How to Choose a Good IWB Holster Part 4: Light Bearing Holsters

It’s been a few years since I updated this series, and I had never planned on touching this subject. While I carried with a weapon mounted light (WML) for several years, I moved away from the practice around 2021. Since then, I haven’t put much thought into them. However, a recent post in a Facebook group led to me dusting off the cobwebs from that part of my brain to help a newcomer to the WML world. This in turn led me to realize that these notes would make a great addition to this series. Here we are!

There aren’t many fundamental differences between what makes a good non-light bearing holster, and what makes a good light bearing holster. That said, there are a few things to consider when strapping on a weapon mounted light, and it’s time to talk about them. If you haven’t read the first three parts of this series, you’ll want to check them out first. You can find those at the end of this piece. That will provide you the context not shown here, which is independent of a WML’s presence on our pistol. Let’s dive in.

Weapon Mounted Light Selection for Concealed Carry

Choosing your WML is often one of the first steps we take when making the decision to integrate one into our carry. It seems like everyone is coming out with their own weapon light these days, and narrowing them down can be difficult. Over the past several years I’ve had the opportunity to use a handful of WMLs on pistols, and observe many more in classes, at matches, and on the range. Some stick out as particularly good, and others as particularly bad. Popularity isn’t always a meaningful indicator of quality here.

As of this writing, I recommend sticking with lights from Surefire or Streamlight for your pistol. The recommendations stop there. Yes, I’m leaving a lot of options on the table here, I’m fully aware. Every other option on the market has either shown themselves to have significant and frequent issues, or are so uncommon that users will likely experience a significant shortcoming when it comes to holster selection. Some issues I’ve seen with unnamed brands include mounts breaking under recoil, batteries exploding, switches failing, and more. You aren’t necessarily completely out of luck with “off brand” choices, but you will be making life more difficult for yourself.

There’s more to narrow down here, we have to get a little more specific. Don’t forget that your pistol needs an accessory rail to mount most lights!

Surefire versus Streamlight Weapon Mounted Lights, Full Size and Compact

There are two major categories of weapon lights when it comes to pistols, full size and compact. These are pretty self-explanatory; one is fairly large, extending past the muzzle of Glock 17 size duty pistols while also typically being wider than the frame, and those which are typically flush with the muzzle of Glock 19 size pistols while typically being equally wide as the frame. Surefire and Streamlight have quality options in both categories.

Full Size

Regarding full size weapon lights, the two brands are held in about equal respect. The Surefire X300 series and Streamlight TLR-1 series are the premier full size lights on the market. Until recently, both had similar output, though Surefire recently took the crown there with their Turbo variants. These are trusted by military and law enforcement customers across the world. I personally carried with a Surefire X300U from approximately 2018 until 2021.

You should be served well with either light, with controls and price being the subjective determining factor between them. If someone makes a light-bearing holster, it’s almost a guarantee they support these lights.

Compact

While both Surefire and Streamlight offer compact lights of similar quality, one clearly has taken the market by storm. The Streamlight TLR-7 series is the winner in terms of popularity by an incredible margin. Within this designation we have a variety of variants which denote changes in size, controls, output, and more. Despite their size and relatively low output, some TLR-7’s have made their way into the law enforcement world for roles requiring greater concealment. They’re also very popular with concealed carriers wanting to better equip themselves without significantly increasing the bulk of their carry.

Surefire has a variety of compact weapon lights; the XSC, XC1 and XC2 and XC3. Upon their initial release, these were met with some derision due to lower output and higher price compared to their Streamlight competitors. Generally, they seem to work well, but the market seems to have deemed them too much squeeze for not enough juice. As a result, holster selection for these lights will be far more limited than the TLR-7 variants.

As an addition, some of these lights won’t fit on certain pistols. Full size lights can be too big for small guns like the Glock 48 or Beretta PX4 Compact, which can drive you to a compact option. Alternatively, some lights are made specifically for these smaller guns, such as the Streamlight TLR-7 Sub. Check compatibility before buying!

Remote Switches for Concealed Carry with Light Bearing Holsters

Generally speaking, most WMLs have controls which are operated with the support-hand thumb. Pressing forward, swiping up and down, or squeezing inward are your typical motions for activation. This can be an issue for those with short thumbs, low hand strength, or when shooting one-handed. Luckily, we’re not totally out of luck.

Both Surefire and Streamlight offer accessories for switching; the DG Switch for Surefire, and the Contour Remote for Streamlight. These are replacement battery compartment doors, which provide an additional activation method for use with the middle-finger of the shooting hand. Simply squeeze the grip, and the light turns on–release and it turns off. Standard controls are still available for use, giving us more capability without removing.

I find that the Surefire DG Switch is a little more sensitive to pressure, which can be a boon or a bust depending on your taste. The Surefire is extremely easy to mount, but some work will be necessary for swapping the Streamlight switches. Streamlight also offers their lights setup for the Contour Remote from the factory, which can simplify things.

Size Considerations

In order to get this additional switch in place, material is routed from the back of the weapon light, under the trigger guard, then to the grip of the pistol. This means that holster compatibility is impacted, we need more space between the holster and the trigger guard. The Streamlight Contour Remote is the wider of the two, wrapping around the sides of the trigger guard and frame.

As remote switches have faded in popularity, many holster makers do not support them at all. I recommend reaching out to your preferred maker and verifying to avoid any potential disappointments.

Micro Lights

There’s actually a third tier of weapon light that we haven’t touched on yet, and that’s the micro light. Unlike the previous two categories, an accessory rail is not necessary to mount this style of light. While “premier” isn’t the term I’d use here, the most common option in this size is the Streamlight TLR-6. This light clamshells onto the trigger guard and dust cover, making it compatible with a wide variety of pistols.

Due to their extremely small size, these lights often feature anemic output, short battery life, and poor controls. Some shooters consider them to be more of a detriment than a benefit. I briefly used a TLR-6 with my Glock 42, and ended up deciding it was more trouble than it was worth. Additionally, holster selection will be fairly limited when using these lights.

Lasers

This isn’t an article about lasers, but they’re related and worth touching on. I would highly suggest avoiding most lasers on the market. If it isn’t made by Crimson Trace or Viridian, you probably don’t want it. Even then, I recommend sticking with a grip laser to improve holster compatibility when available.

Both Surefire and Streamlight offer versions of their WMLs with included lasers, which are probably your first or second best bet in terms of quality. However, these versions are NOT the same as their light-only variants. The TLR-7 and the TLR-8 are NOT the same product, and do NOT share the same footprint, despite their visual similarities. I’ve seen a lot of people purchase a WML holster for their laser, only to be disappointed when their gun won’t fit.

Light Bearing Holster Design for Concealed Carry

Now that we’ve gone over some basics of WML selection, it’s time to get into the topic at hand, holsters. While you may be using a common light from Surefire or Streamlight, pairing them with an unusual pistol can make it difficult to find a quality holster. We’re certainly in a golden era of well made handguns, but try not to make things harder than they have to be.

We’re likely adding a fairly large light to our handgun. This means that our holster is going to be larger. A larger holster can impact comfort and concealment for the wearer, and take some getting used to. Give yourself some time to adapt, and eventually you will get used to the additional girth in your pants. When I first started carrying with a Surefire X300, it was pretty uncomfortable. Down the road, I found myself carrying all day long, taking naps with my gun on, and being fairly active despite the full size light.

Shaping and Features of Light Bearing Concealment Holsters

Many companies build light bearing holsters with no mind paid to the wearer. It’s not uncommon to see pieces of kydex jutting out for wing/claws or belt attachments and more. Only a few companies do these right, and they’re my go-to when suggesting holsters. Once you have an idea of what makes a quality concealment holster, you’ll start to learn who really uses their gear and takes feedback from serious users, and those looking to make a quick buck.

Watch out for sharp angles, bits that hang off the main holster body excessively, and other unnecessary material. Our holsters should be trim, with smooth contours, and as minimal as possible while still protecting the gun and our body. In my opinion, the King of the full size WML concealment holster is the Bawidamann Gotham V2, which features unique construction to help protect the wearer from discomfort. Other high quality options include holsters from Tenicor, JM Custom Kydex, KSG Armory, Dark Star Gear, PHLster, and Henry Holsters.

If a holster looks significantly bulkier, rougher, or generally larger than offerings from these brands, you should probably rethink your purchase. That may mean avoiding a popular design, or something a friend recommends. Remember, not everyone knows what a good holster looks or feels like. Maybe this person hasn’t tried a better option, or is emotionally invested in their suggestion. Choose what’s going to be best, not what will make other people happy.

Holster Mouth and safety Considerations

One of the most striking features of light bearing holsters is the opening where the gun goes in, or the mouth of the holster. The mouth of the holster will be more open compared to a non-light bearing holster, as it must now accept the additional size of the weapon light. This is even more prevalent with full size WMLs such as the Surefire X300 and Streamlight TLR-1 which feature two large batteries side-by-side, dramatically increasing the light’s width.

The larger opening of light bearing holsters makes for an easier ingress point of shirt tails, drawstrings, fingers, and more. Don’t consider this a safety show-stopper, but be aware, and try to stack the odds in your favor. This may mean cutting out drawstrings and more from clothing. Stay in the game, and give your holster a quick look before putting your gun away to avoid unexpected loud noises and injuries.

Retention for Light Bearing Holsters for Concealed Carry

On many light-bearing concealment holsters, retention will be coming from the interaction of the WML and holster. This means that the shape of your weapon light can impact retention. Smoother lights provide less surface area for the holster to grab onto, which can reduce your available retention. Something with a solid shoulder, such as the TLR-1 and X300 will provide the holster more opportunity for a solid purchase on the light.

That isn’t to say that a smoother WML is going to cause your pistol to fly out at the gentlest jostle. Tenicor, for example, uses the scallops in a Glock’s frame where the takedown levers are for a little extra retention. While others may not have as unique of methods for adding security to the pistol, adjustable retention certainly helps keep things in place. I recommend validating your retention in a safe place before making athletic moves in public. Remember, the “shake” test isn’t a particularly valid method, as it neglects to consider the additional pressure from your body and belt against the holster.

Comfort Considerations

WML adds lots of bulk. May need to size up waistband, which I usually do not suggest. Alternatively, may need to slightly loosen belt. Aside from bulk of holster, you’ll likely also experience more pressure from your belt and waistband due to the larger holster. I often feel this on my hips near the transition from my side to my front, sort of the “corners” of my hips.

Training for Weapon Mounted Lights and Concealed Carry

While training isn’t an aspect of holster design, it’s worth mentioning here. Many people think that just by slapping a WML on their pistol, that they’re good to go out into public and use their light. Unfortunately, it is not this simple. There are many misconceptions and improper uses of these tools, and proper training is critical to learn how to safely and effectively integrate them into your life.

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to train under low light conditions with a variety of instructors. In fact, one of my earliest formal classes was a low light course, which was eye-opening for me! Of every class I’ve taken on this subject, the best by far has been the material taught by Chuck Haggard or Agile Training & Consulting. His academics and practical application of both WML and handheld lights has been without equal as of this writing. He’s my top recommendation for any shooter.

In addition to Chuck, I’ve also gotten good training on the subject from Darryl Bolke of Hardwired Tactical, and Mike Pannone of CTT Solutions.

Closing Thoughts on How to Choose a Good IWB Holster Part 4: Light Bearing Holsters

There are a lot of considerations to make when it comes to adding a weapon light to your EDC. Light bearing holsters aren’t dramatically different from their slick counterparts, but there are still more bad options out there than good. Do some research, pick a quality holster, and get training on how to effectively use your WML. It’s not as easy as it may initially seem.

Check out parts One, Two, and Three of this series if you haven’t already!

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