Kyle Lamb Shows Us How To Run A Carbine Weapon Light (ft. SureFire)

Range setup, SureFire turbo light, and gear overview

The session takes place at Royal Range on a 50-yard indoor range that was converted from an old movie theater. The event is hosted with SureFire and features instruction from Viking Tactics’ Kyle Lamb. A short-barreled Mark 18 upper is run on a Mark 18 pistol lower due to legal considerations, though an SPR would have been preferred for this environment. The focus is on running carbine drills with a SureFire turbo weapon light, which is noticeably brighter than standard M600 or 640 lights. The turbo model has very high candela and a tightly focused beam. Previous content has covered the difference between lumens and candela, and this session builds on that by heating up the guns, running the suppressor hard, and applying the light in practical drills.

Weapon light activation methods and mounting considerations

Kyle Lamb explains the importance of becoming familiar with the issued carbine and how the weapon light is activated. He prefers using the tailcap switch on the back of the light rather than pressure pads, citing past durability issues with remote switches, though he notes SureFire has improved them. Using the built-in switch allows activation with either hand and makes it easy to leave the light on when shooting strong- or support-hand only. He mentions experimenting with top-mounted switches that can be pushed directly, but remains most comfortable with the tailcap. Lamb cautions against mounting lights on the bottom of the gun, as that can create height-over-bore issues around vehicles and cause a V-shaped shadow from the suppressor that obscures a target’s demeanor. He prefers mounting the light high right or high left, ideally high right, to improve visibility and work more effectively around vehicles.

Fundamental carbine drills with light use and target transitions

Shooters are brought to the line and instructed to load, make ready, and ensure safeties are on. Even in a lit indoor range, Lamb emphasizes that a weapon light can still be debilitating to an adversary, so the light should come on every time the rifle is brought up to engage. Initial drills focus on three controlled head shots, followed by three shots to the chest and one to the head. Lamb notes differences in cadence, hearing some shooters fire slowly and others more rapidly. He reiterates a key principle: perform everything as fast as possible except for squeezing the trigger. The goal is to drive the gun quickly between targets while maintaining a deliberate, controlled trigger press. As shooters gain confidence, they are encouraged to increase speed as long as the sights are confirmed on target before each shot.

Chaos drill and driving the gun between multiple targets

Lamb stresses crisp, deliberate movements when transitioning between targets. Instead of “painting” across the array, shooters should snap the gun to each target, stop it, confirm sights, and then fire. Drills progress to engaging multiple targets with one round each as quickly as possible, maintaining an aggressive, forward-leaning boxer stance to manage recoil and control the carbine. The group then runs a simplified chaos drill on four targets, using a sequence such as 1–2–1–3–1–4–1–3–1–2–1, with one round per target. Lamb observes that some shooters try to go fast without allowing the gun to settle on each target. He highlights runs where the rifle stops cleanly on every target as ideal examples. The drill is framed as a way to practice prioritizing threats and maintaining gun speed while preserving accuracy.

Managing bright turbo beams, reticle visibility, and distance

During the drills, the SureFire turbo light’s focused, high-candela beam proves effective at distance but can create challenges when unexpectedly activated. Lamb notes that the intense beam can wash out a dimly set optic, making the reticle appear to disappear if brightness was previously adjusted for shooting without white light. Shooters are reminded to be mindful of optic brightness settings when using a powerful turbo light so the reticle remains visible when the light comes on. Lamb explains that he prefers using smaller target zones, such as the upper box, head, or pelvic girdle, to force refined aiming. At closer distances like 5 yards, smaller targets drive faster transitions. As distance increases to 7, 10, 20, or 50 yards, gun speed between targets should remain high, but trigger speed must slow to maintain accuracy, especially when clearing sectors with friendlies and threats interspersed.

Barricade work, muzzle placement, and movement between positions

Lamb moves into barricade drills, emphasizing muzzle placement and hand position to avoid excessive blast and debris. He prefers to push the muzzle through or close to the barricade opening to reduce blast back toward the shooter. Movement between positions should be quick and deliberate: fire from one position, pull the gun back, then drive it into the next position rather than backing up while shooting. For carbine work, he modifies the kneeling position compared to pistol, raising a knee to provide a stable platform for the support hand and to keep the rifle from bouncing. He stresses that when clearing corners, the shooter should be capable of making a precise 200-yard head shot; if that standard is met, closer targets at 2 yards are easily handled. The focus is on stability, efficient transitions between barricade ports, and maintaining sight alignment through each movement.

Unconventional prone positions and use of a vertical grip

The instruction progresses to unconventional prone positions. Lamb demonstrates what he calls “Brokeback Mountain prone,” a position he favors because it works even when wearing bulky body armor and allows rapid entry and exit. Using a vertical grip, he breaks his fall with his hand, then pulls the vertical grip back against his forearm to create a stable shooting platform. This technique lets the forearm absorb recoil and helps control the rifle in low, awkward positions, including when working around vehicles and using tires for cover. He notes that some shooters prefer alternative prone or side-supported positions, but his method is driven by personal limitations such as back issues and the need for repeatable stability. The vertical grip becomes a key contact point that supports the rifle and simplifies getting into and out of these prone positions under time pressure.

VTAC G10 vertical grip features and alternate prone without a grip

Lamb explains why he considers a vertical grip one of the most important additions to his rifle. Beyond recoil control, it enables unique support options when only the strong hand is available. If the support arm is out of the fight, he can still activate the light, lie on his side, bring a leg across, and hook the vertical grip on his ankle to stabilize the rifle. He introduces the VTAC G10 vertical grip, which stores two CR123 batteries internally and mounts to M-LOK or Picatinny rails. For shooters without a vertical grip, he demonstrates an alternate prone technique: break the fall with the support hand, press the magazine against the forearm, and drive the rifle forward with the shoulder to create a stable firing position. This method is slightly slower for him but remains functional, showing how carbine control can be maintained even without additional accessories.