I like vfg's on my AR's, but I've struggled w/finding a light setup that I really like.
Until recently, best I could do (w/o using a pressure switch which I really want to avoid) was mounting a light at 9 o'clock and bringing my support-side thumb over and up to reach the switch. Doable but not optimal.
Enter the Colt WML. It has 3 features that really appeal to me:
Uses AA batteries (my WML's are the only thing that uses CR123's, everything else I have uses AA's).
400 lumen output (even the Surefire M600 AA only puts out 200 lumens).
Modular w/reversible offset mount that allows me to position the switch where it's easily accessible w/o contorting my thumb. Supposedly you can run the Colt WML shorter (remove a section) w/a single AA at reduced output, but there was nothing on the box about it either way.
I have mine set w/the mount to the rear and the bezel just barely forward of the FSB, places my bbl shadow at 10:30 (which I prefer to a 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock shadow).
I compared the output to a Streamlight RM1 (350 lumens) and output is near-identical, but the RM1's throw pattern seems a bit better (the Colt's pattern has a ring within the peripheral throw; nothing major but there nonetheless).
The Colt's switch has no guard. At first this bothered me until I put some time behind it. It takes deliberate effort to activate the momentary-on and very deliberate effort to activate constant-on, so I'm no longer bothered by the lack of a guard.
I don't care for the unusual remote jack protruding the way it does. I can live w/it, but I'd rather have a std clicky-tailcap switch instead of the unwanted/unneeded remote jack.
It's relatively heavy at 8oz, but I can live w/that. I like that it's so low profile, really hugging my Magpul MOE handguards.
I'm hoping to get in a couple of night shoots sometime soon so I can properly evaluate the throw, beam pattern & switch use during live fire.
I don't see the Colt WML as anywhere near being a Surefire/Streamlight killer, but it does offer some unique features that make it suitable for a niche market (like me!) where other available options won't do.
ETA: Like some Streamlights, it's made in the PRC and I paid $124 at GrabAGun (I spend way too much money there!
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Tomac
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