I finally made the integral light mount/mag tube.

[steveracer]

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

 

[Rail Driver]

I'm VERY interested in seeing pics - I've been looking for something similar for my 870 - I'd like to have a light, but I don't want any rails or other silly crap on my shotgun. I'm even leaving the laminate furniture on it though I might polish it really well and refinish it.

 

[steveracer]

Mine is all walnut and gloss blue. Hard to imagine adding a rail of any kind. I'm sick to my stomach just thinking about it. I like the look of it without the mag clamp, and it works fine, but I do use it to attach a sling.

 

[Rail Driver]

It came out good! Now with a remote switch, a rubber gasket, and maybe a cap/filter for the end, plus a chicago screw and you can make it look more "finished"

Fantastic idea.

 

[steveracer]

The T-2 will be nice, as the bezel is larger, the output is higher, and the tailcap is compatible. I would need only thread out this one and thread in the other.
I tried the Chicago screw idea, but the hole for the tailcap lanyard is off-center, so the hole in the mag tube is also. The Chicago screws stood off too far, and actually looked worse. Working on a different nut/cap. Going to just buy another Choate mag tube (blued, well made, and cheaper than most others) and make another one. I have two similar 870s, this one, and a 20" with tritium rifle sights and hogue furniture. That one should have been my prototype, but it's the "always loaded and ready" shotgun here.

 

[Snowdog]

I also have the X5 Inova and have put it through the hoops (my work requires the use of a light). It's a robust light.

I have since started using a Xeno E03 that is a good deal smaller. It's about the size of a 20ga shell and is rated about 350 lumens on high with a lithium 14500 battery (about 1/3 that with a AA battery). I wonder if something that size might be a candidate for such use.

Either way, I say kudos to you and your ingenuity. Good job!

 

[EvilGenius]

Genius!

 

[451 Detonics]

Looks good but I have to wonder how well it will hold up to a couple hundred full power loads. That has always been an issue with lights like this. The batteries beating back and forth under recoil beat the spring to death and the dead weight blows from the batteries causes thread to fail. Of course the smaller and lighter the batteries the less this occurs, The Kel-Lites on the High Standard shotguns with the d-cells were tough on parts and the bulbs didn't last super long either.

 

[TurtlePhish]

....brings a whole new meaning to Maglite.

Sorry, I had to say it.

 

[steveracer]

I fired 200 rounds of 00buck and 1oz slugs like this, no problems. Reliability was not an issue at all.

 

[EvilGenius]

....brings a whole new meaning to Maglite.

Sorry, I had to say it.

*rimshot*

 

[Skribs]

That's pretty cool. Looks slick, and makes a lot of sense. The big benefit I see from it is that you don't change the profile of the gun any.

My light-mounting system might seem somewhat retarded, but I like to put an offset rail mount on the top rail, to hold it near the receiver. Easier to reach without the remote setup.

 

[steveracer]

I didn't want to add any dimension to the weapon of any kind. I used to have it like this:

But I didn't like the light hanging down there, and I wanted to add one or more rounds of capacity to it.
Already ordered more parts to make a prettier one. Pics to follow when I finish it.

 

[steveracer]

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.

 

[steveracer]

More than 500 rounds now. Combo of 1oz slugs and 00 buck. Nothing but smiles, and the light is still tight in the tube and no problems. I'm thrilled.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Good job! Glad it's worked out.

 

[Milkmaster]

Good looking work. Looks like it paid off too! congrats!

 

[fatcat4620]

Go over to candlepower forums. Those guys live for this stuff and could help you on your build.