Skip to main content

Gun Tech: SureFire's Professional-Grade Light Systems

SureFire's illumination tools continue to dimensionally miniaturize, while becoming lighter, brighter, more technologically advanced and, in some cases, smarter.

Gun Tech: SureFire's Professional-Grade Light Systems
SureFire's new XC1 is designed to fit muzzle flush for compact carry pistols including the popular Glock 19 and SIG Sauer's P320 Carry models. The light produces 200 lumens for 1½ hours and runs off of a single AAA battery. $300

SureFire's engineering prowess has set the benchmark for professional-grade tools. SureFire light systems dominate Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S. government small arms.

SureFire has been the standard by which similar products have been compared since the Global War on Terrorism kicked off in 2001.

SureFire's illumination tools continue to dimensionally miniaturize, while becoming lighter, brighter, more technologically advanced and, in some cases, smarter.

SureFire traces its lineage back to the Newport Corporation founded by Dr. John Matthews in 1969 and Laser Products, which produced one of the first pistol mounted lasers, designed for a Colt Trooper revolver. Since the 1980s, we have seen the company popularize the so-called "combat light" that fits in the palm of your hand and features an activating button located on the tailcap (as opposed to the older button behind the bezel).

Thanks to SureFire, 60 lumens is now considered the minimum amount of light required to temporarily blind an adversary. SureFire's products have advanced, resulting in handhelds that offer more than 500 lumens, including the 12-battery Beast flashlight and the crew-served firearm-mountable High Intensity Discharge (HID) HellFighter series, which is capable of illuminating targets positioned 1 mile away.

Fast forward and SureFire now offers 600-lumen pistol lights powered by a pair of 3V lithium batteries, 5,000 lumen rechargeable handheld lights, lights that adjust intensity based on reflectivity and miniaturized SideKick pocket lights that throw 300 lumens of LED light. SureFire also makes suppressors, ear protection, muzzle devices and — my personal favorite — dual illuminated lights optimized for use with night vision.


surefire_3

The SureFire P2X Fury Intellibeam is a smart light that automatically adjusts its output level between 15 and 600 lumens depending on the amount of reflected light from the target area. Double-click for full power.

Price: $230


surefire_2

The new M600V ("Vampire") IR Scout Light is a low-profile tool designed for long guns needing both white light and night vision illumination capabilities. It withstands the constant shock of recoil and imact and offers 350 lumens. Rotate the bezel to the infrared (IR) setting and an invisible spotlight — 120 mW of IR illumination — is produced for use with night vision devices.

Price: $420


surefire_4
For years, shooters had to choose either flash hiders or compensators. Several hybrids have been produced, which fall short on flash suppression. SureFire solved this with its WarComp, which also acts as an adapter for SureFire sound suppressors. The WarComp minimizes muzzle rise and earsplitting concussion, while reducing muzzle flash to less than that of an A2 birdcage. Its performance is absolutely amazing.

Price: $150




Current Magazine Cover

Enjoy articles like this?

Subscribe to the magazine.

Get access to everything Guns & Ammo has to offer.
Subscribe to the Magazine

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo provides an in-depth review of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Spec Series in ...
Suppressors

2024 Guns & Ammo Suppressor of the Year Award: Silencer Central Banish Speed K

Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo provides an in-depth review of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Spec Series in ...
Suppressors

Silencer Central Banish 9K

Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo provides an in-depth review of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Spec Series in ...
Shotguns

Dickinson Plantation SxS Shotguns

Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo provides an in-depth review of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Spec Series in ...
Videos - News - 2nd Amendment

Guns & Ammo Buzz: Handguns for those Under 21?

Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo provides an in-depth review of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Spec Series in ...
Other

Guns & Ammo Buzz: Introducing Keith Wood

Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo provides an in-depth review of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Spec Series in ...
Industry

Guns & Ammo Buzz: BEST OF THE 2025 SHOT SHOW

Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo provides an in-depth review of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Spec Series in ...
Handguns

Kimber's New 2K11: A High-Capacity Double-Stack 1911 Pistol

Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo provides an in-depth review of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Spec Series in ...
Handguns

Kimber CDS9: Best New Concealed Carry 1911 Handgun?

Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo provides an in-depth review of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Spec Series in ...
Handguns

Double Take of Armscor's New RIA-USA TAC Ultra & STK Series

Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo provides an in-depth review of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Spec Series in ...
Handguns

New Pistol for 2025: FN Reflex XL

Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo provides an in-depth review of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Spec Series in ...
Rifles

Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter Rifle

Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo provides an in-depth review of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Spec Series in ...
Handguns

New for 2025: Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Spec Series

Guns and Ammo Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Guns & Ammo App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Guns & Ammo stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Guns & Ammo stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use