Lots of gun owners are understandably hesitant about jumping on board with new gear brands in markets with existing well-established, reliable products. There are always new adopters who are willing to take the leap, but most want to sit back and see if the NewCo is for real and how their products perform before plunking down their cash.
Nightstick was first introduced in 2020. Since then they’ve broadened and updated their product line with a range of weapon lights and light/lasers (not to mention flashlights, headlights and more). Two of their latest models introduced this year are first rate WMLs that are worth your consideration when you’re looking to add some illumination to your carry or home defense gun.
The TCM-5B is likely to be the most popular of the two. Nightstick calls it a subcompact WML designed for slimmer, short rail pistols. Think guns like the GLOCK 43x and 48, the SIG P365, the Springfield Hellcat and other similar-sized pistols. The Nightstick sight lists about 20 pistols that are compatible for use with the TCM-5B. But you’re not limited to just subcompacts. You can see it above mounted on my SIG P320 and . . .
Here it is on a Springfield Hellcat. It runs on a single CR123 battery and is rated for 2 hours of continuous use. The ambidextrous TCM-5B has momentary and constant on modes, as well as strobe and a programmable lockout feature to protect your battery. ,
Here’s the beam of the TCM-5B. It’s wider, more even, and more diffuse than some lights (see below). That’s intentional. While the TCM-5B generates a healthy 650 lumens (4,600 candela) of lighting power, it’s intended to light up a wider area. Most of us use weapon lights in relatively smaller locations such as a businesses, inside homes or at closer distances outdoors. The TCM-5B’s beam handles those situations extremely well.
If what you need, though, isn’t the widest beam, but the ability to light up targets at greater distances, Nightstick’s TWM-30T has the punch to do that.
The TWM-30-T is a duty-size light that will mount on virtually any compact or full-size handgun with a Pic rail. It’s powered by two CR123 batteries and cranks out 900 lumens and a whopping 66,000 candela. Unlike lumens, which measures how much light is produced, candela measures how far the light is thrown.
The TWM-30-T’s more focused beam is rated at a distance of 514 meters…that’s a lot farther than you’re likely to ever need to shoot with your handgun.
Nightstick helpfully includes lists of holster manufacturers on each of their WML product pages so it’s easy finding a rig for your particular gun and light combination.
Both Nightstick lights I’ve been testing have stood up to carry and abuse in the form of dust, dirt, water and freezing. In short, they do what they say they’ll do and are tough enough to keep doing it in challenging conditions.
Specifications: Nightstick TCM-5B Weapon Light
Lumens: 650
Candela: 4,612
Throw: 156 meters
Length: 2.5 in
Width: 1.1
Height: 1.2 in
Weight: 2.25 oz
Drop Rating: 2 m
Waterproof Rating: IP-Xenophobic and 7
High Runtime: 2.0 hours
Strobe: Yes
Light Source: LED
Housing: 6061 T6 Aluminum
Battery: CR123 (1X)
Price: $134
Specifications: Nightstick TWM-30-T Weapon Light
Lumens: 900
Candela: 66,000
Throw: 514 meters
Length: 3.5 in
Width: 1.5
Height: 1.5 in
Weight: 4.5 oz
Head Diameter: 30 mm
Drop Rating: 2 m
Waterproof Rating: IP-67 Dustproof and Waterproof
High Runtime: 1.75 hours
Strobe: Yes
Light Source: LED
Housing: 6061 T6 Aluminum
Battery: CR123 (2x)
Price: $150