Selecting an AR15 weapon mounted light

By Thomas E On November 15, 2017 · Add Comment

Now, I know what you are thinking, keep the “mall ninja” stuff off my AR15! I agree. But, there is a time & a place to have a flashlight on your AR15 for proper threat identification & illumination (NOT to blind them and NOT to disoriented the attacker). Once the treat is properly identified, then corrective action can be taken 😉

Having a light on a long-gun IS a requirement because you can not hold, sight and fire with one hand; like a handgun in the Harries Technique.

MY REQUIREMENTS:

rugged and dependable — hey, its a self-defense tool, why bet your life on junky gear?!?
1st I do NOT want light “negligent discharge (ND)”, so if the light is a bit slower to activate, that is better than it flipping on while slinged or deployed or patrolling”.
I don’t want the “profile” to stick out and bump/bang/snag on everything.
It’d be nice if the light didn’t get a lot of muzzle flash and thus significantly impact the lights effectiveness from getting “soiled” by carbon build-up.
not too heavy and not too bulky.
somewhat consistent with my other long-gun light system.
possible future Night Vision, thus the ability to throw IR (Infra-red) really helps night vision
I want to be able to run the ar15 the same way I have trained with thousands of repetitions and not unset/upset my muscle memory for a light (thus, the light can’t be in the way and not too far forward that I forget and I have to move my hand later to turn the light ON).
Clear/not get in the way of MBUS (backup iron sights). 12 oclock seems ideal, if it clears optic & mbus. Otherwise 3pm for a right handed shooter means the field of view is not impacted by the light on the left side of the rifle (using your support eye, you don’t want a bunch of prime view blocked by a piece of hardware.
Possible/desired standardization on all long-guns. Quick move the light to a different long-gun, that has basically the same mounting system.
Not get in the way of a sling (thus a 6 oclock light mount…is going to get extra stress from a 6 oclock sling-mount

Streamlight TLR1-HL.

PROS

800 lums
small & rugged
turn light on from support-side or primary side (left or right handed).
Mount just in front of MBUS (backup iron sights)
use on a handgun if needed
momentary light ON OR stay-on option.

CONS

The retention screw MAY come loose after time without proper lock-tight or thread-mate.

If you are a surefire fan, you may consider getting “ears to protect” the on/off switch so you don’t ND the light!

EXO – Surefire X-Series

Option2:

InForce WX-05-2 InForce, Mlx, Multi Function Weapon Mounted Light, 700 Lumens, Gen 2, White/Infrared LED, black

PROS

I like the low profile and ruggedness
IR for night vision (IF you buy the correct version).
700 lums

CONS

Lower than competing LUMs
The slant on/off could be a con and also could be a pro IMO. After working with it, I believe the slant is a big pro!

Recommended rail/slant:

Another option is a traditional light combined with this with magpul’s light mount.

This mount works on nearly anything and everything, even if you don’t have a rail, you can put screws into your plastic handgaurd.

Option3

Streamlight ProTac Railmount 2L Dedicated Fixed-Mount Long Gun Light

streamlight dedicated weapon mounted protac. I’m currently experimenting with this one on my sig516.

I like that it comes with a tail-cap OR a pressure tape. I think unscrewing the tail, so you don’t ND the light unless/until you need it at night might work. If its in your home and its your grab long-gun (after you have a lull from using your handgun that is ON YOU), then it might make sense to have it “ready to go”.

PROS