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Old February 20, 2013, 04:59 PM   #1
Pops1085
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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]
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Old February 20, 2013, 05:14 PM   #2
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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.
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Old February 20, 2013, 05:21 PM   #3
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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.



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Old February 20, 2013, 05:23 PM   #4
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Is there a pro's and con's to each side or is it just user preference?
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Old February 20, 2013, 05:24 PM   #5
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Easier for me to manipulate the button switch.

Nice little rifle you got there, btw.
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Old February 20, 2013, 05:30 PM   #6
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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.

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Old February 20, 2013, 09:02 PM   #7
Captains1911
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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.
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Old February 20, 2013, 10:16 PM   #8
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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.
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Old February 20, 2013, 10:17 PM   #9
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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.
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Old February 20, 2013, 10:48 PM   #10
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Okay but which side should I mount it on? 11 oclock? 2 oclock? 4?
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Old February 20, 2013, 10:55 PM   #11
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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.
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Old February 20, 2013, 11:07 PM   #12
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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?




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Old February 20, 2013, 11:09 PM   #13
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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.
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Old February 20, 2013, 11:11 PM   #14
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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
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Old February 21, 2013, 08:31 AM   #15
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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.

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Old February 21, 2013, 06:55 PM   #16
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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.
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Old February 21, 2013, 09:13 PM   #17
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They're ladder rail covers, those came with my DD rail, but Magpul also makes them. Very light weight and low-profile.
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Old February 21, 2013, 10:01 PM   #18
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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.

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Old February 22, 2013, 01:14 AM   #19
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Yea I mean if you want to leave the light on... be my guest.
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Old June 8, 2013, 02:37 AM   #20
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Really looks like best spot for flashlight. I am looking to get one very soon and show my gun pics with flashlight..Thanks

Last edited by JeremyJoseph; June 9, 2013 at 12:08 AM.
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Old June 8, 2013, 09:06 PM   #21
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I'd say in your left hand about 2 foot away from your body.
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Old June 8, 2013, 10:36 PM   #22
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The down side of the light mounted on your weapon is (as a civilian), a) when you look at something with the light, you are pointing a (loaded?!) weapon at them, something which is generally not considered a friendly act.

And b) anyone who does shoot at you will have a strong tendency to shoot at the light.

Not being a hi speed low drag operator, my light will be in my off hand, held as well away from the rest of me as circumstances permit.
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Old June 9, 2013, 05:37 PM   #23
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T
Quote:
he down side of the light mounted on your weapon is (as a civilian), a) when you look at something with the light, you are pointing a (loaded?!) weapon at them, something which is generally not considered a friendly act.

And b) anyone who does shoot at you will have a strong tendency to shoot at the light.

Not being a hi speed low drag operator, my light will be in my off hand, held as well away from the rest of me as circumstances permit.
44AMP, just curious how you do this with a rifle/carbine?

Thanks
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Old June 9, 2013, 07:44 PM   #24
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If you are right handed, and do what Captains1911 did, be careful you don't hit the rocker switch when you go to the low ready. Your stealth is lost pretty quick when you accidentally shine a high-powered flashlight through the door your team just stacked up on!

I put the light on the right side, with a tape switch on the top (I use a thumb-over grip.)
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Old June 9, 2013, 09:34 PM   #25
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+ 1 for post 18. For me this is the right side far down the barrel. Not very far, from my head or center mass, but as far as possible. The idea is to blind then, and use lethal force if necessary before him. But I try to err on the side of caution.
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