Trying to pick a weapon mountable LED light

[k5ride]

(EDITED)

I'm trying to figure out what brand of LED weapon light besides Surefire would be appropriate for mounting on a Remington 870.

It's intended use will be primarily for self defence against animals (snakes, hogs, wolfs) more so than people. It's maximum range will be 30 meters and under.

I would like it to have:

A touch pad (If possible)

High and low brightness levels (If possible)

Minimum of 85 lumens (High)

Minimum of 90 minutes regulated output

Capable of using protected 18650 rechargeable batteries

 

[boosterboy]

I don't recommend an LED solution for a long range weapons light, color rendition is not that good and you loose depth perception.

I highly recommend an Incandescent setup for your AR

Pick up something like a Pentagon X3 9volt setup.

Or a Surefire 9P with a Shock Isolated Bezel with a P90/P91 lamp, and if you want you can use the countless P60-sized LED drop-in modules out there. There is also the upcoming Surefire P60L LED module.

The Pelican M6 aftermarket tape switch will work for the Surefire Classic series.

For your 870, LED would suffice since your practical engagement range would be like 5-50 yards.

Using the Surefire P60 format allows you to quickly replaced damaged/burnt bulbs or emitters.

 

[copykat]

I put 2 lights on mine.
one variable led (poormans U2)
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?p=2073918#post2073918
on high it is plenty of light for my house and back yard and the LED is very tough plus i can dim it down so as not to be seen if simply walking down a trail or to save on battery.

then i have the Suefire M4 Devestator to spot targets up to 100 yds away or disorient anyone close up. it is pretty much unapproachable.

 

[Drundel]

I think the G2-LED would hands down be the best thing for a 870 and tactical AR. I have a P6 knockoff on my SuperNova and as soon as I see a G2-LED for under $30 I'll pick up a couple.

 

[FliGuyRyan]

I'm trying to figure out what brand of LED flashlight besides Surefire would be appropriate for mounting on a Remington 870 or AR-15.

I would like it to have:

A touch pad (If possible)

High and low brightness levels, (If possible)

Minimum of 175-185 lumens

Minimum of 90 minutes regulated output (Would prefer 2 hours if possible)

I am not against Surefire in the slightest, I would just like to know what all is out there.

Thanks in advance!

I had the exact same question and would add to it, something I can EDC, like if Fenix or Novatac made a kit that converted the tailcap to allow for pad...

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[Patriot]

Your lumen requirement alone excludes most currently manufactured LED weapon lights.

I'd go with incans for the time being...especially considering that it's for a long gun. The X200A throws reallly great for an LED, but in a year or so I think there will be better choices for LED weapon lights.

 

[LK5GB7]

LED's are less susceptible to shock and vibration sensitivity. incandescents are horrible for rifles, especially a high recoil shotgun. home defense requires powerful rounds. i would only trust an LED to that


the TLR1 is a good option. you can mount it on a rail attached to the pump handle. you can use different kinds of pressure pads. but since the pump handle tends to have a loose fit, the light will not be very solid during cycling

FYI: The TLR is brighter and lasts longer than the x200a & b

you can also mount a light on the barrel or magazine tube. this requires an adaptor similar to these; and can easily accomodate a pressure pad as well. it is more solid and less likely to move

http://www.combatstocks.com/Weapons_Light_System_WLS_2000_by_TAC_STAR_ON_SALE.cfm

you can also opt for a receiver mounted picatinny rail. this is very efficient, but does require a small amount of time to install

 

[boosterboy]

LED's are less susceptible to shock and vibration sensitivity. incandescents are horrible for rifles, especially a high recoil shotgun. home defense requires powerful rounds. i would only trust an LED to that

That's why you get shock-isolated bezels for your incandescents.

I'm not bashing LEDs, they are more shock resistant since there is no filament to break, but you can still have broken solder joints.

It's dependent on how your light is design, if the electronics are shock isolated.

And in the event of your incandescent failing, you can always pop in a spare bulb, unless you plan to buy spare LED bezels.

 

[Patriot]

LED's are less susceptible to shock and vibration sensitivity. incandescents are horrible for rifles, especially a high recoil shotgun. home defense requires powerful rounds. i would only trust an LED to that

I have to disagree with this. Incans have proven themselves more that capable over the past decade. Surefire's shock isolated bezels have been very reliable. I even have a non-shock isolated, 6P mounted on an AR-15 that is one of my regular shooters and I don't remove it for general shooting. My M900A has survived around 1500-2000 rounds of .308 while mounted on a SA58 and still has the same MN21 lamp assembly. The M6X that's now on my Glock 20 (as seen in my avatar) used to be on a Super 90 and it lived through about 4 cases (1000 rounds) of 12g heavy game loads while doing some informal fun shooting at the local trap and skeet range. The same M6X has now survived a few thousand rounds of 10mm and still has the original bulb. In my experience incan lamps have surpassed my expectations for longevity.

FYI: The TLR is brighter and lasts longer than the x200a & b

I believe that my TRL is rated at 80 lumens, while the X200B is rated at 100 Surefire lumens...and we know how conservative SF is. Additionally, my X200A outthrows my TRL-2. Yes the TRLs have more run-time, but that's not a critical factor for me due the the intermittent on time, (if used properly and tactically.)

you can mount it on a rail attached to the pump handle

Surefire already makes the light integrated pump handle and I don't know of anyone who is manufacturing a pump with integral picatinny rail at this time..not to say that one doesn't exist. With a mechanism as critical as a pump handle I wouldn't trust just anyone to injection mold such an assembly. Surefire did their homework with the fore end series of shotgun lights and can be trusted. BTW, Surefire designed those as incans from the very beginning.

 

[LK5GB7]

I have to disagree with this. Incans have proven themselves more that capable over the past decade. Surefire's shock isolated bezels have been very reliable.

excuse me, i'm talking about the durability of bulbs, not flashlights with specially designed shock isolated bezels. sure, you can design a really nice light to hold a really shitty bulb, but that doesnt mean its a good idea. especially if your using it for defensive illumination purposes. christ, i can just hear the bulbs shattering now.


honestly, if you're trying to argue that incandescent are more practical for defensive use than LED, just because you had a pleasant or moving experience with one, you've preached to the wrong choir

I believe that my TRL is rated at 80 lumens, while the X200B is rated at 100 Surefire lumens...and we know how conservative SF is. Additionally, my X200A outthrows my TRL-2. Yes the TRLs have more run-time, but that's not a critical factor for me due the the intermittent on time, (if used properly and tactically.)

despite the ratings, the x200 is inferior to the TLR and every single person ive talked to who has both (over 5) including myself will confirm this. you are the first who has not. so thats over 5 surefires compared to 5 streamlights. all SL's dominated except for 1. i think thats good odds. and yea, i guess if saving money on expensive batteries isnt your thing, then runtime probably isnt that important...................

With a mechanism as critical as a pump handle I wouldn't trust just anyone to injection mold such an assembly. Surefire did their homework with the fore end series of shotgun lights and can be trusted. BTW, Surefire designed those as incans from the very beginning.

injection molding firearms, parts & accessories has been going on for years. what on earth makes you think theres something wrong with it? i think if HK and glock can get away with it on their pistol receivers, you can get away with it on a stupid pump handle.

back to the topic. yet another option would be to mount something simlar to the surefire m69. this is essentially a pump handle with 3 aluminum rails integrated into it. this wil give you alot of options for lights and vertical grips. you can also attach the rail covers for a nice grip so you're not shredding fingers on the slots (cheese grating)


http://store.irawoodinc.com/ns-sur-m69.html

 

[NickDrak]

i never said they werent capable. i just know LED's are better. just because you throw a shock isolated incandescent on your rifle doesnt mean its more reliable bulb for bulb. last i checked, LED's dont need shock isolated bezels in the first place.

christ, i never said anything about surefires or shock isolated bezels. that is beside the point... i'm talking about the durability of bulbs, not flashlights.

ETA: Trying to keep up with your multiple edits to your above post....:thinking:

The OP didnt post "Which is more shock resistant Incan bulbs or LED lamps?" He asked for suggestions on weapon mounted lights. Stick to the topic, and try not to cherry pick examples to try to prove your point.

LED's are "better" in which situations? If the OP is mounting a weaponlight on a medium to long range rifle then mounting a LED on it will be almost useless. If it is for close range work then an LED will do just fine. When the Surefire P60L LED lamp becomes available, it will replace the incan lamp in my Benelli's 617 forend weaponlight as it is my "house gun", But my duty rifle (AR15) wears a SF M900 (incan) that has tons of throw which serves its outdoors purpose better.

in my experience this is untrue. the x200 is inferior to the TLR and ive confirmed this with multiple models of x200 a and B with streamlight TLR1 and 2. thats why i could never justify the price of a surefire. otherwise, yes, i would have bought one. and for most of us paying close to 2 bucks per battery, we do tend to pay ATTENTION to the runtime. call it the CPF way....

Sorry, but the TLR-1 is not brighter than either the X200a or X200B. The max output for both are nearly identical, but the X200A will out-throw the TLR, and the X200B will easily out-flood the TLR. Now that the X300 is available, the max output & runtime comparison is not even close. I own both, (X200B & TLR-1) and my TLR-1 is currently up for sale in the CPF marketplace.

by the way, pistol grips and accessories are injection molded for shotguns all the time. stocks, side saddles; there are lots of things im sure you have on your AR15 that are also injection molded. that doesnt mean they are crap just because surefire doesnt make them with a ridiculous price tag

you can get away with it on a stupid pump handle eh?

You get what you pay for. Surefire makes 6xx series shotgun forend specific weaponlights and the M900 vertical grip weaponlights, both have no equal, and there isnt even anyone who makes anything remotely similar to these products to compare them to. Their asking price for these lights is more than reasonable.

BTW, What the hell is a "Pump handle"? Sounds like proper nomenclature for a toilet bowl, not a shotgun.

 

[gunfighter]

I'm having the same dilemma as I'm looking for a shotgun mounted light.

I'd love the Surefire offering, except for one detail I found in the small print;

Surefire includes a "dummy" bezel with their shotgun forend light and advises its use during training. They claim it will save the bulb from excessive recoil punishment.

This doesn't give me the feeling shock isolated incandscent bulbs are the best thing for a shotgun mounted light.

I thought LEDs would be the way to go, but I suppose there is the possibility of damage to the circuitry if it isn't shock isolated.

Is there a "perfect" solution to shotgun mounted weaponlights?

 

[NickDrak]

Your 5th or 6th edit to your original post:

despite the ratings, the x200 In my experiences is inferior to the TLR and every single person ive talked to who has both (over 5) including myself will confirm this.

Now heres your original post:

in my experience this is untrue. the x200 is inferior to the TLR and ive confirmed this with multiple models of x200 a and B with streamlight TLR1 and 2. thats why i could never justify the price of a surefire. otherwise, yes, i would have bought one.

:shrug::thinking:

Sir, you have absolutely ZERO credibility here. Now please go spread your lies and half-truths elsewhere:thumbsdow

 

[LK5GB7]

The OP didnt post "Which is more shock resistant Incan bulbs or LED lamps?" He asked for suggestions on weapon mounted lights. Stick to the topic, and try not to cherry pick examples to try to prove your point.

yea, and the OP didnt post "which incandescent surefire to buy" but that didnt stop people from posting about it when thats SPECIFICALLY what he was trying to look past DID it? and you are telling ME i should read the OP? half the people in this thread couldnt even answer his question without recommending something he already had considered. you need to learn your place pal

LED's are "better" in which situations? If the OP is mounting a weaponlight on a medium to long range rifle then mounting a LED on it will be almost useless. If it is for close range work then an LED will do just fine. When the Surefire P60L LED lamp becomes available, it will replace the incan lamp in my Benelli's 617 forend weaponlight as it is my "house gun", But my duty rifle (AR15) wears a SF M900 (incan) that has tons of throw which serves its outdoors purpose better.

more pointless argumentative talk. he already said it was for shotgun and AR15, perhaps you should read the OP and not just nitpick at stuff...

the X200B will easily out-flood the TLR. Now that the X300 is available, the max output & runtime comparison is not even close. I own both, (X200B & TLR-1) and my TLR-1 is currently up for sale in the CPF marketplace.

the x200b was DESIGNED to outflood the TLR1 and x200a. thats the primary reason there are 2 models. one for spot, one for flood, remember? i have plenty of LEO's, marines and civilian range owners who will agree the TLR1 dominates the A beam. sure its not blue and diamond shaped, but it travels. and my comparison was between x200 and TLR, not x300 and TLR. so once again, perhaps you should not be creating arguments


BTW, What the hell is a "Pump handle"? Sounds like proper nomenclature for a toilet bowl, not a shotgun.[/QUOTE]

if you can type then i know you have the brainpower to figure out that question.

Sir, you have absolutely ZERO credibility here. Now please go spread your lies and half-truths elsewhere

just because i didnt BUY one didnt mean i havent OWNED one. so get your facts straight, for you to even throw that accusation at me is rude and insulting. i have not insulted you sir.



by the way, if you dont like my edits then perhaps you shouldnt read internet forums. i edit them so they are simple and easy to read. if you want to refresh in the middle of what im trying to say and analyze my post, that is YOUR problem, NOT mine. if you want to come to this forum and dissect someones post into a virtual pissing match instead of helping people, you should seriously reconsider your place here.

 

[NickDrak]

we arent talking to medium to long range rifles we're talking about a short range shotgun which LEDs are perfect for. im not discussing something that isnt relevant.

Maybe YOU arent talking about medium to long range rifles, but the original poster was asking for suggestion for both a Rem 870 AND a AR-15 rifle (Medium-Long range rifle).

BTW, What the hell is a "Pump handle"? Sounds like proper nomenclature for a toilet bowl, not a shotgun.

a pump handle is the handle you pump to rack rounds from the magazine to the ramp, and into the barrel. www.welcometothe20thcentury.com

You mean FOREND STOCK dont you?



just because i didnt BUY one didnt mean i havent OWNED one. thats why i can compare the two in the first place.

So, just to clarify... you "OWNED" an X200 or is it "including myself, who HAS both"???


i received one last year for christmas which went up on ebay. my TLR1 has been going strong ever since

by the way,if you dont like my edits then perhaps you shouldnt be pressing refresh every 10 seconds

I actually read what I post, and what I am responding to. When I first clicked the "Quote" button to respond to your post I noticed that you had already changed what you initially posted, and when I went back to confirm, you had already edited your post a few more times.

 

[NickDrak]

Back on topic....

For your 870 I suggest you go with the Surefire 618 dedicated forend weaponlight which you can add a CREE or Seoul LED drop-in lamp to if you wish. They can be found for around $200 quite easily on ebay.

Going the seperates route will end up costing you close to the price of the SF 618 when you factor the light, tape switch/tailcap assembly, light mount, and railed forend. And you still wont have a better set-up than if you just went with the 618 system in the first place.

 

[LK5GB7]

Maybe YOU arent talking about medium to long range rifles, but the original poster was asking for suggestion for both a Rem 870 AND a AR-15 rifle (Medium-Long range rifle).

just because the rifle is designed for long range does not mean its being used at long range. you just made that assumption so you can feel good about answering a question that never got asked in the first place. the distance of engagement is alot more important than the designed range of a firearm but you wouldn't know that. he just asked what light would mount appropriately on both. mount appropriately... mount.. appropriately... LED... OTHER THAN SUREFIRE.... get it? good, because nobody seems capable of comprehending those 3 things.

perhaps it is YOU, and everyone else that need to go back and read what the OP said. before recommending things he obviously tried to avoid.

You mean FOREND STOCK dont you?

If i meant forend stock, i would have wrote forend stock. forend stocks go on non pumping, semi-automatic shotguns and rifles. pump handles go on pump shotguns like 870's (the one mentioned in the thread, incase you werent paying attention) thats why they are called pump handles......

So, just to clarify... you "OWNED" an X200 or is it "including myself, who HAS both"???

who cares? i have owned one before, reguardless of how you want to put it. HAS both, HAD BOTH, bought, was given, was bartered, etc.


what does it matter. i know what im talking about and you obviously dont

 

[MikeLip]

I think a gigawatt IR laser would do you just fine. You could forego the shotgun or rifle.

Oh, wait, you said weapon MOUNTABLE, not just weapon light. My error!

Sorry, I had to after all the, umm, heated debate we've had on this one

 

[LK5GB7]

this thread is the epitome of why we dont have much gun & light discussion in here. there just arent enough avid shooters to carry an intelligent conversation. one person asks a question about something like a decent LED, non surefire, weapon mountable light. then all you get is reccomendations for an overrated, incandescent surefire light.

 

[lightfire]

I would suggest looking at the Wolf Eyes 6MX explorer with pressure switch. You can also get a regular tailpiece for it as well. Very nice beam. I would think it would be great for shotgun distances. Don't know if it would suit your purposes for outdoors AR use. Very well built light.