Which Surefire WeaponLight???

[Razorhunter]

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.

[Robb Jensen]

The Scout or the 951/952.

[Cold Zero]

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.

[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).




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.

[Razorhunter]

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...

[GunLovinTexan]

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



Rob

[Razorhunter]

+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).




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.

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.

[musashi666]

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.

[AR-15A3]

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




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



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