Tactical flashlights for shotties?

[toolmaker]

OK, I couldn't really find the right place to post this so here goes. I can't spend $100 or more on a tactical style flashlight for my shotgun BUT, I am now seeing LED flashlights in the sporting goods section of retail stores. With some machining of a custom bracket for the magazine end cap of an 870, I could firmly attach one of them to my home defense gun and come up with a momentary switch setup. Are the LED lights so rugged they could hold up to recoil? What bulbs do the real tactical lights use?? Thanks.

 

[kd7ctv]

the common type is xenon atleast thats what is in most of my lights, I would think that LED's would handle the strain...

 

[firearms_instructor]

toolmaker,

LEDs are solid-state, that is, SOLID. They should hold up to anything short of squashing the damn things in a vise. I carry a Photon mini-LED light on my keychain wherever I go, it's bright and scares big dogs away at night.

 

[cglickman]

If you are going to go with a LED light (which is a good choice in this application) I strongly recommend going with one of the lights with the new Luxeon Star LED's. Properly executed, they provide brightness equivalent to a Xenon light (like the Surefire 6P) and are basically bulletproof. My choice is the Pelican M6 LED, which runs around $50. I have one on my 870 and it is a great light. Good throw, white beam, rugged, and relatively inexpensive.

Clark

 

[flip180]

Clark

I wanted to ask you about your plican light. How do you have it attached to your gun and are you using a remote switch?

Thanks, Flip

 

[imas]

Try lookin around at walmart I found a Brinkman light that uses the 123 camera batteries that surefires do. It is extremely bright and seems pretty tought. I got mine for $19

 

[cglickman]

Flip, I use a mount I bought off Ebay. It is a nice machined Aluminum piece and holds the light securely. They are readily available if you look around the 'net (or Ebay). It attaches to the magazine extension. I hope this helps.
Clark

 

[jayhway]

Try lookin around at walmart I found a Brinkman light that uses the 123 camera batteries that surefires do. It is extremely bright and seems pretty tought. I got mine for $19

It's the Brinkman Legend LX flashlight. I've had one for about 2 years and its a great flashlight for the price. I also have a Streamlight Scorpion and would recommend them too. They go for about $30.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

a surefire is brighter, sturdier, has a pressure switch, and reciprocates with the pump.

 

[Correia]

And is $200 more.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

yeah, but it's 200 $ worth of it'sfordamnsuregonnawork.

 

[bud45]

Xenon lights

See Cheaperthandirt.com and check out the xenon flashlights, which have lithium batteries included. I have mine (2-cell) mounted under the barrel of my Defender 1200 and it's brighter than my 3-D-cell Maglight- I can clearly see objects at 100 feet w/no problem. I also ordered an extra bulb and a three-pack of lithium batteries; s&h came to about $64. The light itself is $34 or $36.

 

[SapperLeader]

Ok, Im the first to admit that on my ar I rigged a g2 surefire light rather then shell out the money for a weaponlight. For my shotgun though, I was a little more leery about that. Theres a lot of recoil going on in a shotgun, plus your already having to work the pump(unless its a semi). I went ahead and purchased the surefire weaponlight for my 870 with the on/off switch and have never looked back or regretted it. I have never had the bulb go out, or the light fail to come on. Yes I did pay just under 190 with shipping, but the peace of mind for my home defense gun makes it worth to me.