Can anyone here confirm whether a TP9SFx with a Streamlight TLR-9 light mounted on it is legal for USPSA Carry Optics division?

I know that a working light is allowed. And I know that the weight of the light will not take my gun over the division weight limit.

I'm just wondering if the light makes the overall package too long or too wide, or something like that.

I'm new to shooting both USPSA and IDPA. Going back and forth reading the rules, it is easy to get myself confused about which is which. Looking at the USPSA rules, I don't think there is any problem with what I'm suggesting. I'm just asking here for double secret confirmation.

If there is no problem with the size of the light, then I guess should also ask:

Is there any other light anyone knows of that would add more weight than the TLR9 to the front of the gun?

I know about the Lok light and, well, I just can't go there. I am not above exploiting the rules to maximum personal advantage, but I want to keep it SOMEWHAT real. I MIGHT actually find a TLR-9 useful in real life. A Lok light would be purely gaming for the sake of gaming and I don't care to go there. I would do a TLR-9 with one real battery and one tungsten slug, for matches, but at least the light would still be fine (with batteries) in it for real life usage.

So, anyway... blah blah blah.... Is there any other light I should consider (that is a legit light) that would add more weight than the TLR-9?

StuartV wrote: ↑Wed Mar 02, 2022 11:39 am I'm just wondering if the light makes the overall package too long or too wide, or something like that.

Nope, not that I know of. But I will say the only people I have seen using a light are LEO's. They are shooting their service firearm, so they use the light.

LT USN (Ret.) wrote: ↑Wed Mar 02, 2022 4:00 pm

StuartV wrote: ↑Wed Mar 02, 2022 11:39 am I'm just wondering if the light makes the overall package too long or too wide, or something like that.

Nope, not that I know of. But I will say the only people I have seen using a light are LEO's. They are shooting their service firearm, so they use the light.

I think the only exceptions in the rules for military or LE are allowance of using holster rigs that are their duty rigs. I don't think the actual guns get any exceptions or exemptions.

I was thinking @mildot might have an idea as the idea for the light came from seeing his rig that he posted in a guide rod thread.

LT USN (Ret.) wrote: ↑Wed Mar 02, 2022 4:00 pm

StuartV wrote: ↑Wed Mar 02, 2022 11:39 am I'm just wondering if the light makes the overall package too long or too wide, or something like that.

Nope, not that I know of. But I will say the only people I have seen using a light are LEO's. They are shooting their service firearm, so they use the light.

Also, a light would require me to also buy a new holster. I priced out a Red Hill Tactical. So, between the light and the holster, I would be looking at a pretty fat chunk of change (>$400). Even if it is totally legal for the CO division, I'm really not sure when or if I would actually shell out the money. That's most of the way to buying a new Rival and I think I might rather have that... (and then I would need new TF bits, a new guide rod, and maybe another optic, so....)

To answer the question: yes it is legal, at least for now. There are people running for USPSA President that I think intend to do away with that rule. Also, and not that it needs to influence you but running a light is sort of like a poser thing right now. It's funny because USPSA competitors really do look for every gamer advantage but the lights seem to be looked at as, I don't know, just looked down upon. Like I said, you don't really need to care about that though. The bigger thing is that you could invest in a light, heavy batteries, and a holster only for them to pull the rug out from under you and reverse the new rules that made that stuff legal.

FiveDigit wrote: ↑Sun Mar 06, 2022 9:28 pm To answer the question: yes it is legal, at least for now. There are people running for USPSA President that I think intend to do away with that rule. Also, and not that it needs to influence you but running a light is sort of like a poser thing right now. It's funny because USPSA competitors really do look for every gamer advantage but the lights seem to be looked at as, I don't know, just looked down upon. Like I said, you don't really need to care about that though. The bigger thing is that you could invest in a light, heavy batteries, and a holster only for them to pull the rug out from under you and reverse the new rules that made that stuff legal.

Thank you for the thoughts on that. I have not bought a light or ordered a holster.

I am just shooting my 2nd ever USPSA match this coming weekend. So, while I really don't give a rip about how people look at it, I'm holding off for now because I feel like I have a LOAD of room for improvement without spending that money. If I get to a point where I think that extra weight on my gun might actually make an important difference, well... that's why I am looking around and asking questions now - so I'll have an idea of options for what I CAN do.

At this point, I know I'm going to be somewhere in the bottom of the pack, with a light or not, and I don't see any reason to buy a light and a new holster, just to move up from last to (maybe) next to last. LOL

Insight on what is coming is great, though. If I DO get to thinking about going ahead on a light and holster, by then maybe elections will have happened and the writing will be easily visible on the wall that I shouldn't bother.

I shoot a lot of USPSA. Only a handful of CO shooters use lights on their guns, and none of the top guys. So, yes the light is legal but rarely used. The guys that do use the lights tend to be “tactical” shooters

There is a pretty good video posted by the Humble Marksman on YT. It summarizes the positive and negative effect of running a light in USPSA.

I have used my SFX in USPSA with a TLR1 (full heavy components from guide rod to mag extensions), I didn't find it to make a difference for my level of shooting. It was balanced enough without it.

I've used my g45 for IDPA and its a toss up between Rival and Glock for that side, I just have many more hours behind a glock and it works for me. The Rival will replace my X5 Legion for the foreseeable future in USPSA as I send my Sig back to them to fix a bent ejector. I would say if I was strapped for cash and couldn't afford anything else I would shoot the SFX.

I think the point being is that you are better off spending the money on training and practicing rather than lights and holsters. Footwork, transitions and time are way more important than shaving a point here and there in accuracy (assuming a light makes you incrementally more accurate). I am looking at people who had way more Mike's and Charlie's than me but they are significantly faster and crush me in scoring.

Just my 2 cents

SFXowner wrote: ↑Tue Mar 15, 2022 8:57 am I am looking at people who had way more Mike's and Charlie's than me but they are significantly faster and crush me in scoring.

Amen to that for me too. Had a 95% "A" hits for a match and was still middle of the pack. Fast, I will never be but it sure is fun anyway.

LT USN (Ret.) wrote: ↑Tue Mar 15, 2022 6:26 pm

SFXowner wrote: ↑Tue Mar 15, 2022 8:57 am I am looking at people who had way more Mike's and Charlie's than me but they are significantly faster and crush me in scoring.

Amen to that for me too. Had a 95% "A" hits for a match and was still middle of the pack. Fast, I will never be but it sure is fun anyway.

I have a bum leg from a vascular injury. I'll never be fast but you're right, its so enjoyable. I did wreck last night indoors on the second stage, not sure if I slipped on a casing or just the slick floor but at least I was able to keep the gun pointed down range, got up, finished the stage and the match.

Very interesting being I’m an older guy and would like to try some competitive shooting. One thing I’ll say for sure is if you use your gun for both home defense and competitive as I plan on doing, and use a light due to the home defense part, you should absolutely use it in competition, too. Qualify and practice with what you carry was drilled into us (oftentimes required) by range instructors throughout my LE career, and it absolutely makes sense.