Making The Great, Even Better.

This is a New and Continuing Section of My Blog Related to Providing Useful and Helpful Information, Suggestions and Recommendations That Will Hopefully Enhance The Readers Knowledge and Use of Guns and Gun Accessories. I will Be Adding To This Section Regularly on a Variety of Subjects. I Hope You Like It! Your Feedback and Suggestions are Welcomed.   {Doc’ }

Doc’s Gun Guide

Information & Suggestions To Improve Your Shooting Experience.
___________________________________________________

Article # 01: April 12, 2009
By: Doc’

Improving The Functionality of The Command Arms Forward Grip Flashlight Adapter
________________________________________

Click Here To View The Command Arms Forward Grip Flashlight Adapter (FGA)

Command Arms Accessories manufactures many high quality weapons accessories for today’s shooting enthusiasts, one of my favorites is the Forward Grip Flashlight Adapter. The CAA – FGA easily and quickly mounts on any Picatinny rail and is uniquely designed to serve as a multi-function Forward Grip Platform which combines a 1″ – 1.08″ tactical light mount and vertical grip all in one. A thumb activated push button located on the upper rear of the grip operates the lights on/off switch and allows for constant on or signaling while maintaining a firm grasp on the vertical grip. Removable side plates utilize a rubber surface to enable installation of a pressure switch from an optional laser sight underneath either the left or right side plate. It also has built-in recessed areas on both sides of the grip which accepts the optional 2″ screw-locked Picatinny rail for mounting a laser sight. The grip cavity serves as a storage space for extra batteries which are held securely in place by an O-ring sealed screw cap.
Pat. Pending.

The CAA – FGA offers a very useful and practical mounting platform for combining three separate functions into a single, easy to use accessory. A Stable Forward Grip, Tactical Light, and Laser Sighting all in one.  A “Must Have”!

When I purchased my FGA, I also installed the optional 2″ Picatinny rail in order to add a laser sight.

I chose the UTG-SCP-LS169 Tactical Green Laser Sight (Still Available At Bullszeye Tactical for the lowest price anywhere) because of it’s excellent daytime visibility, range of operation and affordable price. Green lasers are far superior to traditional red lasers because they are clearly visible in full daylight and will not give away the shooters position during night or foggy conditions.
 
 When I mounted the laser sight, I immediately noticed that the excess coiled cable extending from the laser pressure switch presented a potentially dangerous problem. Lasers and some tactical lights, are equipped with fairly long cables (Optional) to allow for mounting on multiple different weapons. By mounting the laser on the FGA I had no need for the extra cable but could not find a shorter length cable to replace it with. The only options were to either cut & splice the existing cable to a shorter length (not recommended for many reasons) or, to simply wrap the excess cable around the forearm of the weapon. Neither of these options were acceptable for me, wrapping the cable would create the risk of getting it snagged on something when the weapon was in use. This risk is especially unacceptable if (God Forbid) you ever find yourself in a combat situation. Excess cable is also unsightly and unattractive.

To remedy this problem, I devised a simple modification to the CAA-FGA which completely conceals the excess cable and greatly improves the overall functionality, safety and appearance. This process takes only 5 minutes.

1. Remove the FGA bottom screw cap and then slide the pressure switch pad covers downward to remove them. This will expose the recessed pressure switch slot on either side of the FGA.
  

2. Use a ½” bit to drill a hole at the top of the pressure switch pad slot large enough to accept the sensor pad. This hole should be no larger than the inside dimensions of the slot. A standard pressure switch is usually ½” x 2 ¾”.

3. Using a 1/8″ wide saw blade (or other suitable cutting tool) cut a ½” long x 1/8″ wide opening/slit in the lower (bottom) edge of the pressure switch recess. Be sure to place this opening precisely in the center of the bottom edge. 

4. Using a small fine grit file, taper the TOP end of the opening you just cut so that it angles in an upward direction. (Towards the upper drilled hole) to allow for the cable to lie evenly and smoothly when in place. (This step can also be done by simply angling the direction of the saw blade as you cut it)

5. Using a fine grit file or emery paper, taper and smooth all cut edges to prevent chaffing or cutting of the pressure switch cable.

6. Securely mount the laser to the side Picatinny rail of the FGA.

7.  Feed the pressure switch cable through the ½” hole downward through the cavity of the FGA until all of the cable is extended leaving only the appropriate length exposed from the rear of the laser to the top of the recessed slot. (The FGA has a factory installed 1/8″ groove above the pressure pad cover designed to accept the cable from the laser)

8. Tuck the excess cable neatly back into the cavity of the FGA leaving the pressure switch pad plus about ½” extending from the bottom of the cavity.

9. Gently wrap the pressure switch pad in an upward direction so that it rests inside the slot of the FGA. Gently place the tail end of the cable inside the 1/8″ opening you cut at the bottom of the pad slot and tuck any remaining cable into the cavity of the FGA. 

10. Reinstall the rubber pressure switch covers and screw the bottom cap back on to hold everything securely in place.

That’s it, Modifications complete. Nice and Neat!

 
(Note: Some sensor pads are too wide to allow for this modification. One could replace a sensor pad lead with an appropriate sized pad to allow for this modification assuming the replacement lead is compatible with the type of laser used.)

Bullszeye Tactical.net 

Command Arms Accessories 

Tags: 2nd Amendment, GOA, Gun Owners Rights, Guns, Guns And Ammo, Mr. 2nd Amendment, NRA, Second Amendment