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Posted: 12/10/2005 12:34:37 PM EDT
Don't laugh. I am thinking about getting an inexpensive AK for home defense. What is the least expensive way to add a flashlight? I would like to go a step above duct tape.  Thanks for any help. 
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I have a znich mounted to my SLR105. It clamps to the barrel and is very sturdy, though you need some form of tape around the znich itself to keep it from slipping in the mount. Where it clamps to the barrel is rock solid though, held in place by 4 screws. Haven't tested the effect on accuracy yet but for close range obviously that won't matter. This light isn't as bright as my Z5's 65 lumens, but its bright enough to mess with your eyes in the dark. Not sure of the battery life yet, but it takes 4 AA's and comes with rechargables (naturally mine were dead when I received them). The contruction is all metal too which is nice but its also not as light as the Z5. FreedomOptics advertises an on/off switch, mine came with a pressure switch instead. Not that big of a deal I guess but I would prefer the on/off. (fyi the cable isn't long enough to reach the pistol grip so you have to stick it somewhere on the handguard. I have mine wedged into the front sling post which is fine for the moment) The cleaning rod stays in place when the znich is mounted, the design of the barrel clamp has a groove that lets the rod pass through. There is no doubt this is designed for an AK rifle  The clamp is kind of a pain to get seated correctly but you'll notice a V wedge on the top where the two halves come together, just eyeball that center with the barrel and you'll be fine, and then rotate the znich in its mount til it looks properly aligned. On the whole I like it alot. It's functional, seems well built and adds to the look of the rifle, though you can definately feel the weight on there. It's not "heavy" but its clearly felt. Z |
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You could also get one of the handguards that has a rail system on it and pickup a conventional western flashlight to mount to it. I'm thinking I saw a handguard for around 60 dollars and the Z5 goes for about 50-60 depending on where its from, so the price would probably even out if you were to go that way. I semi sorta considered that, but then I just didn't feel right about going that way with the SLR, mainly because its just too nice of a rifle imho and it felt more appropriate to keep it "soviet" style. On my WASR10, I think any flashlight duct taped on there would be plenty enough  Z |
| Thanks TX-Zen. I am thinking of the WASR route. I wanted to get the most reliable yet inexpensive setup since the rifle will be left out. By the time you build a good shotgun system it can get up in the $ and I did not want to leave an expensive gun out. If you can think of the name of the HG that takes US lights let me know. Thanks again. |
I have a Krebs rail on my Sar1 which is begging for a light, I think the rail cost me $50. They offer a wider one now.  I still need to buy some rings for a flash light. TDI makes a nice lower forend that has rails to mount a flash light with. I think magpul used to sell them. I don't have a link anymore. 
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Do you all think this would work by using different screws and just attaching it to the lower woood HG? I used one of these when I had a M4 clone and it worked ok. www.advanced-armament.com/products/ar15.asp |
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gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=41372735 Thats one of the rails I looked at for the AK, I'm sure there are others here on the board or some reviews that might suggest the best one for the money. The Krebbs in the previous photo looks great too, thats a tight package indeed. All things considered if I didn't go for the znich I am sure I would be using a lower rail like that with a western light mounted to it, but my SLR is kind of a 'project' rifle. I've spent some time and extra $$$ finding things to create something that is my ideal AK and so I'm ok with a bit of glamor over pure functionality in order to get what I consider the most kick ass AK74 I can find. Like I said earlier for my WASR I couldn't care less what it looks like as long as it works and if I had to choose what rifle endured the elements its the WASR no questions, so I agree with you there. I guess this comment from the AR rail site doesn't sit too well with me, but if you've used one already then maybe you feel more comfortable with it. "Note: While the AAC AR-15 Accessory Mounting Rail features secure mounting to the handguard, the method of securing the handguard to the weapon does not provide the necessary rigidity for mounting accessory aiming devices such as scopes and laser sights" |
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Currently I have a Znich attached to the gastube of my AK104/1, but I wish to change it with Surefire G2 or 6P on TDI weawer forend as far as I purchase last. Imho Znich is rather functional flashlight, but it is a POS comparing to Surefire. I'm glad that I payed for Znich not more than $30 - cause I bought it from my college who was happy to sell this crap to me. Ergo: Viva Surefire installed on AK. Imho – TDI is a good budget choice to do that. |
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I use the Znich myself, can ID/hit undifferentiated targets out to 100m (my tests). Had no problems installing them on my 5.45 AKs and when spaced properly you can easily access the toggle switch (no pressure pad to break) w/the forefinger and still mount a bayonet (if that's important to you). Runtime w/good NiMH rechargeables is 2h20m (my tests). Units haven't shifted at all from recoil/use. It is heavier than, say, a Surefire product but that's just a training issue and I like that it uses 'AA' batteries like all my other SHTF gear for interchangeability. Biggest downside IMHO is that you have to be careful screwing/unscrewing the endcap to change batteries as it's easy to cross-thread if you're not careful. I like 'em, they work well for my purposes. HTH... Tomac 
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Thanks Robpait
Holy Hell! The light is bigger than the gun!
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