So, I've always been a fan of shotguns for home protection. Always had one close by just in case but usually just a normal hunting shotgun. Found a deal recently on a 18.5" pump and grabbed it for defense duty. I was thinking of adding a flashlight to it and wondered would a pistol light work? Seems like it would save weight and space, but will it hold up to 12 gauge recoil? Any experience with this? Thanks in advance for any and all info!
Sidearms & Scatterguns Pistol light on a shotgun?
- Thread starter Waco Kid
- Start date
It works just fine, I put my surefire X200 pistol light on a 590A1 with a Magpul fore end and short rail.
If I was home I would send you a pic of the set up but I'm sure you get a good enough picture based on the description.
They used to have a video of them pounding a framing nail into a 2x4 with the light so I'm sure the recoil of a 12G isn't an issue.
If I was home I would send you a pic of the set up but I'm sure you get a good enough picture based on the description.
They used to have a video of them pounding a framing nail into a 2x4 with the light so I'm sure the recoil of a 12G isn't an issue.
Thanks! Gonna give one a try. Seems like the way to go, compact, light weight etc.
That pistol technically takes more recoil-induced abuse than a shotgun. No problem either way. The downside, no remote switch for the pistol light (if that matters to you).
Thanks AIAW! I actually wondered that myself, but my pistol knowledge is pretty limited. I shoot them pretty well but otherwise I'm clueless haha. I also thought about some kind of remote, but since it will be right in front of the slide, I think activating it might be just fine. If not, I'll get a switch for a normal light and try that. Got a cyber Monday deal on an Olight so I'll try the pistol style light first.
In case the OP is willing to stray from the Surefire worshippers;
Streamlight make a switch conversion kit and pressure switch for long gun use for the TLR series. I use TLR-1HL’s mounted at 11:00 with pressure switches at 1:00 for off-hand activation on all my AR’s. Works well for ambidextrous use.
Surefire X series work fine. You can use 'em on damn near anything. I like the semi-perm. method of mounting 'em. Currently I have one on a Kriss but I could use a few more of these truth be told. They're damn handy when you need a light on a weapon that may not keep one permanently or else needs something compact and light. You can use the inegral switch and they also make a tape switch for 'em too.
They make a more expensive but more powerful and still compact light, forget the model number, but I think it does IR too and that makes it both cost more and reduces the overall output of both settings. But great if you use NV.
Surefire has come out with a lot of new stuff, a lot of WAY more powerful LED's and longer run times, so I'd look if I were you and see what's out there now. May be a compact scout light would work better for you (and put out a LOT more light). I know they make more powerful units than the x200 now as well, so I'd look at those too. I have an x200 and it's great, but hey, I'd rather have one of the newer x300's. They make these that have laser outputs too if interested. They also make a couple ultra compact versions now too. Pretty sure any of the weapon lights will hold up to pretty much anything but you could call I guess.
I've never seen a Surefire, LED or incandescent weapon light, break under recoil or break at all for that matter... And I've beat the piss out of 'em in the past. BTW, you can hammer nails with the x200, x300, etc., used to be a sales gimmick where they had one attached to a trainer Glock and wired to a 2x4 with some 16 penny nails in it. Light didn't so much as flicker and it looked like everyone that came in the store had hammered nails, that 2x4 was just wrecked. Light was scratched up for sure, but amazingly wasn't dented!
They make a more expensive but more powerful and still compact light, forget the model number, but I think it does IR too and that makes it both cost more and reduces the overall output of both settings. But great if you use NV.
Surefire has come out with a lot of new stuff, a lot of WAY more powerful LED's and longer run times, so I'd look if I were you and see what's out there now. May be a compact scout light would work better for you (and put out a LOT more light). I know they make more powerful units than the x200 now as well, so I'd look at those too. I have an x200 and it's great, but hey, I'd rather have one of the newer x300's. They make these that have laser outputs too if interested. They also make a couple ultra compact versions now too. Pretty sure any of the weapon lights will hold up to pretty much anything but you could call I guess.
I've never seen a Surefire, LED or incandescent weapon light, break under recoil or break at all for that matter... And I've beat the piss out of 'em in the past. BTW, you can hammer nails with the x200, x300, etc., used to be a sales gimmick where they had one attached to a trainer Glock and wired to a 2x4 with some 16 penny nails in it. Light didn't so much as flicker and it looked like everyone that came in the store had hammered nails, that 2x4 was just wrecked. Light was scratched up for sure, but amazingly wasn't dented!
Surefire X300 on all my guns, no issues. Any quality light shouldn’t have any problems with a shotgun.
Wow, good info guys! I appreciate all the replies. As for brands, I hear surefire is bomb proof, and I've had personal experience with streamlights, no complaints with them. My firearm/accessory budget is a little thin right now, so I'll try the Olight mini that I got on the Cyber Monday sale for now. May upgrade later when funds permit!
Surefire lights are built with cracking skulls wide open in mind, if a CQB engagement comes down to that, and it would do a hell of a good job at it. Recoil would not/should not even bother these units.
Like they say... If the shoe fits, wear it.
A guy with a 12 gauge pump and a working light mounted on it, plus spare ammunition easily accessible in a buttstock band or belt is a well armed guy...
Long ago and before marriage, I lived in a large cabin in the mountains by myself.
Had a lot of space, inside large expanses of 40’ and more in a couple places.
Also a huge deck on the front over the lake and a backyard that saw bears and cats.
I ran an 870 with a flashlight. I even ran the remote switch on the fore end. Worked very well.
Had a rail that clamped onto the mag extension. Surefire used to have an 870 fore end with a light built in iirc.
Think about how bright you want the light. Too much on white walls and you are now blind....
Also ran a red dot. I was fast as crap with that thing.
I used Federal Control wad 00 buck. I have tried the Hornady TAP as well and it seems good. Rio 00 is good to train with for the $.
Had I known what I do now (and the improved knowledge of AR use for HD), I likely would have used a carbine with a light and a 30 rd mag. Perhaps a “ready belt” with some extra goodies.
Had a lot of space, inside large expanses of 40’ and more in a couple places.
Also a huge deck on the front over the lake and a backyard that saw bears and cats.
I ran an 870 with a flashlight. I even ran the remote switch on the fore end. Worked very well.
Had a rail that clamped onto the mag extension. Surefire used to have an 870 fore end with a light built in iirc.
Think about how bright you want the light. Too much on white walls and you are now blind....
Also ran a red dot. I was fast as crap with that thing.
I used Federal Control wad 00 buck. I have tried the Hornady TAP as well and it seems good. Rio 00 is good to train with for the $.
Had I known what I do now (and the improved knowledge of AR use for HD), I likely would have used a carbine with a light and a 30 rd mag. Perhaps a “ready belt” with some extra goodies.
I got an olight pistol light I put on my 223 when out smashing foxes. Works well but here down under neighbours freak out when I put the laser on. Zeroed the laser to 100m so it's only good for that, anything further than the zero the dot moves higher in the reticle. But it's fun ?
I have this on my old duty 870p. Can’t remember where I got it but it works. I slapped on an old TLR-1 for home/bump in the night work. It lacks a little brightness for work use but is perfect for the home.
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I have a Tac 14 with an arm brace sitting next to the bed. It wears a Viridian CL5 green. We've been doing some testing at work with their Fact Duty. I may go that route eventually.
I picked up a used weaver sight base from the smiths junk pile
2 screws and nylock nuts from depot
it works just fine
2 screws and nylock nuts from depot
it works just fine
That has to be an AI generated post. Who TF writes like that? Sounds like a nervous 15 year old kid writing his first ever text message asking his crush out and hoping he would come off as polite and "not awkward".
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