Streamlight TLR-7 Sub Reviewed – Pros & Cons

Here it is! My long awaited Streamlight TLR-7 Sub review.

Do you really need a light on your concealed carry pistol? I would say yes you do if able to.

You can’t shoot what you can’t see and statistically speaking, if you ever do have to use your firearm for self-defense, chances are it will be at night time.

With so many great options in small compact pistols designed for concealed carry, Streamlight has made the TLR-7 Sub which is perfect for small pistols like this.

Once I got my hands on one of these flashlights, I was excited to test it out.

I will share my experience along with my opinion on whether or not the Streamlight TLR-7 Sub is worth the price and light you should consider buying.

This post will review all aspects of the Streamlight TLR-7 Sub.

Streamlight TLR-7 Sub Reviewed – Pros & Cons

The Streamlight TLR-7 Sub is a compact high-powered flashlight designed to fit specifically on slim-line compact pistols.

This light will also fit on rifles and shotguns if you get the 1913 Picatinny rail version.

Currently, it is made with 4 different mount designs.

• #69400 – TLR-7 sub (for GLOCK 43X/48 MOS | GLOCK 43X/48 RAIL)
• #69401 – TLR-7 sub (for SIG SAUER P365/XL)
• #69402 – TLR-7 sub (for 1913 short models)
• #69404 – TLR-7 sub (for SA Hellcat)

Here is the TLR-7 Sub Data Sheet for more specs and info.

Streamlight TLR-7 Sub

• 500 Lumens
• 5,000 Candela
• 1.5 hr battery life (single CR123A)
• Strobe Mode
• Ambidextrous
• Reliable and built tough

Price Check: Optics Planet, Palmetto State Armory, Primary Arms, Brownells, Sportsman’s Guide, GunMag Warehouse, Grab A Gun, Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, Amazon

MSRP $150

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Bright (500 lumens with 5,000 Candela)
• Compact & low profile
• 1.5 hour run time
• Ambidextrous buttons
• Durable
• High, Low, Strobe modes
• Holster availability

Cons

• Extends past muzzle slightly on some guns
• Limited beam adjustability

Background

Streamlight is a well-known brand in the military, law enforcement, and gun owner’s community and has been making some of the best tactical lights for weapons and standalone handheld models.

Their claim to fame started when they developed a handheld 1 million candlepower (981,000 candela) searchlight as a commercial spin-off of technology developed by Johnson Space Center for NASA as part of the Apollo program.

They now have a reputation as being dependable, good quality, and reasonably priced.

They offer lights for all different situations and use cases from micro everyday carry flashlights, to extremely high-powered search and rescue flashlights.

Why A Pistol Light?

Let’s quickly discuss why should you even get a pistol light and why I think they are important on any serious defensive weapon.

Being able to see what you are shooting is important. You do not want to shoot something or someone you do not intend to by mistake.

Statistically most documented cases of self-defense with a weapon occur during the nighttime hours.

Now with companies making guns and their accessories so small, and the holster compatibility, there is no reason why you shouldn’t add a light and I see no downside.

The size difference and weight are negligible.

What’s In the Box?

Here is everything you get in the box with the Streamlight TLR-7 Sub:

• Streamlight TLR-7 Sub tactical light
• Owners manual
• Sticker
• Battery (CR123A)

First Impressions

I am lucky enough to have quite a bit of experience using pistol lights from a lot of different companies and have used countless models of Streamlight throughout the years.

Streamlight is one of my favorite brands and haven’t had any issues with their performance or quality.

Taking the TLR-7 Sub out of the box it felt good and solid. The size is perfect for slim-line concealed carry-type pistols.

This tactical is small but felt tough. The mount was a little loose to the hosing of the optic but I tightened it up and it locked up tight with no wiggle or play.

The buttons felt good had a perfect amount of detent to prevent accidental activation and had a nice soft click feel.

The housing felt great and the lens glass was clear and felt reinforced.

Overall it seems very well-made and has a high-quality feel.

Streamlight TLR-7 Sub Overview

Here is some quick data on the Streamlight TLR-7 Sub tactical weapon light.

Full Disclosure: I was not sent this optic and purchased it with my own money. This is just my experience with it and yours might be different.

Specs

Notable Features

• Ambidextrous rear paddle switches
• Uses one CR123A lithium battery (included)
• Safe-off feature prevents accidental activation; saves batteries
• The rail clamp system securely attaches/detaches quickly and safely with no tools and without putting your hands in front of the muzzle
• Durable construction
• User-enabled strobe function
• Small footprint

Brightness

For a light of this size, the beam output is very impressive. This flashlight is a testament to just how far this technology has progressed in recent years.

This light has a nice wide beam pattern with a focused hotspot in the center. Very good light output with the spill.

The TLR-7 Sub isn’t designed for long distances but it still offers enough throw to identify targets at longer ranges.

This light offers the perfect amount of brightness for outdoor and indoor use.

Sometimes when lights are too bright they can be blinding for the user indoors, especially with all white walls.

The spill is well balanced giving you good situational awareness with about 150 degrees of light coverage.

Size

This light is slim and compact. It is slightly longer than the TLR-7A but only a few millimeters.

The body is more rounded and skinny. It peers up perfectly with sub-compact pistols that are intended for concealed carry.

It is truly remarkable how small this light is and you barely notice it on your gun.

Depending on which gun you are running this on, it may stick out more than you like past the muzzle.

Construction

The housing is made from 6000 series aircraft-grade aluminum. The buttons are polymer and the lens is reinforced.

There is also a gasket around the lens and controls to help make it water-resistant.

The build is top notch and nothing about this light feels cheap or like Streamlight cut corners.

Battery

The TLR-7 Sub runs for 1.5 hours on a single CR123A battery. These are common batteries that many different lights and some optics use.

Battery changes are easy. Simply unscrew the lens to reveal the battery compartment. I like that it is front-loading so you do not have to unmount the flashlight to change the battery.

Streamlight also recommends not using rechargeable CR123A batteries.

Ergonomics

The TLR-7 Sub rides slightly forward of the trigger guard and it is more comfortable to activate with where your trigger finger naturally lays.

It can also be activated with your thumb on your support hand.

There is a good number of holsters available for this light on multiple different weapon platforms.

So because of how popular Streamlights are in general, you shouldn’t have any problems finding a good exact mold Kydex or leather holster for this light on your gun.

This has a lockout function that can be used by turning the bezel of the lens. This lets you override the activation button.

So with it locked, you do not have to worry about accidental activation. Great for traveling with it in a range bag or for transportation. The lockout can be used for light discipline as well.

Streamlight TLR-7 Sub

• 500 Lumens
• 5,000 Candela
• 1.5 hr battery life (single CR123A)
• Strobe Mode
• Ambidextrous
• Reliable and built tough

Price Check: Optics Planet, Palmetto State Armory, Primary Arms, Brownells, Sportsman’s Guide, GunMag Warehouse, Grab A Gun, Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, Amazon

My Experience

After using this light for a good amount of time it is now permanently set up on my concealed carry pistol.

I haven’t had any problems or malfunctions with this flashlight. I think it is better than the Surefire x300 that I am used to running because it is smaller and more versatile.

If a flashlight can have close to the same performance as a larger more expensive option, I’ll take the lighter and more compact setup.

I was very impressed with the TLR-7 Sub and can see why it is now one of the most popular lights on the market.

Mounting

Mounting this flashlight is super simple. It uses a single mounting screw that is a flat head.

You will know when it is fully tightened and it locks in nice and tight. You can overtighten these lights so be careful and use common sense.

Shooting

Most of my time shooting with this light has been on my Glock 43x MOS pistol.

I put about 500 rounds through it and have had no issues with flickering or the light becoming loose.

I briefly through it on the Springfield Hellcat and the Sig P365 just to check how it rides on them.

Again everything locked up tight and I have no complaints.

What Guns Will the Streamlight TLR-7 Sub Work On?

Here are just a few of the most popular guns I see people mounting this optic on:

• Glock 43x MOS – (reviewed)
• Sig Sauer P365
• Springfield Armory Hellcat

Streamlight also has a very helpful TLR Fit Guide where you can input which firearm you want to mount a light to and which products are compatible.

Alternatives

Probably the biggest alternative to the Streamlight TLR-7 Sub is of course the Streamlight TLR-7 series and TLR-8 series of lights.

The direct competitor for slim-line compact pistols designed for concealed carry is the SureFire XCS.

I take a deep dive into the differences in my SureFire XCS vs Streamlight TLR-7 article if you want to learn more.

If you want to see some other pistol flashlights I have tested and reviewed, check out my article Best Pistol Flashlights. That write-up covers more about pistol flashlights in general and ones made for both full-size and compact pistols.

Final Thoughts

So what do I think about this flashlight and is it worth the money?

If you want a pistol setup that can do it all, like a self-defense pistol and a concealed carry pistol, this light is for you.

It is a powerful little light with little to no downsides. It’s smaller and lighter without giving up brightness to some of the full-size weapon lights.

It is more than bright enough and more than capable of being used as an EDC setup. Especially if you want the ultimate slim-line pistol setup, it’s hard to beat the performance and price of the Streamlight TLR-7 Sub.

I highly recommend this light for anyone who carries a Glock 43x, Sig P365, or a Springfield Hellcat.

This light checks all the boxes for me.

Streamlight TLR-7 Sub

• 500 Lumens
• 5,000 Candela
• 1.5 hr battery life (single CR123A)
• Strobe Mode
• Ambidextrous
• Reliable and built tough

Price Check: Optics Planet, Palmetto State Armory, Primary Arms, Brownells, Sportsman’s Guide, GunMag Warehouse, Grab A Gun, Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, Amazon

What Others Are Saying

Here are some of the top reviews and comments of what other people are saying about the Streamlight TLR-7 Sub:

“I bought this light for a G48 MOS lower with a rail. What I like about this combination is that the light is easy to put on and take off for whatever the need is. When dismounted it makes a dandy flashlight and is brighter than my other stand-alone lights.” – Vincent DiBona – Reviewed on September 18, 2023

“Overall a very good firearm light for the money. I would argue that it’s just as good as surefire for half the money. Their customer service is great. I have had many Streamlight products. I have never had an issue with the warranty department.” – Chris Bishop – Reviewed on June 27, 2023

“I own several Streamlight products and they’ve worked excellently for me! Highly recommended!!! I’m currently running a Trl 7 sub on my Sig P365XL and a Trl 8AG on my M&P m2.0! Would submit photos but there’s no option for that.” – David Lemus – Reviewed on April 23, 2023

“I put this on my E.D.C. and it works wonderful! Sure it adds some weight to the gun which isn’t ideal for carrying but it does help mitigate recoil while target shooting. Comes with everything you need and nothing you don’t. Super bright and good battery life.” – Andy Mann – Reviewed on September 7, 2023

“Good light, well money spent. Battery lasts long. Well worth the money when you compare it to SureFire’s alternative. Fits well on the p365xl I put it on. Isn’t bulky, or super heavy. Would recommend it to someone else 10/10. I prefer batteries over plugging my light into a USB charger.” – Austin Wright – Reviewed on February 19, 2023

“got the TLR 7 sub for my Glock 43x mos and love it. I have tried a few others and the TLR 7 sub is definitely the best in the market for 43x” – Spencer S. – Reviewed on July 17, 2023

“So far this thing has been great, the light is nice and bright perfect for mounting on your EDC. The mounting system is easy, and there are interchangeable switches to customize it to your fit which is also really easy to do. Everything you need is included in the box.” – Dwayne K. – Reviewed on August 25, 2023

Streamlight TLR-7 Sub Review FAQ

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