Long throw from a handgun light, familiar Streamlight controls, and a hinged front cap that makes battery swaps fast. We ran the TLR-1 HP-X hard to see where it wins and where spill falls short.
What You Get: Build, Glass, and Mounting
Streamlight recently came out with their all-new multi-fuel pistol weapon light, the 1,300 lumen TLR-1 HP-X. This light’s high candela beam delivers a concentrated hotspot that reaches far beyond typical handgun distances. The hinged front cap allows fast, front-loading battery swaps without removing the light from the gun. Also, the multi-fuel design runs on either SL-B9 rechargeable battery packs or standard CR123As, giving flexibility in both output and runtime. It is longer than most pistol lights, but that added length translates directly into raw performance, and it shows the moment you press the switch.
Out of the Box Included Parts and First Impressions
The TLR-1 HP-X comes ready to hit the range. It includes both standard and extended paddle switches, giving me options to tailor the controls to my grip. The body is machined from 6000 Series aluminum with a black anodized finish, and the lens is made of impact-resistant BOROFLOAT glass with a scratch-resistant coating. The fit and finish are excellent, and the light locked up tight on my rail with Streamlight’s familiar snap on mount.
What really stood out right away was the hinged front cap. A push button on the left and a lever on the right release the head, allowing it to pivot downward for front loading battery swaps. This means I can change batteries without removing the light from the gun. A unique design choice that makes life for the end user easier.
Controls Paddles, Strobe, and Familiar Feel
The controls are intuitive and almost identical to other Streamlight weapon lights I have used. The rear paddles are ambidextrous, providing both momentary and constant on operation, and the texturing adds a bit of grip without feeling sharp. A programmable strobe mode can be enabled or disabled depending on user preference. Overall, everything worked as intended, and there is nothing here to trip up anyone already familiar with Streamlight’s control layout.
Output and Throw Real Numbers at Range
This light is all about long range illumination. Even using two CR123A batteries, which output 1,000 lumens and 53,000 candela, I was able to consistently shoot a C zone silhouette at 100 yards. The beam pattern is much tighter than the TLR-1 HL, with a pronounced hotspot that reaches far while still offering usable spill. The light never flickered during live fire, and it stayed rock solid on the rail through recoil.
While the two SL-B9 rechargeable battery packs boost output to 1,300 lumens and 77,000 candela, they also cut run time from 90 minutes to 60. Personally, I prefer the longer runtime of CR123As for a pistol light, and 1,000 lumens is already more than I need. Either way, the throw is impressive, and it gave me clear target identification well beyond typical handgun distances.
One downside is that the spill is not as bright as the TLR-7A or the TLR-1 HL. This new TLR-1 HP-X definitely wins at distance as I can see pretty well out to around 275 yards. However, at close range, I would prefer something with a brighter spill.
Performance Cold Water and Live Fire
As part of my durability testing, I submerged the TLR-1 HP-X in a container of freezing water for 30 minutes with the light turned on. It stayed illuminated the entire time, and afterward, there was no sign of water intrusion or performance loss. Despite having a hinged, front loading battery compartment, the locking system kept the internals completely sealed. The light functioned flawlessly throughout the test, reinforcing that Streamlight’s build quality and tight tolerances are fully capable of handling harsh, real world conditions.
During live fire, the Streamlight TLR-1 HP-X held up exactly as expected. It locked solidly onto the rail of my S&W Carry Comp and never shifted under recoil, even during extended strings of rapid fire. The beam stayed consistent with zero flicker or dimming, and the light never loosened or showed any signs of movement. Its performance under recoil matched its rugged build, giving me full confidence that it will stay put and stay lit when it matters.
Battery System Front Loading Speed and Multi Fuel Flex
The front-loading battery system is the HP-X’s standout feature. The hinged face cap locks up tight. It features a push button and a lever to keep it from ever being opened accidentally. Streamlight’s SL-B9 rechargeable battery packs charge via USB-C in about 2.5 hours and can be cycled up to 500 times, while CR123As offer a 10-year shelf life. The multi-fuel design gives flexibility, and swapping batteries is faster than on any other rail-mounted light I have used.
Carry and Size Length, Holsters, and Use Case
The HP-X does extend further past the muzzle than most pistol lights. It is about 3.7 inches long, and on my Carry Comp, it definitely gives off X300 vibes. That added length will likely limit holster options for concealed carry, which is why I still rely on my TLR-7A for that role. On a duty or range gun, though the size is less of a concern, the added throw may make it worth it, depending on your application.
READ MORE HERE: The Ultimate Guide to Weapon Mounted Lights
Price and Specs Quick Reference
[ga_price_button id=”[ItemID]” text=”Check Price on GunsAmerica”]
| Model | Streamlight TLR-1 HP-X |
|---|---|
| Output with CR123A | 1,000 lumens, 53,000 candela, 90 minutes |
| Output with SL-B9 | 1,300 lumens, 77,000 candela, 60 minutes |
| Batteries | Two CR123A or two SL-B9 rechargeable packs |
| Length | 3.7 in |
| Body | 6000 Series aluminum, BOROFLOAT glass lens |
| Street Price | ~$240 |
Pros and Cons Honest Takeaways
- Pros: Serious throw for handgun distances. Fast front-loading battery swaps. Runs CR123A or SL-B9. Familiar paddles. Rock solid under recoil.
- Cons: Less spill up close than TLR-7A or TLR-1 HL. Added length limits holster choices. SL-B9 trades runtime for output.
Verdict: Who Should Run the HP-X
With a street price around $240, the TLR-1 HP-X is not cheap, but it delivers serious performance. It feels nearly as rugged as a Surefire X300 while pushing more lumens and noticeably more candela. The beam easily lights up distant targets, the controls are familiar and intuitive, and the hinged battery system is a great final touch. If you want a pistol-mounted light that pushes the limits of throw and can run on either rechargeable packs or CR123As, the TLR-1 HP-X deserves a hard look.
Read the full article here
