Source: cylinder-slide.com
You’ll hardly find a handgun more iconic than the M1911 (often referred to as Colt Government). After all, this hammer-fired, recoil-operated, semi automatic pistol has been around for more than 100 years and you can find it on many lists of the most popular handguns even in 2022.
Not only is the 1911 one of the most reliable firearms ever produced, it’s also a highly modular pistol, which means there’s lots of ways to customize it to your liking. You can get custom grips, alternative sights, muzzle attachments, and many more. However, when it comes to 1911s with rail, the first attachment you should definitely get is a tactical light or laser. That’s why I’ll take you through the best 1911 lights and lasers.
Top 5 Tactical Lights & Lasers for 1911 pistols
Improving the accuracy and target acquisition of your 1911 is the main reason why you should get a 1911 flashlight or laser. However, getting the best tactical light for 1911 handguns isn't the only thing you'll need. If you end up getting one of the 1911 lights or lasers on our list, you'll also need a proper 1911 light holster. Also, keep in mind that our list only includes rail-mounted 1911 lights and lasers, which means they'll only work if your 1911 comes with an accessory rail, which allows quick and easy attachment of your 1911 light or laser.
Let’s kick this off with a 1911 tac light by Streamlight, the world’s most trusted tactical light and laser brand. After all, their Streamlight TLR-1 is probably the most popular weapon-mounted light ever made. By default, the light boasts 1000 lumens that can be cast at a distance of over 280 meters. When in constant mode, the 1911 Streamlight TLR-1 will run for more than 90 minutes.
The light is IPX7 waterproof, impact and shock resistant and it’s made of durable aluminum with anodized finish, which means it will last you for ages. On top of that, the light comes with a number of different keys, which means you’ll be able to use it for many other handguns, not just your favorite M1911.
- Super durable construction
- Shock and impact-resistant lens
- Incredible power output of 1000 lumens
- 283 meters beam distance
- Runtime of over 90 minutes (constant mode)
- Fully waterproof to 1 meter (for 30 minutes)
- Ambidextrous momentary/steady on/off switch
- Powered by two 3-volt CR123 lithium batteries
- Available in black, FDE, and FDE brown colors
- High power output
- Decent price for a Streamlight
- Resistant to all sorts of conditions
- Doesn’t come with a laser
- Can get a bit too hot
OLIGHT’s products have recently become as popular as lights by Streamlight or SureFire, and that says something about their quality, right? That’s why their Baldr S for 1911 pistols comes second on our list. The light’s performance is 800 lumens, which is a bit less than TLR-1, but still sufficient for most scenarios.
A huge benefit of this light is that the LED comes with a green beam of class 3R, which means it’s pretty much a 1911 light/laser combo. Another great feature is that this light is fully USB rechargeable, so you don’t have to worry about extra batteries. Also, its runtime is more than 140 minutes (when fully charged), which is more than other lights offer. On top of that, you can switch to the 100 lumen mode, which will let you save a lot of battery life.
- Super durable construction
- Shock and impact-resistant lens
- Power output of 800 lumens
- Comes with a class 3R green beam
- Runtime of over 140 minutes (constant mode)
- Battery saving mode - 100 lumens
- Dual ambidextrous switches for smooth momentary-on or constant-on activation
- Built-in 3.7V 380mAh lithium polymer battery (takes 80 minutes to charge)
- Fully USB rechargeable
- Available in black, desert tan
- Comes with a green beam
- Battery saving mode
- USB rechargeable
- Green beam eats a lot of battery
Hold on ... don't forget to get yourself a light-bearing 1911 holster!
Before we move on to the rest of the flashlights and lasers for 1911 handguns, you should check out these light 1911 holsters, provided you want to get a light-bearing 1911 holster with a perfect fit for both your 1911 pistol and tactical light/laser.
Saying that SureFire is among the world’s leading tac light and laser brands and not including any of their products on the list of best tactical lights for 1911 pistols would be rather silly, right? That’s why I’d like to shed a bit of light on their X300 Ultra. Just like its name suggests, this light is packing an amazing performance of 1000 lumens.
Unlike Baldr S (#2 on the list), the SureFire X300 isn’t USB rechargeable. However, SureFire is nice enough to pack you in 12 extra Surefire CR123A batteries and 3 Lightjunction battery cases. A great perk of this light (and one of the main reasons to buy it) is that the light features a TIR lens (total internal reflection). Of course, such a perk comes at some price, which is pretty much the only drawback of this 1911 tac light.
- Incredible power output of 1000 lumens
- Custom TIR lens creates smooth, far-reaching light with a larger center spot beam
- Integral ambidextrous momentary- and constant-on switching
- Attaches securely to both Universal and Picatinny accessory rails
- 12 extra Surefire CR123A batteries and 3 Lightjunction battery cases
- IPX7 Waterproof
- Made of hard anodized aluminum
- Beam distance of 213 meters
- Runtime of 75 minutes
- Comes in black and tan colors
- TIR lens
- 1000 lumens power output
- Durable and waterproof
- Lower runtime
- Price tag
Talking about the best tactical lasers for 1911 pistols, one can’t forget to mention Crimson Trace. Their CMR-206 is probably the world’s most popular green laser sight. The main reason for this is that the CMR-206 for 1911 pistols is super compact and ultra lightweight.
The CMR-206 features a 5Mw Peak, 515-532 Nm, Class 3R Visible Green Laser, which is the brightest beam allowed by law. This means the laser will serve you well even in the darkest of times. Just like the rest of lights and lasers on our list, this 1911 tactical laser also features ambidextrous controls and you can use it with any handgun that comes with a Picatinny rail.
- 5Mw Peak, 515-532 Nm, Class 3R Visible Green Laser
- Runtime of 2 hours
- Factory sighted at 50 Feet, but fully adjustable for windage and elevation
- Compact and lightweight design
- Comes in black color
- Designed to fit rail-equipped pistols, rifles and shotguns with modern accessory rail
- Lives on a single 1/3N lithium battery
- Brightest beam allowed by law
- Fits pretty much any firearm with rail
- Developed by a trusted brand
- A bit too expensive for just a laser
- Could use a bit more runtime
I’ve just shown you the best 1911 tactical lights as well as the best 1911 tac laser. That’s why the last product I’d like to bring to your attention is this great 1911 tactical light and laser combo, developed by Streamlight. The Streamlight TLR-2s not only boasts a class 3R red laser, but also the popular strobe mode, which means it’s an ideal choice for armed professionals.
The TLR-2s features a lightweight and compact design. Even though it’s super light, this tactical light is extremely durable as well as resistant to pretty much any impact or shock. Even though it’s a light and laser combo, it offers an amazing runtime of 2.5 hours. The only real drawback of this light is that it doesn’t offer as much power output as the other lights on this list.
- Resistant to all sorts of conditions
- Power output of 300 lumens
- A great combination of 1911 tac light and laser
- Features a class 3R red laser
- IPX4 waterproof
- Comes with the popular strobe mode
- Runtime of over 2.5 hours
- Fed by 2 CR123A batteries
- Comes in black color
- Strobe mode
- Features a class 3R red laser
- Runtime of 2.5 hours
- Only 300 lumens
- Not the most budget-friendly option
Conclusion - The best 1911 tac light and laser
So this was our list of the best lights and lasers for your 1911 with a tactical rail. No matter which brand you end up going for, all of these lights are quite powerful and highly reliable. But just in case you need some advice, I’d recommend #2 on our list - OLIGHT Baldr S. Not only is this light extremely powerful, it also features a class 3R green beam, a battery saving mode, and it’s USB rechargeable. On top of that, it’s quite budget friendly. If you only care about lasers, then simply get #4 on our list - Crimson Trace CMR-206 Rail Master. This is just the best 1911 tactical laser you can come across.
If you get one of these lights and lasers for 1911 pistols, you’ll surely improve your accuracy and target acquisition game. Once you do so, don’t forget to do the most essential thing - get yourself a custom 1911 light-bearing holster. Only then you’ll be all set to fight anything that lurks in the dark.