Skip to main content

Streamlight TLR Flex Series Review

Streamlight's new switch options are a game-changer for the company's TLR weapon-mounted lights and light/lasers.

Streamlight TLR Flex Series Review
TLR-9

Streamlight is always pushing forward with its products, and this year is no different. There’s a lot going on in Eagleville, Pennsylvania, and I wanted to focus on what I think is a big deal: the company’s new A-series switches.

I’ve had a TLR-8G light/green laser mounted on my bedroom gun, a Smith & Wesson M&P9 2.0 Compact, for about a year, and I’ve been happy with it except for one thing: It’s not easy for me to operate the unit’s side-mounted switch.

Streamlight-Switches-Up
TLR-8A G

I can do it, sure, but it requires readjusting my hands from a true firing grip. My wife, who has longer fingers, doesn’t have the same problem, so I’ve just trained with it to the point it doesn’t pose an issue.

Now this same light/laser is available with two new rear-mounted switches: one low and one high, both of which are ambidextrous.


Streamlight-Switches-Up
Side-Mount

They’re packaged together in the new TLR-8A G Flex ($450 suggested retail), and they’re easily changed by removing three screws on the back of the unit and swapping one switch with the other.

The company sent me a high-switch version of the TLR-8A G to try, and it turned out to be a game changer. I can easily activate the unit with my support-hand thumb or the tip of my trigger finger.

Streamlight-Switches-Up
High

Streamlight also sent the new TLR-9 Flex ($240) for use in our upcoming season of “Handguns & Defensive Weapons.” The TLR-9 is a 1,000-lumen weapon light for full-size pistols—one with a wide beam designed for clearing rooms, searching alleys and such.


I mounted it on my Springfield XD Tactical and installed the low switch on it (Flex package units come with the high switch installed). The low switch doesn’t suit my shooting style as well as the high one, but it will for some people.

Streamlight-Switches-Up
Low

The Flex package is also available for the TLR-7 and -8 (red laser), and both of these—as well as the TLR-8G— will still be available with side-mounted switches, and that make sense because plenty of people like that type of switch. Note you can’t retrofit the A rear switches onto non-A series TLRs. The new TLR-9 will be solely a rear-switch light, so there won’t be a separate A series for it.




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Handguns

Smith & Wesson Model 350 Hunting Revolver In .350 Legend

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Handguns

First Look: Taurus GX4 XL

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Handguns

A Perfect 10? The S&W M&P 10mm

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Handguns

S&W M&P Shield Plus

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Handguns

A Perfect 10? The S&W M&P 10mm

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Handguns

Beretta A1 Carry

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Handguns

First Look: Federal .30 Super Carry Pistol Cartridge

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Learn

Bad Shooting Advice

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Learn

Skills Drills - 3 Second Headshot

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Learn

Shooting from Kneeling

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Handguns

Taurus GX4

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Gear

Streamlight Wedge

Handguns Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Handguns App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Handguns subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now