Browning GPDA Lights
Browning GPDA is a firearm without a rail, that means rail-mounted lights aren’t an option. But worry not, you will find out what can be done in order to enhance your performance. There is always an option, in this case it’s hand-held lights. They can seem hard to master at first, but worry not, training helps.
BEST Browning GPDA HAND-HELD TACTICAL LIGHTS
Hand-held lights for Browning GPDA are especially useful in a number of situations. If you don’t want to end up searching for a custom holster for your rail-mounted light, then the choice of hand-held lights is a great one. Do you remember all the cool cop movies, where they aimed their gun at the bad guy while at the same time illuminating him/her with a flashlight? If you do then know that this was not only a Hollywood trick.
Generally said, a tactical light is a flashlight that when used with a firearm is meant to help identify targets in a low-light environment. Although these tac lights are used mainly by law enforcement, marksmen, or military members, who are also trained to utilize them, they can also be used as handy everyday carry lights. These lights can be split in two basic categories, pistol mounted and handheld. Let’s now have a look at 4 popular hand-held options for both outdoor and tactical use, 1 budget option, as well as 1 flashlight that can also be mounted on a gun, all of which we recommend to check out.
Fenix PD35 Tac Tactical Flashlight
Fenix PD35 Tac ranks among best tactical flashlights currently available on the market. It’s a significant upgrade on its predecessor, Fenix PD35. Although the physical parameters are more or less the same - 5.4’’ (length) at 3.1 oz. (excluding the battery) – it features higher performance and offers more utility in tactical situations. The stainless steel light mode button on top of the flashlight is another important upgrade over the previous version featuring a rubberized button, so you can expect higher durability and long-lasting functionality.
The light mode button can be used to switch between the outdoor and tactical mode. The outdoor mode offers 6 different light modes, including the strobe mode, which can come in handy in sticky situations. When the button is held down for a couple of seconds, the flashlight switches to the tactical mode that offers 3 different light modes, including strobe (although implementing an extra button for switching in between outdoor and tactical mode would be better). The tactical modes can be switched through the tail switch, which makes it easy to operate when hand-held.
The flashlight is recommended to be fed by Fenix Lithium-ion rechargeable 18560 battery or two CR123A batteries. When fully charged, the turbo mode lasts up to 70 minutes at output of 1000 lumens. On the other hand, the Low mode emitting 60 lumens lasts as long as 29 hours. Although the turbo mode can’t run for long, it’s able to cover great distances (approx. 215 yards). On top of durability of the materials used, the flashlight is also waterproof. More information (Amazon)
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Pros • High durability • Stainless steel mode button • Many different light modes • Waterproofness |
Cons • Could use an extra in between outdoor/tactical switch button • Lower turbo mode battery life
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Extra tip - Streamlight 88066 ProTac HL-X
A popular option among EDC flashlights and tactical hand-held lights is the Streamlight ProTac HL-X tactical light. The physical parameters are as follows – 5.43’’ (length) and weighs 6.2 oz. This flashlight is much more compact than the previous versions and will fit your pocket just fine. It features a tail switch that lets you select between 3 different light options. Unlike its predecessor, the flashlight isn’t equipped with an USB port, however, the battery it comes with is.
The high mode output is 1000 lumens and runs roughly 90 minutes, which could be quite low compared to other lights out there. When the light is switched to medium settings, lumens decrease to 400 but last up to 3 hours. The low mode lasts the longest (approx. 23 hours) at 65 lumens intensity. The tail switch offers a ten-tap feature, which means that if you press the button down quickly 10 times, it switches to a particular mode and remains there even when you turn it off and back on. The flashlight also offers the strobe mode, which is a popular tactical feature.
Streamlight ProTac HL-X utilizes a 18650 Lithium-ion or CR123A battery. The battery of this rechargeable tactical flashlight can be charged through a USB port, although the charging time is a bit high. At high mode, the light covers distance nearly as far as 360 yards, which is one of its biggest benefits. The flashlight also comes with a nylon holster with a hook on loop on the back, so it can be carried on your even if you can’t fit it in your pockets. More information (Amazon)
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Pros • High mode beam distance • USB charging • Simple design and easy manipulation |
Cons • High mode run time • Takes quite long to recharge
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SureFire G2X Series LED Flashlights with Tough Nitrolon Body
One of the most compact flashlights out there is definitely Surefire E2D LED Defender Ultra. It’s an upgrade over the older Defender flashlight not just in the lumen output but also features a more comfortable and less slippery grip. It’s 5.2’’ long and weighs 4.5 oz. without batteries in. The flashlight doesn’t offer many modes to select from, but as it’s meant to be used mainly in self-defense situation in which time is scarce, you’ll do just fine if you get one for this purpose in particular.
The first mode it offers is the high mode. This mode boasts 600 lumens (although there are upgraded versions out there offering up to 1000 lumens). The low mode offers 15 lumens beam intensity and in this mode, the batteries will last up for many hours on end. However, 15 lumens are definitely not enough in most tactical situations, unless you need to be as discreet as possible. Because of this, most of the time you are only left with the high mode, which can seem quite unnecessary in some situations and results in the battery running out too quickly.
This flashlight comes in three different versions – pro (described above), tactical, and combat light – and you can also select from 4 different colors – Black, Desert tan, Forest green and Yellow (Amazon).
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Pros • Compact size • Great for immediate self-defense |
Cons • Only 15 lumens on the low mode • Not the best tactical option |
Olight M2R Tactical Flashlight Cree Led 1500
OLIGHT M2R Tactical Flashlight CREE LED 1500 is definitely one of the most compact flashlights out there. It’s 5.12’’ long and weighs 5.47 oz. without batteries. To start with, the design of this flashlight is really neat. It also features a magnetic tail-cap charging. However, what makes it different from most flashlights is the lumen output, which is quite extraordinary.
The light offers 6 different modes, with 1500 lumens output on high mode, lasting nearly as long as 2 hours. This lumen output makes it one of the brightest tactical flashlights on the market. The low mode utilizes 15 lumens and can run up to 70 hours. Then there is also the battery saving mode, which isn’t practical when it comes to tactical situations, as it features only 1 lumen, but it lasts up to 25 days, so it can work as a very handy everyday carry flashlight.
OLIGHT M2R has a very comfortable grip. It’s fueled by a 18650 Lithium-ion battery or 2 CR123A batteries. Compared to other lights out there, the approximate 227 yards beam distance isn’t much, but as stated before, it compensates for this with the light intensity and battery longevity. The USB recharge feature is another bonus. More information (Amazon)
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Pros • 1500 lumens on high mode • Magnetic tail-cap recharging • Multiple light modes |
Cons • Beam distance
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BUDGET OPTION - GearLight S1000 (2 Pack)
GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight S1000 is a great budget option for everyone who needs to use a light with their handgun. Apart from being a great budget option, it’s definitely more compat than most flashlights, as it’s mere 3.9‘‘ long and weighs only 0.16 oz., so you won’t even notice you are carrying it.
This light offers 5 different light settings, starting with the high mode, which emits 1000 lumens and lets you see as far as 1000 feet (333 yards) away. Then you can opt between the medium, low, strobe, and SOS mode. As you might have figured, the SOS mode light works as a morse code and it‘s something you would hardly look for with other brands. Apart from featuring multiple modes, the bezel can be extended for zoom, which enhances the beam distance.
So if your budget is limited, the GearLight S1000 (2 Pack) is your go to option and currently one of the best tactical flashlights offer on Amazon. The packaging includes 2 GearLight S1000 flashlights, 2 AAA battery holders (batteries not included), 2 battery tubes, 2 lanyards (hand straps), 2 holsters, 1 operational guide, and a warranty card. More information (Amazon)
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Pros • 2 flashlights at extremely affordable price • Great beam distance • SOS mode |
Cons • Doesn’t come with batteries
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A Perfect EDC Addition to Browning GPDA
A flashlight can easily fit in your pocket and become a part of your EDC and you can use the benefits of it only in the time of need. There is also no need of getting used to a different weight of your handgun, as a rail-mounted flashlight puts additional weight on the barrel and might affect your aim. And if you just need to light your path in a dark alley or forest you don’t have to draw your weapon and be, well, be the guy that uses his gun as a flashlight.
But beware that hand-held lights require practice. If you find yourself in a high stress or tenuous situation, having something that requires grace and skill is not exactly ideal. For people who have a lot of practice, there can be a preference for a hand-held light as you have more flexibility in where you can aim it and still have your weapon pointed at a target.
7 TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR Browning GPDA ACCURACY
Have you ever wondered how to improve your aim and accuracy with your Colt Agent? You can find it out below, but beware, there is some physics involved. Each firearm has a specific weight. This is the weight in your hand. Now add the weight that is needed to fire your Agent and you have an equation where these are compared. Let’s say that your firearm weighs 2 pounds and the trigger finger force is 12 pounds for the first shot and 5 pounds for subsequent shots. This means the force is more than the weight and we are getting to the conclusion - the gun will move. if the gun moves during the firing sequence, the shot will impact somewhere other than where it was originally aimed. This is a pretty simple concept. But how do you solve the problem? The answer is easy. Press the trigger and don’t pull it. This will end up in not moving your gun and this improving the aim. The best practice to learn it is dry fire practice.
7 [Easy] Browning GPDA Dry Fire Practice Steps
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Step 1: Remove all ammunition from your gun.
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Step 2: Move the ammunition away from your practice area.
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Step 3: Choose a safe target and backstop.
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Step 4: Focus on your front sight!
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Step 5: SLOWLY PRESS the trigger.
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Step 6: Follow through!
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Step 7: Reset if necessary depending on your gun type.
Tactical light training books
One of the key things to remember is regular and repeated practice. Browning GPDA laser training is best practiced while being supervised by a professional, be it on the range or anywhere else. If you can’t afford a specialist you can always find good resources in books. Tactical training books and how to’s are one step in your way of training. Yes, you can find loads of articles online, but a book is tough to beat.
Own the Night: Selection and Use of Tactical Lights and Laser Sights
This book covers the basics of handgun light training. It is an almanac for every responsible gun owner that wants to improve their aim with a light. The book covers the instructions very well, but you have to pay attention that it was published in 2009 so some of the technical and model-specific information may be outdated.
Lights for Browning GPDA
When you find yourself in a dark environment along with your Browning GPDA, it’s good to have an option of lighting the area around you. You can have more options with lights for your handgun. Either a handheld or a gun mounted one. Each of which have their pros and cons and vary in shape, batteries and lights. Check article below about light options for your Browning GPDA.