I'm working on a lightwt "ARScout" for both entry & long range. Currently a custom 16" 1-7.5 freefloat flattop w/ TA11 (8lbs full up) that does 4"@400 yds w/ 77g Fed match. I want to add the "best" surefire considering rgonomics under stress, wt, & durability. Since I want lightwt, I would rather remove the surefire during the day. But ergonomics under stress is essential; I love my Benelli's surefire button pads. Cost is not really an issue & I am willing to start over.

I need help. Please advise which of the following plans and why:

PLAN A. M97 with the standard rear switch? Assumes my finger won't slip off the button under stress (sphincter near eyeballs).Get RAS instead of current lightweight alum fore-end with 1913 rail screwed on?)  How do you use the M97's switch under stress w/o slipping fingers?

PLAN B: M97 with external PAD (can't find on surefire website anymore) mounted to fore-end with bike tubes?  How durable? How fast to mount/dismount? Where locate?

PLAN C: M910AB on weaver rail screwed to alum fore-end (or change to RAS)? I have never used a vertical grip. How hard to switch back and forth between night with vertical and day with hoz.?

The model you ask for in PLAN A could be either
M971P (thumb screws & Pressure Switch Button TailCap)
or
M971C (thumb screws & Click Switch Button TailCap)

If you want ARMS Lever mount rather than thumb screws swap the "1" for a "2".

PLAN B sounds like you want an M971SUxx where "xx" is the length of the cable in inches such as 04, 05, 06, 08 etc.

PLAN C you have pretty much sorted apart from your choice of navigation LED colour:
M910AB-xx
where "xx" =
WH White
BL Blue
RD Red
IR Infrared

You mention that you'd like the ability to remove the WeaponLight. The sounds like you want an ARMS Throw Lever Mount rather than Thumb Screws in which case you'll need an M900 rather than an M910.

I've never tried to use a inner-tube to position a tape pressure switch. I assume it's gonna create a pain taking the WeaponLight on and off though. (?)

Al

Thanks. I finally found the M972SU and M972P pages at the surefire page and they look like what I want. Now all I need to do is decide whether to go with the presure pad or button. It looks like I could buy both switches, try them both and see what I want.

Like you I like the built in tape switch (mine in on an SGT 870).  Even better when combined with a disable switch.  However, I will never buy the 500 because my gun spends too much time in a discrete carrying case, and the position of the light increase the "thickness" of the gun.

Okay i'll be the DA, what is a "sphincter near eyeballs" situation?  A bad motorcycle crash?

The sphincter is what puckers up in nasty situations as in "Pucker factor". The nastier the situation, the higher the pucker. Sometimes its just up to the waist. But when it is really bad (e.g., SHF) the the sphincter puckers up to the armpits or eyeballs, or hairline or whatever.