My goto flashlight for all rifles
I find little reason to use another light. I've have this light on a 2 ARs, a CZ Scorpion and Mossberg 590, with a nice mount you get a perfectly fitting, small, high preforming flashlight.
Economical versatility.
Installation was simple with the included options onto the picatinny adapter for my KMR Alpha rail and the remote switch fit well onto the top for my thumb placement during presenting the gun. As I put more rounds downrange with this light installed the durability will be put to the test, but as I already trust and use Streamlight TLR products on my pistols I'd imagine this won't be any different. The ability to use CR123 and AA batteries sold me. Since this is on a defensive rifle destined for use in a highly unlikely scenario, it only makes sense for it to be ready for the also unlikely scenario that I can't procure CR123 batteries.
Looking back at you.
I bought this light to replace a first gen Surefire, and could not be happier. For my use this light is perfect, let me paint the picture. I was awoken from a deep slumber one night, probably around 0430, somewhat confused what was occuring, I came to my senses and realized the dog was barking aggressively. Grabbing my glasses and grabbing my light equipped carbine, I headed out the door to check on the dog. I quietly shouldered the weapon and held the excellent pressure pad supplied with this Streamlight. I about fell over backwards when 2 sets of glowing eyes at my eye level were looking back at me, from over 50 yards away. The 2 unexpected visitors were 2 of the neighbors cows, and they briefly stopped their grazing on my lawn to look at me, going peacefully back to their rumination. Excellent light, easy setup and great for identifying both large and small creatures in the night.
Excellent Light But...
This is the second Protac HL-X Rail Mount I have purchased from Brownells. The first one works flawlessly. This one had a short in the pushbutton tailcap. I emailed Streamlight and two days later I had a new tailcap, free, no questions asked, and it works perfectly.
Great light, almost perfect
The knurled knob that tightens the light is not reversible. So when mounted on the starboard side (ejection side) of the rifle, the knob hits my fingers. I tried to switch it around, but it won't work. If I could switch it around and put the knob on the up side, it would not be in the way. Minor problem, but does force me to move my forward grip a couple inches further back then I would like. I have mounted a couple of these lights, and shoot with them at night often. Training and predator hunting. For the price it's great. I have also read that the remote tape switch is not waterproof. However I did not test this, as I don't want to ruin it. I'm not going on deployment, and this light will serve my purposes just fine.
Works but not perfectly
I bought this for a home defense carbine. Functionally, it works quite well; at 1,000 lumens and 27k+ candela, it's a great light. My problem, however, came in when one day it magically decided to only be half as bright as usual. Additionally, the ten-tap function appears to not be working as intended for my light. I suspect this is probably because actuating the bolt release on my rifle affects battery contact with the coil in the tail cap. (I also decided to spraypaint my light OD green immediately upon getting in the mail, so warranties are not an option for me.) I plan on buying either new CR123A batteries or a new tailcap, and crossing my fingers that this fixes the issue(s). If not, I'm replacing this with an Arisaka 18650. This light works great when it actually does work, but my experiences with this thing's (lack of) reliability means that I cannot recommend this product to others.
