The Sig Sauer P365 and P365XL have become popular after introduction in 2018. Characterized by its slim frame and 10-15 round 9mm capacity, it is the concealed handgun of choice for many people.
However, strong light options have been lacking. Streamlight has had the 100-lumen TLR-6, and Crimson Trace has the 110-lumen LIghtguard. And yes, Sig Sauer has their own light, the Foxtrot 365, which is also at 100 lumens. While small, all 3 of these options put you right about 100 lumens.
Back in September 2020, Surefire announced their XSC line of weaponlights. Fast forward to early 2021, and there was a limited number of items produced, then supplies dried up. Even though we ordered in October 2020, we didn’t get ours. Now it’s June 2021, and we finally have our XSC. With 350 lumens (3x the best of the previous lights), a slim profile, rechargeable battery, and only 1.7 ounces, this seems like a great match for the Sig Sauer P365.
In January 2021, Streamlight announced the TLR-7 Sub as their light for the subcompact market. While this light was also not available until later, we received ours in May 2021, which was a shorter time from announcement to delivery. This light provides 500 lumens, is slightly heavier at 2.39 ounces, and uses the common CR123A battery. It’s a bit longer than the XSC, but it also seems to match up quite well.
| Spec Item | Surefire XSC | Streamlight TLR-7 Sub |
| Max Lumens | 350 | 500 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Weight | 1.7 ounces | 2.39 ounces |
| Length | 1.94 inches | 2.51 inches |
| Battery | Removable, USB Rechargeable | CR123A |
| MSRP | $329 | $225 |
| Street Price (Opticsplanet Link) | $299 | $145 |
From looking at the spec sheet, if you want the smallest and lightest light, then the Surefire XSC seems to be the way to go. But if you want higher output and a longer runtime, then the Streamlight TLR-7 Sub is your light. Let’s run these two through a series of tests to see which might suit you better.
Surefire XSC
The Surefire XSC feels small and light. The box includes the light with battery, a recharging cradle capable of holding 2 batteries (only 1 comes with the light), a USB cable, and a hex tool to tighten the light down on the rail. Installing the light is as simple as putting it on the rail of your P365 or P365XL, and using the tool to tighten it down. I rather liked the attachment mechanism. It tightens down securely, and there is no protruding screw to catch on holsters.
The rear switches press forward. While the light turns on easily, the tactile feel could be better. The buttons feel “springy” and do not feel like they have any “click” to them. Additionally, I felt the gate for momentary activation was a little long. This means that if I pressed the button to illuminate, then got off too quickly, the light stays on. Momentary activation is for the situations when you want to get on the light, gather information, then let the light turn off. All this happens quite quickly. The gate for these lights requires that I keep the switch depressed, and thus the light “on”, longer than I prefer.
The charging system is one not often used on a light this size. You remove the battery from the light, and place the battery on a charger. You might be tempted to release the battery by muzzling yourself, but we were able to find acceptable techniques to reach around and release the battery. When removed, you can press a button to see the charge status; 3 lights will show you from mostly drained (1 LED on) to fully charged (3 LEDs on). We typically were able to charge the battery with a standard computer charging port within a couple hours. I did notice that the battery didn’t seem to want to charge once when using my computer USB port; I changed to the high output power supply and it did charge in the normal 2 hour timeframe.
Once on, the light is bright. It provides good throw and a bright flood. Given the compactness of the light, I was impressed with the amount of illumination it could put downrange. To our eye, the light seems more “blue” than others. Note that Surefire advertises a 30 minute runtime; more on that in our lab tests.
This light matches up to the P365 great, and if you like rechargeable, it’s a great option with the Surefire name behind it.
Streamlight TLR-7 Sub
The Streamlight, by comparison, is larger and heavier. Using the CR123A batteries means you’ll have to change the battery every time you run it down. Given CR123A cost can be down to about $1/battery, that may not be an issue for you. It attaches to the rail via the familiar Streamlight screw attachment, which can be tightened with a coin. In our experience, a pocket prybar multitool doesn’t work very well with these slots; you’re best off to use a coin (or key head) or you’ll risk stripping the slotted head.
Switches on the Sub are good. You know when the switch is activated not only by the light output, but by the tactile and audible “click.” This light is also bright with a strong & wide flood. We think it’s a slightly warmer light than the Surefire. Streamlight advertises 1.5 hour runtime.
Outdoor Tests
We tested both lights outdoors, both illuminating a garage space, and trying to “punch through” the headlights of a vehicle pointed at us.
First up was the garage sweep. The Surefire XSC performed well, but the Streamlight performed better, providing both a hotter hotspot and a brighter flood, providing just that much more illumination where we pointed it, as well as stronger and wider illumination to see peripheral threats. The Streamlight TLR7 Sub appears to have a warmer color than the blue-ish Surefire XSC.
Both lights punched through the oncoming vehicle headlights to illuminate the headrests. The TLR-7 Sub did provide a little more illumination, but here the difference was small.
Warehouse Tests
Our warehouse tests mirrored the outdoor tests. These tests were performed at 40 feet, and compared the lights for full darkness illumination, punching through when a target points a flashlight at us, and how the lights look when being used at us (target perspective) when we have a flashlight.
For full darkness illumination, the increased brightness and improved color of the TLR-7 Sub makes the subject more visible, including details in the hands and face, as well as some difference in the flood.
We also tested with the subject shining a Modlite at the camera, and using the weaponlights to illuminate the subject. This is a hard test for any light as it has to “punch through” the opposing light to show any level of detail. And the Modlite is a particularly strong light to go against. As with the other tests, the TLR7 Sub performed better at showing details.
Range Test
Both lights seemed to perform well on the range. For the XSC, I found a high position on the switches to activate that worked for me for constant on, as well as momentary. Though I mentioned the lack of a tangible & audible “click” for the switches, I didn’t notice or care when shooting. It’s funny how a bench review impression may be irrelevant for normal use. The XSC buttons are low, but I was able to find a comfortable “high” spot to activate the light. I did shoot with it on momentary mode, but my finger slipped off after and it was somewhat uncomfortable to be pressing into the switch during recoil. I would likely need to train more to find a comfortable spot.
The sub is larger, but I didn’t notice while shooting. The switches are good and the light output is good. As with the XSC, momentary use during recoil is uncomfortable.
We switched the lights back and forth on our P365XL during the range session. Both attach securely and stay in place. I will often use the round head of a key to tighten or loosen the Sub, which is convenient. The XSC requires a specific tool, which you need to have on you to change the light out. That said, the XSC is made so it does not need to be removed for charging. I doubt most people will be switching lights as often as we do.
Lab Test: Integrating Sphere
For the first time we are using NIST Traceable and ISO17025 calibrated equipment. What that means is that our test equipment is accurate and the numbers may be directly compared to manufacturer claims.
The first test is our lumen test. This uses an integrating sphere to capture all the light produced. The Surefire XSC started at a strong 423 lumens, about 20% more than the 350 lumens claimed by Surefire. By 1:20, the light was down to the claimed 350 lumens. At the 5 minute mark, it produced about 150 lumens, and was at about 100 lumens 12 minutes in. The light turned off at just under 33 minutes, having spent the last 7.5 minutes at 50 lumens. We did let the light “rest” for about 20 minutes and restarted it; it put out 230 lumens when restarting. While this light provides strong output for the first minute, it drops quickly to a lower output.
The TLR-7 Sub started at 619 lumens, a bit over 20% more than the claimed 500 lumens. It reached 500 lumens at the 4:18 mark. From there it just runs and runs. We stopped the testing after almost 3 hours where it was still putting out about 8 lumens. The comparison chart speaks for itself.
Lab Test: Candela Output
This is the test to show you how much output there is in the center hotspot, as well as various angles away from center. You could almost view this as “feet of throw” capability, where higher candela means more ability to throw the light. It also helps you visualize how wide & strong the flood is.
The XSC is bright, but not as bright as the Sub anywhere within 15 degrees from center (e.g. a 30 degree cone out from the light). The Sub has almost double the output at the center of the light.
Lab Test: Spectrum Analysis
Spectrum analysis tells us the color spectrum of the light. A regular thermal bulb will typically resemble a bell, covering the whole visible spectrum fairly well and dropping off at the higher & lower limits. If the spectrum is shifted right, the light tends to look “cooler” or “blue” while shifting to the left usually appears “warmer” or “red”. We find that the cooler the light, the less detail we can see with our eye.
Intensity aside (that’s something we’ve covered in the integrating sphere test), the Streamlight has more output on the right side, which is the warmer spectrum. This likely accounts for the warmer cast of the light. We know that many shooters prefer the warmer light, and the warmer light is better able to punch through environmental items (fog, snow, smoke) as it refracts less — think of your car’s fog lights. Note 480nm normally has reduced intensity in LED lights.
Wrap Up
Both of these lights are a huge improvement from the 100-lumen lights that have come before, and both lights have merits that would cause someone to choose one over another. The Surefire XSC has good output, is smaller, and uses a rechargeable battery. The Streamlight TLR-7 Sub is a brighter light that lasts significantly longer, has a slightly warmer color, and has more positive feeling switches. I like the XSC’s rail attachment using the hex tool, but you may prefer the more common “penny screwdriver” attachment of the Sub. Here at the shop, we do prefer the Sub overall primarily due to it’s higher output and long life.
| Surefire XSC P365 | Streamlight TLR-7 Sub P365 | |
| Pro: | Small size Rechargeable battery Secure attachment | Impressive output Impressive runtime Great switches |
| Con: | Output starts at 424 lumens and quickly drops Extends past P365 muzzle Expensive! | Larger and heavier Extends past P365XL muzzle |
Holsters
Werkz does have both IWB and OWB holsters for each of these lights on your P365, as well as a large selection of pistols with lights. These holsters are fit exactly to your specific pistol and light combination. Check them out at Werkz.com.
