact design and rechargeable battery features make it the best choice for self-defense and tactical situations.
It stands out in the crowd of other lights because it has a built-in battery that requires charging only, unlike its fellow lights that use CR123 batteries. The USB connector comes with it that has a magnetic metal ring on one end that connects to the light and charges it, that too without removing it from the pistol. This is a perfect light for you if you don’t want to stock up the batteries or avoid the fatigue of changing them every once in a while. You just charge it once and enjoy up to 1 hour of shooting time.
Another feature that makes it a dream light for any gun enthusiast is its compact, low-profile, snag-free design. It’s extremely lightweight and doesn’t take up much space on the pistol. This feature makes it perfect for home defense because it’s easy to carry and easy on the hand.
Personal experience
I tested it in my hallway, aiming at the door 12 feet away, and it had a great central spot and the peripheral lights lighting up the whole hallway. Also, there was no loosening of the mount due to recoil even after 100 rounds, and as mentioned above, the weight was negligible. I’d recommend it!
Reason To Buy
Go get yourself Olight PL- mini 2 Valkyrie if you want a mini but mighty light for your Fn 509 tactical.
4. STREAMLIGHT TLR-7 – Best Weapon Light For Beginners
Here we are with another light from Streamlight yet again. Though similar in name and most features, Streamlight TLR-7 differs from TLR-7A in terms of money. It’s a perfect option for someone looking for an efficient light that isn’t heavy on his pocket.
The TLR-7 is one of the best tactical lights for the Fn 509 tactical because it’s small, lightweight, and packs a powerful punch. It’s a great light for beginners because of its size and weight. It’s easy to carry and doesn’t weigh down your pistol.
It offers a highly concentrated central spot and great spill, providing maximum situational awareness, and easily lasts for 1 and a half hours.
It possesses an ambidextrous switch with a constant-on and momentary-on mode. Moreover, it is an IPX-7 water poof and has an aluminum housing and a black anodized finish.
Read my detailed review of Streamlight TLR-7A vs TLR-7 Sub.
Reason To Buy
You can get what’s needed in a good light staying within your budget.
5. SureFire X300 Ultra X300U-B – Most versatile Light
As the name suggests, SureFire X300 Ultra is one of the most versatile tactical lights for Fn 509 Tactical.
It’s definitely an expensive one, but it has a lot of great features, and primarily it is concentrated and intense light, on the accounts of 11,300 candelas. It has a super bright central spot that might also hamper the adversary’s vision, a tactical advantage there. It also has excellent spills around the edges and would brighten up a room if so.
It has DG and XT remote switches that are pressure-activated optionally and provide controlled precision without changing your grip on the weapon.
If mounted on an extremely lightweight gun for people who like high-profile weapons, it compensates for the weight.
It’s the most expensive one out on the list and not apt for beginners who wouldn’t like to spend a huge sum of money on this product. It might be a good fit for people who have a pocket that matches this hobby.
Reason To Buy
SureFire X300 is the most premium and versatile weapon light for fn 509 tactical.
Also read: Best Fn 509 Tactical Red Dot Sights
Buying Guide
Beam patterns
One thing that you must consider is the beam pattern of light. It shouldn’t only have a bright central spot and a wide spill around the edges for maximum situational awareness. For this purpose, the best pick for you would be Streamlight TLR-HL with 1000 lumens and 20000 candelas, incredible for a weapon light.
Battery
Since Fn 509 tactical is most commonly known for its use in tactical or combat situations, a light that provides a long run is the most effective. All the lights from Streamlight have 1.5 hours of battery life. Also, check out the additional battery features like the rechargeable one in Olight PL-mini 2 Valkyrie.
Durability
There are many times when you’re going to drop the weapon or the light itself, especially in critical combat or defense conditions. So, you need something with a great build and excellent water and shock resistance. All the lights mentioned are IPX-7 waterproof except one that’s IPX-6 waterproof.
Price
Last but not least, do keep your budget into consideration and always weigh the features with the price. You don’t want to waste a good load of money on a useless light. Streamlight TLR-7 is the cheapest yet extremely efficient light among the ones mentioned in the list.
But also, I believe in Buy Once, Cry Once rules. A light that’s relatively more expensive than the other three lights – leaving surefire out – but has excellent features is our top pick Streamlight TLR-1 HL.
Bottom Line
Now I hope you have made up your mind about which light you’d like to buy for your Fn 509 Tactical. If you still have any queries, head on to the FAQs.
See you in the next review. Till then, Happy Hunting!
FAQs
How many lumens should a gun light be?
300 to 1000 lumens are usually enough for any gun light used for combat or defense purposes. Police use gun lights with approx. 3100 lumens.
What are the most versatile lights in the market?
Some of the lights that fit perfectly with many mounting and rail styles are
- Streamlight TLR-1 HL
- Olight PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie
- Streamlight TLR-7