Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13

Thread: Streamlight TL Racker

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Posts
    32
    Feedback Score
    1 (100%)

    Streamlight TL Racker

    Has anyone here tried one? I tried the search feature and didn't find much info. I found a place selling them for $99. I figure that's cheaper than buying a Magpul forend and a light for my 870


    Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    893
    Feedback Score
    2 (100%)
    I can’t believe no one has replied yet. I have one that I put on a SBS a little more than a month ago.
    Picture of the gun is on the second page bottom post in this thread.
    https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...-870-SBS/page2

    It’s now on the SBS with the vertical pistol grip. I went with the Magpul clamp on sling mount and the light on the right side of hand guard was being blocked by the sling.

    Guns n gear did a review as did several others on YouTube.

    I don’t have enough trigger time to have a hard use opinion, but first shots/thoughts were The grip texture isn’t grippy enough, the tape switch is cheap. Press pad has clicks and isn’t smooth operating. Maybe I was spoiled by the cloud defense OWL press pad. The hand guard could also be shaped a little different to be more comfortable and help control the recoil on the shotgun. I would prefer it without the dip cutout. But the light output is ok, I can’t complain and it’s out of the way of the sling. As of now, my final thoughts is for $100 it can’t be beat.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    903
    Feedback Score
    0
    Nice review. Straight shooting.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    893
    Feedback Score
    2 (100%)
    I did some more drills with the TL Racker this late evening. I’ve gotten use to the feel of the hand guard. I still wish it had better texture. Skaters tape would be ok for HD for a few shots but range use for drills it would chew up my hand. I don’t mean anything badly when I say the light output is “ok”. It’s just fine and probably can’t be beat for the money. $100 seems like a deal compared to building your own setup. By the time you buy a new hand guard, attachment point, and light you are almost double.

    I’ve never tried the surefire version.

    It fits my needs very well with the light location and the sling attachment point.
    Tape switch does work as it should but doesn’t compare to the “OWL”. I guess my thoughts is I’m being “to hard” on it for $100.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    76
    Feedback Score
    4 (100%)
    I bought one for a Shockwave and calling it a cheap piece of crap would be generous. The two halves of the one that I ordered were not actually touching at the front and rear, and the tiny screws used to hold the halves of the housing itself were a joke. The light output was fine for my uses, I didn't have any issue with the cheap feeling switches, but when you actually put it on the gun, the plastic was so flimsy that if you wiggled it side to side/rotated it around the gun, it would rotate around the action bars twist up as far as you cared to twist. It was the worst fitting/worst built firearm accessory that I've purchased in quite some time. I have a video to try to illustrate it, but man, it was junk.
    This video was after I'd already removed the nut and was taking it off. You can see that the forend doesn't actually hold/retain the action bars. It did the exact same thing with the retaining nut snugged down as it should be.

    Video:https://gfycat.com/defiantcarefreejellyfish

    I know that it's a different part between the shockwave and the standard 500/590, so the 500/590 part hopefully doesn't have the same issue.

    Now I'm back to the drawing board to get a light on this little Mossberg.
    Last edited by ThreeFingerPete; 04-10-20 at 16:22. Reason: video

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    893
    Feedback Score
    2 (100%)
    Did you try it with the barrel installed? Barrel should keep it from rotating.

    On my 870 it isn’t that bad but yes it rotates a little but all hand guards do.

    I agree it’s not the best/top of the line product and I surely wouldn’t pay msrp. I think $120 is max what I would pay for it.
    But still hard to beat for $100 IMHO.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    76
    Feedback Score
    4 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by ace4059 View Post
    Did you try it with the barrel installed? Barrel should keep it from rotating.

    On my 870 it isn’t that bad but yes it rotates a little but all hand guards do.

    I agree it’s not the best/top of the line product and I surely wouldn’t pay msrp. I think $120 is max what I would pay for it.
    But still hard to beat for $100 IMHO.
    Pay close attention to the fact that the Racker rotates without the slightest grip on the action bars.
    It would rotate half-way up the barrel with the slightest pressure. The left/right halves of the Racker are so flimsy that they didn't "lock" in to the action bars at all. The stock forend has some wiggle in it, but this piece of crap would have climbed over the top of the barrel with any effort. The action bars won't rotate that much. I wouldn't give $.50 for it. I took that piece of crap off, put the stock corn cob back on and I'll figure out another way to get a light on the gun. $100 will buy me a TLR1HL, and I'll figure out the rest...
    I should have taken a video with the barrel completely installed, but it was a last minute thing before I boxed it up and sent it back. The quality makes Tapco look like Surefire, IMO.
    Last edited by ThreeFingerPete; 04-11-20 at 00:28.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Barre, VT
    Posts
    7,217
    Feedback Score
    94 (100%)
    I just got one. I installed it on a Remington Tac 14 with brace a few minutes ago. I came here to see if I was doing something wrong. The Streamlight TL Racker sucks. It binds badly. It's not worth it. I put it on and took it off four times to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong. I just reinstalled my MagPul forend. I thought about using some sandpaper or the Dremel but it's not worth it. It sucks and is going back. I might get a SF forend.
    "Real men have always needed to know what time it is so they are at the airfield on time, pumping rounds into savages at the right time, etc. Being able to see such in the dark while light weights were comfy in bed without using a light required luminous material." -Originally Posted by ramairthree

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Posts
    748
    Feedback Score
    2 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by ace4059 View Post
    I can’t believe no one has replied yet. I have one that I put on a SBS a little more than a month ago.
    Picture of the gun is on the second page bottom post in this thread.
    https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...-870-SBS/page2

    It’s now on the SBS with the vertical pistol grip. I went with the Magpul clamp on sling mount and the light on the right side of hand guard was being blocked by the sling.

    Guns n gear did a review as did several others on YouTube.

    I don’t have enough trigger time to have a hard use opinion, but first shots/thoughts were The grip texture isn’t grippy enough, the tape switch is cheap. Press pad has clicks and isn’t smooth operating. Maybe I was spoiled by the cloud defense OWL press pad. The hand guard could also be shaped a little different to be more comfortable and help control the recoil on the shotgun. I would prefer it without the dip cutout. But the light output is ok, I can’t complain and it’s out of the way of the sling. As of now, my final thoughts is for $100 it can’t be beat.


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Barre, VT
    Posts
    7,217
    Feedback Score
    94 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by Mrgunsngear View Post
    I hope the FB BS is squared away soon. Your review is why I bought the light. I’m completely unimpressed with their quality control. Mine binds the gun up to the point where extreme force is needed to put the gun back in battery. I liked the small package, the light is bright and the price was good. I paid $120:shipped. Mine didn’t work. It’s a POS and it’s going back.
    "Real men have always needed to know what time it is so they are at the airfield on time, pumping rounds into savages at the right time, etc. Being able to see such in the dark while light weights were comfy in bed without using a light required luminous material." -Originally Posted by ramairthree

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •