Weapon Light for my 870... Streamlight?

[Badger Arms]

I've done a few days of research and settled on the Streamlight M3 firearms light. I want to use the magazine extension mount and just the standard flip-switch on the light itself. It'll look a little like this but I'm planning on mounting it on the left side of the weapon:

My question is, since I'm spending about $150 or so on the setup, I want to know if I'm spending it wisely or if anybody has experience with another setup that would serve my purposes better? What I want is something less than $200 total cost that will be reliable and won't get in the way of my bottom-mount sling. I'm getting a Wilson Combat vertical sling mount and mag extension. I will not have a barrel clamp. The only other thing I want this light to do is easilly transfer from my 870 to my M-4gery when I need it to. That's a tall order and I'd like alternatives if I can get them.

 

[Guyon]

Hmmm. I see that you'd have to mount the light on the side since you have a bottom mount sling, but I wonder what the ergonomics on that switch will be like with the light on the side instead of the bottom. The toggle/rocker switch on the Streamlight M3 (actually Insight Technologies makes them) has two positions. Pushed up on the right side, it is intermittent; pushed up on the left, it clicks into constant-on. So..... if you mount the light on the left side, your intermittent switch will be on the bottom. That might work out okay since you could use your thumb to reach up and snag it (assuming you are right-handed).

Transfer of the light should be easy enough. It just clicks on and off the mount. By the way, get the shotgun mount made by Insight Technologies--not the cheap one made by Streamlight. Very different designs. Also very different in terms of sturdiness.

As for alternatives, maybe someone else here can help. I put the M3 on my shotgun and am pleased with it. Almost makes me want to get a Glock or some other handgun that will accept an M3.

 

[Steve Smith]

For all of you who are wondering "What is Insight Technilogies?" JUST LIKE I WAS, here's the website. http://www.insightlights.com/

 

[john l]

I have the setup on my 870 and really like it. I bought the streamlight mount for the 870 for 15 bucks and I really think it is great. I also like being able to switch lights to my Glock, to my m4gery- anything I want. am looking forward to eventually getting a 1911 with a rail so that I can use it on that, too
john l

 

[Badger Arms]

John, I've come around and decided to buy the Streamlight 870 mount. You're talking about the one that is sandwiched between the mag tube cap and barrel lug, right? How sturdy does it seem? Can you mount it easily so it's on the left side of the gun?

 

[john l]

Yeah, that is the one,
The mount from streamlight has little divots so that you can mount them under ( like mine- I like the ambi concept ) or either side.
Now, it is sturdy, BUT, since you are putting back on an extender tube, you lose the ball detent function of making sure that the extender doesn't slowly unscrew from shooting-and Streamlight even mentions this- to keep checking that it is tight. So what I did is put my barrel/extender tube clamp back on with a little medium loctite on the clamp screw. Then the extender tube won't slowly unravel. I have shot over 100 rounds since I have had it mounted ( competition ) and it hasn't budged. The only other concern is that you must hold your hand to the rear of the pump handle, because you can bang your hand on the mount. Not a big deal. I love the setup.
john l

 

[Guyon]

Saw where Botach Tactical has the M3 lights on sale for $89.95. While some folks have had trouble with backorders and communication from Botach, I've never had a problem, and I've mostly ordered advertised sale items. Your call, of course. Good price though. I bought my M3 on sale there, and IIRC, it was a few dollars more.

 

[laynlow]

I paid $160 for my Surefire forend a month or so ago.

If you are set on the M3, www.farmpolicesupply.com sells the M3 for 87 bucks and is probably more reliable than Botach.

 

[Guyon]

Hey, nice link, laynlow. That's a good deal.

 

[Stinkyshoe]

Ckeck out midwayusa.com . The M3 is $110 there.

 

[rage]

M3 works for my 870, and it does give me another reason to get a full size G21 w/rails to go along with my G30.

As mentioned above, make sure you get the mount that is offered for the Mossberg 590, the one that mounts on the extended mag.

 

[clubsoda22]

I just use a cheap $25 xenon light (just as bright as surefire and streamlight) and a $8 piece of plastic that holds it to the mag tube infront of the slide. Works very well.

 

[Min]

Care to elaborate, clubsoda?

 

[clubsoda22]

let's make it easy. Cheap Xenon light of your chosing (1"dia) + barrel/mag clamp clamped onto mag/flashlight = cheap solution to a simple problem.

I'd take a picture for you, but my college would have issues with me having a shotgun in my dorm, so next time i'm home i'll do that. (i can't wait to move off campus into my own place)