Long gun weapon light placement

[garand4life]

Watching todays SWAT MAG TV has made me think about the placement of my own AR dedicated weapon light. I use a M600 Surefire Scoutlight mounted at the 3 o'clock position. For me this has been comfortably placed when using the pushbutton tailcap or the pressure switch mounted to the vertical grip. However looking at the issue of the light being less effective from cover I am debating moving the light back underneath at the 6 o'clock position. Are there any thoughts about mounting the light at the 6 with such a large light and tips for preventing issues with damaging the wire for the switch.

[Abouttime]

I can't remember off hand the name of the company (you would have to search them out), but they have a vertical grip with a laser and tactical light built in. It is my next purchase as it can be used by either strong or weak side hold and the light is securely fastened to the rifle at the six o'clock position. Switches are built in.

[ellis4538]

I believe that would be "Surefire".

Richard

[garand4life]

Surefire makes a vertical grip light without laser. Crimson Trace has one with light and laser. I don't want to change the unit out. I spent $280 on the scoutlight I don't intend to dump it for something else. I am more or less wanting thoughts on better placement of the light as opposed to replacement. I am more than likely going to leave it where it is and rely on the EOTech's parallax free sight to allow me to use a more unconventional sighting plane. We'll see... But you're both right... using the CT or Surefire vert grip light would be a good alternative but way to costly at this point than I could manage.

[Rob Pincus]

Garand, thanks for watching.

As Josh covered in that segment, there are some really good reasons for wanting the light on top of or under the barrel. Ambidexterity is one reason, proper use (and effective use, in some cases) of cover and avoiding intermediate barriers is probably the best one.

-RJP

[Sponsor]

[twyacht]

All this is good insight and thoughts, as I have a Sig 556 with nothing but a quick release NcStar Bipod, vertical grip, and simple fixed power P4 NcStar scope. it has quad rails, and I also am in the market for something small, in a light category, not too concerned with a laser, but a light. Friends have the Ar's with lights at 3 o'clock but it seems to take away from the cover, or having to shoot from a doorway if the jam impedes the cover on that side.

I like the 6:00 position but a wiring arrangement seems subject to snags, etc,....

Not really wanting to accessorize my Sig but a good simple light seems like a valid one.

[garand4life]

I'm trying a Chris Costa (Magpul) setup with my Surefire Scout light at the 9 o'clock position using the push button tail cap. Using some of the method that they discuss in the Art of the Tactical Carbine DVD it is a little odd but I can see that it does work well for controlling over travel when transitioning targets. Also help to maintain control when operating the lights push button.

[Rob Pincus]

"... but I can see that it does work well for controlling over travel when transitioning targets."

Not a huge positive in the case of personal defense or any counter ambush setting. In competition and some "hunting" operations, you are going to be swinging from target to target.. in your home, during an attack, not so much.

-RJP

[r_w]

12 oclock makes a lot of sense on an AR.  The idea never really even crossed my mind 

I run 6 oclock because that is what I am used to on my shotty.

I tried 3 and 9 and I always lit the barriers in close quarter drills. 

[Combat Diver]

I still carry at the 3 o'clock.  9 o'clock not good for me when I have the weapon slung across my chest (right handed) and use the front sling point at the 9 o'clock.  My pressure switch is attached inside the TD VFG and wires secured down.  Might try the 6 position later.

CD