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KITTEN_FRENZY
09-19-21, 10:54
I'm deciding how correct I want to go with this build.
It seems like a lot of the lights used are woefully underpowered compared to today's competition.
Which of the correct lights would be the best in this regard? Lumens, Candela, actual use, etc.

Thanks
Wake27
09-19-21, 11:22
This really isn’t the forum for clone guns, ARFCOM is a better place for that. That said, since you’re debating accuracy if the clone, it depends what you’re looking for. I don’t know if any modlights being run but they have all the lumens. M300Cs are definitely in use and have more spill (IIRC) and better battery life.


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Stickman
09-19-21, 11:25
I'm deciding how correct I want to go with this build.
It seems like a lot of the lights used are woefully underpowered compared to today's competition.
Which of the correct lights would be the best in this regard? Lumens, Candela, actual use, etc.

Thanks

Do you really want to over pay for a weak light just because a bean counter decided on its purchase? Especially when a lot of them were swapped out for newer and brighter Surefire lights at team or individual levels.

Lumens and Candela are just measurements of light output, think metric vs standard…. They really don’t have much to do with the clone concept or functionality.

Are you building a clone to be perfect? Are you going to have it full auto with third pin? Correct actual lower? If not, go with a Surefire X600 and don’t worry about it.
KITTEN_FRENZY
09-19-21, 11:40
Do you really want to over pay for a weak light just because a bean counter decided on its purchase? Especially when a lot of them were swapped out for newer and brighter Surefire lights at team or individual levels.

Lumens and Candela are just measurements of light output, think metric vs standard…. They really don’t have much to do with the clone concept or functionality.

Are you building a clone to be perfect? Are you going to have it full auto with third pin? Correct actual lower? If not, go with a Surefire X600 and don’t worry about it.

Thanks.
That's what I'm on the fence about. I was trying to go as perfect as possible without sacrificing too much performance. If the performance deficit isn't worth the money, I'll just throw my PLHV2 on there. Seems like the clone correct ones can't hang.
Hammer_Man
09-19-21, 11:42
Get a Surefire or Modlight, end of story.
Renegade04
09-19-21, 11:46
I'm deciding how correct I want to go with this build.
It seems like a lot of the lights used are woefully underpowered compared to today's competition.
Which of the correct lights would be the best in this regard? Lumens, Candela, actual use, etc.

Thanks

Here are the spec'd weaponlights for the Mk18s:

SureFire M962
SureFire M952, M962
Insight M3X (Tan)
Insight WMX200 (Bronze)

As far as the MK18 and the appropriate light, it depends on which MK18 version. Most of the Mod 0s used the Surefires and Mod 1s used the Insights. That is not to say that the Mod 1s did not use the Surefires I mentioned as many did, but they also used some of the newer Surefires. For the most part, many of the accessories (optics and lights) were an individual operator's preference, but many were also unit specified.
1168
09-19-21, 12:02
All kinds of lights have shown up on the newer Mk18s.
Wake27
09-19-21, 12:17
Thanks.
That's what I'm on the fence about. I was trying to go as perfect as possible without sacrificing too much performance. If the performance deficit isn't worth the money, I'll just throw my PLHV2 on there. Seems like the clone correct ones can't hang.

That’s why clone guns are dumb. There are plenty of areas where non-clone equipment can out perform but the clone needs are paying stupid prices for “clone correct” shit that isn’t even that good.


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KITTEN_FRENZY
09-19-21, 12:24
That’s why clone guns are dumb. There are plenty of areas where non-clone equipment can out perform but the clone needs are paying stupid prices for “clone correct” shit that isn’t even that good.


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Yeah, I feel like most cloners are borderline autistic.
Based on my build, I will only be like 80% autistic.
Stickman
09-19-21, 12:46
Yeah, I feel like most cloners are borderline autistic.
Based on my build, I will only be like 80% autistic.

I tag most of my guns on IG as clonish. I don’t care about what grip screw was used, but what I do appreciate is the intent of the weapon, and I go from there. The exception is my M16a2 clone, it’s as basic as the one I carried.
Diamondback
09-19-21, 13:36
Yeah, I feel like most cloners are borderline autistic.
Based on my build, I will only be like 80% autistic.

Hey, what's up with insulting us on the autism spectrum like that? :P

Personally, I've taken fire from both sides because while I favor proven military general setups, I'm also "rollmark agnostic"--I'm happy to use an Aero M16 or M4 lower, and as long as the parts come from a reputable source (not "PARTZ IZ PARTZ," but suppliers who get generally positive reviews here even if it doesn't have the Holy Prancing Pony on it) my concerns for my "teaching guns" are "does it generally look right and handle right." (As an aspiring academic, my thinking is "then vs now" exercises in hands-on learning--history gets less bland when you dump the lifeless Ben Stein clone's droning and try to imagine what it was like to BE there on Edson's Ridge or at LZ X-Ray or facing a horde of screaming Johnny Reb at the Bloody Angle...)
KITTEN_FRENZY
09-19-21, 14:03
Hey, what's up with insulting us on the autism spectrum like that? :P

Personally, I've taken fire from both sides because while I favor proven military general setups, I'm also "rollmark agnostic"--I'm happy to use an Aero M16 or M4 lower, and as long as the parts come from a reputable source (not "PARTZ IZ PARTZ," but suppliers who get generally positive reviews here even if it doesn't have the Holy Prancing Pony on it) my concerns for my "teaching guns" are "does it generally look right and handle right." (As an aspiring academic, my thinking is "then vs now" exercises in hands-on learning--history gets less bland when you dump the lifeless Ben Stein clone's droning and try to imagine what it was like to BE there on Edson's Ridge or at LZ X-Ray or facing a horde of screaming Johnny Reb at the Bloody Angle...)

Yeah, finding a Colt M4 lower is a pain in the butt right now. I guess my LMT Defender will act as a place holder for now.
gaijin
09-19-21, 14:20
Yeah, I feel like most cloners are borderline autistic.
Based on my build, I will only be like 80% autistic.

I’m down with 80%.
mack7.62
09-19-21, 15:06
The Surefire M952 V (white/IR) have decent throw for a 350 lumen light.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/194186738214?
El Vaquero
09-19-21, 16:49
Not sure why people hate on clones. I don’t think people who build a clone go out and think they can suddenly be a 10 year SOF veteran. Imitating a clone is just a salute to a respectable weapons platform of its day.

I have lots of rifles and I’m building a MK18-ish rifle. It’s a 6920 barrel cut to 10.3” It has a Centurion Arms C4 cutout extended quad rail. It’s got a BCM grip, B5 Systems stock, Daniel Defense fixed rear sight and a Geissele Airborne charging handle. Is it an accurate clone build? No. But it’s my current interpretation of a MK18.

I have no problem with the OP asking for input. It’s the Internet. And I don’t blame him for asking it on this forum if he’s wanting more of a mature answer. Yeah sure if he wants the millennial answer then I’m sure he knows he can go to ARFCOM.