Streamlight TLR-7A Review (Worthy Light)

It puts out 500 lumens at peak brightness all while pushing 5,000 candela, and will run for 90 minutes on a single CR123A battery.

Another great thing about this weapon light is that it isn’t overpriced and can be purchased at a reasonable price.

The TLR-7A is extremely small and lightweight, making it a perfect choice for concealed carry and self-defense.

My Experience

This is a compact light designed for everyday carry and CCW. The smaller and lighter size of the light is a trade-off for brightness and performance.

How much do you really need though? I think the TLR 7A is more than bright enough for most people and is easier to use and carry because of its smaller size.

Using this I never felt light I couldn’t see far enough or never had trouble with being not bright enough to clearly see objects.

I prefer the dimensions of this pistol light and I think the weight savings and price savings are worth it compared to a larger light with a more focused beam.

If you want a full-duty grade light this might not be it, but ask yourself, do I really need that for my concealed carry or my home defense?

The Streamlight TLR-7A is a worthy light that will serve most people well.

Holster Compatibility

The 7A is a popular light and the updated version of the TLR-7. There are quite a few holster companies that make molds of popular pistols with this light and it is a common setup.

You shouldn’t have any issues ordering a holster with your specific gun and this light combo.

Also, because of the overall shorter length of the TLR-7A, the light is flush with the end of the muzzle giving you even more holster options.

Downsides

Not all lights are perfect and like I said earlier there is always a trade-off. For all the gains of being light and smaller, you do lose capability.

If you are looking for a strictly home defense gun or a duty light then I would suggest the TLR-1 HL or even the Olight Valkyrie PL Turbo if you are on a budget.

The TLR-7A is a great light for carry and everyday use. It can still work as a home defense gun or a duty light but there are other options that will perform those roles better.

This light has a limited range and is strictly designed for pistols.

For a general-purpose pistol light, the TLR-7A will work great.

Price

This light is fairly priced and slightly cheaper than some other popular lights on the market. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $250 but the real price is a lot less.

The links below will have the best current prices.

Performance

The 500-lumen and 140-meter beam distance will let you see and identify a target at that distance and even slightly beyond that distance.

The 1.5-hour runtime on a single CR123A battery is great. It gives plenty of time for use in a real situation which I would say is concealed carry.

This is now a common battery that is easy to find and readily available, you will most likely have other accessories that run on this same battery.

It’s very bright which is impressive for only being about 1.5″ long and weighing only 2.5 oz.

Is It Worth It?

Ask yourself what purpose you need a pistol light for and if you said concealed carry, this is a good choice.

It’s a well-built pistol light that is reliable and bright at close range. Exactly what a pistol is designed for and the flush fit with the muzzle is great for carry.

TLR-1 HL vs TLR-7A

Another light that people would consider getting is the TLR-1 HL. That light is older than the 7A and has been considered the best overall light for handguns by many people. You can see the full review of that pistol light Here.

To learn more about pistol lights and see which are the best ones, check out our Best Pistol Light article, which lists other great options.