Flashlight mount on AR-15

[RangerEric]

Howdy all -
I recently entered into the wide world of AR-15 ownership. I'm looking at options for getting a few (tasteful!) accessories added, not trying to go all Navy Seal or anything, but would really like to get a light mounted somehow. I know the "right" way to do it is to pay for one of the $100-200 quad-rails that replace the front grip, and then pay for a $100-200 light with a rail mount to tack onto it. But, I'm trying to do this on the cheap, while still ending up with quality results.


On my shotgun, I currently have mounted a small 90 Lumen Coleman LED "tactical" flashlight in one of the ATI clamps like this:



I've been really happy with that setup, puts out plenty of light for bump-in-the-night defense, has held up very well several hundred rounds later, and set me back about a whopping $40. Is there any reason I can't do this same thing on my AR? I've read about the advantages of "free floating" the quad-rails so there is nothing clamped down on your barrel potentially impacting accuracy, but would this light clamp have the same effect, and if so would it impact accuracy enough that I'd even notice? This is primarily serving as a plinking/home defense/shtf weapon, I don't need to be able to hit a squirrel in the big toe at 500 yards or anything, more like minute of pop can at maybe 150 yards. Thanks!

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[The B]

minute of popcan at 150 is about as accurate as any fightin AR is going to get.. and most probably cant do that consistently. if you figure a popcan is 3" wide, your weapon better be doing at least 2MOA to consistently strike hits.

on a fighting carbine, pretty much nothing you do to it, aside from damaging it, is going to adversly effect realistic fighting accuracy. guys mount lights directly to the barrel, un-floated handguards, and FSB all the time. the only concern with placement is access to activate the light, and the type/size of light you're using. i'm totally unfamiliar with the light you're talking about, but so long as it has a 1" tube, you shouldn't have any problems.

FSB mounted rail <broken link removed>
you can just bolt chunks of rail to your plastic handguards http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Midwest-Industries-MCTAR-03-p/mctar-03.htm
and once you have rail space, you can add just about any rail-mounted light mount http://www.danieldefense.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=33 http://www.budspolicesupply.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/1725
and gadgets like these http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=861 as well as mounts that mount to bayonet lugs (i think CAA makes one) and mounts that mount directly to the FSB without need for FSB-mounted rails.. you're gonna have to do some research, i dont have links to most of these. all my lights mount directly to my rails, so i'm just pulling stuff out of my arnold.

the other thing i feel compelled to address is the quality of light.. weaponlights are unique, and expensive, because they can handle the recoil of firearms. most incandescent, and probably even most LED flashlights not designed for firearms just aren't going to hold up to recoil. if the coleman (which makes some really cheap crap) has held up after hundreds of shotshells, you're very lucky and the light is abnormal. there are cheapish options avail for weaponlights.. you don't necessarily have to spend $300-$500 for a light that's likely to last. check out Olights.. very affordable, and quality, by several LEO accounts. http://www.olightusa.com/products.asp?bigclassid=2

 

[keitha300wsm]

http://
The mount you show Eric, should work well on your AR w/ gas block. This is a Surefire light, I think it was $50.

 

[RangerEric]

Good info and suggestions, thanks. Keith, I keep seeing those mounts you posted a pic of, and really like them, but it looks like they require a fixed front sight post instead of the railed gas block on mine. Is this correct? Would that mount on mine?

 

[cyclesarge]

I picked up a Coast Industries "tactical" light, with a remote pressure switch for like $50 off Ebay, and just use a long scope ring to mount to my rail. I have a Surefire P6 also, but I think in this price range the Coast is actually a better light.

 

[gunnoob75]

http://www.google.com/products/cata...log_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CA8Q8gIwAA#

<broken link removed>




Works on any handguard with holes somewhere.

 

[wichaka]

Hahn Industries. Puts the light where you sight, either optic or stock.

 

[gunnoob75]

12 o'clock light mounts are by FAR the most effective.

Nothing can compare.

 

[The B]

how do you like the TLR, wichaka?

you should check the PNW group page, btw- some guys are wanting to put together a WA shoot, and we've got 1, possibly 2 Oregon shoots going in the next 45 days.

 

[wichaka]

It's a good light, about as bright as about anything out there.

Works well without being too bright, and giving a lot of back splash light into the eyes.

 

[M.Link]

If you have a Railed Gas Block you can just buy my NIB Insight M3 for 65.00 and be done with it! My favorite setup was my M3 or Surefire X200 on a small rail that clamped to the front sight.

 

[The B]

If you have a Railed Gas Block you can just buy my NIB Insight M3 for 65.00 and be done with it! My favorite setup was my M3 or Surefire X200 on a small rail that clamped to the front sight.

then where's he put his buis?

 

[BlvdKing]

get one of these for $10 and your options are limitless
<broken link removed>

 

[Yankeefan]

This is the way I went for my patrol rifle. I am not a big fan of the railed handguards and have always wanted one of the m500s from surefire...plus I got a smokin' deal on it. I have tried the FSB mounts for lights and barrel mounts for lights and just really didn't like any of them.

 

[The B]

This is the way I went for my patrol rifle. I am not a big fan of the railed handguards and have always wanted one of the m500s from surefire...plus I got a smokin' deal on it. I have tried the FSB mounts for lights and barrel mounts for lights and just really didn't like any of them.

how is your sling attached in the front?