Made an integral mag extension light for my 870!

steveracer · May 22, 2012, 10:03 AM

Used a Choate mag extension and an inova X-5 light. (the T-2 is on order and will be swapped in. More on that later.)
I cut the end of the magazine extension off about 1.25" from the muzzle of the 18" barrel on my 870. I finished the cut as nicely as I could with a small stone and cold blue pen.
Then, I grabbed the Inova light, the ONLY good light I could find that would slide INSIDE the mag tube. I marked about where the lanyard hole was on the Inova, and drilled a hole through the mag tube where it would be. Then slide the light into the tube, and run a screw through the hole AND lanyard opening, and close it off with a washer and nut.
DONE!
Now, the magazine tube holds one more round, and a LIGHT. Finally. It seems nobody makes this product, and I've been looking for a long, long time.
Eventually I'll do one with two holes in the tube, and try for a remote switch of some kind, but for now, I'm happy with twisting the light bezel for on/off.
Pics:
This is attached to the gun. Note the low profile of the screw used. This allows it to be threaded off like any other mag tube cap.

Here's the look without the light, but retaining the tail cap in place to prevent the spring and follower flying out. I have shot it a few hundred rounds like this. No problems of any kind.

See the inside view of the tailcap of the Inova. Very robust hunk of aluminum.

Steve

Grant D · May 22, 2012, 12:41 PM

Wow! that's a great idea.

madcratebuilder · May 24, 2012, 07:22 AM

Very well executed! That is a clean install. I have a Choate on my 870 folder, when I get around to replacing it with a Rem extension I know what I'm going to do with it. Great idea.

zippy13 · May 25, 2012, 11:26 AM

Great idea and well done… But, IMHO, the people who want a light on their gun also want a functioning mag extension. Perhaps, by using some of the newer battery technologies/form factors, you could get a shorter light that wouldn't require sacrificing shell capacity.

MagnumWill · May 25, 2012, 07:01 PM

That is CLEAN. Frankly, the reason I DON'T have a light on mine is because a lot of mounts suck, and the increased profile allows snagging, breaking, etc. and this solves it. Way cool. :thumbsup:

steveracer · May 28, 2012, 06:45 PM

I did address the extension actually working. It allows one additional round over factory, and I'm making another one now that will allow me to un-pin the light and put a blank in its place, allowing more mag capacity.

steveracer · May 29, 2012, 07:33 PM

The X2 came in, and it's a better light for this. Brighter and the same overall size, roughly.
I remade the tube. This time I was able to get Chicago screws in place and it's much more slick looking, and more easily removable.
Pics:

Range time tomorrow. Results to follow.

CK_32 · May 29, 2012, 07:35 PM

Nice! Hope it stays in for when you need it tho

steveracer · May 29, 2012, 07:50 PM

The previous one was fired more than 300 rounds with the light in place, no problems at all. The tailcap of the light is billet aluminum and very strong. The screws holding it in place go all the way through the tailcap, and the clearances in there are tight enough that movement isn't an issue. The light is designed for use like this, and the LED is tough.
Basically, this isn't really any less strong than any other commercially available mag extension. I would only change one thing, and it's not worth the extra cost to me: I would thread the tube for a light that threads into it. The machine work alone would be prohibitive. And then I would be limited to really only one specific light. This one is easily replaceable.

May 22, 2012, 10:03 AM	#1
steveracer Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 123	Made an integral mag extension light for my 870! Used a Choate mag extension and an inova X-5 light. (the T-2 is on order and will be swapped in. More on that later.) I cut the end of the magazine extension off about 1.25" from the muzzle of the 18" barrel on my 870. I finished the cut as nicely as I could with a small stone and cold blue pen. Then, I grabbed the Inova light, the ONLY good light I could find that would slide INSIDE the mag tube. I marked about where the lanyard hole was on the Inova, and drilled a hole through the mag tube where it would be. Then slide the light into the tube, and run a screw through the hole AND lanyard opening, and close it off with a washer and nut. DONE! Now, the magazine tube holds one more round, and a LIGHT. Finally. It seems nobody makes this product, and I've been looking for a long, long time. Eventually I'll do one with two holes in the tube, and try for a remote switch of some kind, but for now, I'm happy with twisting the light bezel for on/off. Pics: This is attached to the gun. Note the low profile of the screw used. This allows it to be threaded off like any other mag tube cap. Here's the look without the light, but retaining the tail cap in place to prevent the spring and follower flying out. I have shot it a few hundred rounds like this. No problems of any kind. See the inside view of the tailcap of the Inova. Very robust hunk of aluminum. Steve

May 25, 2012, 07:01 PM	#5
MagnumWill Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Central Colorado Posts: 1,001	That is CLEAN. Frankly, the reason I DON'T have a light on mine is because a lot of mounts suck, and the increased profile allows snagging, breaking, etc. and this solves it. Way cool. :thumbsup: __________________ Those who hammer their swords into plow shares will plow for those who didn't...

May 28, 2012, 06:45 PM	#6
steveracer Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 123	Good points. I did address the extension actually working. It allows one additional round over factory, and I'm making another one now that will allow me to un-pin the light and put a blank in its place, allowing more mag capacity.

May 29, 2012, 07:33 PM	#7
steveracer Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 123	Update. Made a new one with a better light. The X2 came in, and it's a better light for this. Brighter and the same overall size, roughly. I remade the tube. This time I was able to get Chicago screws in place and it's much more slick looking, and more easily removable. Pics: Range time tomorrow. Results to follow.

May 29, 2012, 07:35 PM	#8
CK_32 Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2009 Location: Orange County, Ca Posts: 450	Nice! Hope it stays in for when you need it tho __________________ Bullet placement over bullet wastement

May 22, 2012, 12:41 PM	#2
Grant D Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2011 Location: Brazos County, Texas Posts: 1,038	Wow! that's a great idea.

May 24, 2012, 07:22 AM	#3
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	Very well executed! That is a clean install. I have a Choate on my 870 folder, when I get around to replacing it with a Rem extension I know what I'm going to do with it. Great idea.

May 25, 2012, 11:26 AM	#4
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Great idea and well done… But, IMHO, the people who want a light on their gun also want a functioning mag extension. Perhaps, by using some of the newer battery technologies/form factors, you could get a shorter light that wouldn't require sacrificing shell capacity.

May 29, 2012, 07:50 PM	#9
steveracer Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 123	Stability isn't really an issue The previous one was fired more than 300 rounds with the light in place, no problems at all. The tailcap of the light is billet aluminum and very strong. The screws holding it in place go all the way through the tailcap, and the clearances in there are tight enough that movement isn't an issue. The light is designed for use like this, and the LED is tough. Basically, this isn't really any less strong than any other commercially available mag extension. I would only change one thing, and it's not worth the extra cost to me: I would thread the tube for a light that threads into it. The machine work alone would be prohibitive. And then I would be limited to really only one specific light. This one is easily replaceable.