Nightstick TCM-10 Mini-Weapon Light: Full Review
The Nightstick TCM-10 handgun light is a compact light that works great on small to mid-size handguns. But it’s not limited to those and will also work on a full-size handgun if needed. Back in the day, I used a handgun-mounted light on our tactical team at work, but that was it. Weapon lights were made for tactical applications, and handheld flashlights were the normal go-to for way too long.
We do that with a lot of gear when you really think about it. Something is developed for “tactical law enforcement purposes” and, therefore, should not be used for anything else. The truth is that optics, lights, retention holsters, hollow-point ammunition, and other gear are beneficial for home and self-defense, not just law enforcement use.
If someone is going to carry a gun, it’s preferable to have a light so they can see what they are shooting at. But then comes the inevitable question of which light you should buy. This is a fun experience for some and daunting for others. I like to shop, so looking for any new accessory or firearm is a fun experience for me. I’ll look at everything available three times before I make up my mind.
Some, however, prefer not to look at 600 lights or red dots before choosing one. So, here we are with a great option if you are in the market for a compact light made just for handguns. I’ll cover the basics and let you decide if this will be your next weapon-mounted light.
Nightstick TCM-10 Mini-Light
Although it’s not an official term by the company, I refer to the Nightstick TCM-10 and Streamlight TLR-7 as mini-lights because they are both about as small as handgun-mounted lights come. The TCM-10 is the same size as the Streamlight TLR-7 light, but it’s just a hair brighter. Operating on one CR123 battery, the TCM-10 puts out 650 lumens of light and will run for two hours. It also has two programable modes and weighs about 2.5 ounces, so it’s not even close to heavy.
Like many other handgun-mounted lights, the TCM-10 is ambidextrous and uses two paddle-style power switches. You can program the light using these switches, which allow a strobe and “battery-safe mode.” To turn on the strobe feature, press both buttons five times quickly (less than one second per press).
On the fifth press, the light will blink and turn off. The strobe function is now enabled. To use the strobe, press either power button once quickly, then hold down on the second press. The light will strobe while you are holding down on the power button and turn off when you let go.
Battery-safe mode prevents the light from accidentally turning on and going dead, which is great when storing or transporting the light. To activate this feature, press and hold both buttons simultaneously for three seconds. After the light blinks, it will turn off, and the power buttons will no longer turn it on. To exit battery-safe mode, repeat this process, and the light will turn back on.
Features
- LED technology
- Ambidextrous rear-facing toggle switches
- Momentary or constant-on flashlight
- User-programmable strobe & battery-safe modes
- Aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum housing
- Type III hard anodized finish
- Sharp, focused beam rated at 136 meters
- Waterproof
- Impact & chemical resistant
- Serialized for personal identification
- 1 CR123 battery (included)
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
Adaptable to Different Gun Sizes
Picatinny rails on handguns have one or more notches to which the light can attach. This notch is not in the same location on all guns, causing it to fit incorrectly or not at all on some models. To overcome this, most lights have some type of adaptor or insert. The TCM-10 comes ready to fit on a Glock or similar-style rail.
It also comes with four other inserts and two extra screws for mounting them. Some adaptors/inserts are a little tough to switch out and require taking the entire rail mount apart. Nightstick kept it simple, however, and made their inserts a little bit like an optic adaptor plate. The square plate is held on with four screws, and the process of changing it is very simple.
Using these inserts, I was able to attach the TCM-10 to a variety of handguns without any issues. I put the light on a Glock 19, G43, FN Reflex, CZ P-10, Sig M17, Walther PDP, and Grand Power Q1. I’m guessing it will fit on just about any railed handgun using one of the five inserts.
How durable is the TCM-10 light?
Nightstick has the TCM-10 light listed as IPX-7 rated, which means it can be submerged up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. I decided to test it out. I filled up a glass of water and left it for a little over an hour. This isn’t 1 meter, but if it holds water out for an hour, I’m a happy camper. After an hour, the light was still running, and it didn’t appear that any water was leaking in. I checked inside the battery compartment for moisture and didn’t find any.
On other occasions, I’ve thrown optics, lights, and lasers in the dryer or dropped them to test their durability. I was heading to the range anyway, so I put the TCM-10 on my 10mm Sig and fired a few magazines out of it instead. Guns with heavy recoil will often move the battery in a light or optic just enough that it disconnects momentarily. After several mags, I was convinced this would not be an issue with the TCM-10 light.
A great light for a great price
To load the battery on the Nigtstick, you simply unscrew the light’s head. Mounting it to a gun requires a small, flat screwdriver, but I was able to use a quarter to tighten the light to the rail. The TCM-10 retails for $139.99, which is a great price for a quality light. If you want a laser as well, Nightstick offers the TCM-10-GL, which comes with a green laser under the light.
There isn’t really anything to complain about with the TCM-10, and it would be a great addition to any CCW or home defense weapon. The switches are easy to press, and they are in the perfect place to use without adjusting your grip on the gun. The next time you’re in the market for a new handgun-mounted weapon light, check out the Nightstick TCM-10.
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