{"id":412812,"date":"2024-01-17T13:00:36","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T19:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/?p=412812"},"modified":"2025-10-08T15:36:29","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T20:36:29","slug":"best-low-profile-long-gun-lights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/best-low-profile-long-gun-lights\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Low Profile Long Gun Lights"},"content":{"rendered":"

The modern world of weapon lights has both grown and shrunk. Everyone is either trying to squeeze as much power as possible in low profile lights or not fearful to up the ante with massive lights that pack massive power. Today, we are talking all about low profile lights. Great big lights are a dime a dozen, but what about little lights for long guns?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Low Profile Lights?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

What\u2019s the point of a great big light on a little bitty gun? I think it\u2019s funny to shove an OWL on the littlest 9mm AR I have, but is it really necessary? Low profile lights work best with small guns. Small guns are often designed to be lightweight and small, so the less bulk and weight is beneficial. Most small long guns aren\u2019t designed for long-range use, so they don\u2019t always need the power cranked up to large light status.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Streamlight
Streamlight makes weapon mounted lights for both handguns and long guns. (Photo credit: Streamlight)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These lights are typically designed for close-range use and tend to take up very little rail space, which is great because you might not have much rail space. Low profile lights tend to integrate their controls and aren\u2019t dependent on pressure switches and clicky rear buttons. They often integrate the button a bit more seamlessly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Downsides of Low Profile Lights\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The problems with low profile lights tend to relate to their power and range. They can\u2019t pack a ton of light in most cases. They are best used at close range and work way better indoors than outdoors. Most of these low profile lights have about the same power as a handgun light \u2014 sometimes even less. Power and size will always be a tricky balance. W<\/span>ith that said, let\u2019s look at a few low profile light options for your micro-sized blasters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Best Low Profile Lights\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Crimson Trace RIG<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The <\/span>Crimson Trace RIG<\/span><\/a> integrates a forward-angled grip with a light to give you a combination of grip and light. It\u2019s quite small and clings tight to the rail body. The light can be attached to either an M-LOK or Picatinny rail, depending on the adapter in place. The light has a button integrated into the grip and there is also an option for a pressure switch if you want the button to sit above the light.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Low
The “+” button increases intensity up to 500 Lumens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You can also configure the grip for right or left-hand dominance. Both control options are intuitive. The RIG uses rechargeable proprietary batteries, and you can hot-swap the batteries without having to remove the grip from the gun. It\u2019s a clever system and needed since the light only runs for about an hour.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The RIG has a 500-lumen light, which isn\u2019t a ton in the modern era. It\u2019s certainly an inside-the-house light. The design throws the beam wide rather than far, which gives vision-filling light indoors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Viridian 4LUX\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I first got hands-on with the <\/span>Viridian 4LUX<\/span><\/a> this year. I\u2019ll admit I didn\u2019t have a whole lot of faith in the system. I was happily proven wrong. The 4LUX is another light integrated into an angled grip, but it\u2019s even smaller than the RIG. What made me think the light wouldn\u2019t be worth a dang was the tiny reflector. It looked like a camera flash.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Viridian
The 4Lux fits seamlessly on an M-LOK rail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then I hit the go button and the light sprung to life. It throws a mere 400 lumens of light, but makes use of every single lumen. At least indoors, the light worked quite well. It really filled in a room and sent a bright light to every corner and crevice surprisingly well. Outdoors, light performance suffered. However, up close and personal, you can\u2019t hide from it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also fairly affordable. The integrated button makes operation easy. The grip portion is very nice and allows you to really pull the gun back and into your shoulder. The 4LUX is surprisingly nice, and I was happy to be wrong about it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Streamlight TL RM2<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Streamlight has had a lot of success with the TLR-7 light and body design; so much so, they\u2019ve expanded it into several different lights. One dedicated long gun option is the <\/span>TL RM2<\/span><\/a> series. This low profile rifle light comes in a short and long variety. The RM2 is the longer, more powerful, option with 1,000 lumens.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Streamlight
A light allows you establish positive ID, regardless of the lighting conditions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It comes with a Picatinny mount and mounts much like a handgun light, but the rear end comes with a more rifle-like design. The big rear button is on a ramp that\u2019s easy to engage. Hidden below that big button is also the option for a pressure switch. It\u2019s surprisingly well thought out and perfect for smaller guns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The power is what you expect from a company like Streamlight. It\u2019s respectable with great indoor performance and decent outdoor power. The TL RM2 is one of the most ergonomic options and can be mounted to the side, bottom, or even top of some guns. It fits low enough to work with AR height optics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Inforce WMLx Gen 2\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Inforce was the master of low profile rifle lights for years. While Streamlight and Surefire focused on tube-shaped lights, they studied the wedge. Their lights utilize a wedged, ramp-like design that integrates a simple, easy-to-press button. It\u2019s huge and designed for thumb activation on the fly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Inforce
The Inforce is one of the classic low profile lights with a built-in button option.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The <\/span>WMLx Gen 2<\/span><\/a> is an 800-lumen light with 10,000 candela. It works well indoors and does pretty decent outdoors. The beam won\u2019t need a magnified optic like an OWL, but you aren\u2019t restricted to near pistol ranges with it. The integrated mount and design make it easy to mount to a variety of rail locations, including across the top rail.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Inforce has drawn some flak in the past for their polymer designs, but the latest gen two series seems a good bit tougher. We\u2019ve seen them mounted to Navy Special Warfare Noveskes, and they seem to hold up in that outfit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Modlite PDW350\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The most traditional low profile light is also the most powerful. The Modlite PDW350 is made for the shorties out there. PDW stands for personal defense weapon, which typically means a small, easy-to-use weapon. The light is made up of a PLHv2 head, PDW body, and simple tail mount clicky button.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Low
The Modlite PDW350 is the most powerful weapon light on this list.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The mount is very low profile and hugs your rifle like a drunk aunt at Thanksgiving. The light is under short at less than four inches with the standard rear cap. The light weighs 5.5 ounces and still blasts more light than most full-sized rifle lights.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With Modlite in the name, we know we’re getting an uber-powerful option \u2014 1,350 lumens with 54,000 candela. It\u2019s crazy bright and provides a ton of light indoors and out. This thing cuts through the darkness without issue, overpowers other lights, and gives you unbeatable power in a very small package.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep It Low Profile\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Low profile lights provide low profile guns with the power needed to establish positive identification without adding much bulk, weight, or complication to your weapon system. Low profile lights come in tons of varieties and at numerous price points. Hopefully, you\u2019re walking away with a diverse group of options for your weapon system.\u00a0<\/span>
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