We have created this guide to help you pick the best shotgun light to buy.
Most of these products are field proven for carbines and they work on shotguns as long as you use the right light mounts.
Best Shotgun Light
Disclosure: All products have affiliate links for earning commission to support the website when you purchase
Product | Details |
|---|---|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Surefire M600DF Scout - Best Overall
See more Benelli M4 light options here
Surefire M600 Scout Light is an all around the gold standard for a tactical weapon light. Perfect for any shotguns with picatinny rail or handguard with Keymod or MLOK attachment points.
The NEW Dual Fuel M600 model provides up to 1500 lumens when using SF18650B USB rechargeable lithium-ion battery. When using 123A battery, the light can project up to 1200 lumens that covers most close up & med range distances.
When using this light on a shotgun, the light can be activated through the tail cap switch or the Surefire remote DS SR07 switch that can mount on Picatinny rail.
In addition, the MODLITE PLHv2 head can be used on this light for increased throw output.
Check Out Surefire M600DF Review
Streamlight ProTac HL X - Best For The Money
The Streamlight ProTac HL X is the best alternative option for the Surefire M600DF for the price, and it includes everything right out of the box without needing additional purchases.
Added Strobe Mode - No other Scout light on the market feature this. Just double tap to activate the strobe to disorientate or signal
18650 Battery Compatible - Uses the 18650 rechargeable battery just like the Surefire
Compatible With Scout Mounts - Use any scout mounts like the M600DF or MODLITE
Field Serviceable Lens - Twisted off for replacement lens if it's shattered due to sim rounds during force on force training
Check Out Streamlight ProTac HLX Review
Olight Warrior X Pro - Best Versatility
Use the Olight Warrior X Pro as an EDC duty flashlight or mount it on a long gun.
Maximum of 2250 lumens and 650 meters of throw, this light can also accept a tail cap integrated remote switch sold separately.
- Deep press - 2250 lumens (Can light up a whole outdoor camping site at night)
- Half press - 300 lumens
The Warrior X PRO uses a 5000mAh 21700 battery included in the package with a max run time of 8 hours, and it's rechargeable through battery swap or USB magnetic charge.
The beam performance is similar to a MODLITE PLHv2
Check Out Olight Warrior X Pro Review
Surefire G2X Tactical - Light Weight
Use the Surefire G2X LED light as an EDC or as a weapon mounted light. Clamp it on a shotgun barrel with a compatible ring mount and you are good to go.
The Surefire GX2 is a virtually indestructible light made with Nitrolon® polymer. It's strong, lightweight & affordable.
The user can switch between 600 and 15 lumens as needed.
What we love about the G2X Pro is:
• Press/click the tail-cap switch that works very well when mounted on pump & semi auto shotguns.
• Way cheaper than a dedicated weapon light with an integrated mount
The Surefire G2X also offers 3 other models:
Inforce WMLX - Best Value
The Inforce WML is a super popular modular weapon light for many weapon platforms and tactical helmets.
The angled pressure activation light switch is its signature feature that many people love, which felt very natural for operating the 800 lumens white light without constantly adjust your grip.
Clear hallways, rooms and stairs
Made with a lightweight glass-reinforced polymer body, which reduced the weight and increased high-impact durability. Great for high recoil firearm like a 12GA shotgun.
It mounts directly to Picatinny rail, so if you arent interested in buying more shotgun accessories to make this work, then we highly recommend using a simple barrel/magazine tube mount with Picatinny rail.
Simply take it off and use it on any other guns of yours at any time.
Check Out Inforce WML Review
Shotgun Light Considerations
Light Mode Features
- Low light - for low profile illumination, good for search, low light tasks & signaling
- High - Also known as the Turbo mode, Max lumens that reach far, used to blind threats & for large area-wide illumination in darkness
- Strobe - The strobe is very disorienting, used for outdoors signaling & close-range personal defense. Top 7 Ways to use strobe light
Activation Switch
Since a shotgun kicks a lot more than a rifle, and there is a chance you might lose your grip & you need to quickly recover and place the support hand back on the switch.
A bigger & responsive button is recommended for a shotgun light, and we recommend configure switch activation for left & right sides.
We really like the Unity Tactical HotButton for its ergonomics.
But there are more remote switches to check out here
Lumen Intensity
800 to 1500 lumen is a good amount for a defensive firearm. A bright light can positively ID targets in low light conditions and pick out all the details.
Another spec we need to look at is the candela rating as it pertains to how far the beam can project while maintain its hot spot.
Candela
Brighter
Less Bright
Higher candela beam throws the beam further. It's very useful on long guns and even shotguns.
The beam will fade off at some point, so a high candela light is very effective at ID targets sitting between 70 - 120 yards.
Anything between 13000 to 60000 candela is recommended.
Light Spill (Flood) - Wide Angle Illumination
A balanced flood & throw weapon light is good for a shotgun. Just because the shotgun range is shorter than a rifle, it doesn't mean a thrower can't be used on a shotgun.
The spill helps scan the area with enough illumination to ID things in the dark without having to point the barrel at every thing the defender wants to check out.
Mounting Options
Most shotguns don't come with mounting platforms until a modular handguard or special mounting bracket is installed.
You can check out these modular shotgun forend and special scout light mounting points here.
Durability
For a shotgun use, it must withstand recoil, so a good battery compartment, a good mount, and rock solid switch connection are important.
Battery Life
Most weapon lights on the market can last as long as 40 - 90 mins on average from a full charge before the the lumen intensity drops.
Modern lights are pushing towards 18650 or 18350 battery to provide more voltage to power high power lights that 3V CR123A can no longer support.
We highly recommend the newer Surefire M600DF, Streamlight HLX and MODLITE
Whether you get a battery powered or rechargeable weapon light, getting a powerful light with at least 1 hr of juice on high power is something you should look at.
In the case of you wanting to recharge the light fast without waiting, get some backup 18650 rechargeable battery here.
WARNING: Not all batteries are made the same quality or discharge rate standard. Using poor quality battery can lead to malfunction & warranty void.
Forend Integrated Weapon Light Reliable?
A shotgun forend integrated with a weapon light is a cool design and it's effective at providing integrated illumination capability.
However, it's expensive and not as versatile as scout lights.
Can You Interchange A Shotgun Light Forend With Others?
No. Your light forend only works for a specific gun.
