Even in today’s world of smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, the miniaturization of technology is limited by power demand. No matter how small we can make the circuitry, the batteries still have to be of sufficient size to power the tech to an acceptable level of performance and for a respectable length of time. This outlook can be applied to all electronic accessories we use on firearms. When the Model 43 came out—a compact 9mm with a standard 6+1 capacity—Glock had to know that someone, someday would come out with a light and/or laser unit for the small handgun. Streamlight did, the TLR-6.
Before I get into the values and features, let me make the only observation I can that might be considered negative in any way. Many light/laser modules made for weapon mounting today have a very quick, easy, and convenient mounting/dismounting mechanism. It’s either spring-loaded or finger-tightened somehow and can be done with reasonable speed without tools. Not so with the TLR-6. This should not be taken as criticism. Given the amount of energy this unit has to put up with being battered by in each shot of the small but powerful handgun and given the fact that the G43 has no accessory rail (at least when I reviewed this product), the TLR-6 had to attach to the trigger guard and be robust enough to take the abuse.
Other fits are available
While I often reference the Glock Model 43 in this review, that’s only because it’s the handgun I had at hand to test the TLR-6. Streamlight makes the TLR-6 for multiple other weapons to include the Glock Models 26, 27 and 33, the S&W M&P Shield, the Kimber Micro, the Sig Sauer P238 and the Sig Sauer P365. The TLR-6 is also available for several weapons that do have an accessory rail and the weapon has to be specified when ordering the unit.
Streamlight makes a full compatibility list available online.
The laser unit is adjustable for both windage and elevation. The necessary VERY SMALL Allen wrench is provided with the unit and I suggest you be very careful when opening the package. I dropped the one that came with mine and spent some time looking for it. Oh, and don’t lose it or throw it away after you’ve zeroed your unit. There are several reasons why you might need to adjust the zero in the future from changing weapons to changing zero distance. Put it in a safe place.
The unit itself can be turned on in one of three modes, each predetermined by the setting you leave it in. The default setting on it when I received the test unit was to have both the light and the laser on. The light is turned on by touch pressure on the activation button on either side of the unit (it’s fully ambidextrous). While the unit is on, pushing BOTH buttons will change modes. You have your choice of light and laser or just light or just laser. Once you have it in the mode you desire, turn it off. When you turn it back on, it will come back on in the mode you had set before turning it off.
Given the amount of energy this unit has to put up with being battered by in each shot of the small but powerful handgun and given the fact that the G43 has no accessory rail, the TLR-6 had to attach to the trigger guard and be robust enough to take the abuse.
The TLR-6 can also be ordered with no laser if you’d prefer. It’s available for a number of Glock models as well as the S&W M&P Shield and a 1911 (no rail) in the light-only configuration. The model designed for the Glock 43 will reportedly also fit and function on a Glock 42 should you prefer the slightly smaller .380ACP version.
The published paperwork says the unit is made from durable impact-resistant polymer, IPX4 water-resistant, and is one-meter impact resistance tested. After dropping the light (attached to my unloaded, clear, and safe G43) five times from a height of 3.5 feet (just over a meter) onto the deck at the range, I reloaded and tested the weapon/light configuration. The laser was still zeroed and the light worked without issue (although it and the gun were a bit banged up).
I found multiple online retail outlet options with prices starting as low as $79ish plus shipping. For a unit this compact that delivers this kind of performance, that’s a good value.
