GG&G

Weapon Mounted Lights

Hands down this is a good --maybe the best--way to go as it frees the hands for operation of the weapons system. Shortcomings are the lights main beam being in correlation with the muzzle and if you point the beam, you point the muzzle, which you might not want to do. This is often based on the environment or the threat...if it is a threat? The white light arc illuminates the threat to confirm weapons and then the beam--and the muzzle--is moved centered to the threat to engage as is required. You should train up to use the arc of light while in the search mode and only go main beam on target with the intent of engaging the threat.

Although I could be a pessimist I still stick with the concept that if it has batteries or a bulb you should plan on the possibility of it not working when you need it. I think if you might need a light source for your personal protection you had better have two.
With that said we can go on.

Streamlight and Surefire make the best-mounted light systems I have seen and used. In both these systems I have seen the light bulbs fail. Then again a light bulb in your house doesn't last forever and neither does your automobile head lights. The issue is not if they don't work but what will I do if they don't work. Tools in the toolbox remember.

Train to the fact the rifle may work but the flashlight won't.

Train to the fact that the flashlight may work and the rifle won't.

Weapon mounted systems are at the zenith of quality. Lots of folks keep adding to the market but the leaders mentioned above simply have a herd of folks following them in my opinion with actual use experience.

Hand Held Techniques

With practice and exposure most current techniques considered to be handgun formats will work for the rifle. Some techniques may require a slight modification based on the rifle size and weight and or personal upper body strength.

CROSSED TECHNIQUE
Using the same technique as you would with a handgun, the crossed wrist technique contacts and supports the underside of the forearm on the rifle. The flashlight hand elbow may be required to be slightly higher than with a handgun to help support rifle weight. As with the handgun this technique works great for everything except clearing hard right corners.

UNCROSSED TECHNIQUE
Using this technique requires you to have pretty decent upper body and arm strength. In this method you simply uncross the wrist from under the forearm of the rifle then hold the flashlight parallel to the rifle barrel along side the forearm.

The reason you need more upper body strength is because in reality you are holding the rifle with one hand. Some rifle weight relief may be gained if the heel of your flashlight hand can be placed under the forearm of the rifle. This is a quick fix for your over exposure on right hand corners. As you approach in the crossed technique, simply uncross minimizing your body and head as you clear a right corner. Once clear and around the corner you can cross under the forearm and reacquire wrist contact and support for the front of the rifle.

SYRINGE/SYRINGE SUPPORTED TECHNIQUE
Upper body strength or the weight of rifle can affect this application. This style requires a flashlight with a rear activation button yet can be applied with the older style lights with pressure switches on the body of the flashlight. In both techniques the strong hand and arm is holding the rifle while the opposite hand holds the light along side the forearm of the rifle. In the supported syringe version the only difference is the lower two or three fingers of the flashlight hand are extended so as to allow the rifle forearm to rest on them, hence supporting the rifle.

MAGAZINE WELL PRESS TECHNIQUE
This system provides a good combination of support for the rifle and the flashlight. This technique requires there either be no sling or that the sling is moved out of the way of the underside of the rifle forearm. The rifle is then held by the strong hand and the flashlight is centered under the rifle with the opposite hand. The flashlight with a rear-mounted switch is compressed by the left hand rearward so that pressing against the front of the magazine well activates the switch. The move turns the light on for searching and forward movement releases pressure letting the light turn off. The opposite hand is helping to support the weight of the rifle.

These are some basic techniques with basic lights. Weapons lights are a good concept and even better if they work when needed. The above alternate techniques may be of help should something go wrong, and sometimes things do go wrong.

GG&G And Gun Mounted Lights

The GG&G staff has the Streamlight TLR1 and TLR2 light systems available as part of their product line, and they have chosen wisely by doing so. Trust me, it is going to be damn tough to beat the SL price and quality. I tested the prototypes of the TLR systems on their introduction and still have my two "skunk works" versions that bear no SL markings or serial numbers. I am fortunate to have these prototypes and even more fortunate to have been included in the earliest testing of these high quality systems, they are the real deal. The coupling of the GG&G Mil-Spec 1913 Tactical Illuminator Forearm Rail or the Standard Tactical Illuminator Forearm Rail to the Streamlight TLR system makes for an excellent white light or white light/laser combination. I have these SL & GG&G systems AR mounted and they have worked well in hundreds of student tactical runs inside the Terminator. I recommend both the mounts and the lights...and I have the systems to prove it.

Practice...and practice safely!