SureFire 8AX: capable of handling recoil? Rechargeable weapon lights?

[ThinkOfTheChildren]

There are numerous companies around that make budget light mounts for AR style rifles that allow you to use any light you desire. I'm interested in getting one of these and using it to mount my 8AX to my M4 carbine. I know that the 8AX isn't technically a weapon light, however, so I want to know if you think it can take the shock from the recoil of the weapon.

Keep in mind that the M4 has a very mild recoil, but it's still recoil nonetheless and I don't want to destroy the lamp assembly inside my 8AX...

Put in your two cents...

(By the way, I want to use my 8AX rather than one of the weaponlights because it is rechargeable. I don't want to plunk down money on batteries but I want to spend a lot of time training. My 8AX would allow me to do as much as I wanted without spending a penny. If there's a rechargeable weaponlight out there, tell me about it!)

 

[SIFU1A]

post this q' at candlepowerforums.com, they would know.

from posting some q's about std SF lites as weapons lights, it seems the M stuff has the isolated bezel ya need for weapons lights, and SF themselves told me any M series would be fine, but to use Z series (like i am) ya needed to replace the Z bezel w/a M2 bezel, which i did. no probs w/it(to get the shok isolated bez)

however on AR15.com several people reported using a std Z2, or 6P w/no mods and shooting several thousand rounds w/no probs, so go figure i guess........

i am using the GG&Gaz.com D&D mount ($40) on my M4 w/a Z2 SF w/a M2 bezel. works GREAT!! very happy w/it!! imho for the $$ its hard to beat.........

dont have a clue as to rechargeables, hope this info is of some use to ya

greg

 

[DonL]

I'm not sure how much it matters, but the 8AX battery tends to "float" front-to-back a bit more in the flashlight body while turned off than the standard lithium battery arrangement. If the bezel is backed out to turn the light "off", the float may momentarily activate the light or create long term damage in the lamp assembly or battery pack.

The 8s are turned on by pushing the battery forward to make the circuit or screwing the bezel down on top of the battery. There may be a difference in the dynamics of the recoil affecting the bezel (even when tightened down) rather than a tailcap. I haven't used any sort of weapon light, though, so it may or may not make any difference at all.

If you don't find the 8-series lights satisfactory for weapons use, I would suggest looking at a standard 2-cell SF with the rechargable conversion kit for it. With an M-2 bezel (either on the M2 or as an accessory on another body) and the rechargable capability, you should have a great combo.

 

[ThinkOfTheChildren]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Sifu,
I actually posted this question first at CPF but no one has replied to it yet. The GG&G D&D mount is one of the models I was considering using for mounting. Glad to hear you like yours.

DonL,
Yes, I hear what you're saying about the floating battery. Accidental flashing of the light while firing doesn't worry me (after all, the muzzle flash of .223 out of a 16" is noticeable to say the least) but what you're saying about damage from rattling is a good point.
Building a rechargeable out of a shock-isolated model with the converstion kit sounds like a good idea. But don't they work the same way with a floating battery?

 

[dano]

Unless you use the new clickie tail cap, all SF models use a floating battery system. The rear of an 8X is nothing more then a rubber membrane, and as you know, the light's head has to be turned to turn the light on.

--dan