New idea for WML on AR's

Holsters, lights, or any kind of accessory

New idea for WML on AR's

Postby Scratch on Fri May 29, 2020 9:09 pm

I'm looking for a WML for my AR pistol and have come up with an idea. Hopefully there is already an item like this out there and I can buy one of them, anyways... here's my idea.

So I have this AR pistol with a 7" handguard. I want a red dot optic on it, as well as folding backup sights, plus QD sling mounts, and a light. The handguard is pretty small and there's not much room for me to get a good C-clamp grip that I like along with all of those other things. In this pic, you can see the front folding sight, and the QD mount, but I still have to find room for a WML.
1.jpg



Here you can see with that with my fat hands and sausage fingers, there's no good spot to put a light anywhere. Not much on the other side either, let alone a pressure pad to activate it.
2.jpg



Now... I could put one of those TLR-1 lights on there but the only good spot for it is at the 12 O-clock position like this:
3.jpg


I actually really like that position since its ambidextrous, in perfect reach of my thumb, out of view of my red dot, and no need for a pressure switch, but then there's no front back up sight.
4.jpg



Here you can see how the light housing is barely visible through the optic:
5.jpg



My initial thought is that a back up sight is just that... a back up, and the chance of me ever needing it is slim to none, but then I thought... too bad there wasn't a sight post right on the flashlight...?

So I was thinking I might try drilling and tapping a hole for a MBUS post and threading one in. I could put a spring below it to keep tension on it, in an attempt to see if it'll hold zero, and just see if it'll work. I'll have to cut the post down a bit as it'll be too long as it is. Haven't figured out how to keep moisture out of the unit though. I do have 3 of these things though, so If I wreck one, no biggie. I've already sent this idea to Streamlight telling them to make one. Maybe they'll send me a billion dollar check for my idea.
6.jpg

7.jpg


Any other input, or anyone know if this is already out there or not?
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New idea for WML on AR's

Postby gun_fan111v2 on Fri May 29, 2020 11:03 pm

How about those offset iron sights? If you can find a spot for them on the top rail.
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Re: New idea for WML on AR's

Postby LarryFlew on Sat May 30, 2020 7:21 am

Small threaded pc of metal glued to the top of the light would take care of moisture problem but takes away the adjustable part.
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Re: New idea for WML on AR's

Postby Holland&Holland on Sat May 30, 2020 7:49 am

Look at the inforce one's. I think you could make that work.
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Re: New idea for WML on AR's

Postby Scratch on Sun May 31, 2020 7:50 pm

gun_fan111v2 wrote:How about those offset iron sights? If you can find a spot for them on the top rail.

I'm trying to make this as lightweight and clutter free, especially on the end of the barrel, so I'd rather not have a light, an offset mount and a BUS on the end of it.


LarryFlew wrote:Small threaded pc of metal glued to the top of the light would take care of moisture problem but takes away the adjustable part.

Close to what I was thinking...


Holland&Holland wrote:Look at the inforce one's. I think you could make that work.


I tried an Inforce, I didn't like how long it was and couldn't find a good place to fit it with the QD mount and BUS.
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Re: New idea for WML on AR's

Postby Scratch on Sun May 31, 2020 7:55 pm

Last week when I emailed Streamlight about my idea for a WML/BUS, I told them I had a prototype built. They seemed interested enough that they emailed me back today and wanted to see a pic of it so I figured I'd better finish it up.

Rather than destroying an existing Magpul post, I just made one quick from a grade 8 bolt on the lathe, but I forgot to get pics. It basically looks like a thumbtack but the base of it is about 3/16" thick. I drilled a bunch of tiny holes in the face of the "thumbtack" and drilled a bunch of dimples into the aluminum on the TLR housing. I didn't drill through the aluminum, so when this thing falls off, all I need to do is dab some black paint onto those dimples and it's good to go, should still be watertight too.

I figured the dimples and holes will give more teeth for the JB Weld to grip onto. Yes I used JB Weld to attach it to the housing. I've had geat luck with JB Weld and many projects in my life, so I thought it should work fine for this project.

This will be a "file to sight in" type of post, hopefully if Streamlight decides to make something, they'll make it adjustable, but this should work for now. I left it plenty high and will file it down when I sight it in this week, but this is what I was looking for. We'll see how long it lasts... I used some cold blue on the post.

Here are some pics.

1.jpg

2.jpg

3.jpg

4.jpg



Here, I put a front and rear BUS and the light, on a separate rail so you can see how things line up. You can see I also need to file the "light sight" down just a bit, but I'll wait until I get to the range for that.
5.jpg
Last edited by Scratch on Mon Jun 01, 2020 7:56 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: New idea for WML on AR's

Postby Holland&Holland on Sun May 31, 2020 8:08 pm

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Good job :cheers:
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