The idiot's guide to the AR-15 rifle (or an idiot building one)

Regarding flashlights and MOE handguards (and wanting to bump the thread back to the top)...my next plan of attack, once enough time has passed between purchases so my wife doesn't kill me, I'm going to go with a cheap but good and lightweight light setup that someone over at the m4carbine forum recommended: Magpul MOE handguard, MOE illumination mount (for the cantilever mount to keep the flashlight forward of the grip), VLTOR scout mount, and Surefire G2 LED flashlight. I figure I can get the whole shebang for about $155.
 
wintermute said:
Regarding flashlights and MOE handguards (and wanting to bump the thread back to the top)...my next plan of attack, once enough time has passed between purchases so my wife doesn't kill me, I'm going to go with a cheap but good and lightweight light setup that someone over at the m4carbine forum recommended: Magpul MOE handguard, MOE illumination mount (for the cantilever mount to keep the flashlight forward of the grip), VLTOR scout mount, and Surefire G2 LED flashlight. I figure I can get the whole shebang for about $155.
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That would be an excellent light set up. I am hoping to set the wife's carbine up in the same way once the midlength MOE handguards hit the market.
 
wintermute said:
Regarding flashlights and MOE handguards (and wanting to bump the thread back to the top)...my next plan of attack, once enough time has passed between purchases so my wife doesn't kill me, I'm going to go with a cheap but good and lightweight light setup that someone over at the m4carbine forum recommended: Magpul MOE handguard, MOE illumination mount (for the cantilever mount to keep the flashlight forward of the grip), VLTOR scout mount, and Surefire G2 LED flashlight. I figure I can get the whole shebang for about $155.
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sounds like a good set up winter. I'm going with a fenix TK10 (60/225 lumens), fenix mount and pressure switch. I'm a big surefire guy, but I've been blown away by fenix's quality for the price. The whole system should run me a little over $100.
 
Jake Bauer said:
sounds like a good set up winter. I'm going with a fenix TK10 (60/225 lumens), fenix mount and pressure switch. I'm a big surefire guy, but I've been blown away by fenix's quality for the price. The whole system should run me a little over $100.
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I started picking up Fenix products about a year ago.Surefire's are great but too pricey for me and they didn't seem to be developing anything new. :thumbup:
 
Here's the most updated pic of my new DDXV

IMG_5989.jpg


(for more info and pics visit this thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8187179#post8187179)
 
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I like the H-straps on that ATS Matt. I’ve got an SKD Eagle chest rig and I just can’t get in to it. The battle belt thread on arfcom kind of has me leaning that way. As far as consistency in training goes, going to my belt for reloads, etc. is just more natural and you get the bonus of not having all that gear in the way of your sling system, etc. It’s all a big compromise. Chest rigs sure seem more stabile when running, etc. I’d really like a soft plate carrier that I can outfit fairly lightly, but they get hot in the summa time!
 
adaman04 said:
I like the H-straps on that ATS Matt. I’ve got an SKD Eagle chest rig and I just can’t get in to it. The battle belt thread on arfcom kind of has me leaning that way. As far as consistency in training goes, going to my belt for reloads, etc. is just more natural and you get the bonus of not having all that gear in the way of your sling system, etc. It’s all a big compromise. Chest rigs sure seem more stabile when running, etc. I’d really like a soft plate carrier that I can outfit fairly lightly, but they get hot in the summa time!
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Amen about going to the belt. At this point, I basically use the chest rig to support my belt rig. Most trainers are going to require that you bring a certain number of loaded mags to the firing line in their classes. I find that a belt rig is good for 2, maybe 3, rifle mags before it is unwieldy. So the chest rig serves to carry those extra mags. I rotate mags from the chest rig to open slots on the belt during down time on the line.

I also think having a decent chest rig is important because they work better than belt rigs in some situations - like when you are wearing a pack with a hip belt or when you are wearing a winter coat.

As far as the Eagle/SKD rig goes, I have one too. I still think they are a good deal on a well rounded rig. However, I have had some issues with mine. I ordered custom straps that have less padding and allow the rig to be run up higher on the chest. And, I almost never stack 2 mags in a pouch for various reasons. I find that when I only use one mag per pouch the retention isn't that great. It would be nice if it had shock cord magazine retainers. All that said, I still like and recommend the Eagle/SKD rig. It is just so versatile. It will handle just about type of rifle mag you can think of (G3, FAL, AR10, AR15, AK47, AK74, etc etc etc).

Grump said:
Have you gone prone with it? If yes, did it get in the way?
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Yes I have. I try to never shoot from a bench, even when zeroing so I go prone quite often. I wear my chest rig pretty high on the chest so that it tucks up into the space between your upper chest and the ground while you are prone. If you are used to wearing a chest rig, there won't be any surprises. You are laying on top of it just like you would any other rig.
 
I share your sentiments on the chest rig vs belt, matthew.

Going back to discussion of carbine light setups above, any of you running a Streamlight TLR-1 on a carbine? 130 lumen light at around $100 and all you need is a rail to mount it. I’ve got an older TLR-1 that I really like for handgun use (when I use a weapon mounted light). The disadvatange for carbine use is that the light isn’t offset from the handguard as much as you’d get with a tube light and an offset mount like the VLTOR and might conflict with your sling setup if running 2 point. I’ve been nothing but impressed with Streamlight products and unlike Surefire, they seem to continue to produce new (and durable) products at reasonable prices. Their new Protac models are pretty impressive as well for $50 tube lights.
 
I have tried using pistol lights on carbines and the only one that works for me is the Surefire X200/300. The rocker switches on the Insight and Streamlight lights are just do not translate well to being mounted on a side rail or bottom rail. The Surefire X series lets you "press" the rocker switch like you would a tail cap for momentary which works very well.

A cheaper, but more functional alternative might be a Streamlight PolyTac LED in the excellent VTAC offset mount. You could build the whole set up for $55-65. Then you would have an offset mount which will work better for you with or without a vertical grip. I bet there are folks out there on the internet tubes that are running this same set up. You may be able to find some input at a place like M4carbine.net or Lightfighter.

I use a set up that is similar in form and function on all 5 of my ARs and my AK, except I use Surefire G2Ls or Surefire M600 Scout lights. I like Streamlight products (they have GREAT customer service) but I just don't have the same comfort level with them that I so Surefire products. That isn't so much a knock on Streamlight. It just reflects my comfort with what I have used in the past. I do believe Surefire to be superior product, but that doesn't mean Streamlight makes a bad product.
 
Thanks for the link. I didn't realize those Viking mounts were so cheap. I've seen them around a lot but never looked in to them much. I've got a Streamlight TL-2 LED that I stole off e-auction that is one of those lights that is a little too big for an EDC light and has pretty much been assigned night stand duty. Would need to sleeve it for a 1" mount since the body is .9 diameter. Great light though.

I will agree that if I were in Iraq or something I'd probably be running a Surefire just on reputation. But since deciding to give Streamlight a try, I haven't been back. I think as far as attention to detail in manufacturing, SF has the upper hand, but they're just way too proud of their crap. Their products are nice, but not that nice. That's my perspective owning several of them.

It's a stalemate for me between SF and Streamight. I have several of each and neither has ever missed a tick through all the abuse I've put them through. The only down side of the G2 LED for me is the output. 80 lumens isn't too impressive for a carbine light IMO. It's nice we have all these options out there to choose from though. :D
 
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In the comparison that I linked to, the Surefire is actually mush closer in output to the PolyTac than the numbers would indicate. That is a product of two things: 1) Surefire underestimates their outputs, often by as much as 20-25 lumens. They are the most honest company in the industry when it comes to outputs. 2) The Surefire has a slightly more broad beam profile in my experience. The Streamlight focuses more light in to the hotspot.

Either one will likely serve you very well.
 
Interesting yall bringing lights back up..

I got my Fenix TK10 in today. I chose it for my carbine's light. The 225 lumen beam is fantastic. Reaches out further than my surefire 6PL and L4 by a long shot. Feels rock solid too. Interesting about the polytac. Played with one of those at the gun show too. Nice, but I've never felt like they have the durability standards of a Surefire or even mag-lite. From what I can tell from the Fenixs I've handled, I think they're right up there with the top dogs. A guy at the show tried to sell me on streamlight. He had a light that had one that had been run over by a semi. The bezel was crushed like a coke can and the lens was shattered. But, it still lit up (didnt project anywhere though). Wont deny their LEDs, but I've seen maglites run over, and surefires shot with handguns and they still fire and project like they're supposed to. When I worked behind the knife and flashlight counter at Sportsman's Warehouse, I had one surefire returned in 4 years (from an old codger who broke the click switch on an E1L and refused to send it in for a replacement, but it still worked fine). I had at least a dozen streamlights come back over the years from anything from reflector problems (producing dark spots) to circuit problems. Battery Life seamed to be a problem on lots of them too (compared to surefires). Maybe they've stepped up in the past couple years, I dont really know. I sold myself to surefire a loong time ago. (and am warming up to Fenix quite nicely).

On the viking tactics mount, I was going to get that one, but handled one at a gun show last weekend and they feel cheap as hell. Glad I saw them before I bought one.

I'm going with a Vltor Scout SG-M instead: http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Vltor-G-Series-Scout-Mount-p/vltor sm-g.htm

I was going to get Vltors Offset mount to mount it on the 3 o clock position of my MOE handgaurd which would lower it to the side and downward so i could activate the light with my thumb which would be wrapped around my vert. grip, but I think a better way would to mount it straight on (no offset) to the 9 o clock side using the thumb break method, or for a quick activation and back on the vert grip set up. Plus, the straight mount is 20 bucks cheaper. I'll let yall know how it goes.
 
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Vltor makes a great mount for sure. I guess the VTAC "feels cheap" because it is plastic? I don't know because that has never been my impression or anyone else I know who has used them. I have 5 of them in use and find them to be a great value.

If you are going to use a vert grip and wrap your thumb around it (which you may want to research a bit before you decide to use that grip), you will more than likely need an offset mount for your light. A straight mount like that at the 3 o' clock position will be a stretch for your thumb (if you can even reach it without shifting your grip). Vltor makes a great offset mount too.

If you want some options on all metal offset mounts, check out Danger Close Consulting. They are some of the lightest and toughest mounts around right now and the prices are competitive. Best of all your will be buying your mount from a true American hero. John is a real deal active Army Special Forces soldier.

Here is an interview I did with the owner: http://jerkingthetrigger.wordpress....-guy-sessions-jon-at-danger-close-consulting/

Here is a review of the Danger Close Scout Mount: http://jerkingthetrigger.wordpress....-danger-close-consulting-low-pro-scout-mount/
 
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i've got some Vltor mounts that are mounted on rifles, and some Viking Tactics mounts that are not mounted yet because i need to get rails to bolt to M4 handguards to mount them. looking at either the MI shorty rail, or the short polymer rail from Ergo.\\the VT mount seems fine, but it needs an allen wrench while the Vltor has thumb knobs.

use Loctite and that shouldn't be a problem.

on my S&W 15-22 i have a G2 mounted in the Vltor scout mount at 9:00. can't use an offset mount to put it at 10:00 because of the knob on the front sight.

but i'd rather mount it at 10 than 9.

on the 15-22 i'm running a Magpul AFG.

at 10 it's ambi and you can run it with either hand. not so easy to do at 9.
 
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