For me, it's easier to activate with my thumb.
If you are using barricade you block your light.
I have seen some mounted right on top as well.
I mount mine on the left so I can activate it with my off-hand thumb. I'm not a fan of pressure pads. But do what works for you.
That pic of the light mounted on the left activated by the thumb looks like a good idea. Seems like you could train to thumb the button as you take a grip.
Why are you not a fan of pressure pads out of curiosity?
I'm starting on the quest of setting up a rifle for self defense and lights are one of the items I'm looking at.
Cloud defense really solved everything with the owl