Sacrilege?

[Bert the Turtle]

I got to thinking about what would happen if by some circumstance one needed to use his dangerous game rifle at night. Probably unlikely especially for a client, but things do happen.

My home defense shotgun has a light in the fore end and it is one hell of a lot easier to use than trying to hold a flashlight and a shotgun at the same time.

So I spent the $8 on this little gizmo and put in on my 404:

It just clamps on. I wrapped some teflon tape around the barrel first to protect the finish. I put a tiny LED Surefire light on and it really turns night into day.

It looks like crap but it does work. I don't know how well it will hold up to recoil particularly with the light on it since it is really just a friction fit. I'll probably take it off tomorrow although as the days get shorter, there is a lot of appeal to being able to shoot after the sun goes down.

What about a properly designed and installed mini rail: barrel band, silver soldered in place, blued to match the barrel? If red dot sights are becoming acceptable on double rifles, is it time for a rail so that a light can be mounted?

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Not a bad start for a follow up rifle for charging leopard in the dark.

 

[BRICKBURN]

A night hunter is born.

 

[CAustin]

I like it!

 

[Bsto270]

If one was in an area of the world where night hunting crop raiding hippos, elephant, and so on comes up, that could be a mighty useful rig I imagine. Even with a spotlight, having that additional light source closer to the rifle could only be a plus in getting a good shot in.

 

[AZDAVE]

Very interesting.
"What about a properly designed and installed mini rail: barrel band, silver soldered in place, blued to match the barrel? If red dot sights are becoming acceptable on double rifles, is it time for a rail so that a light can be mounted?"

I have a couple take off barrels and some bar steel laying around the shop. Will see what I can cobble together this winter as a prototype.

Are you looking at having the light below or on the side of the barrel?

 

[Brandon.Gleason]

I've seen one rifle where the owner relieved the forearm tip under the barrel and epoxied the rail into the stock itself, not touching the barrel. Looked pretty slick and quite useful.

 

[PLM]

Coons and possums better be on the run around your place

 

[norfolk shooter]

@Bullet Safaris has a set up like this on his double rifle for when he needs to follow up on a leopard or anything else for that matter in poor light. I must say though not my cup of tea! However if there is a need for it then function overrides form