AR Sponsor
Posted: 2/14/2010 10:33:59 AM EDT
|
I have tried several light positions, and found the one I'm currently using as the most comfortable and ergonomic. However, activation of the light requires me to adjust my support hand grip. The first two photos below is my normal grip (Position A), and the second two are the grip I use when activating the light (Position B).
As shown in Position A, for normal shooting, I prefer using the VFG with my thumb riding along the left side of the rail and the rest of my fingers wrapped around the VFG. This feels the most comfortable and natural, I also feel relatively comfortable with no VFG at all, but I have yet to find a comfortable way to activate a light without one. For normal shooting, I do not like grabbing the VFG with all my fingers and thumb wrapped around it, doesn't feel like I have as much control that way. I've tried the light mounted on the left sight without a VFG and activated with the end of my thumb, but on a carbine length rail I cannot get the light far enough forward to where this feels comfortable, and with the light on the left side it tends to get in the way when the rifle is slung and hanging. To activate the light as shown in Position B, I rotate my hand and swing my thumb under and around to the right sight of the handguard where my thumb can comfortably activate the light. I can make this switch in less than half a second or so, have practiced often, but never in a stressful situation. I don't know why my pointer finger rides along the left side of the rail in this position, it just feels more natural than wrapping it around the VFG. I don't like using a VFG I have never had any formal low light training, I would like to someday, but I figure having a light with no training is still better than having no light at all (with no training). So I'd like to hear from the experts, is this method of switching my grip from Position A to B to activate the light severely flawed? It's obviously not the most desirable method but is it still reasonable? Does anybody else do it this way? POSITION A: 
POSITION B: 
|
|
It sounds like what you're describing isn't a flawed technique, it's a flawed purchase. I think you may find success with your preferred grip if you select a different method of mounting that light.
Here is one method of mounting the light high in the front sight, and should place ithe tail cap right where your thumb happens to be. MI Light Mount I am not a fan of having to change your technique significantly in order to use kit, especially when a solution is a simple parts change. Sometimes it's just a necessary evil. |
|
Quoted:
It sounds like what you're describing isn't a flawed technique, it's a flawed purchase. I think you may find success with your preferred grip if you select a different method of mounting that light. Here is one method of mounting the light high in the front sight, and should place ithe tail cap right where your thumb happens to be. MI Light Mount I am not a fan of having to change your technique significantly in order to use kit, especially when a solution is a simple parts change. Sometimes it's just a necessary evil. Do you think I could still get the DD offset mount to work with that MI mount, as far as light positioning is concerned? Also, seems like that light and mount would interfere with the sling with that setup. |
|
According to Magpul Dynamics this is what you call a "training scar". It is wrong trainings/practices that will set you up for failure. Get a Magpul The Art of Tactical Carbine II under Weapon Accesories: Weapon lights. I cannot find one in youtube maybe i will do a project and upload that section in youtube. According to Costa and Haley, you want your shooting fundamentals to be consistent day or night. A lot of right hand shooters are placing their lights on the wrong side (the right side). This force you to change your fundamentals to accomodate the light. Why don't you want to put the light on the left side so when you hold your weapon normally, you can activate your light at the same time. You don't carry your weapon to be comfortable. You carry it to fight, to protect yourself or other people against bad people that like to do you harm. You only change your shooting fundamentals when you are shooting reaction side. In my opinion, It is a flawed technique and equipment issues at the same time. Your front post sling attachment is blocking out the proper location of your light based on the way you normally hold your weapon. Get an RSA (Rail String Adapter) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bMqw-pC4Yc and move that slight connection at the back of your rail and put your light on the left side. When you have your carbine training you'll understand that light can help you and light can hurt you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga6ECYv16Ac From the look of your normal hold, it also looks like an in-line light mount will serve you better. My 2 cents |
|
I still prefer mounting my light on the right side (right handed shooter), however my shooting style is very similar to your Position A. What I found was the best solution was a remote switch such as: Surefire SR 07 remote switch that can be mounted on the support side rail, and be activated by your thumb.
HTH, ~Augee |
|
I previously used your position B, and used my thumb to activate the light.
I recently changed to position A and now mount the light on the left side, and use again use my thumb for the light. I mount the light as far forward as possible on the rail, but it is still a little tight. An extended rail (rail beyond the FSB) would be nice, but what I have now works ok. The only downside is activating the light from the support hand side, but that is a low percentage use. I use a Surefire 9P, clicky tail cap, and a Daniel Defense mount, with the light very far forward in the mount ring. The light is metal and ring is strong, so no real worries about that for me. |
| Try mounting the light with the tailcap portion in the ring to bring the light as far forward as possible. You could also then try mounting it on the top rail, but if I recall, a light I had in a DD offset would block the sight picture in that position. I did have the same problem getting a comfortable consistent grip using the DD offset on a carbine rail, I could never find a good workable position for that DD mount, either with clicky cap or tape switch on the light. Eventualy I dumped it and now run a 300A on the right rail w/ a SR07 tapeswitch mounted on the top rail. |
I second the suggestion to mount it on top, light to the left. Easy activation with same grip, should be able to activate w/ off side hand by stretching the thumb over the top. This is how I have mine mounted (ignore the 6Z light, it was just to test the theory, my other light is with me in Iraq).
Either hand same grip, thumb can activate light the same, just a little stretch on the off-hand side. |
AR Sponsor