InForce WML White/IR Weapon Light Review
By Shadow Mike
So, no joke, there I was on the deployment list for Afghanistan. I did what every cherry (to combat, that is) does and started flipping through catalogs and cruising every tactical website I could find. I happened upon the InForce WML White/IR and was drawn to it by its size and weight and the fact that it had an integrated mount and pressure switch for a relatively low price of around $150 depending on where you go.
At just over 4 inches long, an inch wide, and weighing a mere 3 oz. with a 123A battery installed, this light is very unobtrusive, no matter where you mount it, and is flexible to many different shooting styles. Did I mention it’s field-programmable, requires no IR filter, and is submersable up to 66 ft?
I had to have one! I bought the White/IR model in Sand (the WML is also offered in black). Mounting the WML takes all of about 5 seconds and requires no tools since the patent pending clamp system is all inclusive.
Once the WML is on your weapon, it feels very secure and is easily manipulated. The White/IR model has 2 output levels for constant and momentary light and a strobe function. The white mode puts out 125 lumens on high and 30 lumens on low with a 2 hour and a 10 hour run time respectively.
The IR mode also has a high/low mode that puts out 75mW and 25 mW and can run for 3.5 and 17 hours on a single 123A battery.
Switching between the high and low modes is as simple as pushing the integrated pressure switch once for high and twice for low. This configuration can be reversed in no time by pressing and holding the pressure switch down for 5-7 seconds. When the light strobes, the WML has been changed from High to Low to Low to High. Repeat the process to change it back. The momentary on and off mode is used by pressing and holding the pressure switch for more than half a second after which, you can let go and the light will go off, which I’ve found extremely useful for lighting up an area real quick without having to cycle through modes.
The high-frequencey strobe is activated by rapidly pressing the pressure switch twice and features a lock-out mode if your particular agency prevents the use of strobes. To lock the strobe out, hold the pressure witch down and unscrew the bezel all the way and then, still holding the switch down, screw the bezel back in. Speaking of lock-outs, the WML has 2 ways to prevent the accidental discharge of light. To keep the light immediately ready for action, simply flip up the light safety (InForce has a very simple graphic example of the light’s features).
For storage, transportation, or exclusive day-time operations, unscrew the bezel a quarter turn. All of these functions are mirrored, minus the strobe for obvious reasons, in the IR mode that is activated by flipping a swith on the side of the light.
Another interesting feature of this particular weapon light is that if you are operating in IR mode and somehow manage to flip the switch to white mode, the light won’t turn on to keep from blinding you while wearing NVGs, or giving up your position. However, if you are in white mode and flip the switch to IR, the light will stay on to keep you out of darkness. Pretty innovative I think.
All in all, this is a pretty amazing little weapon light that has a ton of features. It’s currently been in country for about 2 months and has been beat up, knocked around, shot with, used it to light up ECPs, and haven’t had a single malfunction. So far the only noticible difference between the light as it sits now and when I took it out of the box is that the body has a little more character since it’s a little soft and relatively easy to scratch and nick, but none of this has affected functionality in any way.
If you’re in the market fo a small, lightweight, versatile weapon light, definitely give the InForce WML White/IR a second look.
Where to find it:
Purchase it from Optics Planet and Support the blog
Editors Note:
I want to take a moment to thank Shadow Mike and all his fellow comrades in arms for putting their lives on the line for us every day! Thanks guys and keep your heads down!
-Will