Shotgun light mount options

[AR-10]

Hey guys, I just ordered an 870 Police and I intend to set it up as a defensive shotgun.

I already bought a +2 mag extension and a shell holder, and now I am looking at different mounts for attaching a light since I have a spare X300 sitting in my safe.

After seeing many pictures, I have decided against mounting it on the forearm, so that leaves me with a few options:

#1 http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=754094

#2 http://www.laserlyte.com/products/adp-trir-140

#3 http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=20919/Product/3_RAIL_PICATINNY_SHOTGUN_MOUNT

I'm not crazy about #1, looks a little flimsy and when it's mounted it looks like it might interfere with my hand.

That leaves me with #2 and #3, I'm leaning towards #2 since it's a little cheaper.

Any of you guys used these types of mounts?

Also, what do you think about mounting an X300 on a shotgun? I know they are good lights, but I've never mounted one on something with heavy recoil so I thought I'd ask.

If you have any pics of your shotguns w/lights attached, I'd like to see them please.

[JohnnyRambo]

The Surefire X300 is a great light. Just a thought, you might find an older version of the Surefire Rem870 Forend w/ Light and go that route instead. I tried to figure out the same thing you are and I ended up selling my X300 and found a used like new Surefire front end. Couldn't be happier. Here is a pic of what I did on mine for an idea:

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn320/JohnnyRambo10/Shotty.jpg

If I had to choose from your 3 options I would try #1. Another option is the GG&G forend with picatinny rail. Hope this helps. Good luck!

[AR-10]

That is a mean looking shotgun, I like it.

I've seen the GG&G and while it's a nice design, it has a rail on the right and I want my light on the left for thumb activation.

The Surefire is also nice but I don't want a dedicated light - I want something that removes easily for daytime shooting.

I should add that I opted for wood furniture, so replacing the forearm is not really an option.

I really like the look and feel of wood, in fact I'm cutting a little bit off of the factory stock instead of buying a synthetic stock with a shorter LOP.

[Rodman24]

I've been eyeballing the Elzetta ZSM (http://www.elzetta.com/zsmFAQ.htm). Not for the X300, but...

[AR-10]

That's a pretty slick little mount, but when I called Vang Comp to order my mag extension, he told me to stay away from anything that clamps the extension to the barrel.

This is why my choices have been narrowed down to the above three, I really want a mount that clamps around the extension.

[Rodman24]

If I'm not mistaken, the GG&G is available in both right and left handed models.

[inch man]

my first post. i tricked my 870 pump with a 18.125 " barrel,grip and fore arm from speedfeed,muzzle brake from remington,2 shot extention tube from chote. when it came to the flash light mount, i welded a weaver grand slam scope base onto the extention, indexed right where it works best for my thumb to hit the switch. light is made by coast.

[AR-10]

Yep I'm an idiot, I read their description wrong.

It does come either way, but I still would prefer to keep my wood forend.

If I could find a Remington MCS forend, that would change my mind but apparently they are very hard to acquire.

[AR-10]

If I could find one of these, I'd ditch the wood furniture in a heartbeat:

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/8462/93170357.jpg

I like the built-in handstop, and I like the length since it gives you a spot to mount a rail section behind the magazine cap.

[AR-10]

inch man, welcome to WEVO and post a pic of that bad boy!

[phantom50]

CDM Gear (http://www.cdmgear.com/) makes a very nice series of light mounts for the 870 (and other general shotguns.) I was able to find one of their BMT Clamp (http://www.cdmgear.com/bmt.html) mounts via Mounting Solutions Plus (http://www.mountsplus.com/AR-15_Accessories/AR-15_Scope_Mounts/Shotgun_Light_Mounts.html). It looks like they are sold out right now, but the BMT Clamp mount is perfect for a 3-rail design; if you are like me and want to be able to remove the light easily. If not, I recommend the MOD-C Clamp (http://www.cdmgear.com/mod-c.html) that they make as it fits perfectly on the 870. Of course, you might have a different light (I have the Surefire G2 as in the photos) so be sure to check if it will fit the MOD-C.

Also, when I purchased the BMT Clamp mount through Mounting Solutions Plus they gave me a 10% discount code for my next purchase (valid until 11/31/2011). Just use code MSP44 for the discount. Hope it helps.

phantom50

[Jerry R]

I have an 870 and 11-87 rigged the same way, only picture is of the 11-87 shown below. I used a Tac-Star ($15 online) with one of the newer TLR-1s lights, and it works for me. No issues with it so far. I mounted the lights at six O'clock. Shotgun sits in the corner with chamber empty, four #4 buck in the magazine, double-ought on the receiver, and slugs on the butt-cuff.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i106/pdogkilr/Firearms/Shotguns/IMG_1172300DPISize1024WithBorder.jpg

[AR-10]

Thanks phantom, but I think I'm going to stick with a clamp-on rail section. I got to play around with her today and I think I've made my mind up.

Here she is after installing the mag extension:

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/38/img1468xu.jpg

I also added a Vang oversize safety:

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/6997/img1469rx.jpg

And here's where I'm going to put the light after the rail section arrives:

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/8707/img1470ao.jpg

Jerry that looks like a great setup on the 11-87 but I'd like to see what you did with the tape switch wire on your 870.

I would also like to know if anyone makes a simple, thin butt plate - I found that the best LOP for me is right in between no butt plate, and the provided recoil pad.

If I can find something thinner and avoid cutting the stock, I will go with that option.

[tcecil88]

I have a Laserlyte tri-rail clamp on one of my shotguns and it works well. Mine however is on the mag tube itself behind the barrel nut. You don't have that option on your 870. Keep in mind that whenever you dissassemble the weapon for cleaning you will have to remove the clamp and it will mar the finish of your extension.

[AR-10]

You're right, and that's why I decided not to put the rail section on my mag extension.

Having to take the rail section off every time I need to remove the extension seems like a hassle.

I think I have a line on a stubby forend, if I can get the guy to part with it.

That will allow me to put the rail section on the tube behind the barrel lug.

We shall see!

[tac40]

Cool SG for HD, Johnny. I had a 870 set up like yours.

[Fred_G]

My 870 likes to jam with the 2 round stock mag extension. I took it off, no problems with the gun now. Did not think this needed a new thread, what options for a light are there with no mag extension? I miss having the light on my gun.

[AR-10]

Fred - you can replace your forend with a GG&G, I looked at all of the forend options and theirs is the best in my opinion.

They take a genuine 870 Police synthetic forend and mill a slot in the side, then they insert a rail section that you can mount a light on.

Or, you can try to hunt down a Remington MCS forend which is shorter (see the pics I posted on the first page of this thread) but good luck finding one - for some reason they only sell this forend to LEO's.

Here's the GG&G:

http://www.gggaz.com/remington-870-forearm-flashlight-mount.html

You can get one with a rail on the right side or the left.

All of the other forends I have seen have a railed bottom, which looks very uncomfortable to hold unless you add a rail cover and then you end up with a really fat forend.

[Fred_G]

Thanks for the info AR-10. I just recently got wood furniture for this shotgun, not going to swap out the forend. Will find something that will work.

[Jerry R]

Jerry that looks like a great setup on the 11-87 but I'd like to see what you did with the tape switch wire on your 870.

Sorry, the 870 does not use a tape switch, just the finger lever on the back of the light.

[AR-10]

That's cool Jerry, I was just curious about how you did that.

I settled on the Lite Mount Technologies three-rail from Brownells, it's a nicely machined part that makes for a very solid light mount:

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/1620/img1494ph.jpg

I like it, it puts the light in the same spot as the Scout on my AR.

I don't think removing it over and over will hurt the finish of the extension, since it expands a lot when the screws are loose.

The only thing I don't like, the X300 is super sloppy - there's a lot of movement back and forth, seems like the "tab" on the light is much smaller than the slots that are machined into the rail.

I will probably end up swapping it out for a different light+mount combo, even though I wanted to be able to remove the light easily.

[TripleBravo]

That's cool Jerry, I was just curious about how you did that.
...The only thing I don't like, the X300 is super sloppy - there's a lot of movement back and forth, seems like the "tab" on the light is much smaller than the slots that are machined into the rail.

I will probably end up swapping it out for a different light+mount combo, even though I wanted to be able to remove the light easily.

Check the box your X300 came in. There are a couple different inserts for the part that locks into the rail. One is made for Glocks, one is made for rails -- I think it's marked "1913". If you switch to this insert, it shoud lock in with a tighter fit.

[AR-10]

You are correct sir, and once again I feel like an idiot.

I found the box and there was indeed another piece that fits MUCH better.

[Fred_G]

You are correct sir, and once again I feel like an idiot.

I found the box and there was indeed another piece that fits MUCH better.

If you got it fixed yourself with an online post and no extra money spent, don't think of it as idiocy, think of it as enlightenment. ;) I know I have been 'enlightened' a few times...

[tcecil88]

This is the light set up I have on my Mossberg 930 SPX. It is an older Surefire 6P and an offset mount attached to a Nordic barrel clamp with a rail insert. The set did not cost much as I have had the light since 1996 and the clamp and mount cost less than $100. I will upgrade to a better setup later, but this is a solid setup that works.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g429/tcecil88/DSC00852.jpg

[BobinLaConner]

Simple (easy to handle) little 20 gauge Mossberg "house gun"...simple but effective. The light, mount and switch (and laser) have performed without problems at the range and during some night drills. I did have a cheap internet light but the recoil kept popping the battery door open (not good in the heat of the moment). Hanging the light off the 6 o'clock position has worked for me and feels "right". I think the mount is a Tri Rail from UTG?

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp190/BobinCovington/mossberg20light.jpg?t=1319909644

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp190/BobinCovington/photo.jpg?t=1319909602

[AR-10]

I ended up swapping my X300 for a 6PX Defender in a quick release Surefire mount.

I think I'm finally happy with it...for now:

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6657/img1528v.jpg

[Fred_G]

I like that sling AR-10, who makes it and how does it attach to the gun?

[AR-10]

It's a Blue Force Gear padded UDC bungee sling, and the adapter came from Daniel Defense.

It's a plate that slips in between the receiver and the stock:

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/9652/img1529kw.jpg

I highly recommend it, but it does add 0.250" to your length of pull.

[usmcvet]

Check the box your X300 came in. There are a couple different inserts for the part that locks into the rail. One is made for Glocks, one is made for rails -- I think it's marked "1913". If you switch to this insert, it shoud lock in with a tighter fit.

Are they marked P now? Th as being the one it comes with for the glock type built in pistol rails.