efarmer21 0 Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 I want to add a light to the Saiga 12 and was hoping to get some feedback/recommendations here. Is one mounted under the front handguard (via rail) have any advantages to just getting a standard low profile side AK mount and placing it directlyover the receiver? These are basically my options. Pros and cons of each? Also, what is a good light that can take the recoil that will not break the bank? Thanks all. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 I want to add a light to the Saiga 12 and was hoping to get some feedback/recommendations here. Is one mounted under the front handguard (via rail) have any advantages to just getting a standard low profile side AK mount and placing it directlyover the receiver? These are basically my options. Pros and cons of each? Also, what is a good light that can take the recoil that will not break the bank? Thanks all. I would much rather have mine under the HG so I can still see my sights. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Eric Pate 478 Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 Id suggest a Surefire G2 Nitrolon as they are well made and run about $35+$15 for the tape switch. (Yes, you want the tape switch) http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_dis...r/878/sesent/00 Or you could also get a pistol light with a rocker-switch backplate from Insight or Streamlight and mount it just forward to your vertical grip. I think that would be more compact but possibly not as bright. Maybe more $$$ too. http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=80 As always you can try to find a generic model to save money but expect quality to suffer proportionately. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chris410 0 Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 +1 on under the HG, I tried an offset mount on my WM (USAS) and took it out one night to take out some insurgent pumpkins, thinking I was cool, and you cant see past the front sight, the light beaming right on it really sucked, but it sure looks cool in the 2 o'clock position off the flattop. Also +1 on the Surefire G2, for 35-40 bucks they are about as good as it gets. I have 2 and both have stood up well thus far. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Azrial 1,091 Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 ....Also, what is a good light that can take the recoil that will not break the bank?.... Most LED lights will stand up to recoil much better then filament lights. The Surefire light made for a weapons mount have a shock mounted bezel. The filament lights of course have much better range but are prone to breaking under recoil without a shock mount. As a field expedient solution, that actually works pretty well long term, I have mounted the lights in a 30mm scope ring, then used a piece of heavy rubber as a collet to adapt the 1" light to the larger ring. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Karma 0 Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 +1 on under the HG, I tried an offset mount on my WM (USAS) and took it out one night to take out some insurgent pumpkins, thinking I was cool, and you cant see past the front sight, the light beaming right on it really sucked, but it sure looks cool in the 2 o'clock position off the flattop. Also +1 on the Surefire G2, for 35-40 bucks they are about as good as it gets. I have 2 and both have stood up well thus far. Do they have any clamps that work with the Surefire G2 so that I could clamp it to my barrel instead of having to add a rail? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dodgeturbointerceptor 1 Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 Surefire G2 is the way to go. Everyone above is spot on. Been there. Done that. If I wasn't so anal retentive with using all Russian goods. I'd have left it on. It was damn nice! Kind of miss my saiga the way it was. Hasn't been that way since Feb 2005. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aubie515 2 Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 Well, seeing how I work for Streamlight, I am going to have to say buy a SUREFIRE. Haha...SureFire makes some terrific lights...that is for sure. Since I do work for SL, I'd say take a look at the TL2/3 LED if you prefer. We will be offering the "SuperTac" at SHOT. It's ugly as sin, but will be damn bright. I will retro fit my TL3 LED to get more lumens. Our TLR series are tested to withstand 12ga recoil, so that may be an option for you. Both TLRs and TL series offer remote switches if you desire that feature. As far as where to mount the light. I will be mounting my lights/lasers on the side, once I get Tony to SBS my S12. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chris410 0 Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 If I wasn't so anal retentive with using all Russian goods. I'd have left it on. It was damn nice! I know exactly how ya feel, I currently have no lights on any of my Saiga-AK clones for that reason, my Znich shit the bed pretty quick, and I'm like a Nazi about not allowing intermingling of my equipment nationalities. Its kind of ridiculous. Once I caught my 590 giving my Valtro the eye in my gun cabinet, I've never forgiven him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chris410 0 Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 (edited) Do they have any clamps that work with the Surefire G2 so that I could clamp it to my barrel instead of having to add a rail? tac star makes some clamping sets that should do the trick http://www.lymanproducts.com/tacstar/index.htm Scroll down to almost the bottom to "Universal Barrel Mounts" I think you'll want the 3/4 to 1" barrel and 1" light model. Edited January 29, 2008 by chris410 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ck43001 12 Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 I'd go for a LED light. They can take more of a beating than a regular filament bulb. I tried 2 LED PentagonLights and they're solid. Only buy a Streamlight if Aubie can get you their military line that they don't sell to us civilians. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Karma 0 Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 Do they have any clamps that work with the Surefire G2 so that I could clamp it to my barrel instead of having to add a rail? tac star makes some clamping sets that should do the trick http://www.lymanproducts.com/tacstar/index.htm Scroll down to almost the bottom to "Universal Barrel Mounts" I think you'll want the 3/4 to 1" barrel and 1" light model. Kickass. I just ordered a set of clamps and a surefire g2. I love this forum. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
efarmer21 0 Posted January 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 Id suggest a Surefire G2 Nitrolon as they are well made and run about $35+$15 for the tape switch. (Yes, you want the tape switch) Stupid question, how does the tape switch mount, via velcro? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aubie515 2 Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 Only buy a Streamlight if Aubie can get you their military line that they don't sell to us civilians. All of the lights from SL are offered to anyone. We do not have any lights that are strictly military/LE. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Eric Pate 478 Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 Id suggest a Surefire G2 Nitrolon as they are well made and run about $35+$15 for the tape switch. (Yes, you want the tape switch) Stupid question, how does the tape switch mount, via velcro? Yes. it comes with a velcro strip. Just peel and stick. Personally, I had to sand down the side of my vertical grip so that the switch would lay flat. Just depends on what kind of switch/grip you have. Some grips have a built in recessed channel to accept a tape switch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
efarmer21 0 Posted January 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 Yes. it comes with a velcro strip. Just peel and stick.Personally, I had to sand down the side of my vertical grip so that the switch would lay flat. Just depends on what kind of switch/grip you have. Some grips have a built in recessed channel to accept a tape switch. Did you get the tacstar switch? If so, any problems with heat or not working. I assume it is momentary on as long as i depressed? I would prefer one that you pressed once, light on, press again, light off. Thanks for the help. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Eric Pate 478 Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 (edited) Yes. it comes with a velcro strip. Just peel and stick.Personally, I had to sand down the side of my vertical grip so that the switch would lay flat. Just depends on what kind of switch/grip you have. Some grips have a built in recessed channel to accept a tape switch. Did you get the tacstar switch? If so, any problems with heat or not working. I assume it is momentary on as long as i depressed? I would prefer one that you pressed once, light on, press again, light off. Thanks for the help. The Tacstar should work fine. Yes, it is momentary in that it is only on while depressed. Only problem I've ever had is sometimes the switch itself will get a hotspot if only partially depressed. I've had this happen on more than one model. Anyone else experience this issue? Hmm, The G2 does have a twist-on feature, but I'm not familiar with any tape switch that functions as a toggle. If it exists I've never seen it. All the ones I've seen act as momentary switches, which seems preferable to me. Ideally you should only illuminate long enough to identify and engage the target. Any longer will make you a target. Edited January 31, 2008 by DistalRadius Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EdgarM 0 Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 TacStar T6 is the third light on my Saiga-12. The first two (not TacStar) lasted less than 100 rounds per light. Won't mention brands as this gun gets abused and it could have been several factors. What I do know is this TacStar has seen 750+ rounds with no problems. Beam is far brighter than my LED's. Their mount is simple and very sturdy. It would slip a bit after a few trips to the range, so I put a layer of black hockey tape under the mount and haven't had any movement since. Light, mount and tape switch was about $75 shipped. You get what you pay for. So far, no problems with the tape switch with over-heating. I don't have 100% faith in this style switch, so I carry spare tape and original butt on-off switches in buttstock bag. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
efarmer21 0 Posted February 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 (edited) TacStar T6 is the third light on my Saiga-12. The first two (not TacStar) lasted less than 100 rounds per light. Won't mention brands as this gun gets abused and it could have been several factors. What I do know is this TacStar has seen 750+ rounds with no problems. Beam is far brighter than my LED's. Their mount is simple and very sturdy. It would slip a bit after a few trips to the range, so I put a layer of black hockey tape under the mount and haven't had any movement since. Light, mount and tape switch was about $75 shipped. You get what you pay for.So far, no problems with the tape switch with over-heating. I don't have 100% faith in this style switch, so I carry spare tape and original butt on-off switches in buttstock bag. nice looking saiga - where did you end up mounting your pressure switch, can't see in photo but assume on the side of front handguard.. Edited February 1, 2008 by efarmer21 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EdgarM 0 Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 (edited) All that I need to do is slide my thumb up to switch. Very comfortable. The stock bag is made by Eagle Industries. I order all of their products directly at: Eagle Industries Products The bags come in O.D., black and khaki. About $35 but worth it. Carries spares/batteries for lights/optics and an extra 5 rounds if all you can grab is the weapon. Edited February 1, 2008 by EdgarM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Twinsen 86 Posted February 3, 2008 Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 You guys made me finally buy a flashlight. I got a G2. Is there a rail-based clamp for a Surefire G2? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Milsurps 4 Me 14 Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 TacStar T6 is the third light on my Saiga-12. The first two (not TacStar) lasted less than 100 rounds per light. Won't mention brands as this gun gets abused and it could have been several factors. What I do know is this TacStar has seen 750+ rounds with no problems. Beam is far brighter than my LED's. Their mount is simple and very sturdy. It would slip a bit after a few trips to the range, so I put a layer of black hockey tape under the mount and haven't had any movement since. Light, mount and tape switch was about $75 shipped. You get what you pay for.So far, no problems with the tape switch with over-heating. I don't have 100% faith in this style switch, so I carry spare tape and original butt on-off switches in buttstock bag. Nice set up. I've been looking for something just like that for my Saiga since I don't plan on doing a conversion. What type of sling is that? One thing I've noticed about all Saiga rifles is that the sling swivels are really small for most tactical slings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Eric Pate 478 Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 This mount will do it. http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/49570-63506-2202.html Or this one: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ARR098-41704-2204.html I've got the latter on my AR and it works great except the mount has a small amount of play in it after a few hundred rounds. Shouldn't matter in a flashlight though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EdgarM 0 Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 TacStar T6 is the third light on my Saiga-12. The first two (not TacStar) lasted less than 100 rounds per light. Won't mention brands as this gun gets abused and it could have been several factors. What I do know is this TacStar has seen 750+ rounds with no problems. Beam is far brighter than my LED's. Their mount is simple and very sturdy. It would slip a bit after a few trips to the range, so I put a layer of black hockey tape under the mount and haven't had any movement since. Light, mount and tape switch was about $75 shipped. You get what you pay for.So far, no problems with the tape switch with over-heating. I don't have 100% faith in this style switch, so I carry spare tape and original butt on-off switches in buttstock bag. Nice set up. I've been looking for something just like that for my Saiga since I don't plan on doing a conversion. What type of sling is that? One thing I've noticed about all Saiga rifles is that the sling swivels are really small for most tactical slings. The sling on my S-12 is also from Eagle Industries (link in previous reply). Go to their site and click on slings on the left menu. They have two assault shotgun slings, one for 'fixed stocks' and one for 'pistol grip stocks'. I actually chose the pistol grip version for my fixed stock because the rear mount on the fixed stock version conflicted with the stock bag. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Twinsen 86 Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 (edited) This mount will do it.http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/49570-63506-2202.html Or this one: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ARR098-41704-2204.html I've got the latter on my AR and it works great except the mount has a small amount of play in it after a few hundred rounds. Shouldn't matter in a flashlight though. Thanks man, I wasn't sure about any of them. That Command Arms one I think has a G2 sitting in it in that picture though! I was pretty much clueless, thanks. Here it is without the AR-15 rail, for under $20. http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/11489-20154-2204.html Edited February 4, 2008 by Twinsen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gtnichols 51 Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 I thought this was a pretty good solution of where to put the light, or laser http://store.a51tactical.com/index.php?mai...roducts_id=1208 Looks like the switch can be on the grip as well and internally wired. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gtnichols 51 Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 here is the cheaper version,. You have to add your own flashlight,... http://store.a51tactical.com/index.php?mai...products_id=739 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fuji 0 Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 here is the cheaper version,. You have to add your own flashlight,... http://store.a51tactical.com/index.php?mai...products_id=739 +1 I like that set up for a low cost option. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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