AR15 Light Position

lsmountainman · 07-13-2011, 09:04

Hey guys, I have a Streamlight mounted to the underside of my AR15 fore end with a pressure switch. I like it being mounted there but the bayonet mount casts a shadow...is there a better position on my fore end that will allow for better illumination? I am a right handed shooter, should the light possibly be mounted to the 9 O'Clock side as you look down the gun?

Glock21Owner · 07-13-2011, 10:51

If you have a TLR1 or 2, you can get a mount from ****** Tactical that attaches to the bayonet lug, and attach the light to it

collim1 · 07-13-2011, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glock21Owner

If you have a TLR1 or 2, you can get a mount from ****** Tactical that attaches to the bayonet lug, and attach the light to it

Mt thoughts exactly, I dont like anything mounted on the foregrip.

DaBigBR · 07-13-2011, 11:07

My choice would always be 12 o'clock if possible. Absolutely no barrel shadow where it counts. Think about it...that shadow isn't a big deal (with a 6 o'clock mount) for searching and navigating, but point the rifle at a person and the shadow will often prevent you from seeing their face. A person's face may make a big difference in a shoot/no-shoot situation.

If 12 o'clock isn't an option, I would buy a Midwest Industries FSB mount.

I have one on my HD rifle with a TLR-3 mounted (different light pictured below). I find that it puts the switching in a very intuitive position.

lsmountainman · 07-13-2011, 11:32

I have a Streamlight M3 light, one of the older models. I also have a sling that attaches to the sight mount...

lsmountainman · 07-13-2011, 11:39

This seems like a great solution right here...but will it accept the M3? http://www.******tactical.com/kzm4balugmo.html

***Cochese*** · 07-13-2011, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBigBR

My choice would always be 12 o'clock if possible. Absolutely no barrel shadow where it counts. Think about it...that shadow isn't a big deal (with a 6 o'clock mount) for searching and navigating, but point the rifle at a person and the shadow will often prevent you from seeing their face. A person's face may make a big difference in a shoot/no-shoot situation.

If 12 o'clock isn't an option, I would buy a Midwest Industries FSB mount.

I have one on my HD rifle with a TLR-3 mounted (different light pictured below). I find that it puts the switching in a very intuitive position.

Agree with Big B. I run mine at 12 but if I was stuck with a fixed front sight I would go with a FSB mount.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsmountainman

This seems like a great solution right here...but will it accept the M3? http://www.******tactical.com/kzm4balugmo.html

That offers a hideous, awkward actuation of the light. You would have to totally remove your support hand from the handguard to hit the switch (unless you has the alien fingers) thereby placing the full weight of your carbine or rifle directly on your wrist of your strong hand. No thanks.

lsmountainman · 07-13-2011, 11:59

I have a pressure switch that I can actuate with my fingers...shouldn't be a problem.

Glock21Owner · 07-13-2011, 12:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsmountainman

This seems like a great solution right here...but will it accept the M3? http://www.******tactical.com/kzm4balugmo.html

That's the mount I was talking about

***Cochese*** · 07-13-2011, 12:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsmountainman

I have a pressure switch that I can actuate with my fingers...shouldn't be a problem.

Forgive me, I've been up for 26 hours, worked in a metro Denver monsoon all night and go pick my kid up at three.

I stopped reading' good about 13 hours ago.

matt86 · 07-13-2011, 12:10

A lot of people don't like how I run mine, but I put it on the lower rail. All I have is a Fenix TK11 in a scope ring though. I like it because I shoot both left and right handed and don't run a pressure switch so It's natural to access it there.

***Sam Spade*** · 07-13-2011, 15:02

While it's more of a training issue than operational, I've found that 12:00 lights have a problem with the gunsmoke you raise, especially at night. Plus, I've grown to hate tape switches---they add a layer of complexity where you just don't need it.

I mount the light where I can run the tailcap switch directly with my thumb. For me, that's 9:00; some shooters with oragutang thumbs end up with the light at 10:00.

Mayhem like Me · 07-13-2011, 16:12

I tried them all with a 10.5 inch barrel 9:00 for me no shadow.. use my thumb on support hand to accutate...

Broke Hoss · 07-13-2011, 22:42

I've been planning on using this mount for my AR build as it puts the light in the same location as my L&G mount on my 870:
http://www.impactweaponscomponents.c...ht-mount-1-00/

But a couple of guys showed me this one:
http://www.elzetta.com/zfh1500FAQ.htm
Using the sling swivel as an "activator" makes it kinda "ambi".

lawman800 · 07-14-2011, 01:43

I have a similar setup like BR on my KISS rifle with the FSB clamped rail and my M3.

I was going to suggest the Elzetta if you want more clearance from the rifle parts.

As for shadows... there's no real way to get around it when you mount a light on a gun anywhere aft of the barrel. You will get some shadows.

MadMonkey · 07-14-2011, 01:50

This is the location I prefer:

I've since bought a VTAC mount, which raised the light by about an inch. It's pretty much perfect for my thumb to naturally the switch now.

lawman800 · 07-14-2011, 01:52

Is that a desert camo couch?>

MadMonkey · 07-14-2011, 02:11

I wish! I bought a few yards of Marpat fabric (woodland on one side, desert on the other) and just throw it down before I take pics

jenrick · 07-14-2011, 02:25

Where ever you end up putting you light make sure you can activate it when running your rifle off either shoulder. It's not something we run into too often in LE (the need to use our support side), but it can happen. I use a Surefire Scout light at 9 about as far forward as I can get it. I can activate it with either hand when using my VFG. It's not in the way if I'm using a support or on perimeter where I don't need to activate my light.

-Jenrick

imaguy3 · 07-14-2011, 09:25

I'm using this... http://www.crosstac.com/store.html?p...category_id=30

more expensive than the ****** one, but it also gives me a sling mount and is rock solid. uses the rollpin for the old sling swivel to secure it on the bayonet lug.

***Morris*** · 07-14-2011, 22:26

I am assuming you have a fixed front sight tower?

Good timing on this as I have a new AR I'm playing with and deciding on whether to run the X300 at the 12 o'clock in front of the fold up front (VTAC Xtreme handguards) or stay with a 11 or 1 o clock FL position (gear sector mount). Problem right now is that the X300 is a shad eloose with the Pic part even in the rail. That's annoying.

***Cochese*** · 07-15-2011, 01:56

I was gonna ask which adapter you are running. Shouldn't be loose at all. Mine was loose then I realized I had the universal installed still. The pic adapter fixed the wiggle.

pal2511 · 07-15-2011, 02:20

Madmonkey what kind of rail is that? What kind of upper? I love the rails that are seamless with the rest of the upper

MadMonkey · 07-15-2011, 02:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by pal2511

Madmonkey what kind of rail is that? What kind of upper? I love the rails that are seamless with the rest of the upper

Midwest Industries T9. I bought the whole upper from Palmetto State Armory with the rail installed. 14.5", 1/7.

***Morris*** · 07-15-2011, 03:47

Naa, it has the pic adapter. But I don't want to install the rail lock if I don't have to.