Why you absolutely should equip a rifle or pistol with a WML, or weapon-mounted light, is self-explanatory. It’s all about being prepared, and without a WML, you literally cannot see in the dark.

In airsoft, it’s a slightly different situation. This is not self-defense; it is a game. Is a WML therefore a warranty airsoft accessory?

We say yes - actually, we think a WML is an absolutely necessity for competitive airsoft. Here’s what you need to know about them.

Is a WML Necessary? Why You Need One
Now, let’s preface this with some relevant information. A WML does not always offer an advantage. Sometimes, moving about under the cover of darkness is beneficial, and a WML is like a flare betraying your situation.

However, many airsoft engagements are CQB encounters, which can be in the dark or in dimly lit interior spaces. In these situations, a WML can offer several significant advantages.

First, a weapon-mounted light, specifically one that can be easily activated and deactivated by a remote pressure switch, can give you an advantage in CQB encounters. It will improve your abilities to distinguish between hostile and friendly targets, making you a more effective force for your team’s concerted efforts.

A WML can also be used to dazzle opponents, giving you just a split-second more to determine what action to take, which can determine the outcome of an engagement, CQB or otherwise.

Most mounted lights can be easily and conveniently removed from their mounts and taken off of an airsoft gun. They can be used as handheld lights around camp or indoors to see better in the dark or at night.

Moreover, weapons-mounted lights can also be used for signaling. This alone makes them valuable airsoft accessories and is the reason almost all survival kits and lists of EDC essentials contain them. You can use them to signal to your teammates across wide distances.

                    

Choosing: Some of the Best Options in WML
So, now that you’ve unpacked our arguments, we should offer you a few bits of wisdom regarding how to choose a WML for your AEG or airsoft pistol, and what to look for.

First, and possibly most importantly, make sure you choose a light that is either directly compatible with your rail system or comes with mounts that are. If not, you’ll need to buy adapters that will add weight and bulk to your AEG.

You should also choose a WML that is easy to activate and deactivate, either by a remote pressure switch or by an exposed switch on the tailcap. And easy activation and deactivation are not good enough - your support hand should naturally rest within reach of the switch while your airsoft gun is shouldered. That way, if you ever need to kill the light quickly, you can do so.

It’s also important to get a WML that is waterproof or at least water resistant. You could be out in the rain or just drop it in a puddle and it needs to be able to handle that type of use. Shockproof, dustproof, and corrosion-resistance are also nice features to have. Recoil resistance is not as important for airsoft gun lights as you might think, though.

One more thing you need to be aware of is the distance between lumens and candela. Some manufacturers just spam high lumen ratings all over the place in the hopes that you won’t notice or know any better, but a high lumen rating does not automatically make a better WML.

A high lumen rating only gives a measurement of how much light is produced at the emitter of the light. That means it is true that a 1,000 lumen WML is objectively brighter than a 500 lumen WML.

However, the lens of the light, which influences candela rating (or focus) is what ensures that most of that light output will be usable downrange. Poorly designed lenses allow light to be lost to scattering or diffusion. An optimized lens focuses the light downrange, creating a brighter, sharper beam that is more useful at extended ranges.

So, in short, look for a WML not only with a high lumen rating, but also with a high candela rating.

The following are some of the top-selling WMLs in our collection of airsoft accessories:

●Opsmen Fast 302M M-LOK WML (400 lumen)

●Opsmen Fast 502M M-LOK WML (800 lumen)

●Aim Sports 330 Lumen Tactical Light with Quick Release Mount

●Aim Sports 200 Lumen Tactical Light with Quick Release Mount

●Surefire EDCL2 Tac Light

●Surefire Fury DLFL1500 Lumens

●UTG Grip Light (300 Lumens)

●ASG Tactical Light and Laser

●Bravo Scout Tactical Light with Pressure Switch

Save on Airsoft Accessories and More
If you’re looking for airsoft accessories that will trick out your AEG and help your airsoft gun perform to the fullest, don’t overlook a WML from our collection. We also carry a wide range of safety gear, lasers, grips, spare magazines and countless other airsoft gun accessories in our collection.

We cover them with a price match guarantee and offer low flat rate shipping, too. If you have any questions about our WMLs or other accessories, please contact us at 800-581-6620.