Adding a light to my Ruger GSR

[ECVMatt]

First off, this is not meant to be a Scout Rifle debate. I have read others thoughts on the idea and realize that we are not dealing with a pure scout here. I am just a person who needed a quick way to mount a light to his rifle.

While there are a few ways to do this (Scott Hill over at Hill People Gear has a very nice set up), time prevents me from exploring these at this time. I decided to use a picatiny offset mount, mounted under the scope. I realize that I am not the first to think of this, but I had a hard time finding photos of the GSR set up this way, so I thought I would do a short write up.

I ordered a Daniel Defense offset mount. I know that I could have gotten something similar for 5 bucks off of ebay/china, but I like to support US jobs and the quality is superb!



I removed my scope and positioned the mount where I could activate it with my front hand. The mount is very small and hardly noticeable when no light is attached. The mount sticks out about as much as my QD levers on my scope rings.

Here are some pictures with just the mount and with the light attached:

Side view of the mount:


Side view with light:


Rear view with mount:


Rear view with light:


From the muzzle:


Overall I am very happy with how simple this was to set up (Under five minutes), how unobtrusive the mount is, and how the light and scope's center-line are almost parallel.

This is the first piece of picatinny rail accessory that I have ever bought. I like to keep my rifles very simple and clean. I feel this fits well with that theme, but add the benefit of a light. There might be a slight shadow from mounting the light on the side of the scope, but I like being able to active it with my front hand.

Hope some folks find this info useful,

Matt

 

[aubie515]

I'm not understanding why you'd mount the light on the right hand side and that far back, but that's just me.

If you are RH, I feel that you will be better served mounting the light on the left side of the scope to manipulate the light with your weak side.

I also think your light is way too far back and that the beam is going to be partially blocked from the optic. Your optic is also in the way of making any windage adjustments with your optic.

IMO, you have a lot of FAIL going on and I don't see anyone being helped by your post.

 

[Revoliver]

I'm not understanding why you'd mount the light on the right hand side and that far back, but that's just me.

If you are RH, I feel that you will be better served mounting the light on the left side of the scope to manipulate the light with your weak side.

I also think your light is way too far back and that the beam is going to be partially blocked from the optic. Your optic is also in the way of making any windage adjustments with your optic.

IMO, you have a lot of FAIL going on and I don't see anyone being helped by your post.

Completely agree.

 

[ECVMatt]

Thanks for the critisms, sometimes the non-model produces the most information. As I explained on another site. I tired the light both ways and I have inordinately long fingers. My middle finger falls right on the switch. Since it is so easy to switch back and forth, that is where I left it. I might try the thumb again though. Since the rifle is mine, I want it to work best for me. I might try and move the light forward, but as I stated, it works quite well and projects a beam that is both bright and centrally located.

A515, you also stated, "Your optic is also in the way of making any windage adjustments with your optic". Not sure what you mean by this? If you are referring to the scope, with the light removed it is very easy to access the scope adjustments.

Anyways I agree, not perfect, but works for what I need.

 

[splithoof]

I mounted the same lights on our GSR rifles by carefully filing a flat spot on the forward portion of the stock on the left sides that the switch is easily activated using my left thumb. A short section of Magpul MOE rail was anchored with two short wood screws, and a thin layer of JB Weld created a very sturdy anchor. Some of the JB Weld was also in the pre-drilled screw holes, resulting in a base that has remained firmly in place for several thousand rounds. It is important however, when filing the stock to do so in a manner that keeps the light parallel to the barrel, otherwise the light will not illuminate in the proper direction, as the stock is slightly tapered.
I have found that this system makes 100 yard snap-shooting in no/low light conditions very easy and fast when using the Leupold EIR with FireDot reticle.

 

[chicharrones]

Interesting set up, Matt. I like that you didn't have to alter the rifle permanently to try out the lighting set up. If it works for your needs, then that's all you can ask for.

 

[Sam1911]

Interesting set-up. Can I ask what your need is for a white light on a bolt-action rifle? What role is it serving?

Thanks!

 

[sauerOFkraut]

lovely. gives me an idea for my mossberg .308 mvp

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Hey splithoof, could you post a picture of the light mount you did and any "in progress" pictures if you have them?

If this is derailing towards the op, then feel free to pm me.

Thanks!

 

[splithoof]

Hi P.B.
I will post a few pics likely tomorrow evening.

 

[ECVMatt]

I needed to mount a light pretty quickly because I have some property on the very bottom of Kern County. We are totally off the grid and have no power or street lights. It takes the police about two hours to get there under normal circumstances. We have had some problems with break-ins up there and my property finally got hit. I am unable to get up there during the day because of work/school/kids, so it occurred to me that a light might be a needed addition to my rifle. While I do not anticipate any problems, I just want to be able to see if I need to. I am going to make the midnight run up there on Saturday to clean up and secure the place.

I think splithoof and Scott Hill have a better idea than mine, but it worked quite well last night when I tested it. When I have more time, I might go their route.

PB, I would like to see your mount as well, sounds like a great setup.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

I actually do not have any weapon lights besides a Surefire G2 I keep in my backpack..... But I am building a 1903 "fat" scout and plan for a light on the left hand side. NOTE: Plan to, have not done yet, sorry if my words were not clear in my previous post.

"Fat" scout, by my personal definition is a longer, overweight rifle using a scope scope, so basically, its just another regular rifle..... haha

 

[splithoof]

This is how the Streamlight TLR-1 works out.
It took some time to very carefully file a flat spot on the side of the stock that keeps the light pointing correctly. I also made sure to carefully mark the locations for the two mounting screws, and pre-drilled the holes to prevent any cracking of the stock.
When not in use, the light easily unscrews and slides off the permanent mount. The Magpul MOE rail section (five slot) seems very sturdy, yet is lightweight polymer. It has stayed on well and not come loose. Using JB Weld in the screw holes and under the rail ensures that is should be on tight and never come loose.
I have found that this setup is quite fast for snap-shots on night time hunts, and could prove useful if needed for a self defense situation if the GSR was all I had at the time. Being that it is used at the ranch and secured in a vertical rack in the jeep, it is often the only rifle within reach when miles away from HQ. When the sun goes down, I usually attach it if we are going to be out in one of the pastures, or several miles away on a neighboring property.

 

[back40]

splithoof, that looks like a great solution. nicely done.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Very nice spilthoof, might just have to steal your idea!

 

[ECVMatt]

Splithoof, that is awesome! That is the route I want to go when I have more time. I have a Black Raven stock however, so I am concerned about altering it. I believe there were about 2500 early GSR with the Black Raven stock. This probably falls into the, "Who Really Cares" category, but I often fall victim to the scarcity principle. The demand for these rifle was more than Ruger anticipated, so Ruger went to an outlined Raven to speed up production.

Anyways, great work there on the mount.

 

[splithoof]

^^^Could you post an image of a "Black Raven" stock? I am not sure I know what that is….

 

[ECVMatt]

Here you go.

Here is mine:



Here is a related thread:
http://www.scoutrifle.org/index.php?topic=2444.0

 

[splithoof]

^^^Ok, now I understand. Both mine have the "outline" style; the first one was purchased almost exactly three years ago. There is a "restricted access" supply business in So. Cal. that had two examples, but nobody was buying them. The manager said that everyone wanted either AR's or M1A's, and he wanted to move them out. I bought a NIB example for a pittance, and have never looked back.
Thank you for posting the good pics.