I have an 870 Tactical sitting in my safe that is on my list of go to firearms in the invent of a home invasion or the zombie apocalypse, whichever comes first. One thing that I’ve been putting off for the longest time is a weapon light for it. I’m looking for recommendations for a good light setup for the thing. I’d really like something like the forend/flashlight combo that Surefire has on the market but I really like my MOE forend so I’m mainly looking at something that I can mount via a pic rail. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
I have an 870 with a Surefire 618LM on it is very comfortable and easy to use.
I also have an 870 with the Magpul forend that has a Inforce WMLX on it which is also a pretty slick setup.
Both work great and are very ergonomic but I prefer the Surefire forend simply because it is underneath. I only put the WMLX on it because I had a spare laying around.
For 870s I’ve found this to be the best solution to the problem.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/754094/streamlight-tactical-mount-remington-870
And then run whatever light you like best. Doesn’t move with the forearm so no strobe effect.
This is a slick setup my buddy has something similar on his Benelli with the Streamlight TLR1 and a bungee cord tape switch attatched to the forend. It looks a bit goofy but its functional.
What’s the lumen count on the Surefire? And how many different possible settings and outputs does it have?
EDIT: Never mind. It looks like Surefire discontinued the 618 and is now producing the DSF series of lights for shotguns.
I’m running a surefire scout light 200 lumen at 10 o’clock on a gear sector mount and mapul forend on my Mossberg 500. Works well IMO
I just put a Laserlyte Tri-Rail on my 590A1 and mounted a Streamlight TLR-1S. Easy and effective.
I run a short section of rail on the forward slot on the left side of the MOE. I contoured the bottom of the rail so it would go all the way forward in the slot. I cut it to the exact length of my HSP Enforce WML. It makes for a simple, compact, and inexpensive 200 lum solution.
I’ve seen this setup, and like it, I have an HSP WML sitting on my SBR. My question is can you operate the light with both hands in this configuration?
I guess if you have fingers that are 8-10 inches long you could. You would need to change your sig handle to “Monkey Man”
You can still find a Surefire 618 NIB on eBay.
I have tried a lot of different lighting systems on shotguns, and keep coming back to the Surefire integrated systems. If you are going to need a lighting system that lasts, they tend to be the only one that does. Many others fail or come apart after a few hundred rounds.
Shotgun lights really are a case of “you get what you pay for.”
I’m leaning more towards a Surefire integrated light or just picking up an X300 and slapping it on the MOE.
The early models of the 618 (like I have on one of my 870’s) runs under $200 shipped on eBay. That’s just about the cost of an X300 on sale.
How well does a X300 work, when you operate the shotgun from the opposite shoulder? Just planting that seed, about working corners from the “other side”. The Surefire unit works just as well. If I knew I would always operate it from one side engaging bad guys, I’d also be smart enough to be in a different state that day. 
But it’s your nickels, and your shotgun.
ETA: By the way, a right-handed 870 runs really well when you operate it from the left shoulder. The ejection port is right there staring you in the face when you need to reload it. I’m left-eye dominant and right-handed, and run an 870 from both shoulders.
I tried the X300 on the MOE forend, and I didn’t like it. I think the Surefire is the way to go. Also, I’m glad I’m not the only one who prefers a right-handed shotgun when shooting left handed.
By the way, a right-handed 870 runs really well when you operate it from the left shoulder. The ejection port is right there staring you in the face when you need to reload it. I’m left-eye dominant and right-handed, and run an 870 from both shoulders.
Interesting. I’m right-eye dominant and left-handed and run my long guns with my right hand and this has never occurred to me with a shotgun. I’ll have to try it out sometime.
What do you think about an Insight IFL or a SureFire integrated forend for that 870?
I wouldn’t mind having one, but I’m not sure I want to fork out the extra cash for one. And btw I’m fairly certain the IFL from Insight has been discontinued.
I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure I’ve seen some of them floating around, discontinued or not.
I think you can find them on places like EBay or Gunbroker, along with the old Surefire 618’s that are also discontinued. My problem is I’d hate to buy a discontinued product and have it not work, and not be able to contact customer service.
I just watched this older video. It covers your question.