mrstang01
Member
I'd like to get some recommendations for a weapon light for an AR-15. It would be used for civilian duty, around the farm, and reasonably priced.
Thanks!
Michael
Thanks!
Michael
Recommend a weapon light for AR15
- Thread starter mrstang01
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I am going to make a bold, but informed statement. And, you probably won't like it because it isn't cheap/mickey mouse/half baked (nothing personal but most people don't like to pay the price to get really GOOD stuff). There is only one BEST weapons light for the AR15. The Surefire 900A. You can buy cheaper, but it won't do what the Surefire will do. You can get into lights that are dim, lights that have wires handing off the gun, lights that can't be easily removed so you have to carry the extra weight, you can buy cheaper lights that throw the rifle off balance etc. If you want something that leaves nothing to be disired, get the Surefire 900A. For the farm, you might want the 900B, but the 900A can be upgraded to the 900B and back with very little effort. The 900B is too much light for interior home defense.
Sunray
Member
A what? You mean a flashlight attached to the rifle? Look here andget a small light to fit.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1601
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1601
BerettaNut92
Member
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Whenever I find a real job and move out of California I'm getting a Surefire 500 series.
If I needed the range probably refit it with another lamp module like another poster said to reach out a little more.
If I needed the range probably refit it with another lamp module like another poster said to reach out a little more.
I had a Surefire 500A light. Once I saw and used the 900 series light, I sold the 500A.
The reason is that you don't use the light very much. When you need it, it is essential, but you don't use it all that often. But, with the 500 series light, you have to carry it around attached to your carbine all the time. It increases the weight of the carbine, and it changes the balance of the carbine. Lastly, there is always the chance that you will break the light during everyday usage. The 900 series light gives you everything the 500 series light gives you, and much more. The main thing is that with the throw of a lever, the light is off yoyr carbine. The weight is gone. If you need it, it can be re-installed in seconds. Then there is the matter of rails. I own something like 11 AR15 carbines. Most have regular handguards, two have rail systems. The rail systems are a vast improvement, not having them is a significant step backwards. With the 500 series light, you obviously can't use any other handguard. With the 900 series light, you can use any handguard out there. Another great thing about the 900 series light is that because it can be easliy removed from the weapon, I could use the 900 series light on any one of my AR15s with almost no effort. Just throw a lever and put it on a different rifle. This can be done to some extent with the 500 series lights, but it isn't nearly as easy and it could only be done with another carbine that uses the same size handguards. For example, if you get a carbine length 500 series light, you couldn't use it on your 20" rifle. But with the 900 series light, you can. In fact you could install the 900 series light on any gun you own that has a picitanny rail.
Versitility is the name of the game. Why strap yourself down if you don't have to ?
The reason is that you don't use the light very much. When you need it, it is essential, but you don't use it all that often. But, with the 500 series light, you have to carry it around attached to your carbine all the time. It increases the weight of the carbine, and it changes the balance of the carbine. Lastly, there is always the chance that you will break the light during everyday usage. The 900 series light gives you everything the 500 series light gives you, and much more. The main thing is that with the throw of a lever, the light is off yoyr carbine. The weight is gone. If you need it, it can be re-installed in seconds. Then there is the matter of rails. I own something like 11 AR15 carbines. Most have regular handguards, two have rail systems. The rail systems are a vast improvement, not having them is a significant step backwards. With the 500 series light, you obviously can't use any other handguard. With the 900 series light, you can use any handguard out there. Another great thing about the 900 series light is that because it can be easliy removed from the weapon, I could use the 900 series light on any one of my AR15s with almost no effort. Just throw a lever and put it on a different rifle. This can be done to some extent with the 500 series lights, but it isn't nearly as easy and it could only be done with another carbine that uses the same size handguards. For example, if you get a carbine length 500 series light, you couldn't use it on your 20" rifle. But with the 900 series light, you can. In fact you could install the 900 series light on any gun you own that has a picitanny rail.
Versitility is the name of the game. Why strap yourself down if you don't have to ?
mrstang01
Member
The 900 has the vertical foregrip, right? How does it mount to the weapon?
It mounts to the handguard via a picitanny rail. You can use a handguard system like the KAC RAS or a SIR ...... or you can buy a rail that attches to your existing handguard on the bottom through one of the ventilation holes which is by far the cheapest option.
ShaiVong
Member
I'm not warm to the idea of a vertical foregrip. Just doesnt seem as comfortable to me as a traditional foregrip.
Maybe I just need to give it a try.
Maybe I just need to give it a try.
mrstang01
Member
I don't much care for the vertical grip either, glad I'm not the only one.
dojpros1998
Member
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- Jan 7, 2003
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- 32
For your decribed application, A m3($89-$119) by Insight and mounted on a fobus rail ($10-$15) on your handguards will give you 90 lumens of light in a package that you easily switch from gun to gun i.e. ar to shotgun (requires a $15-$25 mount you install in about 2 min) to third gen glock, all for well under $200.
V.Oller
Member
mrstang01
Member
V.Oller, could you tell us some more about your carbine? Nice looking weapon!
ShaiVong
Member
Very unique looking AR.
BerettaNut92
Member
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- Dec 23, 2002
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Nice photography, V Oller,
Looks like an ACE Skeletonized stock, ACOG and SureFire 500 series, Thermold mags and a Redi-Mag?
How does it balance w/ the skeletonized (I assume lighter) stock back there, and the added weight of the Redi Mag and Surefire up front?
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
Well, I'd agree that the M900 is an exceptionally nice light. If it was in my budget, I'd surely have one; but it isn't so I've been using a Surefire G2 Nitrolon attached to regular M4 handguards with wire ties or bicycle inner tube. It isn't ideal; but you won't find a better combo for $42.
V.Oller
Member
Thanks guys, I really like the way it turned out!
The AR started life as a stock Bushmaster AK muzzlebrake shorty. The lower is still stock with the exception of the ACE stock and a single point sling spacer.
The upper is a Les Baer flattop with a Knight's shorty barrel with a permanetly attached muzzle brake, 1:9 twist. The ACOG is a TA31 with the "doughnut" reticle, there's a flip up 300 meter rear site as backup on the reciever just aft of the ACOG.
The M4 fore end is SureFire 500A with the LED "running lights" on the left side opposite the primary light. The pistolgrip is a BattleGrip with some extra batteries inside, very comfortable too.
It does feel slightly muzzle heavy due to all stuff forward of the magwell, but when fired the reticle stays on target. I was a little leery of the ACE stock at first but after the first time at the combat range I actually like it quite a bit.
Now it did take me a bit to peice all this together but it sure does shoot nicer now even than it did originally. Incidentally I can only ever remember having 3 jam's with this carbine.
The AR started life as a stock Bushmaster AK muzzlebrake shorty. The lower is still stock with the exception of the ACE stock and a single point sling spacer.
The upper is a Les Baer flattop with a Knight's shorty barrel with a permanetly attached muzzle brake, 1:9 twist. The ACOG is a TA31 with the "doughnut" reticle, there's a flip up 300 meter rear site as backup on the reciever just aft of the ACOG.
The M4 fore end is SureFire 500A with the LED "running lights" on the left side opposite the primary light. The pistolgrip is a BattleGrip with some extra batteries inside, very comfortable too.
It does feel slightly muzzle heavy due to all stuff forward of the magwell, but when fired the reticle stays on target. I was a little leery of the ACE stock at first but after the first time at the combat range I actually like it quite a bit.
Now it did take me a bit to peice all this together but it sure does shoot nicer now even than it did originally. Incidentally I can only ever remember having 3 jam's with this carbine.
Hmmm, lessee...
Take a lightweight carbine variant of the AR-15/M16 family, add optics, lights, spare mags, and of course, spare batteries, and voila'! Right back up there with the A2 or heavier in weight. If one is going to ignore the K.I.S.S. principle in defensive arms, fine, but if you're trying for serious bling-bling, it's not quite the winner of the prize, it needs just a bit more work to catch up:
Take a lightweight carbine variant of the AR-15/M16 family, add optics, lights, spare mags, and of course, spare batteries, and voila'! Right back up there with the A2 or heavier in weight. If one is going to ignore the K.I.S.S. principle in defensive arms, fine, but if you're trying for serious bling-bling, it's not quite the winner of the prize, it needs just a bit more work to catch up:
V.Oller
Member
LOL, I love that pic!
BerettaNut92
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Paul Kim looks like the Korean version of my dad.
Which means that's what I'm gonna look like in 30 years!
(and that can only be a good thing, esp with that hood ornament)
Which means that's what I'm gonna look like in 30 years!
(and that can only be a good thing, esp with that hood ornament)
Chipperman
Member
That pic gets funnier every time I see it.
BTW, I see the compass in the stock, but where's the "Thing that tells time?"
BTW, I see the compass in the stock, but where's the "Thing that tells time?"
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