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If you own a shotgun, it’ll more than likely be for home security purposes. Your home has a higher chance of being broken into during the night time. What are you going to do with your shotgun if it’s dark and hard to locate your target? How can you accurately aim at the intruder with minimal visibility?
Aiming in dark or dim light also makes your family vulnerable, and you may unintentionally end up hurting them. To avoid such mishaps, we’ve reviewed a selection of the best shotgun rail mounts so you can attach a flashlight and protect your property safely.
Click here to read all about the Pros and Cons of a Weapon Mounted Light
Here’s a list of the best shotgun rail mount flashlights
- SureFire X300 Ultra LED Weaponlight
- Streamlight 88850 PolyTac LED Flashlight
- WINDFIRE Tactical Flashlight
- NcSTAR Weaver Mount Tactical LED Light Flashlight
- TruGlo TRUPoint Laser/Light Combo
What to Consider when looking for a Shotgun Rail Mount Flashlight
Now that you understand the necessity of a shotgun rail mount with a flashlight, you’ll probably want to equip your weapon with one. If you are on the hunt for the best shotgun rail mount, you need to know what to look for to make your purchase worthwhile.
Well, no worries, here are some options to consider before buying the best shotgun rail mount.
Lumen and Brightness
Regarding the flashlight to couple with your shotgun rail mount, the first thing you should look for is the lumen output of the flashlight. Lumen is the unit for brightness, and the more the lumen output, the brighter your flashlight will be.
Your flashlight can also be used as a second form of defense; your flashlights should be bright enough to blind your potential attacker. A flashlight with a 500+ lumen-output is the best option and would go great with the best shotgun rail mount.
Our Lumens, Lux, and Candela article is a great resource to learn more about Lumens and light output
Durability
The durability of the flashlight primarily depends on its construction. Qualities like a secure mount, shock-proof, scratch and abrasion-resistant, and being waterproof are important.
Flashlights without these attributes might get a crack or come off completely after a few blasts, and being waterproof is essential if you enjoy nighttime hunting, make sure your flashlight is sealed with an O-ring.
How durable is it? What does IPX6 mean? Read our Ultimate Guide to the ANSI/PLATO FL1 Standard symbols!
Multiple Modes
If your shotgun’s primary purpose is self-defense and safety, then you should opt for a flashlight that offers multiple modes.
All flashlights have the usual constant mode, basically on or off. Some flashlights have a single momentary mode that causes the flashlight to only work when pressing the switch. The majority of them include various brightness intensities—low, medium, and high. Low intensity can also extend the life of the batteries.
It’s common for flashlights to offer a strobe mode, which normally has multiple levels: high, medium, low, and blink depending on which one to buy. The strobe mode is there to blind your potential attacker; if you shine a bright light into someone’s eyes in the dark, it takes them a minute or two to re-adjust to the dark.
Using that moment of disorientation, you can either run away or capture and subdue the person trying to attack you.
Sometimes, flashlights offer an SOS mode for when you find yourself in a difficult situation and lack communication.
Easy Operation
Flashlights should come with an ambidextrous control system allowing you to operate with either hand. A remote switch could come in handy if you mount the flashlight at the end of your weapon, removing the need to reach for the power buttons.
Mount
When you buy the shotgun rail mount, make sure it contains the essential equipment for mounting. Remember to check if it’s supplied with the right kit to fit your weapon, like Picatinny rails or Glock-style rails.
Make sure the mount has a good grip on the shotgun, or else it’ll come off after a few blasts. When life’s at stake, always choose a secure mount that’s reliable.
Weight and Size
Weight and size are other essential features of a shotgun rail mount that you should look for. The lighter and the smaller your rail mount will be, the more comfortable it’ll be carrying your weapon, and should hardly affect your aim.
The best weight of a shotgun rail mount, including a flashlight, is 10 ounces, and a great size is 4 inches. When it comes to size, less is more.
Some shotgun rail mount and flashlight combos are less than 5 ounces; if a 5-ounce set offers decent lumen output, consider it a great buy.
Battery Life
Make sure the flashlight with your shotgun rail mount gets the most out of the batteries. Flashlights with a high amount of lumens don’t necessarily provide the longest beam throw distance but will drain your power fast. Try and find a model that uses as little juice as possible, but maintains high-quality performance; it could be disastrous to lose vision during a critical moment.
Learn everything you need to know about Batteries with our Ultimate Guide to Batteries!
Price
Don’t assume the most expensive model means that it’s of the highest quality. Take into consideration the expected lifespan; a flashlight with a reasonably high price tag that is going to last will be cheaper in the long-run than an inexpensive model that will break and need replacing every month. If you find an affordable, long-lasting set, bonus!
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The Best Shotgun Rail Mount Flashlights on the Market
Now that you know what to look for in a shotgun rail mount, it’s time to check out the best shotgun rail mounts currently available.
Click here to see the Best Shotgun Flashlights reviewed!
Best Shotgun Rail Mount Flashlight with T-Slot Mount
SureFire X300 Ultra LED Weaponlight
The flashlight comes with an off-white LED with a 1000-lumen output, including a TIR lens that makes its beam smoother and tighter. Since the flashlight’s lumen output is considerable, it’ll provide enough light for peripheral illumination.
The lumen output of this flashlight not only makes it suitable for self-defense but also for hunting. The flashlight features ambidextrous switching for constant-on and momentary; this feature allows you to have one-finger control and is ergonomic.
As the title suggests, the flashlight offers a T-slot mounting system, made from aluminum, for railed handguns and long guns, making the fixture of a flashlight to your shotgun, rock-solid.
The flashlight and mounting system are constructed from impressive high-strength aerospace aluminum with Mil-Spec anodizing coating and a tempered window.
Note that this shotgun rail mount is quite lightweight at just 7.04 ounces and offers a runtime of one and a half hours, and as a bonus, the batteries are included.
It’s a bit on the pricey side, but worth every penny.
Pros
- High Lumen output with TIR lens to focus the beam.
- Durable.
- One- finger control.
- Ambidextrous and ergonomic.
- Batteries included.
Cons
- Quite expensive.
Best Shotgun Rail Mount Flashlight for Durability
Streamlight 88850 PolyTac LED Flashlight
The technology used in the flashlight is C4 LED, which makes it shock-resistant and provides a lifetime of 50,000 hours; these features make the flashlight reliable and durable.
This flashlight comes with borofloat glass, meaning it’s scratch and abrasion-resistant and is sealed with an O-ring, making it completely waterproof. You can use it on your shotgun during rainy days with no worries.
This flashlight features a one-handed control push-button tail-cap for momentary and constant-on use of the flashlight. It also boasts a variable intensity, programmable strobe mode.
The Streamlight provides 600 lumens of output and a beam of 11,500 candelas with a throw distance of 214 meters!
Note that the runtime of the flashlight is up to three hours (continuous use) to the output level of 10 percent. If you use the flashlight on low strobe mode, then the runtime can extend to 34 hours; although, the lumen output used at this level is 35 with a beam of 675 candelas reducing the throw distance to 52 meters.
You’ll be happy to know that this set is quite lightweight at just 4.2 ounces; it shouldn’t affect your aim at all.
Pros
- High durability.
- Heat and shock-resistant.
- Waterproof.
- Brilliant lumen output, lifetime, and throw distance of the beam.
- Lightweight.
Cons
- The lumen output at the low mode is quite moderate.
Best High Lumen Output Shotgun Rail Mount Flashlight
The WINDFIRE Tactical Flashlight offers 1200 lumens of output. It’s excellent for you if you use your shotgun for hunting, self-defense, or home safety. A flashlight with such a high lumen output can be very useful.
The throw distance of the WINDFIRE’s beam is 100 meters (approximately 110 yards). It’s crafted from a high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum alloy and has O-ring rubber seals, making it waterproof and suitable for use even during the most torrential downpours.
It has two modes; momentary and constant-on, with a remote pressure switch. The flashlight works with two types of batteries—1 x 3.7V 18650 battery and 2x CR123a or CR123; however, cells do not come with the package.
You can use this mount on handguns, rifles, and shotguns.
This set is a high-quality product for a very low price.
Pros
- High lumen output.
- Good beam throw distance.
- Durable.
- Waterproof.
- Works on rechargeable batteries.
Cons
- The package doesn’t contain batteries.
Click here to see the Best Shotgun Grip Flashlights reviewed!
Best Beam Throw Shotgun Rail Mount Flashlight
NcSTAR Weaver Mount Tactical LED Light Flashlight
This flashlight is a 3 watt LED and offers 150 lumens or 90 lumens of output, depending on the mode you’re using; it features constant and strobe mode.
You can mount it on Weaver or Picatinny type rail, and it provides an easy attaching and detaching mechanism.
The NcSTAR works on a single CR123A lithium rechargeable battery, which is included in the purchase.
The weight of this set is remarkably light at 3.2 ounces and is 3 inches long, meaning it will barely have any impact on your ability to aim and shoot.
Customers have noted that the throw of the beam exceeds what you would expect from a flashlight of 90 lumens.
Pros
- Lightweight.
- Small.
- Fine Lumen output.
- Batteries included.
Cons
- Some customers found the activation button a little hard to press.
- The flashlight gets hot after 15 minutes of use.
Best Shotgun Rail Mount Flashlight with Laser
TruGlo TRUPoint Laser/Light Combo
The TRUPpoint comes with a choice of a red or green laser located within the flashlight housing, reducing the overall bulk. If you’re someone who loves hunting, this is made for you. The laser can make your aiming more precise and effortless. Why choose between a flashlight and a laser when you can have both?
It offers a maximum of 250 lumens for easy target identification, and you can combine light and laser for the best of both worlds.
The laser/light combo comes with left and right-hand interchangeable backplates to run the controls on either side.
It mounts to any Picatinny or Weaver-style rail and has a quick-release lever providing quick installation and removal, with no tools required.
Included is a momentary pressure switch which powers the unit with just a squeeze. It has three modes, laser only, light only, and a laser/light combination. Unfortunately, it doesn’t provide a strobe mode.
Pros
- High lumen output.
- Good laser provided.
- Sturdy and light.
- Good grip.
Cons
- Not durable enough.
- No strobe mode.
Click here to see all of our Weapon Light Reviews!
Conclusion
You should now have sufficient knowledge about shotgun rail mounts to be confident in your purchase. It needs to have decent lumen output and be durable. You need to consider the type of mount that will be most compatible with your shotgun, and make sure it’s light and small enough to keep your aim true and not affect your shot.
Our top choice for the best shotgun rail mount from the list above is the SureFire X300 Ultra LED Weaponlight. It’s a little expensive, but it’s worth it.
It has the best quality lumen output with a TIR lens for focusing the high-intensity beam, it offers an ergonomic and ambidextrous switch, and provides you single-finger control. It’s durable, and it’s sealed with an O-ring.
However, if you’re on a budget, go for Streamlight 88850 PolyTac LED Flashlight. It has most of the features mentioned above, but we’re putting it as a second choice because the lifetime of this flashlight is much less than the winner.