Shotguns at Dark Thirty - Improvised Shotgun Light

While tactical gear for your shotgun is great to have, it can wreck your budget if you are not careful. When considering how much practical use you will get from it versus the cost ($$$), it sometimes leaves you looking for a simpler and more cost effective solution. Here is my $20 solution for an improvised light for my Mossberg shotgun.

Using a set of Weaver Open Sight Scope Mounting Rings (Part # 49713 / cost $13) that mount directly to the receiver of my shotgun (the mounting rings aligned perfectly with the existing receiver mounting holes) and a 9 LED push button flashlight (cost $7) with a 1 inch barrel, I made an improvised light for my shotgun. The open sight mounts were originally intended for my wife's Marlin 30/30. They would allow me to mount a scope and still be able to use the iron sights. I will now need to purchase another set of open sight scope mounting rings for the wife's rifle.

The light when mounted is easy to turn on and off with your thumb and is easily accessed from the safety. Flip the safety off and flip the light on. Simple but effective. The light has an effective range of approximately 9 meters which is more than sufficient for most home defense scenarios but I'm sure there are probably stronger lights out there with a 1 inch barrel that will fit the open sight mounting rings. The open sight mounting rings also allow an unobstructed view of the sights and the light actually enhances the hi-viz bead sight already on my shotgun. Making it easier to put the bead sight directly on the target.

This is a fairly low cost solution that makes carrying a flashlight and a loaded shotgun at the same time no longer necessary. Having both hands free makes your shotgun a lot easier to handle effectively. If the light should fail due to some reason or other, it is simple enough to change out and cheap enough to make it affordable. The need for a light on my shotgun enabling it's effective and safe use at night may never materialize but it is clearly better to have the option of identifying any intended target and avoiding any mistakes that could have severe consequences.

When the means and opportunity presents itself, I will probably seek a better and more professional light set-up for my shotgun but this will work for the time being until a more permanent solution is available.

You can read the original post here: Shotguns at Dark Thirty

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker