The Easy Way To Figure Out Where To Mount Your RIfle Light

[@mattkilpatrick4667]

Thank you for taking your time to answer my questions and doing this video... even after 12 plus years of having a job where i'm around guns, gear, etc everyday I never stop wanting to look for resources and tips from those in the industry who's knowledge I respect and value. That's one of the best tips I can give anyone... Never stop learning from those who know what they are talking about and not just putting out info to be flashy. Thank you again Abner, God bless and take care!

[@dylana.601]

P.S BCM Has a special offer going on right now. You get a free bolt carrier with a purchase of an upper receiver. Not sure how long it’s gonna last, just a heads up for anyone 👍

[@coreysuttles1362]

Man you put out sooo much great info! I’m not in a great spot financially but when I get back on my feet I live in South Carolina so you’re not a terrible distance from me and I would absolutely love to come train with you on pistol and rifle skills

[@frost214ify]

The moving 1-10 drill is something I need to start doing! Really excellent stuff!

[@sonsofnewengland835]

I do exactly what you do when it comes to setting up my rifles. I place my hand on the rifle and figure out where lights and grips are going to go. Being a professional means obsessing over the details. Been a big fan of Arisaka lights with Malkoff heads or Modlite heads. 50,000-69,000 candela in those WML heads is insane. On my shorty setups I run a Arisaka 18350 light body, Surefire z68 tailcap, a Malkoff E2XTL head, and a Arisaka scout inline mount.

[@joejones1779]

As a recently retired Deputy Sheriff from Florida, I was a SWAT member and firearms instructor for the department and academy. I just found your channel, I've been binge watching for a few days. Love the channel, and your information is spot on. What I love the most is , like you, I'm a lefty. Also like you I'm a big guy, 6'5" and 260. So I really relate with a lot. God Bless, stay safe, and keep shooting.

[@Tier1Citizen]

Welcome to the channel Joe, I'm glad you're here. The nice thing about my channel is that you can binge watch and between the amount of continent I have and the frequency with which I release video you will probably never run out of content to watch :) By the way I started off my career in FL in a little town called Apopka. It was in Orange County. That was back in the heydays of Sheriff Berry.

[@knewsome69]

Great insight on light placement effects in a “mousehole”. Good video as always!!

[@Dread_Pirate_Homesteader]

I dig the barrel up and number drill

[@joejones1779]

I've really been watching your carbine videos, my area of teaching and practical use were predominantly handgun. I've learned so much, very detailed information on the set-up and use of the carbine. I'm just getting into training with the carbine, and im having a blast. Picked up so much in just a few videos. Looking forward to watching more.

[@Tier1Citizen]

I'm glad you're learning from my videos. I have a very pragmatic way of approaching this sort of thing.

[@compact1620]

Abner you are the one who got me to put my streamlight up on top like yours,and it's the only way in my opinion to run a light,right behind it I have a daniel defense Front sight with a blitzkrieg triangular bead and it is all but awesome. Thank you my friend love watching your techniques.

[@Tier1Citizen]

I'm glad it's working for you.

[@kenshin034]

A long kak on 10.5s helps blast especially with lights prefer the tlr1 at the 12’ as well 12.5-11.5 good with just A2

[@LilYeshua]

Even more crucial if you're using a angled forward grip,etc.

[@DOW114]

I have so much to learn . its hard to know where to start? thanks for the pointers.

[@Tier1Citizen]

You can do it!

[@JDAN.]

These are so invaluable. Thanks.

[@stevef4930]

Arisaka offset 45 degree scout mount is perfect on bcm handguards if you want your light as close as possible. Works with most surefire/stream light

[@yockhunter]

I’m building a 7.5 to model your calling it Ab!

[@farmershane]

Have you used a shot timer to test your red dot placement theory? I have and found that placing it at the end of the upper receiver was the best compromise for speed and visibility.

[@joedeleon1189]

I agree that the best position for the light is at 12 o'clock in front of the BUIS front sight. All my ARs are so installed from quite some time now with some SF-X300 series depending on when I first bought the rifle. Can't think of a reason to change that...

[@IntenseSpirit]

Abner you should check out the X300 turbo. Major upgrade in the same form factor.

[@Tier1Citizen]

Yeah I was looking at that late. I've got dealer pricing so I may have to pick one up and test it.

[@jeffshermer9361]

It would be interesting to get guys like you on the airsoft field. I would like to see if you and I both have the same takeaways.

[@Tier1Citizen]

I used to play paintball back in the day and I was vicious :-) Also, my brothers and I used to hunt each other with BB guns. And when I say BB guns I mean steel BB guns and or copper/lead pellets. We didn't even wear safety glasses. Yeah, I had an interesting childhood.

[@brianparker3901]

Thank You.

[@Tier1Citizen]

You're welcome

[@Excalibur01]

I also prefer to put a light on the 12 o clock with my BUIS front sight behind it. Streamlight HL is a good light for me and it has ambi controls. I used to run pressure switches but I stopped because wires can get messed up and sometimes in the heat of things, I press the wrong part of the pad because of where I put it, it can accidentally be pressed. With a simple light mounted forward of the gun, getting to the light is a very deliberate choice for me. I used to run a light on the left side of the gun because I'm right handed but if I needed to switch shoulders, I have no way of getting to the light.

[@eddiecrow9133]

Should upgrade to the tlr vir 2 if you plan on buying nods nice little intro to NV with minimalist take up.

[@Parker_Fowler]

Quality content as usual

[@Tier1Citizen]

Thank you Parker.

[@Knight_of_the_Old_Code]

I'm running a Cloud Defensive Micro Rein at the 6 o'clock position (under the rail) on my MK18 pistol build. I've had the light for awhile now and it rocks! The thumb pad activation is at the 9 o'clock position which coincides nicely with the grip/handstop I use. What are your thoughts on the 6 o'clock mounting position? If you've already covered this, could you please point me in the direction of that video?

[@Tier1Citizen]

I used to run my light at the 6 o'clock position on several guns because I used to run a very low optic. I am all for it.

[@Knight_of_the_Old_Code]

@@Tier1Citizen Sounds good. Thank you, sir!

[@TerminalM193]

Awesome information as always! Currently working on a new 14.5" rifle. Until then I'm stuck with a 16" carbine length with set gas block. Very little room on the handguard, ended up using an arisaka mount for the streamlight hlx 1k lumen with cloud defensive pressure pad picatinny mount. Even though my lights sucked up really close to the handguard I still like keeping the light mounted on trigger finger side so I can keep my peripheral as open and unobstructed as possible. I have a hell of a barrel shadow right at 7 o'clock position due to the short carbine length handguard. Went with a SOLGW complete upper with Midwest 13" free float handguard. Having a hell of a time trying to decide what to do as far as a lower is concerned though. Can't decide what kind of buffer system to run and at what weight. Finding so much conflicting information. Might just say screw it and go with the A2 buffer system for midlength.... Idk.... Hate to settle on something and the wish I settled on something else.

[@stevef4930]

I would personally buy a vltor a5 and buy the some h3 and h2 weights (make sure they’re vltor weights) and a heavier spring like a sprinco red. That’s what I’d do if I wanted to splurge a little bit imo and not feel like settling. I currently have a vltor h2 and sprinco green on a bcm mid 16. I did a lot of research when buying it so that’s why I’d bet money you’d get good ejection if you got the red spring over the green

[@stevef4930]

Red over green because your carbine is gonna be gassy compared to a mid just for clarity

[@TerminalM193]

@@stevef4930 Thanks for the reply. My system will be midlength gas as well. My current rifle is carbine length gas system. It as also thinking of going sprinco red with a lighter buffer or do opposite of and go white with a heavier buffer weight.

[@stevef4930]

@@TerminalM193 is your future mid length gonna be a 14.5? That will decrease dwell time when compared to for example my mid length 16. If that’s the case it sounds like you’re on the right track with the white spring. Maybe in that scenario, get a standard buffer system (not vltor), sprinco white, and play around with the standard buffers like an h1 and h2. (not vltor since if you go vltor then the buffer tube and buffers must also be vltor to work together) Just make sure at the end of the day it’s ejecting at 3-4 o clock. 3 o’clock should be that much more reliable but 4 o’clock would feel a little softer shooting while maintaining an acceptable level of reliability based off of my research. Maybe someone else can comment their suggestion. I would personally stay away from mixing and matching very light springs with very heavy buffers and vice versa. So in your scenario, standard carbine buffer tube, white spring, and h1 buffer should be guaranteed to cycle If that setup flings brass too far forward, then maybe a heavier buffer like an h2 would solve that problem. It’s impossible to tell because companies tend to overgas their uppers. Many people speculate it’s because the companies are afraid to get a complaint that their upper was not reliable.

[@TerminalM193]

@@stevef4930 yes its 14.5 mid length. SOLGW makes an amazing feeling full build that runs the a2 system and red sprinco. My buddy has one and it's the best shooting ar I've ever had the pleasure to try. I'm kind of taking the same approach but piecing out some parts to save money. At the end of the day I could say screw it and just get a full build SOLGW or BCM but if you can find one it's crazy overpriced.

[@lamarwashington8354]

You said people who don't have to deal with unit SOP's should run their light, optic and irons in the same plane. My question is why is 12 o'clock needed for the light instead of 6? Is it so you don't need to run a pressure pad, or are their other reasons? Thanks

[@225degrees]

I will offer one answer, or part of an answer. Lights at the 12 allow you to clear barriers/cover/concealment with both your muzzle and your light. If your muzzle clears, so did your light. It is easier to activate a pad/lever/paddle with your thumb up top with little compromise to your standard shooting grip. That all being said, I'm a fan of 6 as well for similar reasons. In my mind a light that is inline either at 12 or 6 is as Abner says, cleaner for working around cover/obstacles. It is also ambidextrous and with a tight hot spot can work as an aiming point in a pinch at short range.

[@Tier1Citizen]

Lamar, whether you run the light at 12 o'clock or 6 o'clock is irrelevant. You don't need a pressure pad for either position. If you're running it at 12 o'clock it's obvious to activate it with your thumb, if you're running at 6 o'clock you can run it with the base of the index finger where it meets the palm. The only reason I would run at 6 o'clock is if you choose to run a low mounted red dot optic close to the Picatinny rail. In that position it's really hard to see over the top of the light. Aside from that I would run at 12 o'clock if possible. I thoroughly dislike pressure pads because they are failure points waiting to happen. Also, they constantly cause negligent activations of the light.

[@lamarwashington8354]

@@Tier1Citizen Thanks a bunch! Keep up the good work.

[@avogev]

Have you tried streamlight rm2? I heard it's superior to the inforce but has the same shape

[@Tier1Citizen]

No I never have.

[@J.Young808]

What do you think about LPVO vs Red Dot?

[@Tier1Citizen]

LPVO is great until you have to carry the gun longer than for a range session. At that point you are going to be miserable carrying that much weight around. I took my 11.3" SBR to a rifle class a few weeks ago and was hitting at 400 yards using a 3.25 MOA RMR-06. There were guys there with LPVO's who could barley hit targets at 275. It all comes down to skill that is developed over time. All you have to do it put the work in and you cal smack steel at 400 with hard sights.

[@redmanboyd7728]

@@Tier1Citizen 11.3, which barrel is that my friend. I currently have a 11.3 Hanson barrel and I can hit out at 300 no problems with a red dot and it's fun

[@dailytacticsnerf]

What happened to the DD Iron sights? Is there a story behind them disappearing or am I missing something?

[@Tier1Citizen]

They haven't disappeared. I still have them in use. This is just a different gun. I shoot multiple set ups.

[@wonkachocolates6133]

Ever use those KLENS lens covers on your weapon lights .??? Erin Cowlin of Sage Dynamics invented these stick on things.

[@Tier1Citizen]

No I never have.

[@fearnobizarre]

Frank rules!

[@geektarded]

I’m glad our HOA doesn’t let people stack barrels in their yard (or cut square holes in them) so I won’t have to worry about setting up my rifle around that problem. Your rifle looks like it is set up perfectly to shoot through barrels with holes cut in them though. 😜

[@Tier1Citizen]

What kind of crazy crack are you talking :)

[@geigelg77]

Can you show us your 7.5 with light and sights thanks

[@Tier1Citizen]

Yeah I need to do a video on that.

[@leonardcollier1512]

Slightly off topic Abner. But what exactly did you do to lose weight? I noticed you are substantially smaller than your earlier videos.

[@Tier1Citizen]

I completely altered my lifestyle and now only eat a Whole Foods plant based diet. Sure I miss all the stuff I used to eat but I don't miss what it did to my body and how it made me think and feel. It's a lot of work but it's been worth it.

[@threeoeightwadcutter2820]

Hy Abner, I miracly got unsubscribed. Finally back again. Do you hear that often? Why does KZbin this? Keep on. God bless you

[@Tier1Citizen]

Yes I hear that a lot. They are trying to keep my numbers down.

[@threeoeightwadcutter2820]

@@Tier1Citizen same with other non left Chanels

[@Tier1Citizen]

Correct!

[@gleamtarrest6310]

To AK or not to AK?

[@frost214ify]

As a gun to own? Sure. Look at KUSA, WBP, Zastava, IWI (Galil is technically an AK), Arsenal… and there’s more but I can’t remember them off the top of my head like this. Avoid Century and PSA!!!! They’re made to look pretty but serious QC issues will lead to functional problems and potential safety hazards!! As much as I love the AKM, I would say it’s not practical for true 2a use. You want a gun that takes Stanag mags and uses NATO ammunition. The AR platform is the best gun that does both of those things. Trust me.

[@gleamtarrest6310]

@@frost214ify WBP! U r correct ( if you mean that the AK would not be great for home defense).. there are so many other guns to choose from.. & yes a gun to ownm shoot, hunt, bush craft , camping, shtf ( on a large piece of land)!

[@frost214ify]

@@gleamtarrest6310 I’m not meaning home defense. AKMs are actually better for defending a plot of land, since most of the things you’ll be shooting at are hogs, yotes, and other critters. Tends to be that a 30 cal projectile just kills those things better. Sadly, I can’t really say what the purpose of 2a is on KZbin.

[@225degrees]

@@frost214ify Calibre of the projectile has nothing to do with terminal effects. By your logic a .380 ACP is more effective than 5.56x45. We both know that's asinine. 7x62x39 is a decent calibre, but it isn't the be all.

[@frost214ify]

@@225degrees Quite frankly, I wasn’t having a conversation about pistol cartridges. Caliber also does effect terminal ballistics. Why? Larger caliber bullets are heavier, meaning that when traveling at the same speed as smaller projectiles, they produce more footpounds of energy on target. Caliber also effects the ballistic coefficient, which effects the trajectory of a projectile. Caliber also effects wound cavitation. Caliber also has an effect on magazine capacity and weight of the weapon. Caliber can also effect gravity’s pull on the projectile. Projectile makeup, shape, and type effect these things too, but hey, now we’re getting really complicated. To say it has little or no effect is to be ignorant. I think all of these factors are why Abner chooses his ammo so carefully. I remember him choosing specifically 115 gr jacketed hollow points for his 9mm handgun carry ammo. He doesn’t carry 45 ACP or 5.7x28mm, but instead 9mm. Caliber choice is important. To expound on my original point, a soft point 30 caliber projectile, when shot from a rifle or intermediate cartridge, tends to be more effective on hogs and small predators than smaller projectiles. This is my experience, and the experience of hunters and homesteaders I’ve had the pleasure of talking to throughout my life. Does this mean 5.56x45mm or other rifle and intermediate cartridges with a smaller projectile than 30 caliber can’t kill? No. I don’t think I ever implied that either. In fact, 5.56x45mm is a phenomenal cartridge for hogs and predators. It’s the most commonly used one. I also never said that 7.62x39mm was the end all be all. In fact, I don’t believe that for a second. 5.56x45mm has a significantly longer trajectory than 7.62x39 when compared with similar barrel lengths. I think you took one small statement of mine and misinterpreted it either accidentally or intentionally. I hope this clarifies things.