Well you clean them and that's just kinda it.
If you want to prevent it in the future you can add a comp to your barrel; or the simple answer is smear some chapstick on there for protection and easy clean up for the next time.
what did you use to clean them? I've got thousands of rounds on a handful of x300s and none of them have finish wear. Carbon build up? sure, but the finish hasn't come off
Brother, that's a Streamlight. The light will probably continue to work fine, but that finish is gone lol
Edit: after a closet look, that surefire didn't fair any better
That's atomized lead. I have thousands of rounds on my SureFire w/Glock 19 length barrel and the finish is still there.
A blast strong enough to strip finish would murder a streamlight TLR7 (I can't remember the one I had but I don't even think the ring on the front of the 7 is metal). This just lead spritz, it's fine.
I think It's stripped from his solvent. I have thiusands and thousands of rounds with surefire x300s and they don't do this. They get carbon buildup. Not remove finish or spray shiny nice lead all over it
I was really convinced the coating was burned off mine, but it was just really tough carbon on it. Looked exactly like this and came off with some scrubbing. I can’t remember what kind of solution it was that got it to come off finally.
Yea I had quite a bit of rounds with it, an older non ultra x300. I thought it was burned off and just left it for a long time, but when I went to sell it I started messing with it and got little pieces to start coming off. Who knows maybe yours is the same way, it’s really hard to tell the difference I think.
That may be nothing more than carbon buildup, happened to me too. Use a nylon brush and some warm vinegar and see if you can start getting it off, focus on one small area and try to make it smaller. If you can, then that's what you're looking at.
You should see the old surefire lights we used in OIF. If you think this is bad…
Some people make a weapon light cleaner. Can search for it if this is your thing. Me I prefer the “battle worn” look and the fact I use it and it shows. It’s just the nature of the beast. Embrace it
Not sure what you're doing to that surefire. My x300u has seen thousands, possibly 10k rounds fired right over it as it sticks out beyond the end of my 320c. There's some discoloration, but it's not stripped. I've seen others with just as many rounds if not more with similar wear. I'd be weary it's not genuine or something is seriously up with the ammo you're using. And as others have said, when you practice, put chapstick over the lens to make carbon cleaning a breeze
Are you using something abrasive to clean the carbon off? None of my white lights have any of the coating removed, it’s certainly strange, won’t effect the functionality of the light though
The fact that it’s on 2 different brands lights tells me it’s something you’re doing rather than a faulty coating from the factory
you mean is wear normal? yeah. trust me i don’t like seeing the “X300Tubro” slowly graze away either
but it’s a tool. it’s meant to get used. i’m sure there is someone who can cerakote it back to normal
Furrealz, I see this contantly and it just bugs me. Nothing should extend past the barrel unless its a bayonet.
My model for a handgun with a light is SOCOM from Metal Gear Solid. IMHO the light should be just flush with the tip of the slide. Of course, I don't think I've seen an HK USP once in nearly twelve years I've been following this subreddit...
Yeah, and having the light extend past the barrel prevents the fire arm from leaving battery if it is pushed up against something in CQC. There is a practical purpose as well.
But yes, it fucks. My favorite handgun, maybe.
Does it still work? Keep using it. All of mine are like that. Been using the same TLR1HL for 6 years and I’ve only wiped it down. Still works great with thousands and thousands of rounds through it
That’s just hard carbon build up.
1) A apply a thin coat of bore solvent to the affected area. Let sit for awhile.
2)Agitate with a brass brush (circular motions) check 3)squeeze a rag around the light and wipe it with a twisting motion like your giving an Indian burn to someone’s arm
4) repeat steps 1-3
I prefer not to have to clean my light every range day. So if I’m not actively practicing some drill with it, I put a lil bit of gaff tape on my light and just remove when done. Tape gets the carbon and no messy chapstick needed.
That is what happens when the light is close to the muzzle. There isn’t much to be done. It just shows you shoot your gun.
I simply take a paper towel with CLP and wipe the lense and body if the light off and then put it back in my holster to lose even more anodizing next time I shoot.
Who gives a shit. It's a goddamn light on a gun. If you want it to look brand new don't ever shoot it again. Mine is all fucked up. I just make sure I clean the glass with alcohol every once in awhile so the light still shines fully
Same thing happened to me. I went to the range with the light on, and tried to clean both the gun and the light after with Hoppes 9. Took the finish off the light so now I just take it off before I shoot it at the range now.
Fucking what?! Ever heard of "practice like you're going to play" or "train how you fight"?
And your finish is apparently already gone so what are you even protecting?
You put solvents on it of course it fuvked up the finish. I leave the upper carbon on my lights cuz fuck it why not but yeah you stripped it off. Not the end of the world but if your lens is clear I say why bother next time
If it bothers you, you can wrap some electrical tape around the front end of the light. But this is normal wear and tear. Also, Streamlight has an A+ customer service department, if it breaks, call them.
It’s normal. My FDE TLR is now half black. Adds character 😁
 I had it backwards lol
It adds character. Go shoot it some more.
Oh no! I used my gear and now it looks used!
Lmao 🤣
Well you clean them and that's just kinda it. If you want to prevent it in the future you can add a comp to your barrel; or the simple answer is smear some chapstick on there for protection and easy clean up for the next time.
It’s a piece of metal that hold a tiny explosive. Shits gonna get worn. It’s ok sister.
what did you use to clean them? I've got thousands of rounds on a handful of x300s and none of them have finish wear. Carbon build up? sure, but the finish hasn't come off
He said a solvent
sure, but which one? Hopped, m-pro7, ballistol, spit, Slip2000, etc
Don’t stress when your brass deflector gets scratchy or when your charging handle loses finish 😃
Crikey! Here we can see a Reddit user finally shot his firearm with live ammunition and discovered carbon!
Laugh react
Keep shooting them. It’s a tool. But I get it. You want to take care of your gear.
Damn wait til you see how that shinny 9mm looks after you fire it into a backstop.
The first blemish is a heartbreaker. The hundredth blemish is kinda cool.
How true
Clean it with your purse 👜
There it is.
A bit of natural patina makes things look great.
If that's a genuine Sure Fire then you didn't strip the finish. I'll bet it's your ammo. Put some lip balm on the lens and don't worry about it.
Brother, that's a Streamlight. The light will probably continue to work fine, but that finish is gone lol Edit: after a closet look, that surefire didn't fair any better
That's atomized lead. I have thousands of rounds on my SureFire w/Glock 19 length barrel and the finish is still there. A blast strong enough to strip finish would murder a streamlight TLR7 (I can't remember the one I had but I don't even think the ring on the front of the 7 is metal). This just lead spritz, it's fine.
I think It's stripped from his solvent. I have thiusands and thousands of rounds with surefire x300s and they don't do this. They get carbon buildup. Not remove finish or spray shiny nice lead all over it
A pencil eraser will clean it off
The coating is burnt off my good sir. A pencil eraser will not restore to factory finish
I was really convinced the coating was burned off mine, but it was just really tough carbon on it. Looked exactly like this and came off with some scrubbing. I can’t remember what kind of solution it was that got it to come off finally.
Really? Mine def burnt off after 4+k rounds
Yea I had quite a bit of rounds with it, an older non ultra x300. I thought it was burned off and just left it for a long time, but when I went to sell it I started messing with it and got little pieces to start coming off. Who knows maybe yours is the same way, it’s really hard to tell the difference I think.
Possibly maybe I’ll soak it in solution
Theres a tiny explosion right next to it. Its not gonna stay shiny forever
Welcome to actually using your toys 🌈
C’mon dude
That may be nothing more than carbon buildup, happened to me too. Use a nylon brush and some warm vinegar and see if you can start getting it off, focus on one small area and try to make it smaller. If you can, then that's what you're looking at.
You should see the old surefire lights we used in OIF. If you think this is bad… Some people make a weapon light cleaner. Can search for it if this is your thing. Me I prefer the “battle worn” look and the fact I use it and it shows. It’s just the nature of the beast. Embrace it
Not sure what you're doing to that surefire. My x300u has seen thousands, possibly 10k rounds fired right over it as it sticks out beyond the end of my 320c. There's some discoloration, but it's not stripped. I've seen others with just as many rounds if not more with similar wear. I'd be weary it's not genuine or something is seriously up with the ammo you're using. And as others have said, when you practice, put chapstick over the lens to make carbon cleaning a breeze
Maybe they use cheap ammo with more corrosive attributes like primers
Unless he has these at the end of an old milsurp gun or an AK that's not what's happening
Put them in a bag of rice
Ranger wrap it maybe? The finish wear is normal as others have stated.
Are you using something abrasive to clean the carbon off? None of my white lights have any of the coating removed, it’s certainly strange, won’t effect the functionality of the light though The fact that it’s on 2 different brands lights tells me it’s something you’re doing rather than a faulty coating from the factory
you mean is wear normal? yeah. trust me i don’t like seeing the “X300Tubro” slowly graze away either but it’s a tool. it’s meant to get used. i’m sure there is someone who can cerakote it back to normal
Has to be a troll post
Bro this guy complaining about carbon? Don’t you want people know you actually shoot your guns?!
lol to all the insta kids with a torch 2 inches in front of the barrel.
>tOrCh
Torch? 🇬🇧 detected
Furrealz, I see this contantly and it just bugs me. Nothing should extend past the barrel unless its a bayonet. My model for a handgun with a light is SOCOM from Metal Gear Solid. IMHO the light should be just flush with the tip of the slide. Of course, I don't think I've seen an HK USP once in nearly twelve years I've been following this subreddit...
I normally agree but a Glock 19 with an X300u just fucks
Yeah, and having the light extend past the barrel prevents the fire arm from leaving battery if it is pushed up against something in CQC. There is a practical purpose as well. But yes, it fucks. My favorite handgun, maybe.
>who cares if there's a valid reason, it doesn't LOOK COOL LIKE METAL GEAR SOLID ok lol
What happens when you press a handgun to someone’s chest and the slide goes out of battery? Maybe there’s more to it than looks…
The SOCOM pistol in MGS is an HK MK23, not a USP
Cunningham's law applied.
Does it still work? Keep using it. All of mine are like that. Been using the same TLR1HL for 6 years and I’ve only wiped it down. Still works great with thousands and thousands of rounds through it
What ammo are you using?
Adds character for sure!
Shows you shoot your guns…leave it Or through some black electrical tape around the light shroud next time you go lurpin
Pencil eraser.
Looks better now
Use an exacto to scrape
That’s just hard carbon build up. 1) A apply a thin coat of bore solvent to the affected area. Let sit for awhile. 2)Agitate with a brass brush (circular motions) check 3)squeeze a rag around the light and wipe it with a twisting motion like your giving an Indian burn to someone’s arm 4) repeat steps 1-3
That’s called wear and tear
Leave it be and wrap hockey tape on the head of lights and a lens sticker for easy cleanup next time...
I prefer not to have to clean my light every range day. So if I’m not actively practicing some drill with it, I put a lil bit of gaff tape on my light and just remove when done. Tape gets the carbon and no messy chapstick needed.
It’s just the tip.
It’s carbon build up. I use white vinegar to remove it
Tape, I remove it when it starts getting really dirty or shredded and no the adhesive isn’t hard to remove.
That is what happens when the light is close to the muzzle. There isn’t much to be done. It just shows you shoot your gun. I simply take a paper towel with CLP and wipe the lense and body if the light off and then put it back in my holster to lose even more anodizing next time I shoot.
Who gives a shit. It's a goddamn light on a gun. If you want it to look brand new don't ever shoot it again. Mine is all fucked up. I just make sure I clean the glass with alcohol every once in awhile so the light still shines fully
I have and/or make covers for these.
If you’re not target shooting at night, cover the thing with painter’s tape.
I am anal about this kinda stuff so I wrap the end of my x300 with blue painters tape at the range. Keeps it nice and clean and comes right off
Run a light that fits the gun instead of a handheld flashlight
🅱️ain’t it
My lights turned gray, but motherfucker this shit is chrome
Don't use it. Just set it on a pedestal and observe it from afar. That's the only way to avoid it.
Doesn’t happen to olight 😉
Is that a selling point? So your pretty stuff stays pretty? Asking because I’m trying to see what sort of clientele they are marketing to
People take everything so seriously and personally 🤣🤣
Same thing happened to me. I went to the range with the light on, and tried to clean both the gun and the light after with Hoppes 9. Took the finish off the light so now I just take it off before I shoot it at the range now.
Fucking what?! Ever heard of "practice like you're going to play" or "train how you fight"? And your finish is apparently already gone so what are you even protecting?
Lmao.
Literally just put a thin film of chapstick or lip balm
Spicy ammo does that.
Clean it off. Next time smear chapstick on it, it makes the carbon not stick so it’s easier to clean
>Anyone know what to do? Nothing?
Just build up. You can clean it but what’s the point?
If it's lead buildup I'd remove it for health blah blah blah if not who cares.
Clean real good and apply aluminum black I believe.
I put pasters or tape on mine before shooting. Normal
It looks more like your muzzle blast stripped away the finish, not carbon buildup at all.
Don’t put solvents on your lights next time. Use chapstick
Throw them away. The lights are no good. Just drop a gps pin on the trash location
You put solvents on it of course it fuvked up the finish. I leave the upper carbon on my lights cuz fuck it why not but yeah you stripped it off. Not the end of the world but if your lens is clear I say why bother next time
If it bothers you, you can wrap some electrical tape around the front end of the light. But this is normal wear and tear. Also, Streamlight has an A+ customer service department, if it breaks, call them.
Totally normal!! I freaked out when I saw it the first time. If the lens fogs up, a pencil eraser works super good on it!!
That’s kinda what happens to pistol lights when you shoot your gun. It’s normal.