weapon light recommendations?

[Mike OTDP]

OK, I just picked up a new AR carbine with rails for all sorts of goodies. Any recommendations for a rail-mounted light? TIA.

[Darrell]

I have a couple of Streamlight Polytacs w/1" barrels (the smaller ones, fit weapons clamps). They're not uber bright, but effective, and they're not expensive.

[Mike OTDP]

In general I'm a streamlight and a surefire fan.

Any specific parameters, features, or exclusions?

Not really, just a light that will go on a Picatinny rail. Compactness is worthwhile, of course. I know Surefire has a good reputation. Streamlight I've never used.

[Darrell]

I have a Surefire, same size as the Polytacs (G2?), I actually prefer the Streamlights. I had the Surefire on Mister 12 Gauge, I found that the recoil would jar the light enough to turn it off--the Surefire has an on/off button on the tail cap, I guess the impulse was enough to jar the batteries against the tail cap and turn it off. The Polytac Streamlights have a screw tail cap to turn it on/off, which is insensitive to recoil.

[JAG2955]

I was different and bought an Inforce light. It has two separate lockout devices to prevent white light NDs. But I really bought it for its shape, it makes a tape switch (which break ALL the time) unnecessary. Great customer service too. I bought their pistol version, and it made a high pitched whine, and they sent me a new one with a box to send back the old one.

[Darrell]

I misspoke about the Streamlights vs the Surefire--the Surefire has the screw tail cap (with momentary pushbutton). It resides on Mister Twelve Gauge. The Streamlight has the pushbutton tail cap. I have it on one of the JR carbines, plus another on the headboard of my bed.

[Durham68]

I have a Streamlight PolyTac on my AR. It's built well and throws plenty of light for anything in or around my house. There are a ton of better lights that fit standard mounts, but not for $30.

[Aesop]

ITAC (the Sig-Sauer house brand) makes a spiffy TDL-1, which is a light/laser pistol grip combo, and which works well on the front end of my M-4gery.

Otherwise the Surefires are my go-to lights.