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View Full Version : What is your preferred Tac Light position?



sonrider657
01-14-08, 21:17
What location do you prefer to mount your Tactical Flashlight on your rifle/carbine?

Jay Cunningham
01-14-08, 21:27
Best weapon light placement? (https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=5500)

ArmaGlock
01-16-08, 11:27
12 o' clock???? Why would you do that?

Jay Cunningham
01-16-08, 14:53
12 o' clock???? Why would you do that?

That position is increasingly looking like the most effective overall...

Here's a pic of one of GotM4's:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/CQBR/cqbr004.jpg

Stephen_H
01-16-08, 15:12
12 o' clock???? Why would you do that?

It is ideal. With the light mounted at any other position around the clock shooting around barricades can become problematic. Try shooting around a left hand barricade with the light at 3 o'clock and you'll either have to expose a few more inches of yourself and your gun or you'll accidently splash light against the barricade and illuminate yourself and lose your night vision. Same with right hand and 9 o'clock or over the top of a barricade and the 6 o'clock.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v342/stephen_101st/Gear/PSD-1.jpg

HLDefender
01-16-08, 17:31
I've been using this setup for a month or so. I like it...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/HOMELANDEFENDER/2007_1227Bush0009.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/HOMELANDEFENDER/2007_1227Bush0010.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/HOMELANDEFENDER/2007_1227Bush0012.jpg

HLD...

telecustom
01-16-08, 18:24
I'm running a M900 so 6 o'clock is the way I go. I know it's not the best thing to use off a sand bag or barricade, but I make it work. I like the fact that the light is out of my way and has the Nav LEDs. I used them alot in Iraq. I don't have to deal with any cords to get tangled or broken. I know the M900 is expensive...I mean REALLY expensive, but it was worth the cash.

subzero
01-16-08, 19:17
Preferred
http://i19.tinypic.com/72v0eth.jpg

But it has it's disadvantages. Particularly should I switch to wrong handed.

thmpr
01-16-08, 21:30
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o251/thmpr464/CIMG3114.jpg

hkmp5
01-16-08, 21:53
Top S.B.R. at 3 off set
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/hkmp5a2/SBRs.jpg

MP5 At 6
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/hkmp5a2/100_1461.jpg

On G-17 http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/hkmp5a2/AllGlock.jpg

Failure2Stop
01-17-08, 12:38
I agree that 12 is the optimal placement, but mine are at 10:30 (as per my vote) due to a migration away from pressure pads. 10:30 lets me hit the tailcap with my thumb without modifying my support hand grip.

Placement of my VFG is for ease of light activation.

nickdrak
01-18-08, 08:15
Just about EVERYTHING in terms of weapon configuration is a compromise. Weaponlight location is no exception. The 12 o'clock position is the optimal position in terms of illuminating from all of the odd angles that may occur when clearing rooms, shooting from behind and over different types/dimensions of cover, etc. But it is a compromise when considering which types of lights are compatible with the 12 o'clock position especially when you consider your iron or flip-up sight options. Anything bigger than a X200/X300 will require you to severely limit or even eliminate your front flip-up sight. And when you also take into consideration your switching options for any type of light mounted at the 12, your options are very limited. I like M-Guns (Ned Christiansen) fixed front sight post light mount for the 12 o'clock position with use of a X300, but again, it is a compromise as far as light output and switch configurations.

I prefer to have a 9volt high output light on my carbine, and in my opinion the Surefire M900 vertical grip/weaponlight mounted at 6 o'clock is the best option. The M900 is hefty, but when you consider what it offers: 9 volt shock isolated, super bright incandesent output, low output LED navigation lights, all wrapped up into a rock solid vertical grip package, the benefits "outweigh" the weight penalty of the system.

markm
01-18-08, 08:18
I agree that 12 is the optimal placement, but mine are at 10:30 (as per my vote) due to a migration away from pressure pads. 10:30 lets me hit the tailcap with my thumb without modifying my support hand grip.


Same here.

ArmaGlock
01-18-08, 12:20
Interesting, now I really can't decide where to mount mine! the 12 o clock thing makes more sense now.

rhino
01-18-08, 13:20
But it has it's disadvantages. Particularly should I switch to wrong handed.

I have mine mounted pretty much the same way. The problem with wrong handed shooting isn't a big deal for me since I have a second, identical light mounted on the opposite side. That's not why I have two lights, but just a happy coincidence.

nickdrak
01-18-08, 13:31
Thekatar,

While I completely understand the rationale behind the 12 o'clock position, it appears that the pictured set-up would be quite akward to operate the activation switch on the X200 especially when using a vertical grip. A XT07 tailcap/pressure pad switch could be added, but the front sight would have to be pushed even further back or completely removed.

Just tryin' to stimulate some discussion on this to see if there is a better way that doesnt require so many compromises to use the 12 o'clock position....


That position is increasingly looking like the most effective overall...

Here's a pic of one of GotM4's:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/CQBR/cqbr004.jpg

RD62
01-19-08, 08:39
It looks to me like the X300 in the picture above could also be moved forward a slot or two making it easier to acess the rocker switch or give more clearance for a tape switch.

I too just switched to a 10:30 position with a VTAC mount. I haven't really heard anything bad about this mount yet, but it's polymer construction has me a little concerned about long term durability, but at it's price I had to give it a try.

I really like the 10:30 position and ditched my tape switch for a higher hold on my vfg and thumb activation of the light. I feel it's much more natural, and as others have mentioned elsewhere, I feel like I have better control and can "drive" the front end of the gun better.


-RD62

Jay Cunningham
01-19-08, 09:25
Thekatar,

While I completely understand the rationale behind the 12 o'clock position, it appears that the pictured set-up would be quite akward to operate the activation switch on the X200 especially when using a vertical grip. A XT07 tailcap/pressure pad switch could be added, but the front sight would have to be pushed even further back or completely removed.

Just tryin' to stimulate some discussion on this to see if there is a better way that doesnt require so many compromises to use the 12 o'clock position....

I don't have mine setup like this yet, but it looks to me pretty natural to press the x300 rocker with the support side thumb, no VFG used.

I may be wrong.

David Thomas
01-19-08, 11:38
It looks to me like the X300 in the picture above could also be moved forward a slot or two making it easier to acess the rocker switch or give more clearance for a tape switch.


-RD62

GotM4's pic:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/CQBR/cqbr004.jpg

That is a X200 and I agree, it does look like it could be moved up at least one notch if needed.

I have a similar light set up on a JP rifle length handguard and find it to be very natural and easy to access and activate. I also think that with this set up it would be easier to avoid accidentally activating the light.

However, I think that the ease of access to the 12 o'clock placement might depend on the size of your paws and the overall size of the rail system. Fat or wide rail systems might make the light in this position harder to activate if you have small paws.

With the round JP tube it is a breeze even for my medium sized hands.

RD62
01-19-08, 12:40
GotM4's pic:

That is a X200 and I agree, it does look like it could be moved up at least one notch if needed.



My mistake. X200. Paid more attention to HOW it was mounted than to WHAT was mounted. I don't think it would make much difference as to mounting it wether its a 200A, 200B, or 300. But I have been wrong before! Just don't tell my wife or kids! :D


-RD62

David Thomas
01-19-08, 18:05
My mistake. X200. Paid more attention to HOW it was mounted than to WHAT was mounted. I don't think it would make much difference as to mounting it wether its a 200A, 200B, or 300. But I have been wrong before! Just don't tell my wife or kids! :D


-RD62

you are right. It makes no difference.

ddemis
01-20-08, 02:09
Great thread and pics never would have thougth to place a light at the 12 o'clock position. This is the beauty of the m4, so many choices and such great accessories!

Pat_D
01-20-08, 08:37
Morning Gents,

The upper in the picture is mine. GotM4 built it for me not long ago. I'll be switching out the x200 for an x300 in the near future.

Mounting the x200 at the 12:00 position makes alot of sense to me. When shooting around corners you just barely have to "lean out" and the entire beam is on your target. With the light mounted at either 9:00, 3:00, or 6:00 you'll eventually find yourself exposing more of your head/body than you would like. For example, when shooting around a strong side corner (If you are right handed) with the light mounted at 3:00, If you don't lean out far enough, you'll end up lighting up the wall in front of you and not your target. Same thing with the light mounted at 6:00 and shooting over a barrier.

Having the light mounted at 12:00 is nice because it does not affect your grip on the handguard in the slightest way. It is actually quite easy to activate the x200/300 from either side of the handguard with your support side thumb if you are not using a VFG. (see attached pic) With a VFG you might need a tape switch which I do not prefer.

In my case, I could have moved the light up a notch or 2 but was trying to avoid blast from flash suppressor damaging the X200 lens. In practice, I can find no residue at all on the lens after shooting so I may move it up a notch.

As with everything, the 12:00 position has some disadvantages. When running the light on a 9" rail the front sight must be pushed back decreasing the sight radius. Essentially it's about the same radius as on a 7.5" barreled AR. This makes the front sight appear larger covering more of your target. I found this out when zeroing my irons at 50 yards. My sight in target was roughly 18" wide and I could barely see the left and right edges of it. I may try to seek out a thinner front sight post.

Some might say another disadvantage is that you are limited to a pretty small light. That said, these little lights from Surefire pack a lot of punch. Indoors there is no contest as even my x200 is brighter than my 951C in a much more compact package. Outdoors the incandescent 6 volt lights appear to have slightly more "throw' but it aint much. From what I understand, the x300 is brighter and has at least as much reach as the Surefire 951. I will readily admit that if you are willing to lug around an M900 or Surefire MU 9 volt setup it's going to be brighter but they clearly have their disadvantages the biggest one being alot more weight.

The only thing I really don't like about this setup is that the mount is plastic. If you were to drop the rifle in a certain way, I think you could break the light off at the mount. That said, the rail mounted fixed front sight post does offer the light some protection. I have thought about moving to a Larue X200/300 mount but I'm afraid it would lift the light too high and obscure my front sight post.

IMHO, the advantages of the 12:00 light position far outweight the disadvantages and I'm sold on this configuration. Maybe one day, Mark Larue will develop a super low profile mount giving me the all metal setup I desire.

markm
01-21-08, 17:30
TEN AND TWO!!!:p

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb201/trixiebud/shirt014-1.jpg?t=1200958090