dumb question (mating a Surefire light and Mako rails)

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - dumb question (mating a Surefire light and Mako rails)

Posted: 2/4/2011 7:27:30 PM EDT

This is my first post but this forum seems professional so here goes...

I've been toying with a Colt LE 6920 I want to buy off a family-friend with Mako drop-in rails and a Surefire M961XM07 rail-mountable flashlight. The problem I have is that the Surefire, when mounted on the rails, is loose, even when trying the light on all 4 sides of the rails and ensuring that the light's screws are completely tightened. There is a non-Mako gangster grip already on the rails that secures tightly. What rememdies are out there, short of replacing the rails, light, or picking a different weapon, in order to securely mount the light on the rails?

Posted: 2/4/2011 9:13:44 PM EDT

[#1]

I have a Surefire M951 which is similar to your light and it's hard to imagine it wouldn't tighten up on a quality rail. Between the two, Surefire flashlight and cheap Mako rail, I'd bet the rail is your problem. You could place a piece of material in the channel of the light mount when mounting to take out some of the wiggle room for a temp fix. Pictures of the rail and light /mount would be helpful.

Posted: 2/5/2011 7:07:20 AM EDT

[#2]

Did you tighten the thumb nuts using your fingers only or did you use a quarter (or other tools that is harder than your fingers) to tighten them? Are the treadings on the screws OK?

ETA: just like m4pointman said, if all failed, a shim is your friend - at least for a temporary fix.

Posted: 2/5/2011 9:00:27 AM EDT

[#3]

Can you tell me what rail this is? Is it actually a Mako rail, and if so, what is the model number. All our rails should be built to spec, and if there should be no fit issue with any device that is built correctly.

Posted: 2/5/2011 9:10:53 AM EDT

[#4]

OK, to help with the ID, is the rail one of the following? They will be marked FGR-3, NFR, or VFR if so.

Posted: 2/5/2011 12:40:26 PM EDT

[#5]

The packaging identifies the rails as:
MD-QR1
aluminum quad rail
handguards for AR15/M4

It does not however look like any of the 4 posted pictures

Posted: 2/5/2011 12:53:46 PM EDT

[#6]

Given your suggestion, I tried a quarter on the Surefire's thumbscrews. While I did get another quarter turn out of the screws, the light is no tighter on the mount. Currently searching the house for shimming material...

Posted: 2/5/2011 8:25:02 PM EDT

[#7]

Ok, does the handguard look like either of the following:

Posted: 2/5/2011 8:33:09 PM EDT

[#8]

There were three versions of the MD-QR1. The first version was excellent, and a major US manufacturer approached the company that we had building them for us and the next thing we knew our rail was their newest product at a much higher price, while we received a large order of a totally different rail system that was pretty good, but not quite as nice as the original. We sold these off and then redesigned the system, so when I know which version you have I will know what I can do for you.

Posted: 2/6/2011 8:42:37 AM EDT

[#9]

It's the smaller photo on the right, with the shark's dorsal fin on one end.

Posted: 2/19/2011 7:57:11 PM EDT

[#10]

Hey Mako- any plans on getting back to me....?
(emailed [email protected] a while ago and didnt get a response- was that the right address to write to?)

Posted: 2/19/2011 10:23:04 PM EDT

[#11]

Yes, I am trying to find out if we still have one of the older styles that we could switch out for you. If you want to email about anything technical, you can email me through the address listed at AR15.com or IM me, and I will respond. I don't want to send you another of the current ones, because you will have the same problem. Improvements are in the works. The current one is OK but it is not an outstanding design.

I can also check to see if we can give you a discount on one of our high-end rail systems, like the NFR. (In other words, the difference between the price of the two.)

Posted: 2/20/2011 5:20:23 PM EDT

[#12]

Okay great because I was worried that after our dialogue slowed that the issue was forgotten about. Definitely check into the discounted deal on your NFR model, because with great one-on-one customer service like this I'm not about to give up on Mako products.

Posted: 2/20/2011 5:43:38 PM EDT

[#13]

I'll let you know. The NFR is really nice.

Posted: 4/2/2011 5:32:25 PM EDT

[#14]

hey there, any word yet?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - dumb question (mating a Surefire light and Mako rails)

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