AVATactical.com

Wow. I mean, that is an incredibly ambitious project. The changes are so extreme, it's hardly an M4 anymore. Not only from aesthetics, but more importantly from a functionality standpoint. Not a knock, just that the changes are such that new data is required to evaluate the platform. Looking forward to hearing more.

Sweet setup!

Seriously considering one of these. I have a Leupold deltapoint on one of my HD rifles. The reason is the Deltapoint comes on when you move the firearm. This is excellent defensive setup. The Aimpoints solve it with extremely long battery life. Does the RMR do this? To my knowledge the Delta was the only mini site like this that did that, but I am often wrong. Is this mount compatible with Delta? I don't know enough about the patterns.

Hey Aggie - Sorry for the slow response, I have been traveling for the holidays, etc. I had a friend take this - I know it's not on the left side, I think this demonstrates where it would sit, etc. I can probably get more pictures in a few days if needed. Joel @ AVA http://i.imgur.com/ZwfeXKJ.jpg

Looking forward to SD's thoughts on this. It looks really well done, and I am likely to add one of these to my M4.

I want to see this. There are enough different rail mounts for it out there I am certain it can be done. Maybe I will keep that rail on there for 2.0.

The costs to make something like that for just a few would be prohibitive. You're talking about $2000 in machining to make at that volume. I can say that because I had three prototypes made when developing the product. The question then becomes - is a custom mount solution worth 2k to you - or is it more palatable to consider other lights? Only you can decide what is right for you. The mount, BTW, is ambidextrous. You can mount with the rail on either side of the firearm. And you can mount the TLR series with it. The only problem is your light ring side will either go unused or you will need to find some other utility for it.

Appreciate the interest. It really comes down to if you have a prefernce for a specific light or not. If not, do you prefer a particular size - the main catagories being E Series / Scout which are .8 Inch vs 6 Series or 1 Inch lights. There are many compatible clones and series made with these basic formats. My favorite configuration is the E Series with the KE2-A emitter, it is a very compact package. But the way the light is tucked in, the 1 inch lights don't protrude much either. There is a shadow, however. It does not bother most. The placement that the AVA uses allows activation of the light without a remote switch, is also ideal for mounting surface as well as sling placement. I did consider for a bit, making one that clamped to the front barrel hanger - but this would have been a significantly less popular choice. Volume is already a challenge with anything specifically for the M4. AVA

Maybe I am a gear nut. Yea, I am. No doubt. Either way, I agree - I need a light on the majority of my firearms. Long range, practice, target systems possibly excluded. There are folks that use the factory sling loop with the AVA mount. On the topic of QD Slings - anyone happen to notice the announcement of the new forged aluminium QD sling loop? Look like very nice kit. Jealous I didn't think of it first, but alas they have time to execute and I do not. ALG Defense.

NICE work!

I appreciate the support. I may look into such a funding program, I know I briefly looked at a few of them last time around - but bailed when I saw a few ammo mag projects get the boot from one of the fund websites due to anti-gun terms of service type nonsense. Either way, I look forward to being able to deliver the next gen.

Timeline is the real question here. When I can dedicate the time to implementing changes and then putting them through a series of prototypes and testing before I can bring to production. Since we don't have other manufacturers (that do this sort of thing full time) I decided to step up and implement the design myself when I was able to find the time. Took about a year or so to do the first time around. Now, really it's going to come down to finding that time again. I've tinkered with the designs in CAD a tiny bit. But honestly I haven't gotten very far yet - and nowhere near where I need to be to be able to say I have a completed design and can get a physical item cut. I wish I could put more time into this right away - the product means a lot to me, but it is likely going to be well into 2015 before I can get things really moving along. I have some lessons learned I can take advantage of to save time during manufacturing, but I have to get to the point I ready with final designs first. I do appreciate the interest, I will update everyone here first as soon as I can. Thank You Joel @ AVA

Nothing for production quite yet. Likely to be some time before changes can be implemented on machine parts and tested. I promise updates will hit here first!

I don't like the M4 build out in the video. No sir. However, I am pretty certain Instructor Zero is the real deal. Former Italian SF. I suppose that could be misinformation, but it seems that way to me. Either way, I don't want to get into a gun fight with him, that's for sure.

That's correct, it was conceived by a member here. I modeled it using the model data I already have for the M4, the Mount and the Lights and just a few samples were cut to determine efficacy, etc. It's doubtful more will be made as there are some other ideas in the works to address light retention long term without the use of snap rings, shrink wrap, etc. Joel @ AVA

SD - Great write up. Much appreciated. Dsteagall - I took the head off the P2X I have for testing. I found an odd adhesive when I took it off, there is also a copper ring that fell out that looks like it is for contact purposes and a very loose rubber O-ring that I had to cajole repeatedly during the re-installation of the head to keep it in place. Did you experience anything similar? Joel @ AVA

That's a good question. I can estimate it. Let me see what numbers I can pull. Here's what I know at the moment - 1.25 bezel diameter won't contact the barrel while 1.37 bezel will under recoil. So it's less than .06 Inch / 1.5 mm that we are talking about. Joel @ AVA

Hi Pack Rat - That certainly is too large of a bezel. The Fury at 1.37 is on the edge of touching the barrel and will under recoil. It can be shimmed away, as some have done but not part of the design.

Pack Rat - Do you know the bezel diameter of the Elzetta Bravo? Their website does not have this information, that I could find. Joel

Absolutely, these slick lights have been walking. Even textured lights have walked without 50-60 in lbs of torque with mag loads, etc. I have a prototype ring that replaces the factory sling ring that fixes this as well. The snap rings work 100% as well. A textured clamp will solve it too. In my testing, using 50 in lbs and shrink wrap or some duct tape, trimmed so you cannot even see it, prevents the slick lights from walking. I plan to do something permanent...

My condolences, friend. I sent you an email regarding the Fury. Talk soon.

Needs a light.

It depends on purpose. For indoors, 120 is usually perfect. More and you can blind yourself from bounce back off of white walls, smoke, etc. Remember it wasn't that long ago and 120 was more than one could get from a weapon mounted light. Now, you can add a KE2-A emitter to a L4 Lumamax to get 500 lumens if needed. This would be the most cost effective way to get a AVA E Series setup with 500 lumens. Unless you want to hunt for a used E Series body on ebay/CPF forums, etc.

Hi M2 - I am sure others will have suggestions as well. For the .8 Inch mount the most common light is going to be a Surefire E Series. The simplest way to get into a workable configuration of the E Series to work with the AVA mount is the L4 Lumamax. Of course if you already have an emitter, you can buy a used E Series body on ebay, etc. Joel @ AVA

We have a winner! Post #57 takes it. Congratulations Dan GSR !! Thanks to everyone that participated. Dan GSR please PM me with your preference on mount configuration and your shipping details. Thanks again.