Which Rifle Light: small and light??

[Mikul]

I give up.

I have been looking for a small, single-mode, 200ish lumen flashlight suitable for mounting on a rifle. I want it well under a pound, so this is likely putting me into single CR123A territory. Price should be under $200. It should also have a momentary switch... a pressure switch is unwanted.

I can't seem to find anything that fits. There are plenty of 2-cell options, but they're too big and too heavy.

 

[Imon]

A lot of 2 cell 123 lights are 5oz or lighter which puts it well under a pound.

I'm sorry that I can't think of many lights at the moment so I'm just going to recommend one that's close to me right now.
The Olight T20 - it throws like a champ and has a generous spillbeam not to mention it remembers your last previous setting.
If you desire a single 123 cell light though nothing much comes to mind... I'm sure other flashaholics can be more helpful :mecry:

 

[angelofwar]

Surefire G2 (the nitrolon of the G2 wears better than the 6P) with a metal bezel and a malkoff. Search "G2 weapon" or "Malkoff weapon" in the search bar on the left and grab a cup of coffee.

 

[ZMZ67]

Surefire G2 (the nitrolon of the G2 wears better than the 6P) with a metal bezel and a malkoff. Search "G2 weapon" or "Malkoff weapon" in the search bar on the left and grab a cup of coffee.

+1 :thumbsup:

 

[Nachtwacht]

Hello Mikul,

The light you're describing sounds very much like an Elzetta ZFL with Malkoff M60 drop-in and 'rotary switch' (or of course any P60 style SureFire with Malkoff). I just put mine on a scale for you and measured 160 grams (0,35 pounds). This puts it well under your weight limit. In this price range, I think this is probably one of the best weapon lights you'll find. This is a 2-cell light, but I don't consider it to be too big or too heavy at all. Elzetta also offers all kinds of tailcap options and mounts for their lights.

If you want to go smaller, you can always put a 'pistol' light on your rifle, like the Streamlight TLR-1(S); the Insight WX150 or the SureFire X300 (a new X300 is around $50,00 above your budget).

If a 1-cell CR123 light is really a must for you, some options:
- The SureFire Mini Scout M300A is the one that immediately comes to mind. From a quality point of view probably the very best you'll find. Problem: +/- $335,00.
- Put the light together yourself. You could use the Moddoolar system for this. For example, check the Oveready.com website and pick the Moddoolar TL34 body + switch you want. Then put a Malkoff M30 or M31 in it.

Just some thoughts. Hope you'll find what you're looking for.

Nachtwacht.

 

[Mikul]

I was real close to picking up the Elzetta, but since I hadn't handled one, I've been holding back.

I've seen a single-cell light on a rifle, but failed to get the name before the owner left.

 

[Forward_clicky]

A lot of 2 cell 123 lights are 5oz or lighter which puts it well under a pound.

I'm sorry that I can't think of many lights at the moment so I'm just going to recommend one that's close to me right now.
The Olight T20 - it throws like a champ and has a generous spillbeam not to mention it remembers your last previous setting.
If you desire a single 123 cell light though nothing much comes to mind... I'm sure other flashaholics can be more helpful :mecry:

I was able to get the T20 from the marketplace and am very happy with its beam, switch etc.
As soon as I can get a good mount for it, its going on my 12 ga.

 

[angelofwar]

At the OP,

If this weapon is for self-defense purposes, before you consider which light too buy, ask yourself "How much is my life worth?", and then buy your light accordingly.

The only quality single cell light I can think of is the Scout Mini, but you can build one yourself much cheaper with a clipless E1x body (E1e/E1B/E1L), M78 mount (.08" diameter), and you choice of single cell heads, but the E1B head would be your best bet.

 

[Throwjunkie]

check these folks out the XLR100 is a small light runs on 1 18650 cell, they also have a smaller light that will run on 3 AAA or 1 18650 uses P60 drop in and throws pretty good for a small light. If you ask them they may be willing to make the switch momentary also great people to deal with and good lights. I have several of the XLR250 and they are awesome, throw very well and hold up well under fire.
http://www.elusivewildlife.com/products.htm?section=22&p=productsList&iCategory=6

Joe

 

[Mikul]

The Moddoolar looks excellent. Does Malkoff sell complete heads, lenses and bezels?

 

[Nachtwacht]

The Moddoolar looks excellent. Does Malkoff sell complete heads, lenses and bezels?

Yes, Gene Malkoff does sell complete heads (Wildcat, Hound Dog), lenses and bezels for his MD2/MD3/MD4 line of lights, but I don't think (not sure) that these will be compatible with the Moddoolar system. And a Malkoff MD1 doesn't exist yet, as far as I know. The only 1-cell 123 Gene Malkoff does sell is a twisty (Little Twisty), without momentary function.

If you would like to go with the Moddoolar system, you can use a SureFire Z44 bezel. These fit the TL34-Moddoolar body. It's easy: put the M30 / M31 in the TL34 body, screw the Z44 on and you're done. One more thing you need to know about the M30 / M31. If you are planning to use it as a weapon light on a rifle I would go with the M30 instead of the M31. The M30 will give you some more throw. The M31 is more of a close/intermediate range light. It depends on what range you're planning to use it. I also don't know how easy it's going to be to find an M30, because these aren't for sale anymore on the Malkoff website. You might check out the Marketplace.

 

[Mikul]

That looks like the way to go although it is a bit of a Frankenflash. I appreciate the information on the M30/M31. The M31 fits my needs better. It's for use within 50yds and I would rather lose some intensity than lose the target.

Overready is, of course, out of the TL34 body.

 

[Mike Docherty]

A Surefire G2 or G3 with Malkoff drop-in is hard to beat. Use a Viking Tactics mount (Brownells) for more weight savings. If you're set on a single cell, I found a Surefire 3p clone on eBay with the brand name "angelfire". Mine works well as a handheld and should work on a rifle with the right lamp assembly.

 

[think2x]

That looks like the way to go although it is a bit of a Frankenflash. I appreciate the information on the M30/M31. The M31 fits my needs better. It's for use within 50yds and I would rather lose some intensity than lose the target.

Overready is, of course, out of the TL34 body.

You could get an FM16340 body instead to get the same end result.

I have a Quark Turbo on my Mossberg 500 set to turbo when tight and strobe when loose.

 

[00Moonshine]

I use a Surefire 6P with a Malkoff drop in in a Vltor ring. Simple, light, and plenty bright for an LE rifle.

 

[Mikul]

Any thoughts on the Nitecore Extreme?

 

[Nachtwacht]

The NiteCore Extreme is a nice little light (only 92 mm) that will no doubt give you a lot of bang for the buck. You can get one for around $70,00. That's the price you'll pay for just the Malkoff M31 drop-in. There doesn't seem to be that much information about how well it will hold up under continuous recoil, as a rifle light.

There is one CPF-thread discussing it briefly: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?230150-Nitecore-Extreme-Weapon-Mount. Also Google: 'NiteCore Extreme weapon light ar15'.

It would help if you would tell us for what purposes you're planning to use it. If not wanting to spend too much money, for example for airsoft or fun shooting, I would have no problem trying the NiteCore Extreme out as a weapon light. But if you want something for defensive purposes, law enforcement or even military use, I second what angelofwar said in post 8... Get a combo with a proven track record of reliability (and available accessories).

Regardless of your specifications in your initial post, for defense/LE/military use, this is what I suggest:
Number 1: Buy once. Get it over with and buy a SureFire Scout (2x CR123) or Mini Scout (1x CR123).
Number 2: If the prices of the Scouts are too steep, choose either a SureFire P60 style light (e.g. the G2 with aluminum bezel or 6P) with Malkoff or an Elzetta ZFL-M60. A SureFire G2/6P with Malkoff-combination is around $140,00. The Elzetta with rotary switch costs around $160,00. These are fully upgradable.
---> 1 & 2 are your best bets, in my opinion. Proven reliability!
Number 3: If 1 and 2 are out of the question, and you specifically want a 1 CR123 light, use the Moddoolar TL34, or FiveMega 16340 Think2x proposed, with a Malkoff drop-in of your choice.
Number 4:...

In the long run, you'll probably save money buying one of the above (1-2-3).

 

[Mikul]

The advantage to Surefire weaponlights is that they've tested them well before you use them. So they are proven. At the same time, Surefire tacks on an extra 10-20 dollars for every letter in their company name.

Other companies make lights as good or better than Surefire, but they aren't tested. I wish that Amilite made something that fit my bill. Theirs is the best-made flashlight that I own.

 

[Forward_clicky]

You can always go check out Nutnfancys youtube page.
Losta tactical light stuff there as well as weapon light demos.

 

[Belstaff1464]

Another option that you may not have considered is the HDS 200 Tactical Clicky ($199). It's a multi-mode light but you can program all 4 levels to max effectively making it a single mode light. It's 1 x CR123 in size (Ø 25.4mm x 95mm), relatively light (100g (3.5oz) including battery), has momentary, and designed to be weapon-mounted.