Who has used both forend and barrel/magtube light mount? Which do you prefer and why?
My application would be Mossberg 500 18.5" I already have the ATI forend with picatinny rail but would love to hear from users who have had it mounted both ways.
Major issue with mounting to the barrel/tube when you rack the shotgun you will not be able to control the light, although this a momentary you may be in the dark for a sec with possibly multiple assailants. On a pump gun I put the light in the for-end
I am not a fan of lighted weapons but if I had to mount one on the for end this is what I would have… http://www.inforce-mil.com/rifle-carbine-lights.php The switch is angled and in a natural position to use while pumping. GH
How do you use your light? Do you turn it on and leave it on till the threat is disposed of or do you use it momentary? Are you using the lights built in switch or do you use a remote/tape switch?
It’s for home protection primarily but would want it to be functional as well for SHTF. I think I would use both constant and temp depending on what is called for at the moment. Would prefer the built in controls.
Our work shotguns have a sill bent angle light mount, secured by the retaining nut on the magazine tube, where we mount a M3L. This setup sucks, as we are always losing lights.
I have the Surefire 618FA on mine and have found it to be the best shotgun light system by far. I just wish they made one for my Benelli M4.
I’ve tried mag tube clamps and forend mounted weapon lights. Eventually I ended up with a surefire integrated forend, and it has so far been the best solution I’ve used.
Never understood why people put lights on guns… Why do you want to give away your position? Only reason I can imagine is that you want them to know you are coming… What does home defense or SHTF have to do with it?? GH
You should pobably start thinking outside the box a bit. I clear about one home a week. Our “service” general occurs at 0600. A weapons mounted light is crucial.
I prefer the light mounted on the magazine tube extension. I do not want the light to move when I cycle the action.
Can’t really afford the Surefire integrated forend, it cost more than the gun! The light mounted to the forend is making a bit more sense so that the hand doesnt have to come off the weapon to activate the light. But I also see the reason for barrel/tube mount as the light won’t be moved as far off target when cycling the forend. Keep the input coming!!
Why put a light a gun? So that you can correctly identify and see what you could possibly be shooting at. A high lumen light directed at the eyes will disorient, and gives you the ability to light up a room in order to identify a threat.
“Clear” your house on a low illumination night one without a light, once with it. Have a friend go hide after verifying that your weapon is clear. You will find out quickly why having an illumination source is important. “…might know that I am coming” is a weak mindset, defending yourself with a gun is an aggressive, alpha action.
That’s a fair question. Having the light attached to the firearm gives you an option if you need it. You do not have to use the light if light discipline is a concern.
Perhaps if my technique was better, I would have retained a magazine/barrel mounted light, but it isn’t and I didn’t. In my case, I tended to fumble getting my left forefinger (or my thumb, when I tried putting the light at 9:00) to the same position consistently. A forend-mounted light is significantly easier - and I believe safer in the long run – at least for me.
There were already a couple of Streamlight TLRs sitting around here, so I opted to get something other than the Surefire integrated forend on my latest utility/HD 870 build. After too much “buying and trying,” I settled on GG&G’s modified Speedfeed police forend because it had about as little rail area as I could find, and what rail there is on it is in a relatively benign place as far as not bugging my hand or actually beating it up (with or without light attached).
(One nice thing about the Streamlights is that they are relatively compact and thus not too long for use on many for ends with rails. The TLR-3 is marketed as a pistol light, but I’m using one in rotation with a TLR-1, and it is remarkably short and lightweight compared to most of the other weapon lights.)
I do think that the Surefire forend (the now “older” product is the only one I have personal knowledge of) is the top-of-the-line in its class, but the GG&G/TLR combination works well for me and allows me to remove the light when the gun goes from the “HD” role to the “utility” role. The multi-tasking ability that I’m demanding of my particular 870 makes a section of rail and a separate weaponlight more attractive to me than others might find it. YMMV.
If the forend you already have doesn’t irritate your hand or otherwise disqualify itself, I’d recommend you give it a chance with some sort of appropriate light.
i use the GG&g forend with the haley inforce light mounted at 9 oclock. i may upgrade to the new surefire 870 forend depending on price and reviews once it’s released.
What new Surefire light? Missed that one!
Its shown on the new surefire product video.
I have a Surefire integrated setup on my Mossberg. It’s a nice, robust light, but it seems to add quite a bit of weight to the front end of my shotgun IMO. They’re also quite expensive, as noted. I haven’t seen anyone mention it yet, but Eotech has an integrated option as well now.
http://www.eotech-inc.com/products/lights/IFL
It’s also a bit on the pricey side (but less than a Surefire) and I have no idea how well it compares to the Surefire, but I’m just throwing out another option for consideration.
Dammit! Why am always the last to know? Now I have to drive over to Fountain Valley and spend more money.
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