Mini mag light on a 12 gauge

[Southyness]

I want to put a light On my hd shotgun, a 12 gauge mossberg 500, and I have a clamp and a mini mag light I'm thinking about using. I just want to know if the light will survive the firing of the shotgun. I would just test it out, but I really would rather avoid buying a new one should it die. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks in advance

 

[pikid89]

the bulb used in the Mini mag-lite is QUITE fragile...Ive broken several of them just by dropping the light a few feet. Even if it survives the first shot, it prob won't make it past ten...

If you are set on using a mag-lite, at the minimum, get an LED kit for it

But realize this, even if you do get an LED kit for it, the light output will be pitifully low for HD use... for not much more than a new mini mag, an LED kit, and maybe a few sets of batteries, you could have a flashlight like a Surefire G2 Nitrolon LED, which WILL survive the recoil of a shotgun, and WILL light up anything you need lit up at HD distances.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...T83HMqvs2AXzzrXOAg&ved=0CEIQ8wIwAw#ps-sellers

I know spending 60+ bucks on a simple flashlight may seem like a lot but surefire is absolutley the best flashlights I have ever used, and it could easily be the last flashlight you will need, and should it EVER break, they will make it right, no questions

 

[mnrivrat]

Not sure about the LED version light, but the other bright bulb little bugger may last one or two shots before the filiment is toast.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Shotgun recoil is pretty brutal for anything firmly attached to the shotgun. That includes lights. Batteries have a lot of inertia, and can quickly bust up the insides of a light not built to stand up to the abuse. And even some that are...

Even Surefire, who builds expensive purpose built weapon lights, used to sell a practice plug for their shotgun forearm lights back before LED bulbs came along.

For reliability and better utility, the best advice I can offer is to get a purpose built weapon light, preferably one that is rail mounted so it can be 1) used on different guns as needed, and 2) removed completely for daylight practice. Yes, it costs more, but it is more likely to work when you need it.

 

[rcmodel]

I agree.
If you are going to go to the trouble, use something better then a mini-mag light.

It isn't durable enough, nor is it nearly bright enough.

IMO: A weapon light should be bright enough to blind the BG in dim light or darkness.
He can't shoot at you if all he can see is spots in his eyes like a flash camera went off in his face for a minute or two.

It might be enough of a deterrent to keep you from having to shoot at all.

rc