AR-15 light mounts

[That Guy]

So, I have a Colt LE6920 with a Magpul MOE SL carbine length handguard, and I'd like to add a light to the rifle. I'd prefer to have the ability to switch shoulders and still use the light, if possible.

A 12 o'clock mount would be nice and ambidextrous, but unfortunately seems impossible to accomplish without expensive modifications to the rifle.

Next option, I was thinking of the Midwest Industries light mount that attaches to the front sight ( https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=94 MCTAR04). But is this compatible with the SL handguard?

Assuming that MI mount doesn't work, what would be the next best thing? A carbine length handguard is kind of small, I'd rather not have a big bulky light mount bolted right where I want to put my hand - and I chose the SL handguard specifically because it is narrower, so it fits my hand better. I'd prefer to keep it that way.

And thanks for your help, guys!

[Jay Cunningham]

Check out Impact Weapons Components.

[Unobtanium]

Mount it at 11 or 3. Still ambi.

[John Hearne]

We ran these for several years before I could buy new uppers. They worked great for a duty light. Extensive live fire training will probably require a glove as the heat does transfer up the FSB.

https://battlecomp.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/MT2400FSB.Brownells.jpg

Link:
https://battlecomp.com/product/mossie-midnight-mount/

[Dropkick]

I don't know about the Magpul handguard compatibility, but I have a FSB mount like the Midwest Industries and it works great with a Streamlight ProTac Railmount 1L and standard handguards. It puts the light at about 11' and manages to keep the light close without interfering with the grip.

I like that setup so much that if it was me, I'd be tempted to dremel away the plastic on those Magpul guards so the mount could fit...

[SamueL]

Check out Impact Weapons Components.

This!

I could have saved A LOT of money if Impact Weapons Components and their Mount-N-Slot light mounts had been around years ago. I recommend and setup my guys' patrol rifles with them now. The SMC light mount works great especially with the MOE-SL handguard, mounting the light at roughly 11:00 or 01:00 and providing ambidextrous operation.

[TR675]

IWC makes good gear.

Another option is the Troy Delta Rail, which gives you a longer rail with more real estate without any permanent mods to the rifle. I put one on a 6920 recently and then used it in a run and gun biathlon/match recently and it works well. It got banged around a lot and had no problems, didn't affect my zero, etc., and lets you mount a light up in front of the FSB.

[That Guy]

Check out Impact Weapons Components.

Thank you for the suggestion. Unfortunately they don't sell internationally, and Brownells doesn't have their light mount.


We ran these for several years before I could buy new uppers. They worked great for a duty light. Extensive live fire training will probably require a glove as the heat does transfer up the FSB.

That's actually what I had in mind at first. But it seems those mounts are no longer made (except for airsoft-quality cheap copies). Good point about the heat transfer though.


I don't know about the Magpul handguard compatibility, but I have a FSB mount like the Midwest Industries and it works great with a Streamlight ProTac Railmount 1L and standard handguards. It puts the light at about 11' and manages to keep the light close without interfering with the grip.

I like that setup so much that if it was me, I'd be tempted to dremel away the plastic on those Magpul guards so the mount could fit...

Hmm. I just might end up doing that... (Now I only have to come to terms with having to pay over double what the mount costs in the US. :p )

[DpdG]

I run the Mossie mount with the Moe-SL and a TLR-1, on a Commando. It works well enough, but due to casting imperfections of the fsb, the rail is not perfectly parallel to the bore. The Mossie rail has a means of adjusting for vertical misalignment, but not horizontal.

Botac advertises a knock-off of the Mossie which is more adjustable. Never handled it and Botac brings its own reputation, but might be worth a shot. Alternatively, there are multiple bayonet lug rails on the market that would work for 6 o'clock mounting.

[That Guy]

I keep forgetting to update this thread.

Finally received my package, and the Midwest Industries lightmount does NOT work with the Magpul SL handguard. (It does work fine with the regular MOE handguard, but not the SL version.)

It might be possible to remove material from the top part of the handguard to make the mount fit. Mounting the handguard was enough of a PITA that I haven't had the energy to try to pull it off yet, though.

Really wishing I had access to that IWC light mount just about now... :/ It looks like an awesome product.

[hiro]

I have the IWC SMC XL mounting a Fury Tactical on a 16" mid length with MOE SL hand guard. If you use the M-Lok slot the shape of the mount stops you wrapping your thumb around the top of the hand guard and the slot is angled in, it isn't ideal. After discussing this with Earl at IWC he suggested I drill a couple of holes in the top of the hand guard. The polymer is easy to drill and I started with a 1/64" bit to act as a pilot. The mount now lays flat on the top of the hand guard pushing the light out to the right side of the FSB. When not activating the light, my support thumb sits in front of the two bolts. It's easy to use if I swap shoulders.
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[hiro]

I was also looking at the Arisaka mounts but they don't do an equivalent to the SMC XL. I mailed them, they were prompt and cool, had this to say: "Sorry, we do not have plans to make a longer inline ring mount. At some point the force being exerted on such a long mount requires that it be made much thicker and heavier, or risk being bent at the first small impact. We would have to beef up the mount considerably to place the light out past the front sight base in combination with the MOE SL handguard. Sorry to disappoint!"

There is definitely some wobble on the SMC XL. It doesn't worry me as I don't intend to use it as an impact weapon. I haven't dropped the rifle yet, let's see how it plays out.

I think, when Magpul designed the hand guard they intended this (https://www.magpul.com/products/m-lok-cantilever-rail-light-mount-polymer) to be used with a simple ring mount. Sounds fine but I wanted to push the light further forward to reduce barrel shadow and get my hand as far forward on the hand guard.

[nalesq]

I have the IWC SMC XL mounting a Fury Tactical on a 16" mid length with MOE SL hand guard. If you use the M-Lok slot the shape of the mount stops you wrapping your thumb around the top of the hand guard and the slot is angled in, it isn't ideal. After discussing this with Earl at IWC he suggested I drill a couple of holes in the top of the hand guard. The polymer is easy to drill and I started with a 1/64" bit to act as a pilot. The mount now lays flat on the top of the hand guard pushing the light out to the right side of the FSB. When not activating the light, my support thumb sits in front of the two bolts. It's easy to use if I swap shoulders.
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The one downside to this IWC mount is that it can get awfully hot fairly quickly. If you are used to wrapping your thumb around the forend, and you aren't wearing gloves, just be careful not to burn yourself.

[Inebriated]

This might be of only limited value, but as I was very close to getting the IWC for MOE's, I'll share.

On the BCM I use as an irons-only rifle, I ended up settling with MI drop-in handguards. They weigh less than MOE's, they're slimmer (I got the KM version), and have a 1913 rail on top for solidly mounting an offset M600U. It isn't that I don't necessarily trust the IWC (love every IWC product I've used, Earl makes great gear), but I wanted something that I felt like I could beat on and not worry about. I also tried the MI FSB mount at the same time I ordered the handguards, and it's just bulkier than I want for a light mount.

I'm quite pleased with the setup.

[hiro]

This might be of only limited value, but as I was very close to getting the IWC for MOE's, I'll share.

On the BCM I use as an irons-only rifle, I ended up settling with MI drop-in handguards. They weigh less than MOE's, they're slimmer (I got the KM version), and have a 1913 rail on top for solidly mounting an offset M600U. It isn't that I don't necessarily trust the IWC (love every IWC product I've used, Earl makes great gear), but I wanted something that I felt like I could beat on and not worry about. I also tried the MI FSB mount at the same time I ordered the handguards, and it's just bulkier than I want for a light mount.

I'm quite pleased with the setup.

This being my first rifle I wanted to keep the price down, hence the MOE SL.

Something I meant to add to my first post, I think the SMC was designed for the original MOE hand guard where the slots are lower on the sides.

[That Guy]

I think, when Magpul designed the hand guard they intended this (https://www.magpul.com/products/m-lok-cantilever-rail-light-mount-polymer) to be used with a simple ring mount. Sounds fine but I wanted to push the light further forward to reduce barrel shadow and get my hand as far forward on the hand guard.

From just looking at pictures of the cantilever rail, it appears to place the light pretty far to the side, away from the bore. The light mounts discussed here seem to tuck the light in much more nicely.

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[Inebriated]

This being my first rifle I wanted to keep the price down, hence the MOE SL.


No fault there!


From just looking at pictures of the cantilever rail, it appears to place the light pretty far to the side, away from the bore. The light mounts discussed here seem to tuck the light in much more nicely.

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FWIW, I've used that with an Inforce WML, and it was fine. Not my favorite setup, but it was plenty functional.

[hiro]

From just looking at pictures of the cantilever rail, it appears to place the light pretty far to the side, away from the bore. The light mounts discussed here seem to tuck the light in much more nicely.

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I think that's my poor photography. If you look at the last pic there is very little space between the light and the FSB.

[That Guy]

Exactly. Whereas with the cantilever rail the light would be poking way out, away from the rifle.

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[hiro]

Tony, I misread your post.

I was quite surprised by how large the 2 cell Fury light is. I haven't shot the rifle enough to have an opinion about how it affects the balance, I don't think it does really - this is what I have, now learn to shoot it.

A lot of pics I see on the 'net have smaller lights, sometimes I wonder if people chose their setups cos they look low profile, I went with the fury cos it's bright and seemed to be the light that had the most recommendations. After deciding on that I looked at how to mount the light to the MOE SL so that I could keep my hand as far forward and not have to change my hand position substantially to activate the light. With a longer rail there are more options, I've no plans to change this rifle, the money is better spent on ammo.

[Alembic]

What about mounting at 6 o'clock? Is that bad, uncool, or gonna get me....?

I've used this mount on my HD AR-15 with zero issues for just 18 months, https://www.elzetta.com/product/zfh1500/ with a Streamlight PolyTac, also fits a Surefire G2X

but, I'm pretty nice to my gear. Maybe others have thoughts on this mount, durability, and placement at 6.

Sorry, just read the FAQ section for this mount. It does not work with a SL

"Will the Elzetta ZFH1500 Tactical Flashlight Mount work with the Magpul MOE Handguard?"

"Yes, the Elzetta ZFH1500 fits perfectly with the standard Magpul MOE Handguards. It does not fit SL models."

[hiro]

From what I've read, meaning I am just a civvie, I haven't been anywhere or done anything, the issues with 6 o'clock are the light being obstructed by a barricade/blinding yourself with back splash, difficulty reaching the switch to turn it on/off (unless you're using a separate switch) and the barrel's shadow covering the target. There maybe more, these are the ones I remember. I've not tried it so don't know but I don't know if the MOE SL hand guard will accept a mount there.

[Inebriated]

Tony, I misread your post.

I was quite surprised by how large the 2 cell Fury light is. I haven't shot the rifle enough to have an opinion about how it affects the balance, I don't think it does really - this is what I have, now learn to shoot it.

A lot of pics I see on the 'net have smaller lights, sometimes I wonder if people chose their setups cos they look low profile, I went with the fury cos it's bright and seemed to be the light that had the most recommendations. After deciding on that I looked at how to mount the light to the MOE SL so that I could keep my hand as far forward and not have to change my hand position substantially to activate the light. With a longer rail there are more options, I've no plans to change this rifle, the money is better spent on ammo.

Assuming Scout/E-series lights are what you're seeing? There are reasons other than aesthetics to use those lights.

But if the Fury puts out the kind of light you need, and it's in a position that you can consistently access it in multiple scenarios, then that's what matters. I'd just say to be careful about letting the rifle fall. Lights that far away from their mounting point can generate a lot of leverage if the head takes the full impact of a fall.

[hiro]

But if the Fury puts out the kind of light you need, and it's in a position that you can consistently access it in multiple scenarios, then that's what matters. I'd just say to be careful about letting the rifle fall. Lights that far away from their mounting point can generate a lot of leverage if the head takes the full impact of a fall.

It's where I can use it, yes, either hand, low chance of accidental discharge and puts plenty of light out. I hear ya on it taking a fall, plenty of leverage. I am guessing that if it should happen that the polymer the bracket is mounted into or the bolts will be point most likely to fail.

[hiro]

Tony, I checked with VTAC and this (http://www.vikingtactics.com/product-p/vt-hb-th.htm) will mount to a MOE SL. Use the correct ring for your light from here (http://www.vikingtactics.com/category-s/1838.htm) and I think you'll have a lower profile, lower stress mount. I might change to this set up as the IWC cos I kinda don't like the way the IWC mount butts out from the hand guard.

[That Guy]

Thanks! I'll keep that option in mind.