Shotgun light dilemma. Why do they stick out so dang far??

MagnumWill · November 17, 2012, 10:28 PM

So here's my dilemma. There are millions of different shotgun light mounts abound. Some big, some small, some cheap plastic, some CNC-machined rail-laden masterpieces to be had, integrated into the foregrip, what have you...

So, here's the question.
How come there aren't any low profile mounts? I have a 590A1 with an 18.5" barrel, and I carry it in a scabbard when it's used. However- any kind of shotgun mount that protrudes from the side of the gun will snag on the draw-holster, and sometime's I'll wear a backpack over it (surprisingly comfortable, oddly enough) and that mount will no longer make that pleasant.

. Also, it having the short magazine tube, there's no purchase to mount a little quick-mount that hangs underneath, which I would be fine with... I have also seen the integrated foregrips, they just seem way too bulky and complex for their own good. I may end up with one, but I would prefer to have the light outside of the foregrip.

I remember someone mentioning this somewhere- adapting a mag tube extension that mounts a small integral light within (preferably a single CR123 with a HP LED). So that got me thinking- I have access to a lathe and welder, I can make the housing to mount such a light just fine- the problem is, I cannot find any sort of light that size that has some sort of push button, to either use it or have a pressure paddle that can override it, they all twist to turn on. However, I don't want to get too invested into it and find out it's not all that useful when you have to twist on this little flashlight up front through a little access slot, etc.

So- what would you recommend? Have any of you found a cool low-profile mount that you really like (or like the idea)? I would really love to NOT develop some intricate flashlight mechanism purely so I can carry the dang thing on my back instead of my shoulder

Axelwik · November 18, 2012, 01:26 AM

It would probably be easy to make one. Take a 1" hole saw and drill two holes close together in a block of hardwood, then cut off everything except what's between the two holes (leaving a piece of wood that's concave on both ends) and use hose clamps to mount a 1" flashlight under the barrel. Paint the whole thing black to make it look "tacti-cool."

MagnumWill · November 18, 2012, 03:03 AM

That's not a bad idea, making a little spacer like that. i just want something that i can yank the barrel off at any time without needing some tools to make sure it'll come free.

I've got a few machine tools at my disposal, so I was thinking it would be simple to buzz the end cap's taper off flat, weld on a piece of steel tube that accepts the flashlight (with grooves in it and the flashlight so it stays put- a threaded end to hold it tight, and a little access port that I can run my thumb along to turn it on and off...

The thing is-I'm just too lazy lol

. I'm hoping that there's something nifty out there that seems to work well. If I do end up fabricating something, I'll keep everyone in the loop.

November 17, 2012, 10:28 PM	#1
MagnumWill Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Central Colorado Posts: 1,001	Shotgun light dilemma. Why do they stick out so dang far?? So here's my dilemma. There are millions of different shotgun light mounts abound. Some big, some small, some cheap plastic, some CNC-machined rail-laden masterpieces to be had, integrated into the foregrip, what have you... So, here's the question. How come there aren't any low profile mounts? I have a 590A1 with an 18.5" barrel, and I carry it in a scabbard when it's used. However- any kind of shotgun mount that protrudes from the side of the gun will snag on the draw-holster, and sometime's I'll wear a backpack over it (surprisingly comfortable, oddly enough) and that mount will no longer make that pleasant. . Also, it having the short magazine tube, there's no purchase to mount a little quick-mount that hangs underneath, which I would be fine with... I have also seen the integrated foregrips, they just seem way too bulky and complex for their own good. I may end up with one, but I would prefer to have the light outside of the foregrip. I remember someone mentioning this somewhere- adapting a mag tube extension that mounts a small integral light within (preferably a single CR123 with a HP LED). So that got me thinking- I have access to a lathe and welder, I can make the housing to mount such a light just fine- the problem is, I cannot find any sort of light that size that has some sort of push button, to either use it or have a pressure paddle that can override it, they all twist to turn on. However, I don't want to get too invested into it and find out it's not all that useful when you have to twist on this little flashlight up front through a little access slot, etc. So- what would you recommend? Have any of you found a cool low-profile mount that you really like (or like the idea)? I would really love to NOT develop some intricate flashlight mechanism purely so I can carry the dang thing on my back instead of my shoulder __________________ Those who hammer their swords into plow shares will plow for those who didn't...

November 18, 2012, 03:03 AM	#3
MagnumWill Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Central Colorado Posts: 1,001	That's not a bad idea, making a little spacer like that. i just want something that i can yank the barrel off at any time without needing some tools to make sure it'll come free. I've got a few machine tools at my disposal, so I was thinking it would be simple to buzz the end cap's taper off flat, weld on a piece of steel tube that accepts the flashlight (with grooves in it and the flashlight so it stays put- a threaded end to hold it tight, and a little access port that I can run my thumb along to turn it on and off... The thing is-I'm just too lazy lol . I'm hoping that there's something nifty out there that seems to work well. If I do end up fabricating something, I'll keep everyone in the loop. __________________ Those who hammer their swords into plow shares will plow for those who didn't...

November 18, 2012, 01:26 AM	#2
Axelwik Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2012 Location: Land of Enchantment Posts: 436	It would probably be easy to make one. Take a 1" hole saw and drill two holes close together in a block of hardwood, then cut off everything except what's between the two holes (leaving a piece of wood that's concave on both ends) and use hose clamps to mount a 1" flashlight under the barrel. Paint the whole thing black to make it look "tacti-cool."