tactical shotgun

[eric]

Same here in all, thanks for the info, and was right on my thinking.

[GlockenHammer]

But I'm just a student, not an expert. My opinion is worth just what you paid for it.

I wouldn't trust an expert that was not also a student. And your opinion is worth more than you charge for it.

[brewster]

I've got two tactical shotguns: one Mossy 500 like yours and a Benelli supernova. After buying the Benelli, I put the checkered wood and the 28-inch barrel back on the Mossy for hunting. Like those above, I prefer the shotgun in answer to your question. After having the Benelli for a while (18" barrel) I think I have the tactical configuration that I like. This may not be for you, but may be for some, even if you have a different brand.

First, I got a shotshell rider for the stock. As much as I wanted a secured one, I hated to drill holes in the Benelli. I hot a nice flexible carrier from Dick's sporting goods, which is much better than the others I've seen in other stores. Second, I got some 3.5" mag 00 buck made by Remington. I haven't shot one of those yet; I hear those mag loads are a real handful in the tactical configuration. I'm sure I can handle it, though. Here's something to think about: those shells deliver 18 32-cal pellets around 1500 fps...it would be hard to lose a fight with that. Two shots and you've delivered more lead than a 30 round clip from an AK. Even if your gun only shoots up to 3" inch shells, I think you can still get at least 12 pellets in the load.

Get a mag extension...worth it. Get all the capacity you can without going past the barrel.

Last, get a flashlight holder for the mag extension. I got a great one from cheaper than dirt...it holds the light, plus has rails on three sides to attach stuff to. Now for the light. I've got streamlights, gun lights with pressure switches, etc. I recently changed. This sounds crazy, but I put a $15 flashlight from Sam's on the Benelli. Actually, it's a two pack for $30, and get this: they put out 150 lumens EACH. The use regular AAA batteries, and have a on off switch on the end. Perfect for the tactical configuration. Give 'er a try!

[Skiprr]

But I'm just a student, not an expert. My opinion is worth just what you paid for it.

I wouldn't trust an expert that was not also a student. And your opinion is worth more than you charge for it.

Thank you, GH. Very glad to see you back in these parts.

[lunchbox]

I've got two tactical shotguns: one Mossy 500 like yours and a Benelli supernova. After buying the Benelli, I put the checkered wood and the 28-inch barrel back on the Mossy for hunting. Like those above, I prefer the shotgun in answer to your question. After having the Benelli for a while (18" barrel) I think I have the tactical configuration that I like. This may not be for you, but may be for some, even if you have a different brand.

First, I got a shotshell rider for the stock. As much as I wanted a secured one, I hated to drill holes in the Benelli. I hot a nice flexible carrier from Dick's sporting goods, which is much better than the others I've seen in other stores. Second, I got some 3.5" mag 00 buck made by Remington. I haven't shot one of those yet; I hear those mag loads are a real handful in the tactical configuration. I'm sure I can handle it, though. Here's something to think about: those shells deliver 18 32-cal pellets around 1500 fps...it would be hard to lose a fight with that. Two shots and you've delivered more lead than a 30 round clip from an AK. Even if your gun only shoots up to 3" inch shells, I think you can still get at least 12 pellets in the load.

Get a mag extension...worth it. Get all the capacity you can without going past the barrel.

Last, get a flashlight holder for the mag extension. I got a great one from cheaper than dirt...it holds the light, plus has rails on three sides to attach stuff to. Now for the light. I've got streamlights, gun lights with pressure switches, etc. I recently changed. This sounds crazy, but I put a $15 flashlight from Sam's on the Benelli. Actually, it's a two pack for $30, and get this: they put out 150 lumens EACH. The use regular AAA batteries, and have a on off switch on the end. Perfect for the tactical configuration. Give 'er a try!

what do these lights look like i want one

[brewster]

Here you go: http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/naviga ... pCatg=4427

Brighter than a streamlight...not as compact, but at 2 for $30, who cares? you'll find a use for it somewhere, if not on your gun.

And the mount: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/SHT071-47755-2204.html

[lunchbox]

wow what a pair of lights
im gunna have to go get a set one of these days

[GlockenHammer]

Last, get a flashlight holder for the mag extension. I got a great one from cheaper than dirt...it holds the light, plus has rails on three sides to attach stuff to. Now for the light. I've got streamlights, gun lights with pressure switches, etc. I recently changed. This sounds crazy, but I put a $15 flashlight from Sam's on the Benelli. Actually, it's a two pack for $30, and get this: they put out 150 lumens EACH. The use regular AAA batteries, and have a on off switch on the end. Perfect for the tactical configuration. Give 'er a try!

So in this configuration is the light either on or off, or is there some way to turn it on and off depending on the tactical situation?

I guess I should explain. I'm a big fan of lights, but I'm also a big fan of not over using them during a search. I took a simunitions round right in my pistol light during a search to drive that point home--they make great bulls eyes to your adversary. So my thinking on lights is that they must be able to be turned on and off without breaking the firing grip. I have yet to break into tactical shotguns, but I've been thinking of nothing less than a surefire forend for an 870 for my tactical shotgun.

So, how do you turn the light on and off in this configuration?

[Skiprr]

Just to add another thought to GH's post, there is a reason SureFire and competing lights cost so much more. Kinda the ol' "you get what you pay for" thing.

If you're going to mount a light on the fore-end of a 12 gauge, you want it to reliably withstand repeated recoil from 3" magnum rounds. Just me, but I would never trust a $15 light to that job. And if I chose to try it, I'd want to go out and shoot over a hundred rounds with the light in place and turned on to prove to myself that it could take the abuse and be reliable.

And more to what GH said: You don't want a constant-on light on a gun...maybe unless it's night vision IR. I've been taught that you don't use a light unless it can be toggled on and off without any change in grip on your gun, and preferrably be toggled silently. You use the light to identify your target, not to go exploring. Rapid on-and-off is critical.

[brewster]

Just to add another thought to GH's post, there is a reason SureFire and competing lights cost so much more. Kinda the ol' "you get what you pay for" thing.

No argument there.

If you're going to mount a light on the fore-end of a 12 gauge, you want it to reliably withstand repeated recoil from 3" magnum rounds. Just me, but I would never trust a $15 light to that job. And if I chose to try it, I'd want to go out and shoot over a hundred rounds with the light in place and turned on to prove to myself that it could take the abuse and be reliable.

Good advice. I've shot quite a bit through mine, and it's done fine. LED lights aren't quite as tempermental as the filiment bulbs. For starters, at $15 a pop, if it breaks, I won't be too upset. The only time where it would really matter is in a self-defense situation. Hopefully the light is as much of a deterrant as anything...that thing blinds you beyond belief. 150 lumens will have you seeing spots for several minutes. My 80 lumen SureFire will too, just for not as long. It all comes down to this: I have several guns that could use lights, and I can't drop $125 on each light. I also have backups for everything, whether it be a sidearm and an extra light, and they are in strategic places all over the house.

And more to what GH said: You don't want a constant-on light on a gun...maybe unless it's night vision IR. I've been taught that you don't use a light unless it can be toggled on and off without any change in grip on your gun, and preferrably be toggled silently. You use the light to identify your target, not to go exploring. Rapid on-and-off is critical.

This is where everyone has to try things out and see. This flashlight is not the twist-on kind, it has a button on the end. I've found it comfortable to toggle on and off with my finger while holding the pump grip. There is a very slight click to the switch. If you position the mount correctly, it's not bad at all. I had a more expensive pressure-switch light on the SuperNova before, but hated it. Velcro coming off, cord flapping in the breeze, not very bright (maybe 50 lumens). This was a perfect compromise for me.

All of your points have merit. Bottom line is: everybody has to work with a budget, know their guns, practice drills (safely of course), and have a backup plan and a backup for every possibility you can think of. As for me, I have one SureFire, and think it's a great product. But I won't buy a bunch more, although that would be nice. I'll keep this one on the Benelli.

Even if you choose not to put a cheap light on your shotgun like I did, that's Ok. Grab this two-pack for use around the house....you'll be impressed.

[USMC-COL]

I am a big shotgun defense fan.

While in the Corps in Security forces, we were trained to alternate 00 buck followed by slug. That way you have a slug ready as the 2nd shot. If you don't need it and want the buck, you just eject it. Just an idea that I use for my own defense.

When were you in the Corps and when were you with the Security Forces? I remember changing the composition of my entry teams to include two shotguns per team when I commanded the Security Force at Kings Bay because I believe in the force multiplier effect of a properly used shotgun.

[dukalmighty]

I bought a $15 LED flashlight mounted it to my 12 gauge and fired 2 3/4" 00 buck about 10 rounds and the light stayed lit,I thought wow good flashlight til I pulled the battery pack out and it was 3AAA pack,when I slid it out it fell apart,the recoil shattered the plastic and as long as it was inside it stayed together,I bought a quality gunlight after that that is designed to take the punishment from recoil

[Mike1951]

I once inquired of Surefire whether I could just clamp one of theie $35 lights to a shotgun.

The answer was that it wouldn't take the recoil for long.

[brewster]

The answer was that it wouldn't take the recoil for long.

Mine's still working fine...I'll ge sure to let you know when it quits. In the meantime, they are the best household flashlights around even if you don't want to put it anywhere near your gun.

[KBCraig]

If you're mounting a light to a shotgun, it's important to test it by firing multiple rounds while the light is on. It's meaningless to fire the shotgun and then see if the light will turn on. What matters, is if the bulb will survive firing full-bore magnum rounds while lighted.

LEDs are more robust in this regard than incandescent bulbs. I still hate 'em, though. The visible spectrum they project is much too narrow, and the light tends to be coherent, so everything it illuminates looks flat. Once you mix enough LED bulbs of different color temps, they can be good for illumination, but you'll lose any advantage of battery life.

Oh, and LEDs can be absolutely blinding when shined in the eyes, even if the narrow spectrum means you couldn't find a white cat in a coal mine with it.