Gun Tech: SureFire's Professional-Grade Light Systems

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.

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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

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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.

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Price: $420

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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