Light on FSB. Mistake?

[rmecapn]

So, my N4 Recce got a MRF-M put on it. But the rail isn't quite long enough to place the light in a easily reachable position where I normally hold the forend. It's lacking about 2 inches to be optimally placed. MI has a FSB light rail (http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=94) that would put it where it needs to be. The issue is, that I spent the money for a decent FF handguard, am I negating this by essentially putting the light on the barrel?

[deercop]

I too am interested in hearing some more knowledgable replies. I had one of the front sight rails on my M4, but that was when I was running iron sights, so my eyes really couldn't tell if it made a difference or not. I haven't tried it since I got my ACOG.

Probably won't, either, as I put on of the rail pieces onto my handguards, mounted at about 11 o clock, which will more than suffice for my "weight conserving" rifle, that I won't regret taking with me on multi-mile hikes into "unfriendly" territory.

[rob_s]

I have an SBR that I originally attached the light to the handguards, and found it too far to the rear.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/Colt-6933-Magpul-Larue-2.jpg

So I got one of those MI light mounts and moved it forward. (pictured with the G2 light for illustration purposes only)
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/IMG_2870Medium.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/IMG_2868Medium.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/IMG_2869Medium.jpg



So far, at least in terms of reaching the light, I like the new setup better. This rifle is kept without a rail, so I've been investigating other mounting options. So far with the X300 on the MI mount I'm pretty happy, and the light is still easy to remove.

You might think about one of the DD rails with the FSB cutout? (red line was there to illustrate something else, just ignore it here)

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/DD-9-1.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/DD-9.jpg

[rmecapn]

Rob,
Thanks for the pics. That will do what I want it to do. Will mounting the light on the FSB negate the FF characteristic that the forend rail added?

[LOKNLOD]

Will mounting the light on the FSB negate the FF characteristic that the forend rail added?

I think it will be negligible. The only time it might be applying an odd load to the barrel would be when you're pushing on the back of the light with a lot of force, but I suppose when you're using your light, it's not in situations or at distances where the very minor deflections that might be imparted would be noticable.

[rob_s]

Will mounting the light on the FSB negate the FF characteristic that the forend rail added?

Interesting question. I don't think so, other than the fact that you could notice a minute POI shift with vs. without the light.

[sonrider657]

I have my light in an Elzetta FSB mount and it has not affected the accuracy of my carbine at all (I do not have a free-float rail system like yours, however).

http://www.christiancarnivore.com/Green.jpg

One benefit that I like about the Elzetta is that it does not interfere with my forward vision the way attaching a light to the side of the FSB can.

[deercop]

The main concern I had, and the reason why I moved my light off the FSB initially, is that with my light attached (especially my M962), there appeared to be a lot of possible leverage against the FSB. Admittedly this was more of a concern when I was running irons, but I would imagine a bump/twist/push could also affect zero with my ACOG.