HSP Thorntail SBR on AK Ultimak Rail Review

[LowSpeed_HighDrag]

(I realize that this review is geared towards my AK, but obviously a rail is a rail and this light mount would work just as well, and for the same reasons, on an AR. I also know that this is not NEW news, but it was new to me)

I recently put an Ultimak M1B on my SLR 104 and to my utter dismay, the light mounts that worked on my AR15 Daniel Defense rails did not work with the Ultimak! I started searching high and low for something that would be a good option. My google-fu pointed me in the direction of the Haley Strategic Thorntial SBR light mount.

https://www.haleystrategic.com/haley-strategic-thorntail-sbr-light-mount

The Thorntail SBR arrived in neat little package, with all parts packaged separately and an allen wrench to install it. (Note, the Thorntail was in perfect condition when it arrived, I had it mounted and used before the review, thus the wear marks)

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/glockfire/DSC_0452_zpsqqkqw0mi.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/glockfire/media/DSC_0452_zpsqqkqw0mi.jpg.html)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/glockfire/DSC_0484_zpsabzq9crx.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/glockfire/media/DSC_0484_zpsabzq9crx.jpg.html)

The Thorntail SBR is designed for Surefire Scout and Streamlight ProTac lights, but a small feature (that I was not aware of until I purchased it) made me very happy: The Thorntail accepts the Impact Weapons Components Light Rings, and 1913 Rail Sections which allows a wide variety of lights to be mounted:

Light Ring: http://www.impactweaponscomponents.com/product/light-mounting-ring/
1913 Rail Mount: http://www.impactweaponscomponents.com/product/45-offset-1913-rail-for-smc-smcxl-light-mounts/

(The screw hole on the side is where the Light Ring is attached)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/glockfire/DSC_0486_zpsbopnrz2o.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/glockfire/media/DSC_0486_zpsbopnrz2o.jpg.html)
(With Surefire G2X attached)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/glockfire/DSC_0487_zpshhu48ofp.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/glockfire/media/DSC_0487_zpshhu48ofp.jpg.html)

The mount was simple to attach to the Ultimak Rail. I found the optimal place on the rail that would give my thumb a natural position to activate the light. I then tightened the two screws (the instructions are clear, do not over tighten) until the mount was secure on the rail.

(Thorntail SBR with IWC 1" Light Ring and SF G2X)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/glockfire/DSC_0490_zpssrv2mizu.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/glockfire/media/DSC_0490_zpssrv2mizu.jpg.html)
(View down the sights of the Aimpoint H1 in the stock Aimpoint Mount)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/glockfire/DSC_0491_zpsxs2zw8il.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/glockfire/media/DSC_0491_zpsxs2zw8il.jpg.html)

http://www.impactweaponscomponents.com/product/surefire-m300-mini-scout-light/

I purchased the Thorntail for use with my Surefire M300 Mini Scout Light. The Scout attached simply, with two screws attaching the Scout Body to the light mount. The Thorntail is very secure on the rail and places the light very close to the rail but far enough away to not obstruct the view of the Aimpoint.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/glockfire/DSC_0492_zpsn2drfhmd.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/glockfire/media/DSC_0492_zpsn2drfhmd.jpg.html)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/glockfire/DSC_0493_zpsst9ay9t9.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/glockfire/media/DSC_0493_zpsst9ay9t9.jpg.html)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/glockfire/DSC_0494_zpsfnqn5uyq.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/glockfire/media/DSC_0494_zpsfnqn5uyq.jpg.html)

(A view down the sights of the Aimpoint H1 with the SF Mini Scout)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/glockfire/DSC_0496_zpsp07yzq4p.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/glockfire/media/DSC_0496_zpsp07yzq4p.jpg.html)

In summary, the HSP Thorntail SBR seems to be the perfect mount for use with the Ultimak Rails. It positions the light perfectly for the shooter's hand, while ensuring no obstruction to optics/sights. It is extremely secure, looks great, and functions perfectly. In my search for a mount that would work with this setup, I was unable to find a light mount with these features that was this low profile.

[Uprange41]

Great review! Your experience mirrors mine, really. I ran the SBR and the regular Thorntail for a couple of years with my Ultimaks, both with G2X's as well as Scouts, and they're fantastic mounting solutions. Also, as an aside, I stripped the screw holes on one of mine, and IWC replaced it no questions asked. Always a fan of the guys at IWC.

I will say, however, I have switched to Surefire's newish RM45 mounts for my Scout lights on pretty much everything, but specifically because of the Ultimaks. It is just as low profile on the rail, and the light sits lower with it than it does the Thorntails. Plus, the Scout tailcap is maybe half an inch back from where it sits with the Thorntail SBR, so it's not like you're losing a TON of reach.

One of my only complaints with the Thorntail setup was that, if I had the gun hot and wasn't using gloves, reaching up to hit the switch usually meant getting some portion of my hand on the Ultimak. It was truly just a complaint, not a real issue, but it was enough of a discomfort in a few gloveless night sessions that I looked for an alternative option. The RM45 solved that small complaint for me, and from a personal standpoint, I do think I prefer where it positions the light overall.

If it's not too much of a derailment, I could get a couple photos of the RM mount for the sake of comparison, as both the Thorntail SBR and RM45 accomplish generally the same thing in my usage, just slightly differently.

[Vegas]

Thanks for posting this. It's very timely for me as I am about look into a light for the same Ultimak.

[LowSpeed_HighDrag]

Thanks for posting this. It's very timely for me as I am about look into a light for the same Ultimak.

No problem. If you decide to go with this setup, come back and post your findings (if you dont mind)!

[LowSpeed_HighDrag]

Sorry to necropost a little but, but I wanted to report that after a few thousand rounds (and many many $$$) this light mount has been rock solid. I am extremely impressed with IWC.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/glockfire/20170121_090850_zps2v1zzyu6.jpg (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/glockfire/media/20170121_090850_zps2v1zzyu6.jpg.html)