FN FAL light mount options

im looking to get a DSA SA-58 this month an have been researching mounting options for a light an so far all i can find is a DSA forend mount............any other options out there ? ideas welcomed as well............im really interested in a low profile type of mount with a small light. kind of like ''its there but not'' type of thing. I really plan on using it much but would like to have the option if needed


Thanks,

Not sure if you are asking about a light mount itself or the forend itself. I know that VLTOR makes a railed forend for the FAL also. VLTOR also makes scout type light ring mounts, Daniel Defense makes a pretty nice offset mount also to bring the light in closer to the forend.

Jason

Thanks for your reply. I'm lookin for any mount .....mount/light combo or forend that works well on the Fal. Ill look into your suggestions

How much are you willing to spend? The M300A is a good option if you've got the money to spare.
http://www.surefire.com/M300A-MiniScoutLight

You can build an "M300" with the M78 mount from surefire and an E1B-Bk. Pretty small, bright, low profile, and half the cost. If you want a tape switch, you can get a UE07 off the MP as well.

Cons:
-Light and mount not a solid machined piece like the M300.
Pro's:
-Using the mount + light method, you can always pocket the light and use it as a handheld.
-Cheaper cost, but same build quality.
-Modularity (more parts are compatible with handheld units).
-If one item breaks, you can replace that one component, and not the whole set-up.

There ya go. I can try to take a pic of this set-up since I have the light and the mount...I just don't use this set-up, cause I have an M600 and several other weaponlights, but it is a very viable option, especially for you. Hope this helps, and welcome to CPF!

You might also want to post your question on AR15.com - even though your black rifle isn't an AR it shares many similarities.

There is also the FAL Files forum.

One thing to consider: A mount like the one pictured at the top of the thread, below the barrel, is going to create a big shadow from the barrel. Mounting the light above the barrel (11:00 or 1:00 location) will place the shadow from the barrel in a position where it interferes much less with use of the light.

BillSWPA said:

One thing to consider: A mount like the one pictured at the top of the thread, below the barrel, is going to create a big shadow from the barrel. Mounting the light above the barrel (11:00 or 1:00 location) will place the shadow from the barrel in a position where it interferes much less with use of the light.

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thanks for the tip, im relatively new to weapon lights esp with long guns........just Glocks so far with TLR's.

Sounds like you're asking about a mount for the FAL rather than a light. The only really good way of mounting a light to a FAL is via Picatinny rail and for than you'll need DSA's or Vltor's forward rail. I own both and can recommend either of them. The Vltor is more modular, the DSA mount is more robust. Regarding shadows, the 6 o'clock mounting with a 16" barrel isn't an issue. A 20" barrel is only an issue out to about 20 feet and beyond that the shadow is well above the sight plane.

I don't have any pictures handy at the moment but do have an older video of one rifle with the DSA mount on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLCzUOcfKRc

I noticed tonight on one of my distributors websites that VLTOR now also has an offset mount that looks pretty nice, that would place the light in closer than just a standard ring. I've always like offset mounts better than a standard scout mount that sticks straight out from the rail but that's just me.

Also, I have a Streamlight Supertac that really throws well, and the Supertac X is supposed to be brighter with multilevel and strobe. The only problem with the Supertacs is the body size is smaller than a SF, so it's a little harder to find mounts to fit. However for a .308 capable of greater distance my preference would be a long throw spot like the Supertac, and they are very reasonably priced.

Jason

I think DSA still makes a rail accessory kit that bolts directly on to the stock handguard vent holes and adding a small rail section would probably be a lot cheaper than a new railed forend but it will not give you the same amount of real estate; conversely it will also automatically offset a standard rifle mount light which could end up saving you more money instead of having to buy an offset mount to go with a railed forend.
Besides, I never did understand why people (particularly those in the AR crowd,) spend a bunch on money on a quad rail handguard, mount one little light or foregrip to it and then cover the rest with rail covers, especially if its not a free float system.

Lobstradomus said:

I think DSA still makes a rail accessory kit that bolts directly on to the stock handguard vent holes and adding a small rail section would probably be a lot cheaper than a new railed forend but it will not give you the same amount of real estate; conversely it will also automatically offset a standard rifle mount light which could end up saving you more money instead of having to buy an offset mount to go with a railed forend.
Besides, I never did understand why people (particularly those in the AR crowd,) spend a bunch on money on a quad rail handguard, mount one little light or foregrip to it and then cover the rest with rail covers, especially if its not a free float system.

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'Cause they look really cool!

Keep in mind the FAL has alot of recoil so make sure your light can take it. I have destroyed a few lights with shotguns.

kicker9898 said:

'Cause they look really cool!

Click to expand...

You got me there Guess I never really cared for the looks of them compared to something like the round tubes with removable rail sections. To each his own though.

I wonder if there is any way to run something like the IWC Thorntail mount on a railed top cover/mount without creating a horrendous shadow and having terrible ergonomics or odd tape switch placement.

Hi, found this thread through a google search. I had just made a thread on FalFiles dealing with this exact subject, showing a simple, cheap, easy solution I found. Total cost to me was about 6 or 7 bucks (not including the light itself). Oh, and I took it to the range and the light and mount held up just fine.

So, I am going to repost my thread from there, here (if that's okay). Keep in mind I have the StG-58 style handguards, but I am certain that the standard handguards can be worked with as well with some slight modifications to my approach... maybe?? I dunno, I'll have to try it out on another set of handguards...

Anyway, here it is - 6-7 dollar flashlight rail mount for StG-58 style FAL -

(original posting on FalFiles begins)

So, I'm out at Wally World and I come across one of those scope rail mounts for a Remington 700, on sale for 5 bucks. The package looks like the following, and has two rails and 4 little screws (one rail has already been taken out):





Now, I remember I have one of these at the house:





So I'm thinking 'Gee, that rail would mount my flashlight, but I wonder if I can mount the rail to my FAL?' So, I call the house and have Friday make some measurements, and then I grab a tape measure from two aisles away and measure as best I could through the package... looks like one of the rails is an exact match!


So I buy the rail for the 5 bucks, run to the hardware store and pick up a couple of tiny machine screws (#4) that are a wee bit longer than the ones in the package, and also some nuts and some washers. Total cost there was about a dollar or so.


Back at the compound, I mount the rail putting the screws through the two vent holes at the front end of the handguard (this is an StG58 style handguard). Here's inside:





And here's the outside showing the rail:











And here's the light attached:





As you can see, it is placed in the perfect position for thumb activiation of the switch: