What is the best way to mount a light to an MSAR?  Preferably a TLR1

3" accessory rail gives you multiple mounting locations for a TLR-1 along the right side of the rifle. You can locate it so the rocker switch is accessible w/your trigger finger and/or run a tapeswitch forward to the vertical foregrip.
Here's a pic of an STG w/that exact setup:


However, I prefer to use the 9" accessory rail so I can easily access a taclight's tailcap switch w/the thumb of my support hand:

HTH...
Tomac

I have the 9" side rail.  I need to take a new pic, I have since added a Warne 90 degree rail adapter on the very end (Brownell's sells 'em).  Positions the light right next to your left thumb...  If you have long thumbs the 9" rail may be sufficient.  I will try to throw a new pic up later today with the 90 degree deal on.

Tomac, is that the El Zetta mount?  How is that one, I was thinkin of trying one.

Good eye! Yep, it's the Elzetta ZORM which has less offset than the other mounts I've tried so it positions the light closer to the VFG making it easier to access w/the thumb of your support hand. Great mount, got it on all the STG's now.
Tomac

Is there a way to mount on the left side?

Not that I'm aware of. Not only are there no rail mounting points on the left side but you risk interfering w/the charging handle as well.
Tomac

Get a 2020 grip rail and mount a light directly to it or use an offset rail to move it to the side.

Thanks,
Lee

The best result I could get with my TLR-2 was with mounting it on the front end of the MSAR 9" side accessory rail.  It is far enough to the side at that point where you do not get "barrel or muzzle shadow" when your light is on.  The rocker switch on it is easy to manipulate with the thumb of your support hand while using a full grip on the VFG with your thumb coming around from behind the VFG to manipulate it.  



I mounted it my TLR-2 on my Inventure Concepts Tri-Rail and I didn't like it on there since there was too much barrel shadown as the rails of the Inventure Concepts Tri-Rail are closer to the barrel than the MSAR 9" side rail that stick out to the side more.  I ended up going with a Nitecore R2 Extreme (200 lumen constant and momentary, 220 lumens strobe) in a Gear Sector low profile mount with a custom made adapter to the mount.  I dig this set-up because I can press the pressure pad of the light with my thumb in a vfg break grip rather than the full grip you need with the stock STG/E4 vfg.  The offset mount takes care of the barrel shadow issue as well.  



I've seen other folks use offset mounts in a 2020 grip rail where it offsets from the bottom of that rail as well.  

Thanks, all.  You've given me a bunch to think about.
Is there a good source for the 9" rail?  I already have the TLR-1, and a good way to  mount it on other rifles and a Storm carbine.
Just holding it, I may be able to access it with my thumb on the 9".
Moon

I've been using scope rings for year, personally....





 

Before you buy a 9" rail you can test the position out by bumping your 6" rail forward so it only attaches with two screws.  If that works for you then you can buy the 9" rail with confidence it will work for you.

Go to GunBroker.com and do a search for "msar rail". Keep an eye out for rails sold by "shootnstar".
HTH...
Tomac

I really like mounting my light above the barrel.  Since MSAR isn't making an E4 extended any time soon, I'm considering trying one of these:



Or using an AUG bayonet lug along with one of these:

What muzzle device is this?

It's the Claymore from Troy Industries.

As MTguns said, a 6" rail, mounted to the two forward Heli-Coil hardpoints is all you need. LaRue makes an offset mount for Surefire 6P &tc. that works fine for me, and is QD, and is seemingly bombproof. Pay close attention to everything Tomac has to say, and note how he's routed his sling over the receiver and under the rail to get it out of the way of the charging handle ...

This is by far the slickest light mount I have seen.

http://www.gearsector.com/browse/category/mounts/flashlight-mounts/surefire-6p-mounts/

Also, if you are using the Aimpoint Micro with the Larue mount, the streamlight TLR-1and surefire X300 fit on the top rail and not get in the way of the sight. It also doesn't make a wide gun alot wider. This only applies if you aren't using BUIS, which I don't. With the battery life, ruggedness, and repeatability of the current mil spec red dots, BUIS are a waste of money IMHO. Save your money and buy a spare red dot. Once sighted in, your spare should be able to be removed and re-attached with 1 MOA repeatablility.

BIG +1



I am VERY happy with my Gear Sector Light Mount and Jason over at Gear Sector is just a nice guy who was really easy to deal with.  I purchased a mount from them that was for a non-surefire light (my Nitecore Extreme R2) and when I had issues trying to fit it into the mount I was able to call up Jason and he let me exchange for one of the larger Gear Sector Mounts no problem.  The thing is light weight and has no more bulk than you need so there is no nut or anything that is going to stick out and interfere with another accessory you might have mounted.  



In fact, Gear Sector was so cool they didn't ask for me to pay the cost of shipping the exchange mount. That's how nice they are over there. Can't say enough good things about Gear Sector's quality and customer service.  As an MSAR owner I'm pretty spoiled with customer service and so the bar is set high, but Gear Sector definitely meets and exceeds expectations.  



Purchase with confidence folks.

Here's my setup.

nsnate02, how do you like that mount? It looks like this one: http://www.lightjunction.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29&products_id=98 I had looked at it and a couple of different lights on this sight, but I was really not sure about the mount. Thanks for the input.

Same as this one but this one is a lot less. http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.33823. I like it. I figured for a light mount I didn't need something really fancy and it is easy to get on and off if needed. It's solid and holds the light in the right position. The Viking Tactics looks like a good deal as well. http://www.vikingtactics.com/prod_vtac_lightmount.html

I really like the Viking Tactics mount.  It weighs nothing and is a quality product.

I ordered this mount and a Cree  LED drop-in for my old Pelican light. The mount and the drop-in came to a grand total of $15 shipped... Thanks for the link. If it works and holds up, great. If not, I won't be too butt-hurt about it. I'm running my TLR-1 on it right now.

+1 on the viking tactics mount.  I have two of these and I like them quite a bit.  There is no quick release but i guess that just means I won't leave the light off my gun and end up needing it.  Keep Mr. Murphy at bay.