Best way to mount light on carbine w/ no rails

[GrandPooba]

I want to keep the carbine handguards, so what is the best way to mount a weapon light?

I have seen the Elzetta mount that goes underneath the barrel. My concern with that is will the barrel create a large shadow. I also think it would be more difficult to activate the light than if were in a standard offset mount.

I've also seen these rail sections that mount to the front sight tower from ProMag (http://www.promagindustries.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=PM090). These look like they would work if I want a standard offset light mount setup. My concern is this a reputable product, or is it going to shake itself loose after a few rounds.

What other options are there? Thanks

[rob_s]

I can't comment on the Promag part, but I can tell you that the Midwest Industries (http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=94) FSB mount works well as I use them and have for quite some time.

You may also want to take a look at the Mount-N-Slot line (http://store.impactweaponscomponents.com/tmc1olimo1.html).

[kdcgrohl]

I would also suggest the Mount-n-slot goodies from Impact Weapons Components.

[13MPG]

I would not buy the one from Promag. Midwest makes one and I think GG&G does also.

Why not just attach a short section of rail to your handguards or buy a MOE handguard?

http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=94

[rob_s]

I would not buy the one from Promag. Midwest makes one and I think GG&G does also.

Why not just attach a short section of rail to your handguards or buy a MOE handguard?

http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=94

IMHO the "short section of rail" solution is unsat on carbine-length handguards. You are already dealing with limited real estate for your support hand, and there is little room to get your hand in behind a light. I base this conclusion off of my own experiment with attaching an X300 direction to a set of M4 handguards, after having some success with doing so on a mid-length. The carbine-length did not work out for me and I went to the MI FSB mount.

[GrandPooba]

I can't comment on the Promag part, but I can tell you that the Midwest Industries (http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=94) FSB mount works well as I use them and have for quite some time.

You may also want to take a look at the Mount-N-Slot line (http://store.impactweaponscomponents.com/tmc1olimo1.html).

Th MI ones look good. What sort of light mount do you use on them?

[Dave_M]

I run MI FSB mounts on all of my carbines.


Th MI ones look good. What sort of light mount do you use on them?

Vltor in the appropriate size.
http://www.skdtac.com/Vltor_Scout_Light_Mount_p/vlt.113.htm?1=1&CartID=0

[TheActivePatriot]

I run a Surefire G2 in a 1" weaver scope ring on the MI FSB mount. Puts the light at about 10:30-11:00, and pushed as far forward as it will go, puts the tailcap in perfect relation to my thumb with my support hand all the way forward on the handguard. As an additional benefit, on a 14.5" midlength gun, this setup puts the light just behind the flash suppressor, producing almost no barrel shadow.

[TOrrock]

Th MI ones look good. What sort of light mount do you use on them?


I run MI FSB mounts on all of my carbines.



Vltor in the appropriate size.
http://www.skdtac.com/Vltor_Scout_Light_Mount_p/vlt.113.htm?1=1&CartID=0


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Album%202/Dads%20Blaster/P1050252.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Album%202/Dads%20Blaster/P1050251.jpg

[brianc3]

The MI FSB mounts always loosened up after firing, even after I applied blue loctite it still happened.

[interfan]

The GG&G mount isn't bad either and you get a sling mount as well.

[johncatz]

My MI FSB mount works nice, it didn't loosen for me with blue loctite. I only put the blue loctite on after a few months for 'peace of mind'.

[Dave_M]

[pictures clipped]

I knew there must have been some reason why I liked you :p

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/DavePAL84/random/FSB01.jpg

Before someone asks if it holds up to the flash from the muzzle--nearly 7k rounds with that guy right there with zero issues. Surefire makes good stuff.

[rob_s]

My MI mount is on my favorite carbine. It goes to the range with me virtually every time because I know if the review gun I'm running goes TU, my little 6933 will get the job done.

It gets banged around, shot hot, dropped, thrown, etc. both with the X300 attached and without it and the light mount has never come loose. I suggest Rockset though vs. Locktite as Rockset is not as susceptible to heat at Locktite is (regardless of blue or red). The other nice thing is that if you're mounting the light on the bolt-release side of the gun the mounting screw is covered so even if it did loosen it can't actually fall off the gun.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/DSC_3943.jpg

[castillo]

I can comment on the ProMag version. It's GTG. Heavy duty and solid. Every bit as usable and durable as the MI version.

If there is a cost difference get the ProMag version.

[GrandPooba]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Album%202/Dads%20Blaster/P1050252.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Album%202/Dads%20Blaster/P1050251.jpg

what kind of surefire is that?

on bcm.com, there are g2x tactical lights for $55, which is a great price. But, I've also heard that they shouldn't be used as a weapons light because they aren't designed for the recoil shock. Any legitimate truth to this, or is it overblown?

[Pax]

The light pictured is a new generation Surefire G2 LED.

G2Xs and 6PXs are not made for "weapon-mounted applications." This is stated on the light's packaging.

The new generation G2 LED is one of Surefire's cheapest lights that can handle recoil, however given that their 6P LED is now the same price as the G2 LED, personally I'd get the 6P just to have an aluminum-bodied light.

[SmokeJumper]

This was a great thread. I was looking for a mounting option without a railed forearm. The MI rail will work nicely and the Voltor mount can be had for G2/6P or E series lights, so I can run a Viking Tactics SF L4 on my rifle without any issues for armorer inspections.

[TehLlama]

*Yawn* - yet Another MI FSB Rail with VLTOR Mount. E2D with KX2

http://i52.tinypic.com/k4f192.jpg

The MI is a touch on the heavy side when compared to new fangled stuff like the IWC mounts, but with blue loctite it's as secure as I could hope for.

[ucrt]

.

I use the GG&G FSB Rails for my lights. Link 1 (http://www.gggaz.com/slic-thing-sling-and-light-combo-mount.html) Link2 (http://www.gggaz.com/quick-detach-slic-thing-qd-sling-and-light-combo-mount.html)

The GG&G's have two screws-one from each side, several picatinny slots, interchangeable with several different sling mounting points on the opposite side of the FSB.

FWIW
I mount my 6P on the right side of the gun, so I have to roll my thumb over the top to activate the button. It just keeps the light available but out of the way.

But maybe it's just me...

.

[TOrrock]

what kind of surefire is that?

on bcm.com, there are g2x tactical lights for $55, which is a great price. But, I've also heard that they shouldn't be used as a weapons light because they aren't designed for the recoil shock. Any legitimate truth to this, or is it overblown?


Those are G2L's that Cabela's blew out at $40.00 each, so I picked a few up, slapped one on my father's 6520.

Nice and light weight, and will handle a carbine no problem.

[HKUSP.40]

I have the Impact Weapons Components Mount In Slot on my standard handguards. Bolts on in 5 minutes and solid as a rock.

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/7504/20110215150027.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/8462/20110215145851.jpg

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/6990/20110215145926.jpg

[3 AE]

I have the same IWC TMC 1" Light Mount on my M-4 style handguard. If there was ever an example of form follows function,this is it. A very nice, simple, clean design to mount a 1" diameter light on a standard handguard or the 1st generation of Magpul MOE handguards. I believe at the Smithsonian at the K.I.S.S. exhibit, they have one of these on display! :D

[Captain_Smollet]

I may suggest this mount (http://www.makosecurity.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SBS&Category_Code=_FAB)

http://www.makosecurity.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/SBS1.jpg

[crob1]

^^^^ That's pretty slick.

[El Vaquero]

I may suggest this mount (http://www.makosecurity.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SBS&Category_Code=_FAB)

http://www.makosecurity.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/SBS1.jpg

Got any pics with a light attached??

[El Cid]

On my duty M4 I use this piece from CAA:
http://store.commandarms.com/products/TRM3-.html

I attached it to the top of the handguards and put the X300 on the left side. It's perfectly in line with my support thumb and there is nothing under the weapon if I need to lay it on a wall, hood, etc.

My coworker uses this setup from Brownells:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=42526/Product/AR_15_M16_FRONT_SIGHT_ACCESSORY_RAILS

While the rifles spend most of their time in a Big Sky gunrack, neither setup has shown problems during range quals, tactical drills, or arrests/search warrants for more than a year now. We both like our setups much more than the 6 or 9 o'clock mounts other coworkers have on their railed forearms. We can't do a 3 o'clock because the slings come off the left side of the FSB.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Kevin