Switches for your Weapon Mounted Light
I love the option of having a pistol mounted light on my carry pistols. What I don’t love is worrying about whether I can get that light switched on in a hurry. Depending on the pistol that the light is mounted on, I frequently run into the problem of reach. (It’s not like I have tiny Trump hands either. Besides, everyone knows it’s not the size of your digits, it’s how you use them.)
If I’m trying to grip a a full sized pistol like an XDM Elite one-handed, I have to move my grip to reach the flashlight paddle. The solution sounds easy-peasy; just use a two-handed grip and use my support hand to turn the flashlight on or off. But what happens If I have to pick something up? Or steady myself with the support hand, or am injured in my support hand?
So: I can’t feasibly stretch my fingers. How about, instead of me going to the light switch, maybe the switches can come to me? That is a fantastic idea and for about $27, I was in like Flynn. Enter the Phlster ARC WML Switches. ARC stands for A REALLY BIG SET OF CONTROLS, but don’t fact check me on that. What I do know is that Phlster has their stuff together. Even during the pandemic, they had my order shipped by the next business day, with multiple emails keeping me informed with things like tracking numbers.
I believe both the Surefire TLR-1 and X300 are arguably some of the best lights made, so I ordered the Surefire option and what I got in the mail reminded me of the plastic pieces when I built models as a kid. The mold tree held three pairs of paddles in Large, XL and XL blank. Each is larger than the factory Surefire switch paddles, with two of them coming in aggressive texturing. One of the XL paddles is a blank smooth canvas for you to get your creative on. They are made to be carved, modified or stippled to fit the user’s needs.
To install the new switch paddles, you will have to remove the factory switches. On the Surefire X300 you just have to pull and slide the old ones off, revealing two metal tabs. Pick your new size paddle for each side (they are marked left or right) and slide them back on the metal tabs. If you are worried about them falling off, just add a dab of adhesive like red Locktite before you slide them onto the metal tabs. Boom—literally less than a minute, and I was able to accomplish one of the best mods for my CCW.
I really cannot stress to you how great this mod is for your pistol-mounted light. Sometimes things can seem like a gimmick, but these extended paddles really do solve a problem. The larger longer paddles make it easier to use the flashlight. It does not matter if I am shooting one- or two-handed, strong or weak side. My fingers can reach and easily manipulate the light now. Come winter, the texture will grab onto my gloves, requiring less dexterity to use.
Don’t let my description of the size scare you. These are not gargantuan switches that will require you to change your holster. These switches should fit into almost every light-bearing holster made to carry Surefire or Streamlight pistol lights. Also don’t forget that these are also good for a weapon light mounted on your long gun as well. I used my second set of XL Smooth paddles for my AR mounted x300. I don’t like having wires running all over the hand guard, so I never installed anything like a tape switch. The new larger paddles make rifle use of the X300 easier to use as well.
You might be tempted to ask, why not just use a pistol grip switch for the X300? And yes, those switches are awesome—unless you want to use the pistol light on more than one weapon. At $125 apiece, the Surefire Grip Switch gets expensive fast. The second thing is that just by gripping the pistol you activate the light, unless you loosen your grip. The Arc Paddles are cheaper, fit every holster I could find, and will work with every pistol the X300 will mount to. (Bonus! I don’t have to change my grip…ever.)
I know I am not the only one who can benefit from the Phlster Arc Switches, they make your life easier. If you have ever had to reach to activate your pistol light, stop what you’re doing and just order a set, you will thank me later. The performance you get from weapon-mounted lights can give you the edge when you are trying to solve that Scooby Doo mystery at night.
https://www.phlsterholsters.com/shop/arc-enhanced-wml-switches/
