The new Nightstick TWM lights offer 350 or 850 lumens with an optional strobe feature.
Nightstick announced their new TWM (Tactical Weapon Mounted) series of weapon mounted lights.
These new lights come with the option of 350 lumens or 850 lumens in power, with an additional strobe option for either selection. The Nightstick TWM lights appear to be well-made, featuring very respectable industry features for flashlights designed for shooting and harsh conditions.
Nightstick is a brand under Bayco Products, Inc., which has been providing law enforcement, first responder, and utility lights for over 30 years. Having handled and worked with Nightstick products in the past I can attest they are quality lights that should provide excellent service.
The Nightstick TWM-850XL fits nicely on a Glock 19, with on/off controls easily manipulated.
TWM Weapon Lights
The Nightstick TWM weapon-mounted lights come in two general options: 350 lumens or 850 lumens. Both options use CREE LED lights in combinations with a deep parabolic reflector for the best light output possible. This combination has produced some of the brightest lights available on the market today.
The TWM series of lights are made with high quality, aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum, along with a quality lens to protect the LED and allow optimum light transmission. The aluminum housing is Type III hard anodized coated, providing excellent protection from scratches, weather, and even some chemical exposure.
The intuitive on/off toggle switch is ambidextrous and allows momentary or constant function.
Similar to the very popular Streamlight TRL-1 and TRL-3 series of pistol lights, the Nightstick TWM lights use an ambidextrous on/off toggle switch. This type of activation system has proven to be very intuitive to shooters, with excellent confidence in function.
Though strobe lights have been the rave for many years, the basic TWM weapon lights use a more simplistic on/off system. In several ways, this is an advantage to overly complicated multi-function lights. The on/off function can be momentary on/off by a slight manipulation of the toggle switch, or a constant on/off by a full rotation of the toggle switch to the appropriate setting. However, if you must have a strobe then Nightstick offers the TWM-350s and TWM-850XLs with the strobe option.
Though the toggle can be activated by the trigger finger, we would recommend shooters use an off-hand activation technique as their primary source of activating the light. This highly reduces the potential for the trigger finger inadvertently curling into the trigger guard and onto the trigger when activating the light. Trigger finger manipulation should still be trained but as a back-up option.
The Nightstick TWM kit comes with light, (2) CR-123 batteries, an Allen wrench, and mounting hardware.
Nightstick elected to power the TWM lights with two CR-123 Lithium batteries. These batteries have become very popular for tactical lights in the last decade, and are readily available from both box stores and internet sources. Though more expensive than traditional AA batteries, these batteries have proven to be solid producers in a variety of accessories.
The Nightstick TWM series lights come with four cross-rail inserts and mounting screws to ensure the highest compatibility with Picatinny/Weaver-style mounting rails. The Nightstick Limited Lifetime Warranty covers the housing, lens, and LED for the life of the original owner. The electronics, toggle switch, rechargeable batteries, chargers, and included accessories are warranted for 2-years with proof of purchase.
Nightstick uses a CREE LED bulb, with deep parabolic reflector to maximize light output.
TWM-850XL Features
- Aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum housing
- Type III hard anodized finish
- CREE LED technology – 50,000 + hours of LED life
- Super-bright Xtreme Lumens design
- Beam distance rated to 245 meters (803.8 feet)
- Ambidextrous toggle switch
- Momentary or constant-on light options
- Sharp focused light beam for enhanced distance illumination
- Glass-filled nylon polymer toggle switch
- IP-X7 waterproof rating
- Impact & chemical resistant
- Drop rated to two meters
- Serialized for personal identification
- Two CR-123 batteries (included)
- Optional single, rear push-button end cap
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
The Nightstick TWM series pistol lights are easily mounted, and easy to operate.
TWM-850XL Specifications
- Overall Length: 3.75 inches
- Width: 1.5 inches
- Head Diameter: 1.2 inches
- Height: 1.5 inches
- Weight: 5.4 ounces
- Light Source: CREE LED
- Batteries: two CR-123
- Flashlight lumen rating: 850
- Runtime: 1.75 hours on high
- Package Contents: Light, four sets of cross-rail inserts, four cross-rail mounting cap head screws, Allen wrench, (2) CR-123 Lithium batteries
- Optional strobe function
- MSRP: Unlisted, around $119.99
Altogether the Nightstick TWM pistol lights appear to be well made with excellent features.
TWM 350 Specifications
- Flashlight lumen rating: 350
- Beam distance rated to 215 meters (705.38 feet)
- Optional strobe function
- Optional single, rear push-button end cap
- MSRP: Unlisted, around $99.99
Final Thoughts
Nightstick produced some really good lighting products, many of which are used by first responders. The Fire Department in my city uses quite a few of their products, and I know several officers who use Nightstick products as well. I’ve heard a lot of good about the company and products in general.
The new Nightstick Tactical Weapon Mounted (TWM) lights appear to be made with high-quality materials, and end-user functionality and durability in mind. The simple toggle switch is both intuitive and easily manageable for both momentary and constant use. From what I’ve seen these appear to be lights capable of meeting the operational needs of police officers on duty or off duty.
When choosing any light for shooting, especially for an on-duty purpose, the shooter must seriously consider the brightness level. With a choice of 350 or 850 lumens Nightstick provides good options. The TWM-350 option, with 350 lumens, might be the more ideal for a pistol light, considering the reality most pistol confrontations are at much shorter ranges. The TWM-850XL option would likely be better for a rifle or shotgun, where longer engagements are more likely.