People's thoughts about a light on a bear defence shotgun

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delboybc

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Delta BC
Hi All

I usually have my shotgun packed in the car when I am camping in the Bush.

I always figured I would just use my headlamp if something wandered into camp as I usually have it close by if not on my head when the sun is down.

I thought I would try a light mounted on my shotgun. It's a lot handier but the one thing I don't like is that you are basically pointing your shotgun at what you want to look at, I can see this being a bit of a safety issue.

Just wondering what other people are doing?
 
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Alot handier and alot brighter. What kind of shotgun are you using? Tactics-wise, your gun needs to follow your eyes.
 
For me any defensive firearm needs a light on it.

Both of my short 870 shotguns will have lights mounted at all times.

I went with P60 light hosts with custom drop ins. Each light runs on CR123a cells which I prefer. Cost per light setup is under $70, lots of mounting options too.

I'd add a light, even a more budget friendly light is better than no light.
 
With a proper light you do not need to point you gun at it to see it.

But 99% of people are too cheap to buy a proper one. (note geologists post, that is a proper light)

Shawn
 
delboybc said:
its a benelli m2, I could see a really bright light would illuminate the entire area, what suggestion would you make on an m2
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I would suggest what Geologist posted; a Surefire forend. These are the best solution in my opinion. Most expensive but they integrate very well. I've had these on Mossberg 590a1/Remington 870 Police and use nothing else. But it looks like SF no longer makes one for your model at the moment ( Google found a retailer that still stocks it, but it's a 100 lumen model. Might be possible to upgrade the 'head but you'd have to do some research. )

GG&G makes an attachment that gives you a small picatinny rail https://www.wolverinesupplies.com/P...G-G-Benelli-M2-Sling---Flashlight-Combo-Mount

S&J Hardware also makes a mag tube clamp that gives you a picatinny rail https://sjhardware.com/collections/shotgun-parts/products/shotgun-mag-tube-clamp-with-light-rail

Add a Surefire G2X/6PX or Fury flashlight https://www.surefire.com/6px-pro.html

with a ring mount from Elzetta https://www.elzetta.com/flashlight-mounts/

or Gear Sector http://www.gearsector.com/

Just make sure the ring mount will fit the diameter of the flashlight body you choose.
 
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ADK said:
I would suggest what Geologist posted; a Surefire forend. These are the best solution in my opinion. Most expensive but they integrate very well. I've had these on Mossberg 590a1/Remington 870 Police and use nothing else. But it looks like SF no longer makes one for your model at the moment ( Google found a retailer that still stocks it, but it's a 100 lumen model. Might be possible to upgrade the 'head but you'd have to do some research. )

GG&G makes an attachment that gives you a small picatinny rail https://www.wolverinesupplies.com/P...G-G-Benelli-M2-Sling---Flashlight-Combo-Mount

S&J Hardware also makes a mag tube clamp that gives you a picatinny rail https://sjhardware.com/collections/shotgun-parts/products/shotgun-mag-tube-clamp-with-light-rail

Add a Surefire G2X/6PX or Fury flashlight https://www.surefire.com/6px-pro.html

with a ring mount from Elzetta https://www.elzetta.com/flashlight-mounts/

or Gear Sector http://www.gearsector.com/

Just make sure the ring mount will fit the diameter of the flashlight body you choose.
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Thanks for the info I will have a look at the links and do a bit more research.

I just want to make sure I understand what your suggesting, so I will try and do a quick summary.

My concern only really happens when you have a poor quality light like I do now, as you can not identify your target until the light and barrel of shotgun are on the target, but if you get a good quality light it should light up the area enough so that you can identify targets without putting the barrel of the shotgun on the target, did I get that correct?
 
If your caught with a firearm that has a light on it during hunting season could this get you in some hot water?? Just curious-don’t want to highjack the thread
 
It's not so much the price of the light but the design of the reflecting surface. If your worried about pointing the gun towards an unknown threat in the dark a wide beam would let you see more without pointing directly at the unknown.

I'd probably just stick with a good quality modern bright head lamp and call it a night out in the bush.
 
delboybc said:
Thanks for the info I will have a look at the links and do a bit more research.

I just want to make sure I understand what your suggesting, so I will try and do a quick summary.

My concern only really happens when you have a poor quality light like I do now, as you can not identify your target until the light and barrel of shotgun are on the target, but if you get a good quality light it should light up the area enough so that you can identify targets without putting the barrel of the shotgun on the target, did I get that correct?
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No, that wasn`t what I`m suggesting.
 
Check your provincial wildlife regulations. They may have a regulation that effectively prohibits it.

Otherwise, fill your boots.
 
eatredmeat157 said:
If your caught with a firearm that has a light on it during hunting season could this get you in some hot water?? Just curious-don’t want to highjack the thread
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Hunting with a light is illegal in BC, the hunting synopsis touches on it. Take the light off while hunting and after dark when back at your campsite put it back on when in predator defense mode.
 
If you are concerned about flagging an unknown target with a WML, get a hand held flashlight and deploy it first. See a threat, drop it and grab the SG.
 
delboybc said:
Hi All

I usually have my shotgun packed in the car when I am camping in the Bush.

I always figured I would just use my headlamp if something wandered into camp as I usually have it close by if not on my head when the sun is down.

I thought I would try a light mounted on my shotgun. It's a lot handier but the one thing I don't like is that you are basically pointing your shotgun at what you want to look at, I can see this being a bit of a safety issue.

Just wondering what other people are doing?
Click to expand...

I run a light on my Rem 870 that I built specifically for predator defense. The light does slide off easily for use as an independent flashlight, but I also carry a compact 380 lumen flashlight and have headlamps. I try not to rely on a singular illumination source. I find the headlamp good for looking around, but your head angle changes once you bring the shotgun up to the firing position and I have found the headlamp beam then points more downward , not at what the shotgun is now pointed at.

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Shooting something you can't see is a very bad idea.

One of the reasons handgun night sights have no logical purpose on non-military guns.
 
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