ITI/Streamlight M3 Questions (Remote and Reliability)

[Guyon]

Couple of questions:

Put an Insight Technologies M3 tac-light on my 870 a while back. Am able to easily manipulate the rocker switch with my fore-end hand, but of course, that all changes when cycling the action since the light is attached to the mag extension.

(1) Anybody use the ITI/Streamlight Long Gun Remote (pressure switch)? Was kind of ambivalent about putting a light on the shotgun in the first place. Am downright wary of putting a loose cord on it. How much play does this remote have? What's the likelihood of it hanging up on something? On getting caught by the fore-end when cycling the action?

(2) While looking for info on Question 1, I read in one or two back posts here that the M3 *isn't designed* to handle 12 gauge recoil. True? Mine hasn't failed so far, but I'm interested in other reports. Anybody have experience regarding the reliability of an M3 on a shotgun?

I wonder: why would they make M3 brackets for shotguns and market the lights for such an application if they can't take the shock? I recall that the instructions said to check the back plate to make sure it was the newer design (for greater recoil). Apparently, some of the old back plates malfunctioned/popped off when firing. From these instructions, I assumed the the M3s were now "shotgun ready."

I know there's the M3X now, as well as plenty of Surefire options, but am not presently prepared to spend that kind of cash--especially if the M3 *can* handle an 870's recoil reliably.

 

[Beren]

One sure way to find out. Take a crate of ammo to the range and test to destruction.

 

[Guyon]

Beren,

Exactly what I plan to do with some cheap dove shells I have on hand. Was thinking I'd put three to four boxes (75 to 100 rds.) through it and examine the light afterwards.

Worth noting: I have read that it's a good idea to put a rubber band around the front of the light so that the front lens doesn't unscrew and pop off.

Sent this email to Insight just now:

I know that ITI (& Streamlight) make mounting brackets for the M3 that allow a user to install it on shotguns.

However, I have recently encountered the opinion that the M3 is not designed to handle shotgun (12 gauge) recoil. I write to inquire whether this is true.

Seems odd to me that ITI/Streamlight would market the M3 for an application it cannot handle, so I wonder if the above opinion is inaccurate.

Could you please tell me more about the reliability of an M3 for shotgun applications?

Will post the reply here if I get one.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Good thing about the M3 is that you can take it off the gun when you practice, and avoid beating it up unnecessarily. I have used them on my house guns since the mounts first came out but I don't practice with them on the gun in the daytime. Can't say how many rounds I have on any of the 3 we have on various guns but not a case by any means. And no problems at all so far with any of the three (two on shotguns and one on an AR that get switched around in use).

Even Surefire sells a 'practice plug' to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on their lights from recoil during practice and no one says Surefires can't handle shotgun recoil. IMO, 'testing to destruction' is not something you should find necessary before you depend on an item of equipment- YMMV of course.

No way I would put a light with a curly cord on a pumpgun, ain't gonna happen in this lifetime. If you're worried about losing the light when you pump the gun, just switch it to constant on and let it go at that.

Stay safe,

lpl/nc

 

[Chuck R.]

I’ve got a M3 that I keep on my M1S90. I’ve put about two boxes of low recoil loads through the gun with it on with no ill effect.

I’ve also been using it at night with #1 buck full power loads to take care of a beaver/muskrat problem I have. So far it’s holding up to that too. With the M1S90 I just use the rocker switch.

I do take it off for routine practice though.

Chuck

 

[Guyon]

Well, to be honest, I hadn't planned to crank 75 rounds through the gun in one session. But a box of 25 per range visit seemed reasonable.

The Surefire plugs are news to me though. Surefires were sort of my comparison gauge, and if that company recommends limiting the effects of practice recoil, maybe I don't want to overstress the M3 with a ton of practice rounds.

The likelihood of emptying a magazine in an HD situation is probably slim to none, but it would be nice to know that my light can make it through the rounds in the mag as well as the rounds in the side saddle.

As for the "curly cord," yeah I'm of similar mind. Just something to hang up when you need the gun the most. The KISS principle is generally not a bad idea.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Here ya go, from the horse's mouth:

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/pgrfnbr/443/sesent/00

(snip)
"SureFire had to tackle the recoil problem first. The solution was an ingenious design for cushioning the lamp module called "shock isolation." Shock isolation is essentially a method of shock absorbing the actual lamp from the effect of recoil. The shock isolation system is excellent, but a long, hard practice session with 00 buck or slugs still takes its toll on the light.

For extensive practice or training, SureFire offers a screw-in plug to replace the lamp module in the dedicated forend. No point in subjecting the light to more pounding than necessary." (snip)
==============

A practice plug for my Surefires rides in my range bag...

lpl/nc

 

[Gordon]

The M3X IS shock mounted. The M-3 isn't. You don't need an extended cord! The proper way to use the light is to "sweep" on the spring loaded rocker and switch on when the action starts. Switch off as soon as you feel is right
Even on Surefire foreends the intermitant pressure switch usually blinks off during the recoil cycle and is a big pain IMHO, Switch ON when getting ready to fire and off as soon as you reidentify the (hopefully) neutralized target. This is what Yoda teaches and the other people who know.

 

[Onmilo]

I use two Streamlight M3 lights and use them interchangably on handgun and rifle/shotgun applications.
Both lights have experienced countless recoil cycles without failing but I'm not sure that will indicate one particular light will not fail at some point in time.
Put anything electronic into a high stress, high impact enviorment and it has the potential to fail.
As for remote switches, I use two, one mounted on a Mossberg 9200 and one mounted on a 16" barrel AR15.
Neither one has failed and neither one flickers the light unless my hand twitches during the recoil cycle.