Which Surefire WeaponLight???

Guys,
I'm trying to decide on a Surefire weaponlight for my Colt 16" M4.
Now I have not yet decided on a free float rail, so I know this is going to affect things a bit.
Anyhow, I trying to decide on my options, as Surefire has so many different methods of mounting, and they have several different lights to choose from.
What are the most popular Surefire M4/AR15 weapon systems being used?

I'm still a bit confused about just how many lights they have, or at least which specific models I should be considering.
Can anyone shed a little wisdom here?

I want a nice strong, lightweight light for general defense in the dark.
I am just trying to figure out my options.

One thing I DO KNOW, is that I have never liked any type of mount that puts the light on your FSB.
I can't stand the look of that.
Part of me wants to say that I'd prefer the light to be directly under the barrel, but then I see so many mounted to the side of the barrel, and I'm wondering if this might be an option for me as well.
How many options are there for under the barrel mounting? I know there is the VFG mount, and I also think there is a regular picatinny mount that would work on the underside of a free float rail, which would put the light under the barrel.
Can anyone help me with some options here? The SF website is a little overwhelming, and just makes it hard to choose...

BTW, one other thing I should mention, is that I've never really liked vertical foregrips (VFG's), so I'm THINKING a VFG mounted light will probably not be an option for me....

Thanks.

The Scout or the 951/952.

for another option, how about a 6P or a G2, maybe with a shock isolated bezel (Z32?), in a daniel defense ring. Grant has them.

+1 Scout or the 951/ 952

The M951 the third digit of the model number describes the mounting which in this case "1" means dual screw type mount.

The M952 means ARMS lever mount, the other characters to the right of the model numbers are either "C" which means a clicker type of push button switch and the "XM07" are both push button and cable pressure pad, the pushbutton and pressure-activated tape switch operate independently, providing switch redundancy. Standard pressure pad cable length is 7" (fits most rifle/ carbine applications).


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...M951C-2MDR.jpg

I've got the M951C mounted on my KAC M4 RAS rail because I prefer the simple pushbutton without wires to tangle with my gear

My M951 is a new model which have a thinner main body and less material than the older model, it's about 10% lighter than before.

A picatinny rail could be added at the bottom of standard handguard to mount the light but in my opinion a drop in rail like the KAC, Samson or Midwest Industries are better than just he add on bottom rail.

Ask Grant (of G&R Tactical) he should have them or even custom made it with LaRue Tactical mount which is the best Surefire mount in my opinion.

Well I should say that I do not think I'll want any wiring ran anywhere either.
I am not sure HOW many ways there are to turn the lights on. I have only seen the VFG switches, where either a tape switch is used on the VFG itself, OR where you just reach your finger over and push the tailcap switch on the light, with your left thumb.
Are there any other options of turning the light on/off?

So, it looks like either the Scout, or the 951/952 huh???

Hope to hear more from you guys on this...

I use the m962. I would not reccomend a light for use in the house over 200 lumens.



Rob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AR-15A3

+1 Scout or the 951/ 952

The M951 the third digit of the model number describes the mounting which in this case "1" means dual screw type mount.

The M952 means ARMS lever mount, the other characters to the right of the model numbers are either "C" which means a clicker type of push button switch and the "XM07" are both push button and cable pressure pad, the pushbutton and pressure-activated tape switch operate independently, providing switch redundancy. Standard pressure pad cable length is 7" (fits most rifle/ carbine applications).


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...M951C-2MDR.jpg

I've got the M951C mounted on my KAC M4 RAS rail because I prefer the simple pushbutton without wires to tangle with my gear

My M951 is a new model which have a thinner main body and less material than the older model, it's about 10% lighter than before.

A picatinny rail could be added at the bottom of standard handguard to mount the light but in my opinion a drop in rail like the KAC, Samson or Midwest Industries are better than just he add on bottom rail.

Ask Grant (of G&R Tactical) he should have them or even custom made it with LaRue Tactical mount which is the best Surefire mount in my opinion.

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So how exactly does the M951 mount in the pic??? Is this a Larue mount or Surefire mount??
I really like the simplicity of that setup, but I am thinking I MIGHT like to use a smaller light, for a little more of a lightweight setup.
Can I purchase a setup similar to this pic you posted of your M951, but with a DIFFERENT, SMALLER light???
I DO think that I want to use that basic style of setup though. Very KISS, and I think it will be just what I'm after. HOW does it attach to the rail???
What is the run time and lumen output of this M951? What is the length of the light body?
Thanks.

I just got a Surefire M600 Scout Light last week. It is very compact and comes with it's own single thumbscrew mounting ring. It also comes with both a thumb activator (constant on/off) as well as a tape activation strip.

My 1st impressions:

- Very compact! I also have a Surefire M962XM07 and it is probably 1/4 the size and weight of that big beast. (I'll see if I can find a scale if you want #'s)

- Lightweight: See above

- Output: It is brighter than both my E2E and L1 Lumamax. (As confirmed by an unscientific study my wife & I just conducted!)

- $$$: For about $30 more than a M951 you could get the Scout light. It's lighter, smaller and an LED based light that will last longer.

Just my opinion.

look at the 600 scout light , i have one mounted on my kac rail system at the 6 o clock . it came with the push button , as well as the pressure switch. check on the availability - it took surefire about 5 months to get mine to me . i should mention also that it came with 2 heads , a LED and the standard bulb setup . both are absolutely blinding in the dark

For a 6 volt light I like the Surefire Scout (M600) light with the incandesent bulb housing (like this much better than the LED that comes standard on the Scout....and it's cheaper) and clicker tail cap on a LaRue Tactical mount. Nice small lightweight package:

http://www.coloradoshooting.org/usmc03%20new%20fg3s.jpg


For situations when more light is desired (ie. clearing long hall ways, schools, industrial buildings, alleys, large outside areas, etc). I prefer the 961C 9 volt with the clicker tail cap and LaRue mount:

http://www.coloradoshooting.org/usmc03%206920sd4s.jpg


I have the "clicker" tail caps on all of my lights, as I have seen too many accidental light discharges with tape switches. And tape switches don't give you the option of "constant on" if you need to perform tasks with your support hand (ie. opening doors, picking up items, grabbing / holding a suspect, etc). Another benefit is that they are cheaper than a tape switch as well.




Semper Fi,
Jeff

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paul Cataldo

So how exactly does the M951 mount in the pic??? Is this a Larue mount or Surefire mount??
I really like the simplicity of that setup, but I am thinking I MIGHT like to use a smaller light, for a little more of a lightweight setup.
Can I purchase a setup similar to this pic you posted of your M951, but with a DIFFERENT, SMALLER light???
I DO think that I want to use that basic style of setup though. Very KISS, and I think it will be just what I'm after. HOW does it attach to the rail???
What is the run time and lumen output of this M951? What is the length of the light body?
Thanks.

---

I don't have a LaRue mount yet, I'll get it later on when they improve the design by adding their new LT-exclusive lever safety lock.

The one on mine is the Surefire standard screw mount, the rail clamp is tightened to the rail when you turn the two thumb screws (I always use blue Loctite on all my threads).

The Surefire model M600 Scout like on USMC03's photo is smaller if you prefer a smaller light but slightly more cost.

The M95X series are 6-volt shock-isolated system powered by two lithium batteries and providing 65 lumens for one-hour of runtime or 120 lumens for 20 minutes using an included ultra-high output lamp assembly.

The overall length of the light body is about 6" and the smallest width at the center of the body of the new latest M95X models which I have are only .75" outer diameter.


Ref. Surefire M951 Millennium Universal WeaponLight System website link



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...-3-07-P-MD.jpg
Here's my setup of my LMT 16" Defender 2000 M4 carbine, I try to keep it as simple as possible by only mounting a KAC M4 RAS drop in rails, Surefire weaponlight, KAC VFG, EOTech 551 and LaRue EOTech QD mount


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...yBUIS-1-MD.jpg
The M4 carbine on the upper picture is my main home defense weapon, I also have this Colt AR6721 16" Operator mid length gas system, medium contour barrel with LaRue free float 9.0 rails, TangoDown VFG and Surefire M961C weaponlight which is my heavy duty general purpose outdoor (SHTF) gun

Surefire 952C with LaRue offset mount.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...4/Dsc00946.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by USMC03

For a 6 volt light I like the Surefire Scout (M600) light with the incandesent bulb housing (like this much better than the LED that comes standard on the Scout....and it's cheaper) and clicker tail cap on a LaRue Tactical mount. Nice small lightweight package:

http://www.coloradoshooting.org/usmc03%20new%20fg3s.jpg


For situations when more light is desired (ie. clearing long hall ways, schools, industrial buildings, alleys, large outside areas, etc). I prefer the 961C 9 volt with the clicker tail cap and LaRue mount:

http://www.coloradoshooting.org/usmc03%206920sd4s.jpg


I have the "clicker" tail caps on all of my lights, as I have seen too many accidental light discharges with tape switches. And tape switches don't give you the option of "constant on" if you need to perform tasks with your support hand (ie. opening doors, picking up items, grabbing / holding a suspect, etc). Another benefit is that they are cheaper than a tape switch as well.

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This is exactly the same logic and setup that I use/want. Anyone know of a retailer selling the scout light with the LT mount as pictured in the first picture above?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rob_s

This is exactly the same logic and setup that I use/want. Anyone know of a retailer selling the scout light with the LT mount as pictured in the first picture above?

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I sell scout light with the LT Scout mount. I also have a more custom scout setup with a Z68 tail cap and the M60A head. This head allows you to use standard covers/filters.



C4


M60LUE06

http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/...s/M60LUE06.JPG

http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/...om%20Scout.JPG

M60L68

http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/...68%20side1.jpg

http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/...L68%20side.jpg

http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/...L68%20Rear.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by C4IGrant

M60L68

http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/...68%20side1.jpg

http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/...L68%20side.jpg

http://www.gandrtactical.com/images/...L68%20Rear.jpg

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Yes, that's exactly what I want! Price?

Also, do they make the Larue mount with a reverse lever?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rob_s

Yes, that's exactly what I want! Price?

Also, do they make the Larue mount with a reverse lever?

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Price for you? $500. :D



C4

Sorry for not getting back to this sooner. The M60L68 is $256.


C4

Bringing this back from the dead...

Like the op I'm looking for a weapon light and am a bit overwhelmed. Some of the above is quite out of date which is why I'm posting.

The light will be going on 16" carbine with 7" ff rail, vfg, and fixed fsb. I had a cheap light on the weapon for awhile so I have an idea of what kind of shadow will be cast by the barrel. Still, I like the idea of being able to get the light out as far as possible. Three models I've been looking at are the x300, mini scout, and M600C.

Obviously the x300 is the cheapest and most compact and negates any wires or tape switches. I've seen the x300 rated at both 110 and 170 lumens on different sites, can anyone confirm the actual number? (I've read on here that SF ratings are generously lower than actual output) The mini scout would stick out a bit more but it has a shorter run time. The M600C sticks out the furthest but it has the highest price tag.

After batting things around I'm leaning toward the x300. Can anyone cite their experiences and/or ideas?

My understanding is that SureFire re-rated the 110-lumen lights to 170 lumens, but they are the same. As you stated, SureFire is known for underrating their lights and 110 lumens was well below the real-world output of these lights so SF changed the number in the specs to be closer to actual output. I wouldn't worry about it, whatever the packaging says just know that it will be BRIGHT.

I recommend getting the M600 Scout Light. You stated that you want the light as far forward as possible and on a 16-inch carbine with only 7 inches of rail you will need all the extra reach you can get to reduce barrel shadow and the longer M600 will help you get the light as far forward as possible. The X300 in the 12 o'clock position is also used with good results by many though I don't use this setup myself but it is another great option to look at, and versatile in it's own way.

I use the scout and the x300 with the gear sector adaptors. The x300 is versatile in that you can take it off and put it on your pistol as well. Although I have my personal rifles set up with the scout and my work with the x300.

I used to run an incandescent SF 951. I would throw a beam 100+ yards of usable light. I ran it without the tape switch and had it mounted at 3oclock (im a lefty) and operated it with my right thumb, I used a VFG at that time so it was a pretty comfortable setup. With the new LED technology I didn't think I needed a huge light hanging off my rifle so I started looking for something different.

Was about to pull the trigger on a X300 and then saw the sale on the TLR1.

Now I run a TLR1 at 9oclock the furthest forward I can and operate it with my middle finger from my AFG. It will throw a good beam at least 50yds(my best backyard eyeball guesstimate) and it floods well indoors.

The barrel shadow isn't that bad on my SR15, about 6inches of barrel past the light. It kind of bothered me at first, but I soon got used to it and realized how much it really didn't matter. I believe the TLR1 and x300 have similar specs, some say the x300 is brighter. I like the TLR1/x300 style because they are small, light, and bright.