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Old 07-08-2013, 03:18 PM
fowlweather fowlweather is offline
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Default Preferences for flashlight installation

I have an M&P 15 PC with a full float Yankee Hill hand guard. What is the preferred or recommended location for the placement of an accessory flashlight? I have attached a couple of pictures of both sides of my rifle.

I would like to drill and tap a couple of small sections of rail onto the hand guard to accommodate attachment and removal as needed.

Thanks for all your suggestions and wisdom in advance.
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  #2  
Old 07-08-2013, 03:32 PM
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That's really going to be up to you since you have to drill holes in your handguard. You probably want it towards the front of the handguard, which side will be your preference.

I have mine on the right side connected to the bottom rail of my quad rail, that way I can press the button with my left hand while I'm grabbing the VFG.

Nice looking rifle by the way, I like it.
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Old 07-08-2013, 03:38 PM
fowlweather fowlweather is offline
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I would like to attach something similar to this for predator hunting. This one is a little pricey. However, it would go well with my rifle.

SureFire M620 Ultra Scout LightŪ LED WeaponLight
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Old 07-08-2013, 03:55 PM
BillyJack2012 BillyJack2012 is offline
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With my Gear Sector mount, I have it mounted on top left. This allows me to activate it with my thumb when gripping the rail. It's been a good set up so far. I just use a Polytac LED.

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Old 07-08-2013, 04:49 PM
fowlweather fowlweather is offline
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Yes Billyjack2012. I like the idea of being able to use my left thumb to push the light button from the forearm.

If you had the option of using a remote switch,...how could it attach to the opposite side of the flash light? Similar to the surefire flash light remote switch.
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Old 07-08-2013, 05:05 PM
CENTURION24 CENTURION24 is offline
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I want my light as far out on the handgaurd as possible. The further out your light is, the less the barrel will block the light.
I also want it high on the handgaurd. Reason being, when im resting my handgaurd on something like lets say a wall. The light will still be usable.
Most important to me is to mount it where you can actuate the light without compromising your forward grip.


Btw nice rifle!!
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Old 07-08-2013, 05:10 PM
CENTURION24 CENTURION24 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fowlweather View Post
Yes Billyjack2012. I like the idea of being able to use my left thumb to push the light button from the forearm.

If you had the option of using a remote switch,...how could it attach to the opposite side of the flash light? Similar to the surefire flash light remote switch.

http://www.surefire.com/remote-dual-...her;137317719]

Quote:
Originally Posted by fowlweather View Post
I would like to attach something similar to this for predator hunting. This one is a little pricey. However, it would go well with my rifle.

SureFire M620 Ultra Scout LightŪ LED WeaponLight


You can get the m951 kit2 for about $100 new. I got mine on ebay. Basically the same light but with thumb screws, not qd. Also its a bit heavy.

Last edited by CENTURION24; 07-08-2013 at 05:23 PM.
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Old 07-08-2013, 07:17 PM
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I use a Daniel Defense off-set bracket to hold my flashlight on my rail. I use my left thumb to control it. It is not often I have it mounted....and so the few times it goes on and back off, there are no issues with wires and remote switches. More pics of it can be seen at the above link.

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Old 07-08-2013, 07:24 PM
fowlweather fowlweather is offline
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I do like the off set option. I have seen the Daniel Defense mount online. That could be turned over to bring the light above the barrel off the side slightly as well,...correct?
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Old 07-08-2013, 07:29 PM
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Yes, you could flip it over and mount it on the same rail.

Not sure how easy it would be to get to with your thumb at that point when it is positioned above the barrel. Was thinking of this photo when I wrote this....it might be a bit of a stretch.

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Old 07-08-2013, 09:08 PM
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Yeah, I think you really need it below the barrel to get it switched easily with the thumb.
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Old 07-08-2013, 11:49 PM
ohbejuan ohbejuan is offline
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I'm a big fan of the streamlight series of rail mounted stuff (plus you can get a remote door/tapeswitch combo if you want)

or Larue always makes awesome super reliable QD mounts and combos too with Surefire lights

Light / Laser Combos | LaRue Tactical
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Old 07-10-2013, 04:14 AM
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I prefer having the light Mounted offset at the 11:00 o'clock position and as far forward as possible while still maintaining ready access to the switch:

I use the VFG as a hand stop with a thumb-over grip so the placement pictured above allows for quick access to the tail cap switch for lockout and activation.
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Old 07-10-2013, 04:24 PM
fowlweather fowlweather is offline
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I looked at the link for the LaRue mounts and they seem to be very well engineered and low profile. As I look at the surefire weapon specific flashlights I see that they have what seems to be an integral mounting system to their rails.

My question is this: Are these surefire weapon lights capable of being removed from their clamping system and used as a "normal" flashlight or are the mounts a permanent part of the flashlight when removed from the weapon?
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Old 07-10-2013, 04:26 PM
fowlweather fowlweather is offline
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Cool

I suppose I should just contact surefire.
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Old 07-11-2013, 08:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fowlweather View Post
I looked at the link for the LaRue mounts and they seem to be very well engineered and low profile. As I look at the surefire weapon specific flashlights I see that they have what seems to be an integral mounting system to their rails.

My question is this: Are these surefire weapon lights capable of being removed from their clamping system and used as a "normal" flashlight or are the mounts a permanent part of the flashlight when removed from the weapon?
I don't have s Surefire, but normally the flashlights with mounts are mounts that can be taken off with tools to separate the mount from the actual flashlight. That's the way my Streamlight.
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Old 07-11-2013, 05:15 PM
bwalton1 bwalton1 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fowlweather View Post
I have an M&P 15 PC with a full float Yankee Hill hand guard. What is the preferred or recommended location for the placement of an accessory flashlight? I have attached a couple of pictures of both sides of my rifle.

I would like to drill and tap a couple of small sections of rail onto the hand guard to accommodate attachment and removal as needed.

Thanks for all your suggestions and wisdom in advance.
Depends on is you are a righty or a lefty. If you are right handed mount you flashlight on the right side of the gun. Depending on your use it is better to not have your head directly behind the light. I have one mounted on my right side and forward of a forward grip that I have on my Colt M4. I can activate my light by using my left thumb pressing on a rear power switch. I don't care for a pressure switch as it can be activated accidently if one is not careful. You can also buy a mount that can be adjusted to multiple positions.

Last edited by bwalton1; 07-11-2013 at 05:17 PM. Reason: forgot a point.
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Old 07-11-2013, 08:03 PM
yam476 yam476 is offline
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I have a Surefire. No, the light can not be easily removed to use as a flashlight.
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Old 07-11-2013, 10:26 PM
ohbejuan ohbejuan is offline
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I agree with the above, they're not easily removed from the QD attachment (probably one or two hex screws) but the QD attachment is quite easily removed from the rail, pull the tab out, swing lever open and it's off.
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Old 07-12-2013, 08:56 AM
fowlweather fowlweather is offline
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yam476,

If you don't mind me asking, which surefire model do you have and are you happy with the performance?
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Old 07-12-2013, 05:07 PM
batmann batmann is offline
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Having a good light is one those things that most of us mount but will seldom need. That said, I have tried a couple of different lights
and mounts and finally settled on a Streamlight TLR 1s. It is light, has it's own mount and also has a strobe (mine is, I think 400 lums, but they have one out now that is 600+ w/strobe).Mine is mounted on the right side forward and I can reach it for activation with my left hand trigger finger. By mounting there, it keeps my hands in proper position and the light only weighs 5 oz or so and keeps the outfit in balance plus keeping it on the right side away from my sling which is set up a couple different ways (single point or two way).
I try to make my weapons as versatile and a light as possible.
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