Need some light mounting options for standard handguards...

[matthewdanger]

I generally run a VTAC offset with Surefire G2L and Z49 switch on all my rifles. I have this set up on 4 other rifles and it works great. However, I just picked up a nice deal on no frills carbine (A1 sights, 14.5" barrel with pinned Phantom) that will be serving as a truck gun. Normally I don't mind springing for a rail but the idea for this gun is to keep it cheap!

So, I need to get a light on it but I don't want to spend a fortune on a rail. I would like to be able to use my preferred set up (VTAC offset with G2L) but I am open to other suitable options. I would also prefer that the light ends up mounted around the 10-11 o'clock position on the handguards so I can activate it with the thumb of my support hand.

So far I have seen light mounts that mount to the front sight post but these seem bulky, though they do put the light at my preferred position. I have also seen rails that bolt to the handguards but the light would not be level due to the tapered M4 handguards. I could also drill the handguards and mount a small rail at the 10-11 o'clock position but, again, it would not be level.

Am I missing anything? Do you guys have any ideas? Any pics of similar set ups (lights mounted with standard handguards)?

Thanks,
Matt

[markm]

I
I have also seen rails that bolt to the handguards but the light would not be level due to the tapered M4 handguards. I could also drill the handguards and mount a small rail at the 10-11 o'clock position but, again, it would not be level.


Those mounts compensate for the handguard taper... at least the 2 brands I've tried. And i've even just bolted a hunk of rail to a set of handguards in the past. The taper was a non issue.

I'd get the GG&G m3 light rail just for the fact that it's metal rather than polymer. But I do have a polymer version on one of my guns.

I've run an M3 light on these rails as well as a G2 in a polymer mount. Both are fast attach which is nice.

[matthewdanger]

Perfect! Thanks.

Do you happen to know which brands account for the taper?

[Dennis]

This Streamlight mount has the notches in it to allow mounting at any position on the handguard, I have mine at 11:00. I'm not sure if it has offset in it, but I have no problems with mine pointing the light straight. This plus a 1" ring mount will get your G2L mounted nice and tight and simple and cheap!

Enjoy.

Dennis.


Streamlight Tactical Illuminator Mount (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=25779&title=TACTICAL%20ILLUMINATOR%20MOUNT)

[markm]

Yeah. The stream light and the GG&G both do.

I just remembered the mount I used for my G2. It was the TDI mount. It worked with the GG&G mount but it wiggled badly. Thus the GG&G mount is best for M3 lights or x300s.

The polymer chunck of rail I mounted was also TDI. It worked great with the TDI fast attach mount but it wasn't snug to the front sight base like the VTAC mount.

[matthewdanger]

Thanks much.

[sonrider657]

Another option is a FSB mount, like this Elzetta (http://www.Elzetta.com) mount:

http://www.christiancarnivore.com/AR15 with Elzetta mount.JPG

[markm]

Here's both of the mounting solutions I used to run.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb201/trixiebud/shirt014-1.jpg?t=1225407952

[matthewdanger]

Thanks!

[sff70]

I like the FSB rails like the MI #01 Picatinny FSB rail.

Easy to mount, easy to remove should you want to, with no perm mods to the carbine. Very rugged.

[98z28]

Putting the light on the handgaurd with a carbine length gas system puts the light to far to the rear for my taste. If that is not a issue for you, then I see no reason not to bolt a piece of rail wherever you want on the handgaurd and call it a day.

I would rather grip the carbine as far out as possible and still be able to adctivate the light. A front sight base mount is one way to do this with a non-railed carbine.

Here is an MI FSB rail holding a G2LED w/ Z49 tail cap taken from this thread (http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=20201):

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd128/stelks98z28/IMG_1220.jpg

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd128/stelks98z28/IMG_1224.jpg