I'm sort of thinking optic rail mount, up top on a tactical 870. That way there's a shadow to be sure, but it's all below the barrel. Full field of lighted view across a scene. If a target is just below the shadow line it's probably being flagged. If it's above, I'll be able to see it clearly with no shadows coming from the gun. Of course it could also be mounted in a bit of pic rail just near the muzzle.
Flashlight recommendations for tactical shotguns
- Thread starter Buco1
- Start date
I'm sort of thinking optic rail mount, up top on a tactical 870. That way there's a shadow to be sure, but it's all below the barrel. Full field of lighted view across a scene. If a target is just below the shadow line it's probably being flagged. If it's above, I'll be able to see it clearly with no shadows coming from the gun. Of course it could also be mounted in a bit of pic rail just near the muzzle.
At that point you may aswell get one of those full length picatinny rails that runs over the barrel.
It is insanely bright indoors, if you flash that onto a white wall, it hurts your eyes and is blinding. Wondering if there is something on the market with different outputs like my Fenix flashlights, made for firearm applications.
Not sure why. I mean drilling and tapping for a couple of short bolts isn't hard. Easy to slap a secure short picatinny rail in lots of places, or to buy/make adapters. My Magpul forend has MLOK slots so I just bolted on my traditional 2-AA flashlight along one side... but I'd rather have something up top if it's to be mounted rearward for the reason outlined above - the shadow being cast on the ground such that if I'm holding the gun at low ready everything in front of me gets lit up. Casting a shadow to one side would be annoying. And I like the very compact size and ease of charging.
That is something about my Suprabeam I do like. One click on the rear button gives a half-power beam, second click gives full power. Just keeps alternating. Kind of cool, though not really something I'd want to fiddle with during a stressful situation. The simplicity of one blinding light appeals to me, much like the simplicity of a short tactical 12ga for such uses. I mean, if things digress to the point where defensive applications become relevant and applicable regulations around intended use cease being the primary concern.
Infont of your bead/sights/optic and obscuring your sight picture? Maybe I am misunderstanding. IMHO below the barrel, in line with mag tube but roughly flush is best. Exact placement depends on ensuring lens doesn't get obscured with soot. Shorter the barrel, the more that would be a problem.
Greenhorse six
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Also , shorter the barrel, less shadow.
I doubt any of us will ever face a situation in which so many shots and reloads during a home invasion will lead to soot obscuring a gun-mounted light. And for short range defensive use, I'm extremely unlikely to be lining up sights of any kind. None are mounted on my 870. For longer range shooting I wouldn't be picking up a shotgun, and longer range shooting isn't likely to be defensive, so again, sights are not relevant. Learning where one's shotgun patterns within a given light beam seems good enough for such an extremely rare and most likely never necessary application.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
I have a couple shotguns I’ve mounted lights to, from right at the muzzle to under the forend. None of them cast any weird shadows and they all illuminate the bead or rifle sights more than enough to aim at anything, I definitely won’t be relying on guessing or close enough if I have to use a shotgun in the dark.
