First Look: Nightstick TCM-550XL Weaponlight

by
posted on March 10, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
nightstick-tcm-550xl-weaponlight-f.jpg
Having an illumination tool mounted to your firearm can be useful for a variety of scenarios, particularly when it comes to home defense. Of course, these weaponlights have to be compact, easily mounted and intuitive to use to get the most out of the illumination capability, and that's what the Bayco Products Nightstick TCM-550XL and TCM-550XLS are designed to do, thanks to feedback from professionals across the country.

"Based on feedback from major law-enforcement agencies nationwide, we heard the need for a compact, single CR123-powered handgun weaponlight that provided intuitive rear-facing switches for easy reach and activation," said Russell Hoppe, marketing director for Nightstick. "Leveraging the robust construction and high performance of our LED-equipped TWM-350 and TWM-850XL models, we created these two new weaponlights to provide law enforcement and handgun owners [with] a smaller, lower-profile and lighter weaponlight solution for target and background identification when life depends on light."

Built with a 550-lumen LED, the Nightstick TCM-550XL features a Total Internal Reflection lens design similar to those seen on other weaponlights on the market. However, the work that went into this particular design ensures that the 550-lumen output of this light can be thrown farther, giving shooters an enhanced ability to familiarize themselves with their environment. The high output mode of this light allows users to recognize objects up to 446 feet away in darkness. What distinguishes the XLS model from the XL model of the Nighstick TCM-550 weaponlight is that the XLS model provides users with an additional strobe mode, if desired.

Each Nightstick TCM-550XL weaponlight is built with an all-aluminum housing and is certified as IPX-7 waterproof. One of the unique features found on the Nightstick lights is the addition of a bezel ring "Safe Mode," which allows users to lock out the battery during transport and storage. This prevents inadvertent bumps from turning the light on and draining the battery when not in use. The light comes with four modular rail inserts, each one designed to aid in getting a perfect fit on a range of duty pistols. Thanks to these specific inserts, handguns from more than 23 different manufacturers are accommodated in the design.

Each TCM-550XL is powered by a single CR123A battery, which powers the 500-lumen light for up to 2.5 hours. The light measures 2.5 inches long, 1.1 inches wide and weighs 2.5 ounces. The suggested retail price on the unit is $155.54.

Latest

 .458 SOCOM
 .458 SOCOM

Ammo: .458 SOCOM

It’s a bigger, badder version of Jeff Cooper’s “Thumper.”

First Look: TAG Precision Optic Plate for Kimber Pistols

Fans of the Kimber 2K11 have a new option for optics-mounting plates.

Shotguns: Cleaning Tips for Your Shotgun

Yes, even shotguns need cleaning. Here’s a quick primer on how to do it properly.

First Look: Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Lever-Action Rifle in 360 Buckhammer

Smith & Wesson's popular lever-action rifle now has another straight-walled cartridge option.

Handguns: Carry Rotation Downside

Back when I first got into the gun business in the mid-1990s, my gun-handling and shooting skills were, to put it charitably, extremely—well, let’s go with “mediocre.”

First Look: Crossbreed Lightguard Holster

Crossbreed has released a holster for pistols with attached weaponlights.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Illustrated delivered to your inbox.