We just found out from Quantico Tactical that the SureFire Scout Light is now authorized for use with USAF weapons. For years, the only authorized weapon light for rifles and carbines was the Insight M3X. These SureFire Scout Light Kits are authorized for use on ALL M4/M4A1s throughout the Air Force, not just Security Forces and are a unit purchase. I’m told told pricing is very competitive for the SureFire light and a unit can get the aluminum light and remote switch for less than the incumbent light. This is big news for Airmen, regardless of command. I know EOY is right around the corner, but this is something worth looking at.
The most recent USAF Small Arms and Light Weapons (SA/LW) Accessories List (Dated 15 April 2016) authorizes the below two configurations of the battle-proven Surefire Scout Light for use on all M4/M4A1s throughout the entire US Air Force.
M600 KIT 01 Consists of a Surefire M600V Scout Light coupled with a DS-SR07D-IT tailcap/remote switch. This combination gives you 350 Lumens of Visible Light and 120mW of IR illumination in a 7.2 ounce rugged hardcoat anodized package. The tailcap/tapeswitch controls both your Scout Light and PEQ-15. Additional feature include momentary or constant on via the rail-grabber waterproof switch, clock on/off on the tailcap and a system disable feature. Mounts directly to a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny Rail and uses two CR123A batteries.
M600 KIT 02 consists of a Surefire M600U coupled with a UE07 tape switch. For those whose mission requires only visible light, this combination gives you 600 lumens of visible, focused light, a 7” remote tape switch and Surefire’s rugged durability. Mounts directly to a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny Rail and uses two CR123A batteries.
Both configurations are available on Quantico Tactical’s GSA schedule, or for those who wish to use MILSTRIP/MIPRs via Quantico’s Defense Logstics Agency TLS Contract for Special Operational Equipment.
Quantico is running an introductory special GSA price of $399.25 for KIT 01 (Visible and IR) and $250.26 for KIT 01 (Visible).
For more information, download the flyer or e-mail GovtOps@QuanticoTactical.com
Tags: Quantico Tactical, Surefire
Please excuse my ignorance on this.
So in the USAF SOF supply they only would order the Insight M3X then? I thought the M3X was a handgun light? I’m surprised not all “SOF” regardless of branch were restricted to only certain products. I thought Surefire was used SOCOM wide.
I’m sorry, I made a mistake specifying the M3X.
However, you are misunderstanding who pays for what. USAF equipment is paid for out of several pots of money or Major Force Programs. These include 1,2,4 and 11. SOF is MFP-11 Dollars. Using MFP-11 Dollars a unit can buy what it is authorized via MFP-11 but the vast majority of the USAF is not SOF. Consequently, the Air Force as a service dictates what is authorized for its MFP-2 or General Purpose Force program funded units.
So then units besides AFSOC-SOF use tactical lights on their weapons as well?
Thank you for the enlightenment.
It is mandated by the Security Forces Center. All SFS squadrons should have weapon lights and an IR pointer (think PEQ 15) on M-4s.
They are authorized to have them. Whether they use them or not is another matter. I know GAWS (PJs) do as well as TACPs and neither of those are SOF. Additionally, quite a few Security Forces Squadrons use them, at least deployed.
Good news. But now they should ditch that standard 1913 mount. I know some units have :-).
It is doubtful that you will see a universal move away from the 1913 rail to in the near future for general issue (e.g. M4A1 Carbine) in the near future, if at all due to the logistical cost, training and requirement to issue tools.
While some units have adopted Key Mod and M-LOC systems, they are not conventional units in nature.
While I agree that incorporating hand guards with Key Mod and M-LOC mounting systems provide a weight savings by allowing the end user to only add rail sections where required, this would be a nightmare for the average Pvt. Joe Snuffy who will lose sections/tools, strip threads etc.
Such as?
I believe he was referring to Key Mod and M-LOC hand guards which allow the user to install 1913 rail sections where the need them.
Like I said, good for those units who have the leeway to use them, bad for conventional kids.
Kinda like putting a Marine in a room with no windows or doors with a ball bearing. Within a half an hour he’ll eat it, steal it, break it, or lose it.
Oh dear God, no. I wasn’t referring to the rail itself. That’s a battle I would rather not be involved in (although I do believe it merits discussion).
I was only referring to the mount itself.
So, what you’re suggesting ditching the thumb screw for something else?
Yes. Especially some of the QD mounts that provide options for loadout like offsets.
I was asking for an example of units that dont use 1913. The units with the leeway to use keymod . . .use 1913.
The USAF publishes a “USAF Aothroized Small Arms & Lightweight Weapons (SA/LW) Accessories List which lists items authorized for various weapons, authorized uses (community or all) and who pays for the items.
Previous to now, the only “authorized” light for use an M4/M4A1s throughout the USAF was the Insight M3X with tape switch remote. So yes, for a decade, the only “authorized” light for all USAF users was a pistol light adapted to use on a rifle.
The SA&LW Accessories list added the two Surefire Scout Light kits as authorizes for ALL M4/M4As throughout the USAF, so they are NOT restricted to Security Forces only; if you have an M4/M4A1, the Scout Light is authorized. The accessories list also states that procurement of lights uses unit funds.
So now, the USAF can use a light which was designed from the ground up as a rifle light to withstand the rigors of combat.
Also note there are two options, a Visible & IR combo and a Visible light only. Further, the Visible & IR combo comes with a dual remote switch which controls both the Scout Light and your PEQ-15.
^ This is all that matters. I could buy any light I wanted with unit funds, that was never an issue. Mounting anything other than the Insight was a no go (I am not counting the even worse off pelican that was allowed). From the end user point of view, this has nothing at all to do with money.
This is a good move as technology has surpassed some of the original SOPMOD kit. And in my opinion, the Surefire dual remote switch is much better than the one that came in the SOPMOD kit.
A better one would be exploring weapon lights and lasers that use AA batteries which are pretty much universally available.
While the CR123A is a good battery, there are few capable manufacturers which creates a DMSMS issue, not to mention all the restrictions associated to shipping them. The latter of which is odd because you can always seem to fly them into country, but not out.
I would also like to see “sacrificial battery sleeve” added into the requirement so that if you have a battery that leaks, it doesn’t destroy the system.
A low profile remote switch that not only allows you to activate your weapon light and laser, but visible laser as well without having to flip switches would be great also.
“A low profile remote switch that not only allows you to activate your weapon light and laser, but visible laser as well without having to flip switches would be great also.”
We understand that one…TNVC’s and Unity’s TAP’s (Tactical Augmented Pressure Switch) is in its final testing phase.
The shipping issue is only going to get bigger, I think. ICAO, FAA regs on lithium battery shipping are absurdly restrictive. I completely understand the need for regulating transport, but not to the degree that they have.
Surefire has a Scout Light which uses AA batteries. Once can use either Alkaline or Lithium AA batteries. These were developed for shipboard use or in remote areas where shipping Lithium batteries is problematic.
As for “general” military use, it is useful to have battery interchangeability between lights and PEQ on the same weapon.
The new L3/Insight NGAL uses both AA or CR123A batteries. So, it along with Surefire’s AA light would be perfect.
The issue is “switchology”
For example, the BE Meyers MAWL is pretty well thought out IRT user interface, but still requires you to strap a weapon light remote somewhere. This means that you need to move your hand, or as in some of their product literature, attach the switch with some field expedient method which is not a good solution.
The problem is getting companies to play with each other.
Hopefully if the NGAL takes off, someone like Unity who isn’t a competitor with Surefire or L3 can make a remote for it.
This approved for use list should be like the jumping list. just pile it on and let the end user make the decision that best suits them. My team and I, with inputs from our CATM are very capable of putting a quality light on our M4’s. This list has hamstrung us more than once when trying to purchase improvements for our weapons.
Am I supposed to be happy that in 2016 I am finally authorized to have a light that has been out for years on my weapon? Come on, remove the red tape already.