What can I use for an inexpensive shotgun LED light & mount?

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mick53

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Hey,

I need some suggestions for an inexpensive LED light and mount set-up for a 12 gauge Winchester 1200 with an 18" barrel.

i know some of you are going to say," Save your money and buy a XXXXXX. What's your life worth?"

Well, if I had the money, believe me, I'd spend it on a wonderful set but money is very tight around here right now.

I just can't afford to spend $300 or even $100 and would like to get away spending less than $50.

In the past I've gotten LED flashlights from Dealextreme for $20-$30 and they have been great for handheld lights and inexpensive compared to the big name lights. And for me, they have worked just as well.

Has anybody here bought AND actually used/tested an inexpensive LED light on their shotgun? I'd like to hear from some folks who have put an inexpensive light on their shotgun and been happy with it.

Thanks
 
The clamp in the post above looks unavailable. This is an alternative:

http://www.amazon.com/Nebo-ProTec-Universal-Shotguns-Rifles/dp/B004Z92V4U/ref=pd_sim_sg_2/178-0936684-6236528

For a tactical LED flashlight, I highly recommend the Streamlight Polytac. It's around $35 usually:
http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-88850-Polytac-Flashlight-Batteries/dp/B001S0IN46/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1334942310&sr=1-1

I own one, my brother in law has one too, and they're super bright and really rugged. And relatively cheap!

One Amazon review suggests a Maglite XL50 with an Elzetta flashlight mount, too.
 
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I have a LED Mini-Mag light.

I also have BIC lighters that put out almost as much light!

There are any number of cheap 123 battery TAC lights at Walmart & barrel clamps to fit them on line.

Whether the solder lump battery contacts will stand shotgun recoil for more then a few shots is another matter.

rc
 
The first light installed on my HD 12 gauge was cheap and bulky. It lasted about 20 rounds.

Now I have an Insight M3. Smaller, cleaner, better remote switch...

Much more expensive, but worth every penny.
 
"I was just thinkin'. He may only need two or three rounds worth."

I don't get it, Red. What do you mean?

Mick
 
I think he means, how many times will you actually need to shoot the gun with the light attached?

Mine stays attached when I take it to the range for its semi-regular function check, so I can't have it failing. Though I have not yet had the opportunity, I have a plan to do some some low-light / no-light firing with it soon. Only makes sense given the likelihood of those conditions when I need it most.
 
Elmer "Duct tape and the light of your choice?"

Uh, thanks Elemer.

Anybody else, please?
 
O.K.

If I was going to do it on the cheap?

I'd probably take a cheap Weaver scope base from Wallyworld, inlet it in the forend, and glass it in with epoxy and small machine screws.

Then take a cheap Weaver 1" scope ring from Wallyworld, and a 1" dia light of your chosing from Wallyworld, and clamp it on.

It will work until the recoil busts the cheap light.
Which should get you well into the first shot you fire in a HD situation.

rc
 
rcmodel

"O.K. If I was going to do it on the cheap?

I'd probably take a cheap Weaver scope base from Wallyworld, inlet it in the forend, and glass it in with epoxy and small machine screws.

Then take a cheap Weaver 1" scope ring from Wallyworld, and a 1" dia light of your chosing from Wallyworld, and clamp it on.

It will work until the recoil busts the cheap light.
Which should get you well into the first shot you fire in a HD situation."
_______________________________________________________________

Very funny. But I'm looking for a solution, not little comedy routines. Maybe you and Elmer can go on the road and do the comedy club circuit or something.
 
Mick, seems to me the guys are just trying to keep you from spending $50 on a light that won't hold up to recoil. Do that, and it's $50 bucks less you have to spend on a set up that works.
 
beatledog7,

I understand what they are saying, man, I really do. i simply don't have the money to lay out.

How about I rephrase the question?

What is the least expensive but still reliable flashlight and mount set-up available for a 12ga shotgun?

Thank you,

El Senor Impecunious
 
It's the same answer, Mick.

If you need to save for a while to purchase something that will work and keep working, do that. There's little chance that any kind of rig not specifically designed to resist recoil will function reliably.

As for least expensive, it depends on exactly what you need it to do and how you intend to operate it. For a pump gun, I suggest securely mounting close to the bore axis a moderately bright LED light that you can activate by a switch without moving your hands from firing position. Without doing the research again myself, I recall that's gonna start at roughly $120.

My advice is till the same. If you can't currently layout enough for a viable system, wait until you can.
 
I've used a maglite and hose clamps to take a number of coons at night. She sure ain't purty, but she works.
 
The Streamlight TRL I showed you the link for was $75 and they are known to be recoil proof. The switch easy to activate with a finger off the pump handle. The Insite M3 is also pretty good but the incadescent ones are fragile on SG duty and the LED ones are a lot more. If you have to buy rings , which the TRL doesn't need its more $. The barrel or mag tube clamp costs to, the one I showed you for $15 is the cheapest real one I've run across and it is not bomb proof like a $40 is. So under $100 is realistic , under $50 get out the hose clamps and duct tape for a Cree Bulbed clone or hang an airsoft one on for a couple shots. Yes 12ga. pump shot guns have a recoil spike that kills lights ! But how would I know? :)
 
Very funny. But I'm looking for a solution, not little comedy routines.
Click to expand...
It was not meant to be funny.
I was as serious as a heart attack.

If I wanted a cheap weapon light, as a gunsmith & gun hobbiest for over 50 years, that is how I would do it.
That is also the only result I would expect from any cheap light on a shotgun.

I GayRonTeeYa it won't kick off the gun anytime soon like a cheap plastic barrel clamp mount.

And IF the light doesn't fail the first shot, it will still be attached to the gun for the next shot.

rc
 
#1 RC is serious
#2 ... well, I've gotten some skunks w/ a scoped rifle over my wrist holding flashlight... even a runner lol

cheapest I got, but you want mounted, I gather. Cheap mount shouldn't matter, just the light, and you already know that's up to you.
 
I suggest waiting to purchase an affordable sturdy rig. Until that time, practice holding a flashlight with your shotgun.
 
Very funny. But I'm looking for a solution, not little comedy routines. Maybe you and Elmer can go on the road and do the comedy club circuit or something.
Click to expand...

Duct tape works

otherwise, look at cdmgear for clamps. Always amazes me how folks want the absolute cheapest POS to use on something they also want to depend on to keep them alive. If your life isn't worth doing it right, then why bother? Just save up another few paychecks until you can do it right
 
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