Best spot for a "tactical" flashlight?

Pops1085 · February 20, 2013, 05:59 PM

I have an Ar that I am finishing for a HD rifle. I am trying to figure out what would be the optimum place for my StreamLight. I know it isn't a Surefire but it does throw out 600 lumens (for about 30 minutes

) anyways I am a right handed shooter and I have a carbine length quad rail. I also have a really inexpensive foregrip that I picked up just in case I found I needed it to run the light or something. Any imput at all would be appreciated, I am not trying to be "tacticool" I just have heard that if you are serious about HD, get a light and make it a good one.[IMG]

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Daekar · February 20, 2013, 06:14 PM

I would think that the left side of the gun (if you're right-handed) would be best... easy to activate. As long as it doesn't shine on your front sight and cause issues with your optics, it shouldn't really matter. FWIW, my poor-man's Surefire M4 (legoed together, running 2x18650 cells) is mounted on the left of my Marlin 60, attached to the scope. Once a skunk or other critter is spotlighted, they don't last long. Having a lighted rifle is a barrel of fun.

Skadoosh · February 20, 2013, 06:21 PM

I am right handed as well. I also use a vertgrip on my carbine...and my taclight uses a push-activated button switch on the tail cap. I prefer to use the thumb of my left hand to activate the light, so my light is mounted on the right side of my carbine's quad-rail.

Pops1085 · February 20, 2013, 06:23 PM

Is there a pro's and con's to each side or is it just user preference?

Skadoosh · February 20, 2013, 06:24 PM

Easier for me to manipulate the button switch.

Nice little rifle you got there, btw.

Pops1085 · February 20, 2013, 06:30 PM

Thank's I'm jealous of both of those setups

I want a full sized upper set up exactly how you have the top one. Maybe in a couple of months when people pull their heads out of their asses.

Captains1911 · February 20, 2013, 10:02 PM

You have to play with it and see where it works best for you. You want it in a position where you can easily activate it momentarily. If you're using the vertical grip and wrapping all your fingers around it, the light will need to be on the right (assuming you are right-handed) where you can easily activate it with your thumb. If your not using the grip, or using it more like an AFG, the light will likely work best on the bottom or left of the handguard.

Pops1085 · February 20, 2013, 11:16 PM

I hear people mention not wrapping your whole hand around a vertical grip. Is there something wrong with that because I actually like the way that feels.

allaroundhunter · February 20, 2013, 11:17 PM

The best thing is to get a pressure pad for your flashlight and attach it to your VFG. I don't like foregrips, so I keep the pressure pad attached to the top rail. That way I can reach it whether I am shooting right or left handed.

Pops1085 · February 20, 2013, 11:48 PM

Okay but which side should I mount it on? 11 oclock? 2 oclock? 4?

allaroundhunter · February 20, 2013, 11:55 PM

It is all personal preference. I prefer it be on my strong side (11 o'clock for me), because then I can see it in my line-of-sight and won't hit it against a door frame or snag on anything being on the opposite end of the gun.

The most important thing in determining location is how you will activate it. If you will be using a pressure switch then it can be mounted to the lower receiver and not make a difference. Just make activation instinctive and easy, and keep it to where it won't snag.

And get some training in low-no light defensive shooting. It is a whole different world from anything else; and using a light improperly will get you hurt more than it will help you in a defensive situation.

Pops1085 · February 21, 2013, 12:07 AM

Like this? Also, I have the mount clamped to the tail cap, would you trust that to hold up or should I run it around the actual body of the light?

allaroundhunter · February 21, 2013, 12:09 AM

That is right where I would mount it. And I would keep the mount directly around the body of the light, just to be safe.

Pops1085 · February 21, 2013, 12:11 AM

Alright thanks, I am going to have to get another mount though, I can't move the light back otherwise the head of the light is bumping the FSP

Captains1911 · February 21, 2013, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Alright thanks, I am going to have to get another mount though, I can't move the light back otherwise the head of the light is bumping the FSP

Before you do that, try it with the mount upside down on the left rail, it should put the light in a similar location as you have pictured but may provide enough clearance. If you decide to get another light, think about a Surefire X300 or Streamlight TLR-1s, they are very bright, light-weight, and mount directly to the rail so no need for an additional mount (see pic). I used to have a setup like yours but it was just too heavy.

Pops1085 · February 21, 2013, 07:55 PM

Thanks, I'm loving those rail covers. What are they?? Not to be a accessory whore but the one's that I've got now are a little bulky for the new grip I'm trying out.

Captains1911 · February 21, 2013, 10:13 PM

They're ladder rail covers, those came with my DD rail, but Magpul also makes them. Very light weight and low-profile.

**James K** · February 21, 2013, 11:01 PM

The place for the light is whereever you don't mind being blown to heck when the BG fires at the light. Of course if your head is behind the light, you won't mind much of anything. Ever.

Jim

Pops1085 · February 22, 2013, 02:14 AM

Yea I mean if you want to leave the light on... be my guest.

February 20, 2013, 05:59 PM	#1
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 146	Best spot for a "tactical" flashlight? I have an Ar that I am finishing for a HD rifle. I am trying to figure out what would be the optimum place for my StreamLight. I know it isn't a Surefire but it does throw out 600 lumens (for about 30 minutes ) anyways I am a right handed shooter and I have a carbine length quad rail. I also have a really inexpensive foregrip that I picked up just in case I found I needed it to run the light or something. Any imput at all would be appreciated, I am not trying to be "tacticool" I just have heard that if you are serious about HD, get a light and make it a good one.[IMG][/IMG]

February 20, 2013, 06:14 PM	#2
Daekar Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2011 Posts: 458	I would think that the left side of the gun (if you're right-handed) would be best... easy to activate. As long as it doesn't shine on your front sight and cause issues with your optics, it shouldn't really matter. FWIW, my poor-man's Surefire M4 (legoed together, running 2x18650 cells) is mounted on the left of my Marlin 60, attached to the scope. Once a skunk or other critter is spotlighted, they don't last long. Having a lighted rifle is a barrel of fun. __________________ "... I cannot but conclude the bulk of your [politicians] to be the most pernicious race of little odious vermin that nature ever suffered to crawl upon the surface of the earth." ~ Jonathon Swift

February 20, 2013, 06:21 PM	#3
Skadoosh Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,624	I am right handed as well. I also use a vertgrip on my carbine...and my taclight uses a push-activated button switch on the tail cap. I prefer to use the thumb of my left hand to activate the light, so my light is mounted on the right side of my carbine's quad-rail. __________________ NRA Life Member (2003) If you cannot defeat your enemy in the crucible of truth, there’s nothing left but a cauldron of hate. Last edited by Skadoosh; February 20, 2013 at 06:27 PM.

February 20, 2013, 06:24 PM	#5
Skadoosh Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,624	Easier for me to manipulate the button switch. Nice little rifle you got there, btw. __________________ NRA Life Member (2003) If you cannot defeat your enemy in the crucible of truth, there’s nothing left but a cauldron of hate.

February 20, 2013, 06:30 PM	#6
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 146	Thank's I'm jealous of both of those setups I want a full sized upper set up exactly how you have the top one. Maybe in a couple of months when people pull their heads out of their asses. Last edited by Pops1085; February 20, 2013 at 06:46 PM.

February 20, 2013, 06:23 PM	#4
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 146	Is there a pro's and con's to each side or is it just user preference?

February 20, 2013, 10:02 PM	#7
Captains1911 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 171	You have to play with it and see where it works best for you. You want it in a position where you can easily activate it momentarily. If you're using the vertical grip and wrapping all your fingers around it, the light will need to be on the right (assuming you are right-handed) where you can easily activate it with your thumb. If your not using the grip, or using it more like an AFG, the light will likely work best on the bottom or left of the handguard. __________________ Your Mileage Obviously Varies

February 20, 2013, 11:16 PM	#8
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 146	I hear people mention not wrapping your whole hand around a vertical grip. Is there something wrong with that because I actually like the way that feels.

February 20, 2013, 11:17 PM	#9
allaroundhunter Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2012 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 905	The best thing is to get a pressure pad for your flashlight and attach it to your VFG. I don't like foregrips, so I keep the pressure pad attached to the top rail. That way I can reach it whether I am shooting right or left handed.

February 20, 2013, 11:48 PM	#10
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 146	Okay but which side should I mount it on? 11 oclock? 2 oclock? 4?

February 20, 2013, 11:55 PM	#11
allaroundhunter Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2012 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 905	It is all personal preference. I prefer it be on my strong side (11 o'clock for me), because then I can see it in my line-of-sight and won't hit it against a door frame or snag on anything being on the opposite end of the gun. The most important thing in determining location is how you will activate it. If you will be using a pressure switch then it can be mounted to the lower receiver and not make a difference. Just make activation instinctive and easy, and keep it to where it won't snag. And get some training in low-no light defensive shooting. It is a whole different world from anything else; and using a light improperly will get you hurt more than it will help you in a defensive situation.

February 21, 2013, 12:07 AM	#12
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 146	Like this? Also, I have the mount clamped to the tail cap, would you trust that to hold up or should I run it around the actual body of the light?

February 21, 2013, 12:09 AM	#13
allaroundhunter Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2012 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 905	That is right where I would mount it. And I would keep the mount directly around the body of the light, just to be safe.

February 21, 2013, 12:11 AM	#14
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 146	Alright thanks, I am going to have to get another mount though, I can't move the light back otherwise the head of the light is bumping the FSP

February 21, 2013, 07:55 PM	#16
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 146	Thanks, I'm loving those rail covers. What are they?? Not to be a accessory whore but the one's that I've got now are a little bulky for the new grip I'm trying out.

February 21, 2013, 10:13 PM	#17
Captains1911 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 171	They're ladder rail covers, those came with my DD rail, but Magpul also makes them. Very light weight and low-profile. __________________ Your Mileage Obviously Varies

February 21, 2013, 11:01 PM	#18
James K Staff Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 16,403	The place for the light is whereever you don't mind being blown to heck when the BG fires at the light. Of course if your head is behind the light, you won't mind much of anything. Ever. Jim __________________ Jim K

February 22, 2013, 02:14 AM	#19
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 146	Yea I mean if you want to leave the light on... be my guest.