Quick Tip: How To "Dress" a Weapon Light Remote Switch Cord
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- Brownells Gun Tech™ Caleb shows us how to secure the cord of a weapon light's remote pressure switch. After you mount the light and switch on your AR-15's handguard, there will be some slack in the cord, and that cord floppin' loose is gonna snag on something eventually. Caleb demonstrates how to cinch down or "DRESS" the cord to keep it out of the way. The first step is to use whatever wire management features your light has (if any) to tuck the cord neatly out of the way as much as you can. Next, anchor it to the handguard near the switch module using one of the home handyman's favorite problem solvers (after WD-40 and Vise-Grip pliers): zip ties. It can be a little tricky to thread the zip tie through the holes and slots in some AR-15 handguards, so Caleb shares a special trick to pull it off. Get the zip tie snug but not too tight. Leave a little slack in it so you can snip off the excess material and roll it so the sharp edge faces the inside of the handguard. Next step is to zip down the loose cord near the light itself; same process as before. And that is how a well-dressed weapon light remote switch should look!
Wondering exactly WHERE to put the light on your rifle? Check out our previous video, "Quick Tip: Where To Mount a Light on an AR-15".
And for installing a light or other accessory, "Quick Tip: How To Mount M-LOK Accessories" - Спорт
I love watching George McFly set up his AR.
The LCS has it's own cable management routing system built into it. It's my go to now, and has completely eliminated the need for the zip ties.
Exactly
I too use the channel in that LCS pressure pad mount as designed to control the cable
Same here. LCS on both of my AR’s. 👍👍
Yes, the LCS is awesome! We did a video on that method as well that we will launch next week.
Thanks for the info
I used to do avionics work, and we used zip ties for wire bundles all the time. It's standard practice for us to trim the tails off with flush cutters, 'cause that allows you to avoid leaving a sharp edge.
Great video!
is you take a pair of pliers and twist it back and worth right at the base it will break really cleanly without the sharp point
What the heck were you working on ehere zip ties were acceptable?
Clamps and wax string in my world...
@@OvertonWindex 767s, 777s, 787s, 737s, 319s, 320s, 330s, Dash 8s, Q400s, CRJs, E175s. All of them had zip tied wire bundles.
@@AlexanderEddy jeeze. A10s F15, F22, F35... no zip ties
@@OvertonWindex Interesting, I worked on a US Air Force Dash 8 that had some sneaky purpose we as contractors weren't privy to, and it had zip tied bundles. None of the types you mentioned were Boeing, Airbus, Embraer or Bombardier, so maybe it's a manufacturer's preference? I would see bundles tied with waxed lacing on older planes occasionally, and of course we'd anything in the hot zones around engines with nomex lacing, but zip ties were definitely the standard. Some of the zip ties I saw on 767s were at least 20 years old, so it doesn't seem to be a super recent change.
One of my hog lights has a longer cord that is coiled. I used heat shrink tubing on the coiled portion and also zip tied it to the rail. Works well for that particular style cord.
You have a vid of that
Nice
The Cloud Defense mount that's being used has an integrated channel to route the cable. Just a heads up.
Yup, we filmed a specific video on the Cloud Defense specific route method immediately after filming this one and why that method is so awesome.
I ended up doing this very thing with my AR light. Glad to know I’m not a idiot for doing this.
I personally hate pressure pads due to the cord, but using one was the only way I could mount the light so that I can always operate it even when I need to use a different hold in certain situations. Nice video!
Great idea. The only thing I would suggest is to put less stress on the bend from the switch to the first tie wrap. Maybe pull it out a bit so it doesn’t have an extreme bend. It is internally braided wire so I can break in due time if the bend is too extreme.
Ranger bands on my hk 416 with surefire v340 and switch pad, they are the best in my opinion
If you twist off the excess end instead of cutting it, the end will be soft instead of sharp and pointy.
Zip-ties do work great and are cheap. If you want to go fancy but highly effective, LaRue sells some clips that attach to the rail and secure the cords.
I’ve also had success with flush cutters from my soldering kit.
I always cut zip ties with nail clippers and as close as possible to the locking head. That way you never get sharp and pointy ends.
Menards has flush cutters for $2
Pliers 💯 Very common tool and easy solution to zip tie ends vs special cutting tools, found on your multitool as well!
Have a package of those LaRue clips. Hoped it would get my cable past the sharp edge of pic rails. Didn't work out. Went back to zip ties and bike tires. If you really want your weapon slick enough to move, I still haven't seen a better way.
This man is a silent kid from your class, but grown up
I just purchased my 1st AR and have watched Tons of Your videos. Very Informative and Thorough. Keep up the Good Work.
I use Gear Aid self cling camo wrap. I use a few wraps around the pressure pad for added security and tuck the cord into it. It is quick and easy.
Idk why but this made me laugh, "you buy em in packs of.... idk infinity". Also nice light 😁
Trim zip-ties with a flush cutter against the zip-tie head (few) or use a Ty-Rap® cutting tool (many).
Twist off end of zip tie with Pliers instead of cutting to avoid the residual sharp edge.
Electronic flush cutters, cut so close to the head, you never feel the edge. Ty-rap tools (the built-in cutter) always leave some sticking out.
Great video for people who don't have a Cloud Defense LCS mount. 👍
That Cloud LCS has internal channels and ambi openings for the cable practically eliminating zip ties or bands for cable management
Yes, and we filmed that one as well, it will be coming out soon.
I used zip ties for a while but have switched to ranger bands. Much more comfortable and sleek
This is the exact reason i prefer a WML with built in switches. Being ex Infantry I absolutely hate snag prone gear. That especially applies to large optics, large WMLs with tape switches, and extended charging handles.
That shit has absolutely gotten LOTS of our guys killed or horribly burned and disfigured when trying to bail from burning vehicles. Even your sling should be taped or bungee'd when not in use.
@Wayward Airsoft ....when the airsoft guy tells the Infantry guy what is not an issue on combat gear....
@Wayward Airsoft you will have to explain that to all the Special Operations personnel who have posted commentary on UA-cam talking about how they don't like tape switches because they are snag prone. Since we lack your Airsoft experience clearly there is something you can teach us all.
@Wayward Airsoft they use them for specific mission profiles. Since most of us cannot afford gear for every mission set we have universal setups. A 12 o'clock light with built-in switches is a perfect universal solution.
@Wayward Airsoft Less capable than what? For what purpose? Are you a scout? What is the use case of your AR as a citizen? Why do you not only "need" but WANT a light that has 300 yards of throw?
Reality: It. Is. A. Thing.
No wires means no snags in any scenario. And 12 o clock mount means full ambidextrousness, as well as full ability to illuminate around barriers. Which is the biggest weakness of 1-3 or 9 o clock mounting positions.
Flashlight is more likely to snag on to something than a tucked wire
Like others have already commented, the Cloud Defense set up has an integrated channel for the cable. It serves its purpose well on multiple guns and I don’t need to rely on zip ties.
Yup, check out what I commented on those.
Excellent information I've told a couple of friends about the Tactical zip tie and they laughed I will be forwarding this video
Cut up a bike innertube, and make ranger bands. Larue makes index clips for pic rails that have a inner and outer lip for light cables as well.
Why not just put a black zip tie on it and call it a day?
@@actionjksn I had some zip ties attaching the pressure pads to VFG's. Pads shift around more and not to comfy. Ranger bands you can re-use if you decide to swap stuff out in the field. The larue clips are light weight, low profile and prevent the cheese grater effect on pic rails. They hide and secure cables good as well.
Caleb, having served the same branch as I have. You probably seen guys with electrical tape or sometimes paracord as well.
I’m saying or I agree or that zip ties are the way to go but they are usually the best method. Also the Velcro ties (heat resistant) work in some areas as well, however they will eventually melt/fuse together.
Suggest using pliers to twist excess off zip ties, since it does not leave a sharp edge from cutting.
I just did my first WML, its a stream light protac whatever model, so I mounted it directly to a 3 slot picatinny section and the cable from the pressure pad was just long enough to wrap around that rail section perfectly
Larue Tactical index clips have wire keepers on them. No need for zip ties. They work great. I have them on all my rifles with pressure switches.
Everyone is saying use flush cutters for zip ties but I find nail clippers work really well too
Pliers (from multitool even) to twist off the excess works great!
How would you take the tail cap off if you zip tie the cord that tight? It looks like you would need to cut the zip ties and replace them every time.
Almost everytime one of these videos releases, atleast sometime during the same week, I had already done what the tip recommended doing! Keep up the good work.
When I tried the pressure pad, I was able to use the velcro straps to secure the wire. After some experimentation, I found I could reach the switch on the light itself with either hand.
I like the AT-4 just casually placed in the gun safe
In the Army we used electrical tape. Not pretty but worked fine. Thanks for the video!
Honest feedback…this vid should have been done using Streamlight’s included pic mount. With the LCS, even I was wondering why you didn’t use it, but I read your comment why. Still…I’ve used one additional zip tie before even with an LCS. They are cheap, so why not.
I use LaRue index clips on my one rifle with a 1913 fore-end. They have clips that retain the cable and they work great
Barrel and/or gas tube will melt those zip ties during sustained firing. If I have to wear a glove because my forend is so hot, you can be sure a zip tie won't last.
I add a dab of "auto motive silicon" between wire and sharp edges or hard turns to prevent the wire case from cutting through as well as zip ties.
Mine just hangs but those are all good ideas! I will try it ❤
I wouldn’t run my cords under the handguard next to the barrel or gas block/ gas tube, they get extremely hot and will melt your cord! Zip ties are fine, i use ranger bands….
Yessir, zip ties work just fine for me! Thanks man, stay safe God Bless ✌️ 🇺🇲
Brownells, Inc.: Rather than "tucking-in" those nasty sharp cut ends of zip-ties, no matter what size tie is used (these will *always* have razor sharp ends where they are cut w/ diag. wire cutters - which will deliver almost scalpel-like cuts to your hands, fingers, or any body part that comes near said tie cut ends), use a small butane gas heat gun to melt the sharp end to a "blob" of plastic which is no longer sharp, thus *cannot* deliver cuts when they come in contact w/ you, your hands, your fingers.
The gas powered gun to use is 'Portasol' or similar. The opening of the heat gun tip/attachment is 1/16th inch ± diameter and can direct heat to a very small location like the cut end of the small zip-ties used in this video. Due to the heat gun's tip size you are not in any danger of melting/damaging surrounding items such as the light control cord. You can still rotate the zip-tie end around such that the connecting tie end is not exposed, but should that cut end ever rotate back out - they often do - that cut end can no longer deliver a scalpel cut to you or anything else!
(Disclaimer - have used this method of solving zip-tie cut ends issue for years w/ *no* damage to surrounding materials/items. However, YMMV using a Portasol gas heat gun. The heat gun tip, if held on an object long enough, will result in complete meltdown & fire.)
I just cut zip ties flush with the mounting boss. No sharp edges.
I use the wire management from Manta Defense. Feels pretty good to use and doubles as a rail cover.
Tweezers/Hemos and a fine pick work great during the fishing process.
Pliers work great as well, just twist off the excess and no sharp edges left behind
Strike ind. Has rubber banfs that hav e slots to hold the cords, they work great, and m loc panels that also have hold slots
While I love Elzetta lights, their tape switches are not nearly as nice as other manufacturer's.
Fortunately, their tape switch fits perfectly in the Cloud Defensive LCS for the Surefire (I think it's the Surefire, whichever the smaller of the two is), and it has a substantial amount of cord management capability built in, which simplifies it.
$70 bucks aint nothing to sneeze at for just a tape switch holder, but it's very well-made in America, and I dont have to think about it once it's set up properly. Cloud defensive also has great warranty so you'll never need another tape switch management system unless you want one for a different gun.
Cloud Defense and Streamlight both have cable routing built in. Cloud Defense lights comes with the LCS routes the cable. Streamlight has a channel to the side of their rubber securing piece that you can route the cable through, I just use those. Surefire doesn't but Cloud Defense does offer a LCS for that(but zip tie is cheaper, $60 and a $2 solution, so I use zip ties for surefire). that pretty much covers the big three. not sure about Modlite and Arisaka.
the rubber does have a channel AND the pressure pads have a 1/8" grove /channel that the ties are meant to sit in
Is there enough slack to get the tail cap off to replace the battery?
The Arisaka 300 light mount has the perfect length cord even for the MP5k barrel length and short Midwest Industries m-lok handguard.
I JUST mounted my o light after having it several months and was kind of stuck on this very issue! I’m not exactly sure how to mount the remote, I’ll have to look for the vid you referenced! Thanks!
Arson machine co makes great solutions for cable management. My go to
Looks like the zip ties are close to the barrel, wont it melt them?
Got to admit my wire management is EXCELLENT clean no tape or zip ties may use an ranger band if needed OCD don't help but HEY!😂
Keep up the great tutorials. Go with, what works for you!
Strike Gear: Cable Management System Sleeve at Strike Industries work great.
I did zip ties and then used gaffers tape to wrap everything. Slight tacky grip, zero sheen, and everything is wrapped securely. Also have more gaffers tape for other things you need as well. Just my $.02. Oh, and invest in flush cut snips. They're cheap and no "scalpels" on the zip ties
For a temporary solution, ranger bands or Velcro cable ties that loop into themselves work great as well. Keep in mind, these solutions are only temporary.
If you use flush cutters correctly there will be no sharp edge, although you should still rotate the tie so the joint isn't visible.
Pliers to twist off the end of a zip tie also avoids sharp edges.
I just cut a strip of bicycle tire innertube and tuck the wire under that. I've had zip ties break or melt too many times.
I love the demographic haircut and clothing choices of these videos lol
Can you do a separate video on best practices for mounting that AT4 to your AR?
When he said, The first thing we need to do before messing with any zip ties, I was screaming in my head....
Don't say safety glasses!
Don't say safety glasses!
Don't say safty glasses!
The LCS could have been flipped to wire forward, capture the cord in the mount, and it wouldve been perfectly captured. No zip ties needed. Step up your game, Brownells
Use needle nose pliers to twist off the zip tie end so it doesn't leave a sharp exposed edge ;)
Question - would the zip ties and your light cord melts once the barrel gets hot since they made is plastic ?
Tender, manicured PORCELAIN HANDS are sweet paws.
Rock A Billy gunsmiths!
Caleb, Do you prefer the remote switch with the pressure towards the muzzle as you show or towards the breech and why? Thanks
Do you do anything to prevent the forward loop of cord from protruding into a handguard slot and getting too close to the barrel?
Yeah, sure Caleb you can get the REGULAR zip ties at Hrbr Freight or Wally World in large packs for just pennies. BUT, (and this is important) if you're a Tactical Operator and you want to operate TACTICALLY and OPERATIONALLY, you buy the Tactical Operator's brand Zip Ties---heck, they're endorsed by Rangers, Seals, AND the FWI&I (Feds Who Infiltrate and instigate). You can find them at places where Secret Agents and Tactical Operators buy theirs for only $24.99 for a 3-Pack. Thanks on behalf of us regular people though.
You can wrap that cord very well with no need for zip tie
Get a tiny pair of end nippers, grind them so the bevel of the cutting edge on the front goes away. They pull a little and the cut with no sharp edge.
It’s the cannon in the safe for me 👍😂
I believe my barrel would melt that cord in a heartbeat if the excess was tucked inside the rail.
Don't underestimate the simplicity of velcro. Sometimes there's no picatinny where you'd like to put the pressure pad itself. Velcro works great for that.
And don't run the cable up against your gas tube, touching it. It will melt haha
Hi Caleb. Zip ties are great but I would strongly advise cutting them with flush cut clippers. So many people in industry have gotten really nasty slices prior to this practice being used. The cut is flush and no sharp edges.
Just like I stated in the video?
Caleb Savant Pliers to twist off the excess of zip ties avoids sharp edges as well… also often a more accessible tool!
Where did you get that mount for the rifle to sit on? That looks perfect for cleaning.
You have the cloud defensive pressure switch mount there that has the cable
Management channels… why not use that? That is my go to on all of my carbines that have lights. Plus a zip tie if needed.
Tucking is a skill.
Clicky tail cap - problem solved 👌 👌
If you use a pair of side cutters and twist at the zip tie’s tie point, it leaves an edge that is not sharp.
Great Video... What stand is that?
What about when you fire alot of rounds and you have the gas tube and barrel extremely heat, it wouldn't melt the zip tie or the cable?
Why are you using zip ties when the Cloud Defense has a built in channel for the cable management? This video should be for the mounting system that comes with the Streamlight light.
Two words: Cloud Defensive
I guess he's trying to show a generic way of doing this,, but the LCS has cable management built in. Even the rubber mounts the Pro Tac comes with have cable management built in. Zip ties work, but they will degrade in UV light and if they get hot. The barrel and gas tube both get hot.
Bad idea, when your barrel will heat up after couple hundreds rounds, it will melt down the wires easy, because the way you did that wires will attached to the hot barrel any way. So I wouldn't do this for sure ! You are welcome :)
Keep up the good work
wouldn't a sever bend in the cable like that cause a short eventually? looking at it makes me uneasy.
The whole video it’s about 2 zip ties, priceless
I've been using ranger bands
Won't the heat from the barrel in time wear down all that wire jammed up against it.
Great video Caleb! What are some of the best tactical weapon mounted lights you would recommend?!?
Run tail cap only like a real man that’s how!
What’s the name of that stand please would like to buy one .
Bicycle inner tube cut to3/4 inch work great and won’t get melted by a hot gas tube
I heard those are called Ranger Bands! 😀 Ranger survival guy mentions those often
Thomas and betts ty wraps have a stainless ratchet tab and the body is nylon not cheap chinese recycled plastic like most wire ties. If you want good ones check em out.
Get yourself a pair of flush cuts and you won't have to worry about sharp edges.
zip ties...got it, thank you.
well done great job !
It’s better to use rail covers. Magpul has some that have a channel for the chord. You can also use black rubber bands. Zip ties are kinda tacky and put more wear on the chord/metal
Oh! There are also stainless zip ties if you are uncomfortably close to the gas system.
What is the firearm resting on?
I avoid zip ties at all costs.
They have a tendency to cut into your cables over time thereby rendering your illumination device completely useless.
Less is more when it comes to my "go-to" tools. I simply route the cable underneath the tape switch using the low-point notches in between the top picatinny rail.
Yes, I am aware that this may be hard to imagine without visual representation but I assure you it is legitimate. I have yet to have any issues with this setup.
There are no tag-ends to worry about snagging on any obstacles. Furthermore, there are no zip ties or duct tape to be found on my platforms. I always view duct tape*, zip ties and rubber bands (Ranger bands) as temporary fixes - _never_ to be relied upon for long term effectiveness.
FWIW, I did entertain the idea of these Cloud Defense cable management products. However, I strive to keep as little kit on my rifle as possible.
Stay classy my friends.
*EDITED for misspelling.
Good points… if you can route the cables better & secure to avoid snags… but that may take unique solutions to every instance vs this standard solution