I am interested in getting a dedicated light for my AR15. I’m not going to actually be using it because I shoot in the daytime, but I’m sure it will get a good workout when I play with it at night in my home. Main things I am looking for is how the light will look on the weapon, and how I can manipulate it.
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[li]Want to have a push button with momentary on/off, and use my vertical grip
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Basically I want to mount the light at either 9 o’clock or 3 o’clock and use my forward pointing thumb (left or right side depending on my mood) to engage the on/off momentary button. Does this make sense?
Next major factor is looks. I like the look of the lights that are seen on the Mk18 short barreled Navy SEALs guns. I would like the same light if possible. Below are some ideas that I like and need input on what these people are using:
Resq47
I really like this setup. I believe this particular setup is the same thing I am descrbing above? Does anyone know if this setup is what I want based on what I just said? It’s using the solid LaRue mount and I love the way the light looks. Can anyone tell me what he is using?
rob_s
I believe this is the same light as pictured above? I like the light, but obviously I would be using mine in conjunction with a forward grip and pressing the button with my thumb.
Random Internet Pic http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/060128-N-4374S-001.jpg
Just a link for this one, because it is too large for this page. In the lower left you can see the light, I am interested, is this the same light as the above?
If anyone has any comments or suggestions, please give them. This will be a major purchase for me and I would like to make sure that the light satisfies my specific requirements (ie light placement/proper model).
Thanks!
Personally I find them too big and too heavy. I had a Surefire 951 (6v) on my 10" LMT and it made the gun very front heavy.
I’ll be rebuilding the upper on this gun soon and will be low profile ‘shaving’ the FSB to a gas block, using a 9" Daniel Defense Lite Rail and mounting a Surefire X200 or X300 at 12 o’clock on the muzzle end of the rail and run a LMT MRP rail mounted fixed front sight right behind the light. My barrel actually measures 10 7/16" so I might be able to use a 10" Lite Rail but I doubt it. I’m pretty sure the DD Mk18 rail would fit too, but damn that’s a lot of loot!
I assembled an upper just like this for a friend. His has a genuine 10.25" Colt CQBR barrel, 9" Lite Rail, LMT front sight, Colt upper receiver and Colt M16 BCG and PRI Gas Buster and I ‘shaved’ the FSB down to a low profile gas block and shortened it (in the front) about 1mm to ensure that it was completely under the rail, he has the Surefire 556K suppressor and mount. Very badass looking upper and VERY lightweight.
Those are two different lights, both are Surefires.
Rob S’s light looks like a SF-M961 Millenium series and Z48 or 49 tail cap with dual thumb screw mount.
Resq47’s looks like a SF-M971 Millenium series with a Larue mount.
FWIW, that light IS heavy and bulky. Below is what that gun looks like now. Note that it is now installed on a throwlever mount so that it can be taken off easily when I want a lighter package. The light w/ mount weighs in at 11.6 oz so it’s a big difference.
With all of that said, it’s also very bright and has a good “throw”, which is perfect for this particular carbine. It also wears a 3x optic, and is intended for use on more medium-range targets.
Compare that with a Surefire Scout-type at less than half the weight that rides on my SBR for closer-range work (bottom pic).
I am a fan of the 961 series, but they are noticeably heavier than other options. For illuminating at distance or from bright areas into dark areas, I have not used anything better. For a dedicated indoor/close range illumination tool I prefer something lighter, such as an X300 or Scout Light.
You may want to try the 951, less weight for a little less light than a 961.
I admire your candor. You’re being forthright that you care about how it looks. A lot more people care a lot more about how their stuff looks than will ever admit it here.
I believe in purpose built carbines… With that in mind I am going to recommend a light solution to your query…
A few points:
A weak light is almost worse than no light… It can do more harm than good…
Unless you are fighting at bayoneting distances, with a select fire weapon, a VFG also can do more harm than good… If you really want one on your carbine, I suggest mounting it all the way forward…
The purpose of a rail system for the Military is to mount a number of accessories that most non SF end users will never see other than in pictures…
If your intent is to add a working light to a carbine and still want the option of running a VFG in the forward position I am going to highly recommend the surefire m500a
It is much lighter than any rail / light combo, it is basically a M4 double heat shield design with a built in light, pressure switch, a constant on switch, and navigation LEDs. Its 225 lums will be almost twice as bright as anything out there…
It will also accept a VFG mounted in the forward position if you want to run one, and it looks cool too…
For example, I know that the version of the Scout that I’m running is around 5 oz., and I know that a DD 7.0 weighs 8.5 oz, for a combined total of 13.5 oz. Add in a few rails/covers and call it 15 oz. even.
What does a 500A, plus delta-ring and barrel nut, weigh in at?
Thanks for all of the replies.
Main thing I have been getting around here is that this thing is going to be really heavy. I appreciate all of the advice, but as I stated before I really do like the looks of this light. It seriously looks nice and since this particular build will be mainly for range use, weight won’t be my primary concern. I am already using a small pistol light (that doesn’t look near as cool ) on my “real” carbine.
Another question for you folks:
In Resq47’s picture there seems to be a different tail cap (not sure if thats the correct term), than in the other pictures. I like the look of the tail cap featured in Resq47’s picture. It seems more comfortable than the other end buttons. So my question to you guys, is: How does this light operate and what is the different between these two end pieces?
Once again, thank you for all of the replies I have read them all and each one provides me with much information. Thanks!
Grant is on the right track IMHO with his incandescent Scouts or WG series lights. A small light that weighs nothing, puts out a ton of light and isn’t nearly as spendy as a big honkin SF 9 series? Why wouldn’t anyone want that?
Surefire’s data sheet lists the M500A as 13.0 oz, with the batteries… I am not sure what the delta-ring and barrel nut weigh in at… Perhaps someone will post their weight…
and at $300/400 +/- for the entire assembly, it is a lot of bang for the buck… So to speak…
Is that price/weight for the current version with the nav lights? The diagrams in the .pdf don’t appear to be. I’m also seeing what appears to be a MAP for the current model of $515.
I’ll ask him to bring it by the shop so I can get some pics of it. It’s very nice. You can see about 1/32" of the battery latch on the X200 when it’s mounted in front of the LMT front sight down at the bottom of the post.
Aubrey as promised here is the pics. He’s going to be replacing the large knob on the LMT front sight with a small nyloc-nut and shortening the threaded shaft. I’m going to set mine up very similarly to this but run a Aimpoint T1 in a tall LaRue mount and use my AAC M42K 07 and Tangodown rail covers and the stubby Tangodown forward grip.
Here you can see the top of the light, this would be way off the stock if it were on a lower.
Here almost looking through the sights and you can just barely see a tiny bit almost nothing of the light.
) on my “real” carbine.
