SureFire X300U Review (Still Good?)
Are you ready for a high-powered pistol weapon light? The Surefire X300U is a great option and worth considering.
Here is our review to help you decide if this is the right weapon-mounted pistol light for you and your needs.
SureFire X300U Review
SureFire X300U
- 1000 lumens
- 11,300 candela
- 1.25 hours runtime
- Weight 4 ounces
- Length 3.6’’
- Durable
Price Check: Optics Planet, Palmetto State Armory, Brownells, GunMag Warehouse, Grab A Gun, Sportsman’s Guide, Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, Amazon
MSRP $359
The Surefire X300U is a bright, intense weapon light designed for pistols and compact rifles.
It is insanely bright and has a peak brightness of 1000 lumens, pushing 11,000 candela. This is an excellent mixture of power and spill to put out a nice balanced beam of light.
The spill also helps to give great situational awareness and not just a hotspot focus.
Another thing I love about the X300U is how easy it is to use and the extreme durability.
Because of its reputation and reliability, you will most likely see this weapon light on professional law enforcement and military weapons.
The ease of use is perfect for stressful situations. It has constant or momentary on that can be toggled with the paddle switch placed in front of the trigger guard on your pistol.
This light will run for 75 minutes and work longer with diminishing brightness. The X300U is a dependable and well-built pistol-mounted weapon light.
It runs more on the high end regarding price, but you definitely get a premium weapon light with the Surefire X300U.
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.
X300U Facts
The specs of this light are very impressive, and I would consider the beam pattern balanced.
A spotlight with an intensely centered hotspot is excellent for target identification, whereas a wide output without a hotspot is better for seeing more in your peripherals and situation awareness.
The X300U combines both of these features in one package. The beam distance is around 200 meters, which is plenty for self-defense and security.
Most lights will only run at peak brightness for a few seconds and then fall off the chart in lumen output. This light gradually loses brightness as the runtime is increased, making the light predictable and usable even with a low battery.
It runs on two CR123A batteries, which are now very common and affordable. They are the industry’s popular choice, so they commonly work on optics and other flashlights.
This light is better suited for full-size pistols because the body and housing are large. The size does add to the strength of the light.
The X300U is IPX7 rated, meaning it can be completely submerged in water at 1 meter for 30 minutes. So, it is outdoor worthy.
A nice feature of this light is that it comes in two colors and two mounting options.
What’s the Difference Between X300U-A and X-300U-B?
The mounting system is the only difference between the two sub-models.
The X300U-A uses the older Rail-Lock Mounting System designed for polymer-framed handguns.
The X300U-B uses the T-Slot Mounting Rail System designed for metal framed handguns and AR-15 or similar style rails.
X300U Specifications
| Peak Brightness | 1,000 lumens |
| Peak Beam Intensity | 11,300 candelas |
| Beam Distance | 213 meters (233 yards) |
| Runtime (to 10% output) | 1.25 hours |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 (1 meter at 30 minutes) |
| Batteries | 2x CR123A |
| Weight (with batteries) | 4.0 oz |
My Experience
In my experience, the Surefire X300U has performed very well. The light mounts quickly and easily and has been 100 percent reliable, which is expected.
It is bright enough to use indoors and outdoors with a balanced beam.
I have used this light for many years, and it has held up just fine. I haven’t babied it, and it has been banged off tables and counters and has some minor wear marks from holster draws.
I feel confident that this light can take extreme abuse and will always turn on no matter what.
The battery life has been great, and when I notice the light becoming dim, I replace the batteries.
You have to remove the light from your pistol to replace the batteries, which is not that big of a deal because it is easy to mount and unmount.
Overall, it has been a great light equipped to my everyday carry gun that I mostly use in winter when I wear heavier clothing.
Holster Compatibility
Regarding holster selection, you will not find a more widespread light/pistol combo setup. Most holster companies will allow you to select a model that is made to fit this light.
It is by far the most popular full-size pistol light on the market, and holster companies know this and produce many different models to accommodate this light.
The Surefire X300U wins big when it comes to holster compatibility.
Downsides
So, this light has some downsides, and it is not perfect.
First, it is larger and better suited for full-size pistols and some compacts. This is not the best choice if you have a slim-line pistol explicitly designed for concealed carry.
This is an excellent option if you have a dedicated home defense gun or a professional duty-use pistol.
Also, the battery compartment is behind the paddle switches and requires you to remove the light from your pistol to change the batteries.
This isn’t too big of a deal, and I don’t mind this, but other lights do not require removing the light from your pistol to change the batteries.
Finally, the price is the biggest downside. Surefire released this light many years ago, and it is a great, durable option that is exceptionally reliable but still overpriced.
You can buy similar lights for half the price nowadays. But if you love the brand and want the comfort of the durability, it is still worth it. If you are on a budget, check out some alternatives.
Final Thoughts
If you want one of the best pistol lights and don’t mind spending the money, the Surefire X300U is the number one choice.
It will perform great and last a very long time. It is bright, well-balanced, and reliable.
I would say it is overbuilt, but I like having the best gear available for self-defense and my family’s safety.
Even today, the Surefire X300U still holds the title of one of the best pistol lights on the market.
Surefire X300U Pros And Cons
Alternatives
The biggest competitor to the Surefire X300 is the Streamlight TLR-1 HL. These are both excellent lights, and you can’t go wrong with either of them.
The Streamlight is just as good and is slightly less expensive.
If you want a great budget option that is also a good choice for a pistol-mounted weapon flashlight, check out the Olight Valkyrie PL Turbo.
Additionally, check out my complete list of the Best Pistol Lights.
Our Take
This weapon light is a great home defense or duty pistol setup package. It has a long track record and history of being the strongest and most durable light on the market. The 1000 lumens is extremely bright, and it is a good balance of spill with a medium tight hotspot in the center. If you want extreme reliability it’s worth the money.
MRSP $359
| Best For | Professional Duty Use |
| Brightness | 1000 Lumens |
| Range | 213 Meters |
| Battery Life | Up To 75 Minutes |
Price Check: Optics Planet, Palmetto State Armory, Brownells, GunMag Warehouse, Grab A Gun, Sportsman’s Guide, Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, Amazon
SureFire X300U FAQ
What’s the difference between the Surefire X300U-A and the X300U-B models?
The mounting system is the only difference between the two sub-models. The X300U-A uses the older Rail-Lock Mounting System designed for polymer-framed handguns. The X300U-B uses the T-Slot Mounting Rail System designed for metal framed handguns and AR-15 or similar style rails.
How many lumens is the Surefire X300
The Surefire X300U has a peak brightness of 1000 lumens, which is very bright by industry standards.
What’s the difference between the Surefire X300 and the turbo?
The X300T, or the turbo model, has fewer lumens but more candela than the original X300U. The battery life is also extended because of this.
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