SureFire X300 Turbo Powerful Tight-Beam Light for Pistols

If you can’t identify your target, then your finger shouldn’t be on the trigger. Regardless of training institution, this is a universal truth. A good white light is paramount for any personal defense or duty handgun. While there are many ways to operate a pistol with a handheld light, it’s far easier to shoot with a weapon-mounted model. There are many great options on the market, but more often than not, SureFire is seen as the premium choice, if one can afford it.

Recently, SureFire expanded its popular X300 line with the new SureFire X300 Turbo. Featured here is the X300T-B model, specifically, in comparison with the X300U-B Ultra weapon-mounted pistol light. The X300 line is already well-established and tested for durability and longevity. They’re well-built, hardy lights that stand up to extreme abuse in practically any environment. At a glance, the X300T and X300U look remarkably similar, so we’re going to break down the difference between the two models in their roles as LE duty and self-defense pistol lights and find out what makes the new SureFire X300 Turbo so special.

Common Ancestry 

First, let’s take a look at the similarities. Both models have the “dash B” designation. This refers only to the mounting interface, which is a simple T-slot thumbscrew interface. Both models also have an identical “dash A” counterpart, which is a slightly faster mounting system, but both systems securely mount to standard rail sections on modern handguns.

Activation is also identical between the Ultra and Turbo with an ambidextrous switch located at the base of the unit and in front of the triggerguard. Pushing the switch forward activates a momentary-on function, and flipping the switch up or down activates the constant-on function. The momentary-on has a remarkably rapid response, too. In many other lights with a “momentary-on,” there is a noticeable delay from the initial switch press to when the light actually activates. Both the SureFire X300T and X300U have a true, fast-response momentary-on.

The ambi switch on both units also serves as the cap on the battery compartment, which houses two CR123A batteries. The cap has two hooks that attach to an aluminum bar running along the bottom of the light housing, which allows the cap to be completely removed from the main housing. The ambi switch cap can be swapped out for the SureFire XT07 Weaponlight Switch for a mere $195 or a DG Grip Switch for just $135 (some sarcasm intended at those accessory prices).

Finally, both the X300U and X300T housings are dimensionally identical, which means that holster compatibility is the same. I used a full-size Walther PDP and a Shadow Systems DR920 Elite with the new Shadow Systems Compensator for testing, swapping the X300T/U between both guns. I have an X300-compatible Safariland holster for the Walther and a Blackhawk T-Series holster for the DR920. Both lights worked on both guns in both holsters, and there are plenty of other X300-compatible holsters available.

X300T vs. X300U

With so many similarities between the two X300 lights, one starts to wonder what exactly is the difference between them? To start with some simple differences, the new X300T is slightly heavier at 4.4 ounces compared to the X300U’s 4.1 ounces. The new X300T also boasts an extra 15 minutes of runtime at 1.5 hours to the X300U’s 1.25-hour runtime. The important difference is inside the light itself. To rattle off some quick specs, the X300 Ultra has an impressive 1,000 lumens with 11,300 candelas. It may seem surprising at first, but the new X300 Turbo only has a max of 650 lumens; however, it boasts an astonishing 66,000 candelas!

There is a lot to unpack there, but it’s probably best to start with the difference between lumens and candelas. Lumens describes the total amount of light emitted. The greater the lumens, the greater an area is illuminated. Most consider more lumens the better, but there is a point of diminishing returns with lumens. Generally, anything more than 1,000 lumens on a defensive handgun light is overkill, plus battery drain speeds up drastically.

Candelas is a measurement of the brightest spot within a light’s beam, which is always at the center. The higher the candelas, the “tighter” the beam will appear, and a tight beam is important if you need to identify targets at farther distances. Think spotlights. They have a highly concentrated beam, but they generally don’t have a lot of “throw.” Throw is a term often used to describe the width of a flashlight’s beam. So, a light with high lumens and low candelas will greatly illuminate a wide area but won’t reach far. The more you increase the candelas, the farther you can see, but you’ll have less peripheral visibility.

---

That brings us back to the main difference between the SureFire X300 Ultra and the new X300 Turbo. The X300U illuminates a wide area with a lot of lumens, especially indoors, but it doesn’t have a far reach. The X300T’s beam is massively more concentrated, giving it the ability to see targets at several hundred yards. Even in pictures, it’s clearly evident how much tighter the X300T’s beam is to the X300U, and photos simply don’t do justice to the increased visibility at distance.

What Makes It Tick? 

Once you see the difference in beam intensity, the big question is how did SureFire accomplish this, especially with a lower lumen output? The answer is an innovative reflector inside the lens and built around the light emitter. Even at a glance, the X300 Turbo is substantially brighter inside the lens compared to the Ultra when you hold them side-by-side.

The X300 Ultra uses SureFire’s hybrid beam pattern. It’s a nice compromise of throw and main beam intensity, giving the illumination a uniform, seamless appearance. It’s a fantastic light, especially for indoors, but its effective identifying range is more limited outside. SureFire advertises an effective range of 213 meters, about 230 yards in proper American measurements, but I’d say its practical engagement range is less than 100 yards to properly identify a man-sized target.

The new X300T has an advertised effective range of 514 meters, or about 560 yards. While the beam probably does reach that far, I’d argue that its practical range to identify a man-sized target is approximately 250 yards. Still, that is incredibly impressive for such a small light.

Applications

So, when it comes to runtime, size, durability, holster compatibility and function, the SureFire X300 Ultra and X300 Turbo are virtually identical. Its each light’s beam, of course, that is the variable for individual applications.

If you’re in law enforcement and primarily working in an urban environment with a lot of time spent indoors or close-range outdoor scenarios, then the X300 Ultra is going to be more practical. It gives far greater peripheral visibility, and it’s unlikely one is going to engage bad guys beyond 100 yards in cities. This applies to civilian self-defense, too. For guys that like to carry handguns with full-size pic rails, most self-defense engagements are inside 15 yards, and the hybrid beam is perfect inside the home or other buildings.

For country cops or any other LE that knows they need the ability to see farther, the SureFire X300 Turbo is a game-changer. I also like that with the thumbscrew attachment, it’s not impractical to quickly remove the X300T from your primary handgun and throw it on an AR for appropriate situations. While the X300U is arguably better for general indoor use, the X300 Turbo will still work well inside. You’ll find the throw is noticeably less, but the tight beam also creates a lot of “splash,” illuminating an entire room. The peripherals will be less bright, but an entire room will still be visible. Again, these principles also apply to civilian self-defense, too. Without going into book-length detail, there are also added legal considerations for engaging bad guys in self-defense at farther distances, but the ability to identify threats at great distances is always a plus.

Another consideration with high-intensity beams like the X300 Turbo is the disorienting ability of such a powerful beam. Using my father-in-law as a guinea pig, I aimed the two lights at him at various distances (with the slide/barrel removed from the frame). Both lights are disorienting to say the least, but the X300 Turbo is painfully disorienting at all the tested distances. It’s always a good day if you can stop a threat without shooting a round.

The applications between the two models are not absolute, either, and there isn’t necessarily a wrong answer when choosing between the two lights. There is only a $10 difference between the X300 Ultra ($360) and X300 Turbo ($370) with a $10 upcharge for FDE. Personally, the nod goes to the SureFire X300 Turbo. I can’t afford a SureFire for every one of my guns, unfortunately, so I like having one high-quality light that would work well in practically any scenario I might have to face. Regardless of which model best fits your needs, you do get your money’s worth for a light that holds up for duty and civilian use.

SureFire X300T-B Turbo Specs

• Output: 650 Lumens
• Runtime: 1.5 hours
• Peak Beam: 66,000 Canelas
• Construction: Aluminum
• Finish: Hardcoat Anodized
• Weight: 4.4 oz. 
• Bezel Diamter: 1.125 in. 
• Batteries: Two CR123A
• Waterproof Rating: IPX7
• MSRP: $370
• Contact: SureFire

SureFire X300U-B Ultra Specs

• Output: 1,000 Lumens
• Runtime: 1.25 hours
• Peak Beam: 11,300 Candelas
• Construction: Aluminum
• Finish: Hardcoat Anodized
• Weight: 4.1 oz. 
• Bezel Diameter: 1.125 in. 
• Batteries: Two CR 123A
• Waterproof Rating: IPX7
• MSRP: $360
• Contact: SureFire

---

About the Author

Jack Oller is a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Military Police with one deployment to the Camp VI Detention Facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He has extensive firearms training from military and civilian schools and is a passoniate shotgun shooter and hunter. Jack has an English degree from Illinois State University, and he started his career in the outdoor industry as Associate Editor for Guns & Ammo magazine. After Gun & Ammo, he worked as Brand Manager for Crimson Trace and now is the Digital Editor for Firearms News.

---

If you have any thoughts or comments on this article, we’d love to hear them. Email us at FirearmsNews@Outdoorsg.com.