Best AR-15 light/light mount combo

[Kyle S.]

Ive been wanting to get a light for my ar15 and i cant seem to find what im looking for. I have a 10" BCM keymod rail w/ magpul BUIS. The reason i mention the BUIS is because it can get in the way. I want a streamlined light and mount that can fit in the top left section of the rail that costs around $100 or less preferably. I was considering the Streamlight ProTac 2L, the Inforce wml series, and the surefire g2x with a magpul mount but im open to others as well. I would prefer something as streamlined as possible, 300-600 lumens, durable, programmable light modes, waterproof, and a tail switch if possible. I am curious as to which mounts you guys know of and which are best. Im a fan of Haley Strategic light mounts but they are pricey. Let me know what you guys think or find, hope something fits my criteria.

 

[MachIVshooter]

For a side mounted light, Inforce WML without question. It's really the only one with a profile and button that's conducive to it. I have one on my 7.5" upper.

If you decide to sling it underneath, the Streamlight TLR-1 HP is hard to beat. I run that on my 10.5" with a can.

 

[herrwalther]

Probably the best mount I have ever used is made by CAA. As long as your light is about 1" diameter

https://www.cheaperthandirt.net/pro...xTNjG_MnZX1bkIqMQfGbzTn5j-t9DEboaAsGxEALw_wcB

 

[harrygunner]

Even though I have a Magpul M-Lok fore-grip on my AR15, I returned an attachment that goes on the grip. I like gripping higher rather than below the grip with my support hand and the light was in the way no matter where I placed it.

I found the Elzetta ZFH1500B-T flashlight holder to meet my needs. The light goes below the barrel with the light switch exactly where I can activate it with my support hand without re-positioning that hand.

The attached photo shows the mount with a Surefire G2X flashlight.

 

[Kyle S.]

I found a mount i like,
https://www.amazon.com/Monstrum-Tactical-Offset-Flashlight-Systems/dp/B06XMXSYLZ
The g2x seems nice but is it durable enough? Id prefer an aluminum bodied light and cant seem to find one on the price range of the g2x that would fit a one inch mount.

 

[Chuck R.]

It depends on how your carbine is set up.

I prefer a 12'Oclock mount as it's ambi and barrier neutral, meaning IF I can see my sights the light isn't obscured by a barrier/cover. For fixed FSBs I found the Mossie Midnight Mount, which clamps on the FSB and provided a short rail for a SureFire X300 type light. For a railed forearm without a fixed FSB, I bought a long enough forearm to mount the light in front of the BUIS.

https://arisakadefense.com/products/mossie-1913-fsb-mount



A 12 o'clock using a long railed forearm:



Rationale behind 12 o'clock:

http://jerkingthetrigger.com/2012/12/21/12-oclock-mounted-weapon-lights/

I like the X300 style lights as I find them easier to swap between guns (pistol, carbine, shotgun), or remove completely for practice.

Chuck

 

[Kyle S.]

I think im going to try the streamlight protac LED light, $40

 

[grampajack]

Hands down the mini scout, without question. As for the mount, it just depends on your rail. You want to get it as far forward as possible in the 1-2 o'clock position (assuming you're right handed). Arisaka probably makes something that will accomplish that. Some people like to mount in the 10-11 o'clock position and use their thumb instead of a tape switch. I'm not a big fan of that, but to each their own.

The Streamlight scout copies are pretty decent. There's definitely a noticeable decrease in quality, and I don't like the "features" but I think they're capable for a home defense role. You can also build an Arisake mini scout, which I don't think is any cheaper, but they are lighter than the factory Surefires. I think I would opt for that as opposed to buying a factory scout if I were going to buy a new light tomorrow. Last I checked though, Arisaka had trouble keeping the components in stock.

 

[Everready73]

It depends on how your carbine is set up.

I prefer a 12'Oclock mount as it's ambi and barrier neutral, meaning IF I can see my sights the light isn't obscured by a barrier/cover. For fixed FSBs I found the Mossie Midnight Mount, which clamps on the FSB and provided a short rail for a SureFire X300 type light. For a railed forearm without a fixed FSB, I bought a long enough forearm to mount the light in front of the BUIS.

https://arisakadefense.com/products/mossie-1913-fsb-mount

View attachment 767788

A 12 o'clock using a long railed forearm:
View attachment 767789


Rationale behind 12 o'clock:

http://jerkingthetrigger.com/2012/12/21/12-oclock-mounted-weapon-lights/

I like the X300 style lights as I find them easier to swap between guns (pistol, carbine, shotgun), or remove completely for practice.

Chuck

I will look into the Ariska mount as i am looking for a solution for my 16 inch fsp rifle. I have been eyeing the Elzetta and was wondering if you or anyone else has any feedback as far as a comparison would go. https://www.elzetta.com/product/zfh1500/

 

[Chuck R.]

I will look into the Ariska mount as i am looking for a solution for my 16 inch fsp rifle. I have been eyeing the Elzetta and was wondering if you or anyone else has any feedback as far as a comparison would go. https://www.elzetta.com/product/zfh1500/

My 1st light mount was a 6 o'clock, similar in function. Worked great, right up until I shot it in a low-light carbine class using a barricade. I either ended up resting the carbine on the light, or rested the barrel on the barricade edge which put the light on my side of the barricade. The "splash-back" from doing this a couple times got me off the 6 o'clock position (as well as 3 & 9 positions) unless there's no other way to mount a light. There's also some "shadow" considerations as the light below the barrel can "shadow" the TGT, although honestly with enough lumens it never bothered me.

Now that I've gone to a more FWD grip, the 12 o'clock works best for activation, barricade work, etc.

Chuck

 

[Armored farmer]

streamlight tac lite on offset mount at 10:00. I operate the tail cap with my thumb.

I bought a cheap light for my AR pistol project. I wasn' nearly as good as the streamlight

 

[C-grunt]

Ive been running the Protac rail mount HLX 1000 lumen light on my work rifle for a few months now. The light is very bright and the throw lets me get PID out to at least 100 yards at night. It has enough light to push through other ambient and focused lights to illuminate what I need. Great light and has a built in picatinny mount and tape switch.

 

[Everready73]

My 1st light mount was a 6 o'clock, similar in function. Worked great, right up until I shot it in a low-light carbine class using a barricade. I either ended up resting the carbine on the light, or rested the barrel on the barricade edge which put the light on my side of the barricade. The "splash-back" from doing this a couple times got me off the 6 o'clock position (as well as 3 & 9 positions) unless there's no other way to mount a light. There's also some "shadow" considerations as the light below the barrel can "shadow" the TGT, although honestly with enough lumens it never bothered me.

Now that I've gone to a more FWD grip, the 12 o'clock works best for activation, barricade work, etc.

Chuck

Thanks Chuck