Light for AR-15

[Kentucky]

OK, I have resisted doing this for a while for several reasons. I didnt want to be "tacticool", I bought a Carbon Fiber rifle for a reason, I want to keep it light. I also knock it around quite a bit doing different things and I didnt want something hanging off the end that could get broke.

After my latest epsiode of going to investigate one of those sleep stopping "bumps in the night" though I have decided that I really need to get one for my AR.

Does anyone have any good suggestions for a light and attachment for an AR that is either easily removed and re-attached or is very durable if it stays on all the time?

Thanks in advance. And thanks in advance to the guy who will inevitably post the picture of the AR that has everything including a spotlight on it.

 

[taliv]

very durable: VTAC mount and G2 LED flashlight

easily removed and very durable: larue mount and G2 LED flashlight

the former will set you back considerably less than $100, but you will need a rail, which is not something you find on most carbon fiber guns

 

[Mot45acp]

Cheap route:

1. Mount a small picatiny rail to underside of forearm. ($5-$10 check CDNN)
2. Buy 1" scope ring for picatiny mount.
3. 20$ Brinkman CR123 flaslight from wally world. (The rubberized one with tail cap switch)

This provides a cheap but effective bump in the night set up. I have heard that some use a mini maglite with electrical tape wrapped around the body to positive results.

 

[highorder]

The Brinkman unit you speak of is a solid bargain. The incandescent version costs less than $15.00 and will take both rechargeable Li ion cells and Surefire P series lamps! A replacement glass lens will allow for serious upgrades for not alot of dollars.

 

[Kentucky]

How do those lights hold up to the recoil and abuse? Are they solid and durable?

 

[highorder]

I fooled around with a Brinkman incan model with an aftermarket (Lumensfactory) 380 lumen lamp.

It was bright and stood up to a few hundred rounds, in both the on and off positions. The lamp generated too much heat for the host body, so it all went back into the parts bin.

For recreational purposes, the Brinkman is fine. If you pop the lamp, you're out ten bucks. For work, you really should be using a shock isolated model from one of the big names, or an led with some horsepower and nice color rendition.

 

[yayarx7]

For the cheap approach go Brinkman in a scope ring, for the best value the G2 in Vtac or Vltor. The Surefire Scout lights are my favorite, but you pay for them.

 

[Mot45acp]

I have mine mounted with a vfg on a short rail. So I can engage the tail cap switch with my middle knuckle of my index finger on my weak hand.

I have the light mounted so far forward that the scope ring is crimping on the tail cap.

To change the batteries all I have to do is unscrew the body of the flashlight and pop new ones in.

I know this would be more durable if the tube of the flashlight were in the scope ring instead of the tail cap....but coons after my chickens dont shoot back.

As far as the durability of the light itself, it is one of those sleeper deals. I have 2. 1 is mounted and the other is EDC. My EDC has been dropped at work 4 stories onto concrete and still works. As bright as a surefire @ 20% of the cost.

I dont pay attention to lumens or the such, but, it is brighter than my 6 cell maglite with the LED upgrade, only it doesnt have the run time.

 

[kcshooter]

I didnt want to be "tacticool",

In my opinion, having only a light on an AR is not tacticool, (as long as it's one small light and not a giant 1million candlepower flood/spot). It's a good idea. (Of course I may be justifying my light on my AR's...). I went with a SureFire G2.

 

[Arkady]

Like kcshooter said, having a light mounted on your rifle is nothing to be ashamed of--never underestimate target identification.

If you're going to fire a shot, it helps to be absolutely certain your target deserves to be shot.

 

[yosarian]

Check this out http://www.elzetta.com/

 

[10-Ring]

I went "in-expensive" too. I mounted my G2 on my RRA middy w/ std 1" rings. Has been fine for almost 1000 rounds