Rifle Light / Mount on a budget

[BWT]

Hey all,

Fairly straightforward I had a not terrible but... informative experience tonight. Long story short, in the office, hear bump in the empty house several thuds. Upstairs studying for a Cisco certification after Jiu Jitsu this evening and I have an empty 1911 I’ve been dry firing.

I work my way downstairs to the safe with my empty pistol and what ensues is a fiasco.

I have two cats so, I figured probably the cats but it sounded loud and happened twice; I figured let’s get a gun with some bullets in it from the safe in the garage.

I grabbed my SBR because it was the most capable weapon I had that was ready, chambered a round and checked the house. It was some car doors slamming across the street.

TLDR: I need weapon lights.

I’m thinking on of the stream light Pro-Tacs with a mount. I have MOE handguards that are the originals with a standard FSB. The Rifle is capable (12.5” factory SBR with an H2 in a scalar works mount); it just needs a light.

I don’t want to spend $500-600 to shave the front sight base, buy a front BUIS, rail, light mount, and light. (I figured a SureFire M300 will be recommended, a MLok rail at $200-250, Folding FSB, etc.)

I’m left eye dominant and shoot the rifle with both hands regularly; I’d like to maintain control of the Handguard.

Open to ideas, suggestions, etc.

Disclaimer, I’m just a guy with a rifle that needs a light. I didn’t want to call police for a sound in my residence, barricade, etc. I can’t currently afford a $500 carbine class and 1,000 rounds. I’m saying this just in case the thread takes a turn to “never clear your own house, stay in your lane, etc.”.

God bless,

Brandon

ETA: I forgot; I’d like to spend about $150-200. I’m looking at the single cell ProTac from stream light. Bill Blowers on primary and secondary seemed to have a positive experience on 11.5” rifles. Seems like a good option.

[dfeder530]

You could buy an Elzetta flashlight mount that attaches to the FSB and will accept a handheld light. Or you could upgrade the Magpul handguards with their new ones with MLOK then attach a rail section and flashlight.

[mark7]

<$150 a TRL1 and a Midwest mount.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/968824/midwest-industries-tactical-light-mount-ar-15-aluminum-matte

[ragnar_d]

If you've got MOE handguards, I think the Protac and IWC setup is hard to beat.

These are my two setups. Ones is an IWC Thorntail Scout, the other is the MOE "Mount-N-Slot" "SMCXL" mount. Both guns have Protac HL-X lights in them. I've got about $135 into each setup:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171215/be4e41b8a0cd167a2fcb5ef4797408b2.jpg

I went with the HL-X because of the ability to take 18650 batteries an chuck 1000 lumens. Though, Surefire has stepped up there game and is bringing a 1500 lumen Scout that takes 18650s, so I'm looking forward to that.

If you go on to IWC's website, you can get a Surefire Scout M300 or M600 Ultra with SMC or SMCXL mount for $220. The Protac models are a little bigger, but I like the option to use AA batteries in the RM1 models. An SMC mount and RM1 would run you about $120 plus shipping.




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[Clusterfrack]

+1 for the Streamlight HLX. I’ve got one on an AK SBR that’s seen a bit of hard use. So far the light, switch, and mount have been solid.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171215/f4f5bb6c13c50d4056da60d30b50f3a1.jpg

[vcdgrips]

320 lumens 60.00

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/189209/surefire-g2x-tactical-flashlight-led-with-2-cr123a-batteries-polymer-and-aluminum-black

650 lumens 110.00
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/968374/surefire-g2z-combat-light-flashlight-with-max-vision-reflector-led-with-2-cr123a-batteries-nitrolon-black

Viking tactics light mount 25.00
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2729277037/vtac-offset-picatinny-rail-flashlight-mount-polymer


Universal rail at 8.00 as they are back ordered on magpul stuff which would be under 10.00
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/3206620239/ergo-picatinny-rail-with-mounting-hardware-polymer-black

95 to 150 max all in.

YMMV greatly

[HCM]

<$150 a TRL1 and a Midwest mount.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/968824/midwest-industries-tactical-light-mount-ar-15-aluminum-matte

I have the GG&G version of the above captioned Midwest mount on several guns and have used it on a few duty rifles. Use blue loc tote and witness mark the screws - it will be good to go.

Another good option for FSB guns is the mossie midnight mount which is now being made by Arisaka defense.

Speaking of Arisaka, for about a 1/3 more than the protac 1 cell you can get an Arisaka scout. worth the additional $$ in my opinion. If not the 600 and 800 lumen TLR HL's or the HLX are a safer bet than the pro tac.

If you want to use your MOE HG I'll second Ragnar_d's recommendation of IWC - great stuff.

[Bigghoss]

On my MOE hanguards I have a Streamlight Scorpion in Magpul's mount for 1" lights. Gets the job done. On my work carbine I have a Surefire on and ARMS mount with a tape switch. I also recently traded into a Surefire G2 with an MI ring mount and a tailcap with a tape switch.

Or you could grab an MLOK pic rail for a few bucks and throw a TLR-1 on it and call it good enough. Use the shop Amazon link at the top of the page so PF gets a kickback and be done with it.

[LittleLebowski]

Which ProTac are you guys recommending?

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=streamlight+protac

[ragnar_d]

Which ProTac are you guys recommending?

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=streamlight+protac

The ones I've got are the ProTac Rail Mount HL-X (Streamlight SKU 88066). The other one I'm looking at (and I think OP was talking about) was the ProTac Rail Mount 1 (Streamlight SKU 88058) that takes either (1) AA or (1) CR123.


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[Guerrero]

I got one of these as a fairly inexpensive option:

https://www.botach.com/streamlight-protac-hl-x-1000-lumens-flashlight-w-offset-mount-package-deal/

[Dave J]

The other one I'm looking at (and I think OP was talking about) was the ProTac Rail Mount 1 (Streamlight SKU 88058) that takes either (1) AA or (1) CR123.


FWIW, I just finished using one of those on a deployment where resupply of CR123's was uncertain, and the AA option seemed like a good idea. The light held up fine through a fair amount of rough usage. It wasn't anywhere near as bright as I'd prefer, being that I was accustomed to 600-lumen Surefires, but it's likely good enough for typical home defense purposes. When I ran out of CR123's and had to run a AA, I found the output really sucked, so I'd recommend not using the "dual fuel" option if possible, except for training/range use. The included tape switch felt a little chintzy, although mine didn't cause any problems.

For civilian use, indoors, small rooms, in places you're already familiar with, I'd say the single cell ProTac is probably OK as a budget option. It certainly beats not having a WML. I'm not throwing mine away, and it may find its way onto my 1301T soon. But, I'd have difficulty recommending it for serious professional use, mainly because the light output just isn't up to current standards.

IMHO, the 2-cell model is probably a better choice, for the additional light output, especially for a home defense gun where a little extra weight doesn't matter so much.

ETA: Mine was the 320-lumen model, and is a little over a year old. I haven't kept up with current offerings, so if they've increased the light output, I'd be a lot more likely to recommend it.

[Beat Trash]

I've used the IWC SMCXL mounts on a MagPul MOE fore end with a Surefire scout and it works really well. Should also do nicely with the ProTac lights.

Another option for your MOE hand guard is to get a MagPul Cantilever rail. Look for the MOE and not the M-Lok version. It's a 1913 rail section that is cantilevered out about another inch. These mate well with the Inforce WMLx lights. I picked up a gen2 WMLx 800 lumen light on sale for $89.00 during Thanksgiving. For home defense, these are nice lights and I really like the switch position when using these lights on MOE hand guards.

[BillSWPA]

The front sight base mount from Midway or GGG is nice because it puts the light above the barrel, minimizing the shadow from the barrel. A Streamlight TLR1 (high intensity version, as a good, inexpensive light.



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[Grouse870]

Magpul scout mount streamlight protac 2.

[Malamute]

A Magpul 3 or 5 slot polymer moe rail section attached to the factory ribbed handguard at 10:00-11:00 with a spare Surefire nitrolon in a weaver scope ring or inexpensive detachable polymer light mount for under $20 makes budget for me.

Somewhere I saw recently had a streamlight light with basic offset mount for about $50.

[HCM]

Which ProTac are you guys recommending?

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=streamlight+protac

This one. https://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-88066-Professional-Flashlight-Batteries/dp/B06VTLLDH4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513372119&sr=8-1&keywords=streamlight+protac+hl-x+rail+mount

The original pro tac 1 & 2 had had some issues recently.

[nate89]

https://www.magpul.com/products/firearms-accessories/rails-and-accessories/moe-scout-mount-left-or-right

I have a 16" middy BCM with an original MOE forend. This is the mount I use with an m600 light, although the HL-x streamlight or any other pic rail or scout screw dimensions should work. I don't have a picture but I can snag one at home later if you want. With it being MOE not MLOK you can usually find the mount really cheap, or even snag a used one from the various exchanges buy/sell pages we are all members of.

[BWT]

Thanks all; I will weigh the options and go forward.

I really appreciate all of the input and support; it exceeded my expectations.

God Bless,

Brandon

[Chuck Whitlock]

If you've got MOE handguards, I think the Protac and IWC setup is hard to beat.

These are my two setups. Ones is an IWC Thorntail Scout, the other is the MOE "Mount-N-Slot" "SMCXL" mount. Both guns have Protac HL-X lights in them. I've got about $135 into each setup:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171215/be4e41b8a0cd167a2fcb5ef4797408b2.jpg

I went with the HL-X because of the ability to take 18650 batteries an chuck 1000 lumens. Though, Surefire has stepped up there game and is bringing a 1500 lumen Scout that takes 18650s, so I'm looking forward to that.

If you go on to IWC's website, you can get a Surefire Scout M300 or M600 Ultra with SMC or SMCXL mount for $220. The Protac models are a little bigger, but I like the option to use AA batteries in the RM1 models. An SMC mount and RM1 would run you about $120 plus shipping.




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https://www.magpul.com/products/firearms-accessories/rails-and-accessories/moe-scout-mount-left-or-right

I have a 16" middy BCM with an original MOE forend. This is the mount I use with an m600 light, although the HL-x streamlight or any other pic rail or scout screw dimensions should work. I don't have a picture but I can snag one at home later if you want. With it being MOE not MLOK you can usually find the mount really cheap, or even snag a used one from the various exchanges buy/sell pages we are all members of.

I'm currently using the HLx with the Magpul scout mount on my MOE handguards. I think that the IWC mount is a little more compact/elegant. On the scout mount, the tailcap stands a little taller and a little further back than a Surefire scout light does. I'm wanting a good way to mount the Streamlight tape switch to the MOE handguard.

[HCM]

I'm currently using the HLx with the Magpul scout mount on my MOE handguards. I think that the IWC mount is a little more compact/elegant. On the scout mount, the tailcap stands a little taller and a little further back than a Surefire scout light does. I'm wanting a good way to mount the Streamlight tape switch to the MOE handguard.

Just to clarify, are you using the magpul mount on the current MOE HG with MLOK slots or the original style MOE HG with the FAL style holes? AFAIK MLOK does not work with the original style MOE holes the OP mentioned.

[Chuck Whitlock]

Just to clarify, are you using the magpul mount on the current MOE HG with MLOK slots or the original style MOE HG with the FAL style holes? AFAIK MLOK does not work with the original style MOE holes the OP mentioned.

Legacy MOE forend. Magpul does make an MOE>MLOK adapter, but I haven't used one as of yet. I did mount an MLOK QD sling mount to the forend, but it required a little file work to get it to fit.

22397

22398

[Ballistic_RT]

It sounds like the screaming solution is a SL Railmount HLX (1k lumen model), and whatever scout mount interface you can find to work with your handguard.