PHLster ARC: Enhanced WML Paddles for Streamlight TLR Series
Have you ever found a product that you said out loud, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Well, the PHLster ARC is one of those products. I shouldn’t be surprised, but on top of Jon Hauptman (the owner of PHLster) creating this product, none other than Steve “Yeti” Fisher (the owner of Sentinel Concepts and incredible firearms instructor) also had his hands in the project.
Disclaimer: I purchased the PHLster ARC with my own money. This product was not supplied to me by PHLster, they did not pay me or compensate me to speak about their product, and the opinions on this product are solely mine and my personal experience with their enhanced WML switches.
Table of contents
A Brief History Lesson About PHLster
PHLster was first started as an experiment where Jon went through the process of trying to create his own Kydex holsters and documented his journey. His relentless trial and error created what is known today as PHLster — a leading high-tech concealment company that specializes in everything from holsters to medical gear concealment and everything you need to walk out the door fully prepared to be your own first responder.
Related Article: PHLster Enigma: The Last Glock Holster You’ll Ever Need
But let’s get back on topic…
The Solution to a Common Weapon-Mounted Light Problem
For those of you who own WMLs (weapon-mounted lights) and put them on your firearms, you may find the reach to the light is just a little too far, and you need to break your solid grip on the firearm in order to activate the light and reach the paddles. In the case of this article, I’m going to specifically touch on the Streamlight TLR series of WMLs.
It should be noted that at the time of writing this, PHLster ARC can only be used on the Streamlight TLR-1 and TLR-2 (including the HL model), as well as a completely different set of switches for those with Surefire X300, X4000, XH30, XH35, and XLV2.
PHLster ARC: Easier WML Activation
As mentioned earlier, the whole premise of the PHLster ARC is to help you reach your WML paddles. What the PHLster ARC does is increase the length of your WML paddles for those who don’t have extremely long fingers. Even after purchasing nearly a handful of Streamlight TLRs, I always hated that I would have to somewhat break my grip to activate the switch and toggle the light on. The PHLster ARC changes all of that.
The PHLster ARC for the Streamlight TLR series of lights comes with two different paddles in each pack that you can choose the one that best suits your needs. Unlike the OEM paddles on the TLR series of WMLs, the PHLster ARC has grooves on all sides, which helps you more easily manipulate the paddles.
One paddle provides a longer stem for both the left and right-side switches, while the other paddle provides one stem that is longer and the other side that is only slightly longer than the OEM TLR paddle.
Plug-and-Play Installation
I like the fact that the PHLster ARC for the TLR series of WMLs is a plug-and-play accessory. You simply unscrew the paddles on your Streamlight TLR WML (using the included tool that PHLster provides in the packaging), remove the OEM O-ring from the back of the OEM paddles, place it on the PHLster ARC paddle of your choice, and screw it back on.
The entire process honestly took me less than a minute per application. After screwing everything back together, just make sure that you test the light to ensure it works properly and functions.
Related Article: Jon Hauptman Talks PHLster and Improving Concealed Carry
While you should be able to swap out your paddle with the new, without the use of instructions, PHLster does have installation instructions on their website and YouTube channel if you want to follow them to ensure proper installation (I recommend looking at the instructions to err on the side of knowledge being power and being less likely to screw up your installation).
It should be noted that the PHLster ARC is not a permanent application. If you need to take them off or swap them for some reason, it can easily be done without doing damage to your WML.
But Does It Work?
Let’s be real, it’s a plug-and-play application and simply a piece of plastic that is being replaced on the back of your Streamlight TLR WML. We aren’t recreating the wheel here even though the product itself is being attached to your WML and, ultimately, your firearm, yet the benefits gained from it are incredibly noticeable.
Again, depending on how long your fingers are, the PHLster ARC brings the paddles out further and allows you to reach your WML paddles more easily. Everything works as advertised, and I honestly couldn’t be any happier with the product. It solves my problem, and that’s what capitalism is all about.
It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing gloves, not wearing gloves, or have wet hands, the PHLster ARC can help you manipulate your WML paddles more easily.
Can I Use My Existing Holster?
For those who are saying, “But does it still fit in your holsters with the longer paddles?”
Absolutely.
All my holsters still work with the PHLster ARC attached to my TLR WMLs. That being said, I may not have your exact holster, and therefore, you should still test your gear after installing the PHLster ARC on your WML. If, for some reason, it doesn’t work (which would be odd), PHLster has a good return policy, assuming you didn’t damage the product in your testing.
Related Article: Raven Concealment Systems VanGuard 2: A Minimalist IWB Holster?
How Much is the PHLster ARC, and Where Can You Purchase?
At the time of writing this, the cost of the PHLster ARC Enhanced WML Switches are $26.99 (plus shipping) directly on the PHLster website. Some may gasp at the price, considering it’s just a piece of plastic, but if you can’t reach your switches properly on your WML and in a crisis things go bad, you’re going to wish you had longer paddles to better manipulate your WML.
If the PHLster ARC shows that it is in stock, it will typically ship the same day or the next business day (Monday through Friday). Mine arrived incredibly fast, and it shipped out of Idaho over there to Pennsylvania (where Jon of PHLster is originally from — Philadelphia, to be exact).
Related Article: Jeff Bloovman: Firearms Instructor Weighs in on Fitness
Would I Recommend the Product?
Overall, I’m extremely happy with my purchase, and if you’re on the fence about whether you should add a PHLster ARC to your WML, don’t hesitate if you can’t actuate the light easily. Just get out your credit card, and you’ll thank me later.
Bravo to Jon Hauptman and Steve Fisher on creating a product that solves a problem that many people face.
If you would like to follow Jon or Steve, their Instagram accounts are linked below:
Instagram: PHLster
Instagram: Sentinel Concepts
And as always, go out and get the proper training needed to be proficient with your firearm(s). I am not an instructor, and I don’t pretend to be one on the weekends. I’m simply someone who seeks knowledge, improvement, and proficiency when it comes to self-defense and the ability to protect my family and those around me. You are your own first line of defense, seek the training of a certified and experienced instructor. And while you’re at it, go support Jon and Steve by picking up a PHLster ARC.
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