AK - mounting a white light?

[VA_Dinger]

What is the best way to mount a white light to an AK?

I've seen aftermarket rail mounted & Surefire classic barrel mounted lights w/tape switches. What works the best with AK ergonomics?

[TOrrock]

What the best way to mount a white light to an AK?

I've seen aftermarket rail mounted & Surefire classic barrel mounted lights w/tape switches. What works the best with AK ergonomics?


I bought a TDI lower handguard, but haven't mounted it on a rifle yet.

It'll go on the SLR-106R when I get mine.

[themadhatter]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/themadhatter-1/aklamp03.jpg http://tantal.kalashnikov.guns.ru/

[Jay Cunningham]

I must agree with Templar that the TDI lower is a good option, especially with an SF X200 series or Streamlight/Insight X3 series.

[shooter521]

TDI or other railed handguard affords you the most versatility WRT type of light and where you can put it.

A less expensive option (or if you've got a killer set of Russian laminate HGs you don't want to replace...) would be the Laser Devices clamp-on barrel mount (1913 rail) with a Surefire "poor man's weaponlight" and pressure switch. That's what I've been running on my Saiga-12 for some time now, with no issues to report.

[VA_Dinger]

A less expensive option (or if you've got a killer set of Russian laminate HGs you don't want to replace...) would be the Laser Devices clamp-on barrel mount (1913 rail) with a Surefire "poor man's weaponlight" and pressure switch. That's what I've been running on my Saiga-12 for some time now, with no issues to report.

I like this idea but Laser Devices must be out of their mind to charge $88 for this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/va_dinger/24568_2.jpg

http://www.laserdevices.com/infopage.asp?a=mounts&id=24568&action=deviceresults.asp

I'm leaning more torwards the Surefire 660 6v classic barrel mounted weaponlights. I know their "Pricey" but maybe I can find one used.

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/522/sesent/00

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/va_dinger/660_full.jpg

[KevinB]

I dotn have a pic handy -- but I have duct taped a G2 along the side of the handguard -- it works for a while

[Bulldog1967]

Here's what I did on my AMD-65 build:

http://www.mcgeedigitalmedia.com/images/Arfcom/AMDforend.jpg

[krinker]

This works well for me. It is the surefire M83 with pentagon light and tangodown VFG.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p218/krinkers/M83.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p218/krinkers/surefire.jpg



I find that the surefire is very solid and lightweight. The position I have the VFG in is comfortable and doesnt interfere with "rock and lock" of thirty round magazines. I dont have a forty round magazine so I couldnt say if it interferes or not.

It is a good rail for attaching sling mounts, navigational lights, white lights, lazers, and most any other gadget you could want.

This may sound strange but I think there is too much rail on the top but that could be easily fixed . It just looks like a snag waiting to happen. It comes with rail covers and simple instructions. I had to bend the forward furrele on the gas tube downward in order to get the rail to level with the barrel. Your AK may not need this done. If you are thinking of using an optic on the top cover you can, it is stable enough but it is still very high above the centerline of the bore. That is just something that every AK will always have a problem with. Just the nature of the beast. I think that overall this rail fills any needs one might have for a rail system on an AK. Surefire has done a nice job on this one.

[xpd54]

TDI lower:

http://www.geocities.com/rifleman1973/sam5fronthalf.JPG

[Jay Cunningham]

TDI lower:

http://www.geocities.com/rifleman1973/sam5fronthalf.JPG

Now that's what I'm talkin about!

Is that an A or B?

[xpd54]

It's an X200A. Surefire came out with a remote tape switch for it recently and I might order one soon. I haven't decided if I'm gonna leave the 200A on my rifle or put the 200B I have on it. I'll probably keep the 200A on it cuz the beam is projected further w/ the 200A.

[Jay Cunningham]

The consensus seems to be that the A is better outside, and the B is better inside. The A on your carbine should work well. Before you get the tape switch, have you considered mounting the light to the left side and using your support-hand thumb to activate the rocker switch?

[xpd54]

I actually use my trigger finger of my left hand to activate the light. I like to hold the rifle with my weak hand back closer to the magazine, but the small rail doesn't allow me to move the flashlight back any further, hence, the tape switch.

[Jay Cunningham]

If you get the Picatinny mount you could put in on the 6:00 rail closer to your hand...

[xpd54]

I know I could, but my goal for this rifle was to get a good reliable rifle that I could use for a variety of purposes w/o spending an arm and a leg on. Right now, I have almost exaclty what I want. To put the finishing touches on it, I can either spend @ $65 on a switch or another $200-400 on it for a quality picatinny rail. I'd rather just get the switch and spend the rest on ammo or training.

[Jay Cunningham]

no, no, no...

get the Picatinny rail grabber for your SF light (you may already have it) and use it on your existing lower rail!

[xpd54]

Oh, OK. I'm following ya now. I tried that. For some reason, I never cared for lights at 6 o'clock. I have always had them at 3 o'clock.

[C4IGrant]

I went with the SF M83 on my Arsenal.



C4

[shooter521]

I like this idea but Laser Devices must be out of their mind to charge $88 for this:


Yes they are. That's why I use this:
http://www.laserdevices.com/deviceresults.asp?a=mounts&mod=MIL-SPEC-1913+Mount-Short

[Pyrophreak]

I also bought a TDI lower handguard and am usin a M3 light on it. With the VFG my thumb is right on the switch.

[VA_Dinger]

This mount look interesting.

http://www.mfiap.com/smallarms/barrel-mount-ak.htm

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/va_dinger/Barrel-MT-AK-profileSpec-Ops-2006FA.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/va_dinger/Action-Iraqi-PoliceAK74Barrel-MT-FA.jpg

I like that it still allows for the cleaning rod to be installed.