FOG HORN June 2020

Twobirds Flying Publications

Streamlight’s TLR-8 A laser/light accesory

Copyright 2020, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.

 Streamlight’s TLR-8 A laser/light accessory
Streamlight’s TLR-8 A laser/light
accessory
By: Sal Palma
Whether you need an illumination accessory or
a laser/light variant for your compact frame
pistol or long gun, Streamlight has something to
offer. In November of 2019, the Company
introduced the “A” variants to their TLR-7 and
TLR-8 weapon mounted line.
So, why are there all of these choices? What’s
wrong with the good old TLR-1 and TLR-2
concept? Absolutely nothing, but on compact
frames circa 2020 they look like a 1948 Tucker1
and something needed to be done. So, in 2018
Streamlight introduced the TLR-7 (light only)
and TLR-8 (light/laser). The TLR-8 is offered in
two flavors, a red laser and the green laser TLR-
8 G, both flew off the shelves; however,
Streamlight did not rest on its success and in
2019 improved on the very
1
If you can spare $1.2 million to $1.5 million you can
probably find one at auction.
2020
successful TLR-7 and TLR-8 introducing the “A”
variants of these lights.
So, what’s in the TLR-8 A model that’s missing in
the vanilla TLR-8, an ambidextrous on/off rear
switch in two shooter selectable configurations
- low or high; otherwise, they have the same
500 lumens output, 640-660nm red laser, rail
grip clamp system; both are IPX4 water
resistant and both feature the safe off feature
bezel.
In spite of similar body form factor the TLR-7 or
TLR-8 side switch models cannot be retrofitted
to the TLR-8A rear switch models.
Switching between the low or
high ambidextrous switches
is straight forward but I’ll
point out a potential got you.
The process requires that you
remove four hex bolts that
secure the switch assembly
to the light’s body. During
the swapping process, you
Copyright 2020, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
 Streamlight’s TLR-8 A laser/light accessory
need to make sure that you don’t lose the tiny
plunger shown in the picture above, so be
careful and work on a clean bounce free surface
if at all possible. Other than that, changing from
lo to high switches is straightforward. I tried
both the high and low switch configurations and
found a high switch to more closely match my
shooting style.
Unlike the TRL-1 and
TLR-2, which have a very
tight beam thus a well-
defined hotspot, the
TLR-8A’s illumination is
wider. I wouldn’t call it a
flood but the hot spot is not as well defined, but
I found it to be very effective illuminating a
larger area with an adequate amount of
peripheral lighting.
Like the TLR-8, the “A” variant offers three
modes of operation: laser only, light only and
light/laser, but unlike the TLR-8 the TLR-8A is
much more ergonomic, and the high and low
switches provide an ease of use missing in the
TLR-8.
Streamlight went out of their way to provide
flexible mounting options that fit virtually any
conceivable rail dimensions, so it’s sold with an
assortment of rail mount keys. The light ships
with a 1913-3 rail
key but you have on
option to select the
key that best fits
your rail from the
provided keys.
The TLR-8A was
made for your compact pistol, and throughout
this review I’ve mounted on a variety of striker
fired compacts to include the FN509, G19, H&K
Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
2020
VP9-B and Beretta APX.; however, this
light/laser is equally at home on your SBR and
AR pistol platforms.
Streamlight has consistently impressed me over
the years with their responsiveness to the
market. They are consistently the value leader
in the tactical lighting space. The company is
producing professional quality tactical
illumination tools that are robust, durable and
functional; the TLR-8A continues in that
tradition. It is a professional illumination
accessory that won’t lose zero and will not fail
you at home or at work. Check it out. -SP
Manufacturer Specifications
 Features white LED and 640-660nm red laser
 500 lumens; 140m beam; runs 1.5 hours (light
only or light/laser combo)
 Laser only runs 18 hours
 Ambidextrous on/off rear switch in two
configurations - low or high, to match your
shooting style
 TLR-8 side switch model cannot be retrofitted to
the TLR-8A rear switch models
 Uses one CR123A lithium battery (included)
 Safe off feature on bezel prevents accidental
activation; saves batteries
 Rail grip clamp system securely
attaches/detaches quickly and safely with no
tools and without putting your hands in front of
muzzle
 Securely fits a broad range of full-sized and
compact guns
 Durable, anodized machined aluminum
construction
 User enabled strobe function
 2.58” (6.55 cm); 2.64 oz. (75g)
 Operating temperature: -20°F to +120°F
 IPX4 water-resistant
 Limited lifetime warranty
 Assembled in USA