My first ever weaponlight was a used display model of the original TLR-3. The TLR-3 was the smaller, budget-friendly light that most people have forgotten about. Streamlight has released a ton of different TLRs since, but now, a decade or two later, the TLR-3 is back as the TLR-3X.
The new Streamlight TLR-3X takes the compact, polymer light we’ve known for years and brings it kicking and screaming into the modern era. I got hand son with one at SHOT 2026, and it was a nice surprise. I really didn’t see the TLR-3 series being revived, but here we are.
The TLR-3X – It Doesn’t Suck
The original TLR-3 was a reliable but somewhat dim option, topping out at around 170 lumens. It was great at lighting up a completely dark room, but outside of perfect conditions, it kinda sucked. The lack of lumens and candela made it a poor option for modern environments.
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The TLR-3X blows that out of the water with a jump to 500 lumens and 6,500 candela. That brings it up to compact light power, but if you factor in that this is a budget light, that kind of illumination isn’t too bad. Sure, it’s not duty-ready power, but for home defense and concealed carry, it’s enough to get by.
While 500 lumens is the new standard for compact lights, it’s the multi-fuel capability that makes the X designation special. You can run it on a standard CR123A lithium battery for about 1.5 hours, or you can swap in Streamlight’s SL-B9 rechargeable battery for a one-hour runtime. This flexibility is great for high-volume trainers who don’t want to keep a literal bucket of CR123s in their range bag.
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The Three Models
Streamlight is releasing three different variants of this light to match a variety of different guns:
- Standard 1913: Fits your typical Picatinny rails on compact and full-sized guns.
- 1913 Slim: Tailor-made for the modern crop of slimline guns like the Glock 43X/48 MOS and the FN Reflex.
- P365 Model: A dedicated version that clips directly onto the proprietary Sig Sauer P365 and P365 XL rails. (Doesn’t fit XMACRO)
Ergonomics and Mounting
The TLR-3X maintains its lightweight polymer construction, keeping the weight down to a measly 2.2 ounces. For a carry gun, that’s practically invisible. Streamlight also included a new reversible clamp system on the 1913 model, which allows it to fit on both short and standard rails with a much more secure lockup.
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The switches have been updated as well. You get ambidextrous rear paddles that offer both momentary and constant-on modes, plus a user-activated strobe if that’s your thing. The standard attachment system remains the same, as with every other TLR series. It’s fast, secure, and keeps your hands away from the muzzle during installation.
For a budget optic, it looks and feels good. The controls are tactile and provide instant feedback when the button is pressed. It fires right up and shines bright with a surprisingly cool beam.
Still Tough as Nails
The TLR-3X keeps the polymer design of the older model, but that doesn’t make it fragile. It’s IPX7 rated, meaning it’s waterproof up to one meter for 30 minutes. The TLR-3X features a Borofloat glass lens that can handle the heat of extended strings of fire.
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At an MSRP of around $170, it’s a solid value for anyone who needs a high-output light that doesn’t add a ton of bulk to their carry setup. It’s great to see Streamlight giving some love to their smaller models instead of just focusing on the big boys like the TLR-1.
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