Surefire DSF Question.

[KMBrown]

I am looking at getting a Surefire DSF forend for my home defense Remington 870. I'm wondering if there is adequate space behind the light on the forend to get a good grip and properly operate the firearm? I have not been able to see one of these in person and the area behind the light looks small to me (4-5 inches?) in the pictures and video's I've seen on it. I'm a big guy and I have 2XL glove sized hands, Any help?

[Synchronizor]

I think we have some folks here who have those SureFire fore-ends. Hopefully someone will be able to give you some measurements and/or impressions.

But if you don't think the SureFire is for you, another integrated fore-end light option is the EOTech IFL:

Compared to the SureFire, the EOTech is more streamlined, with more real estate to hold on to and no abrupt hump at the front. It doesn't have the full 600-lumen high-output capability that the SureFire has, but 250 lumens is nothing to sneeze at, and it also gives you a 10-lumen low mode that could be nice to have in a HD scenario, plus a strobe function if that floats your boat. In addition, the EOTech is nearly 7 ounces lighter than the SureFire, and its controls - one activation button on each side plus a rear mode switch - seem like they'd be more idiot-proof under stress than the SureFire's two-button setup.

I don't have hands-on experience with either, so please keep that in mind, but going by stats alone, I think I'd prefer the EOTech over the similarly-priced SureFire. I have large hands too, so the shape appeals to me, and it's nice that the lamp doesn't stick out where it could snag on something. I could take or leave the EOTech's strobe, but I like the idea of 10-lumen/250-lumen low/high modes better than the SureFire's 200-lumen/600-lumen high/higher modes. And if I have to hold my shotgun on target for minutes at a time, I'm certainly going to notice the SureFire's extra weight (seriously, try loading the magazine on your shotgun and holding it up in a shooting stance for 5 continuous minutes, you'll see what I mean).

[Vitaly]

By the way, here is review of the Eotech Forend Light from one of the readers of the blog: Eotech Shotgun Integrated Forend Light for Remington 870 Review

And some pics:







And reviews of the Surefire forend: Remington 870 Surefire 618LMG Forend Light Review
Surefire Forend for Remington 870 – Review

[1190405]

It's been widely reported (and acknowledged by Surefire) that the new DSF forend has battery drainage issues. Until they get it sorted, you may want to consider keeping your eyes open for a used 618FA/LM/LMG. I personally have a 618FA and am very happy with it. It's the older incandescent model but there are several options available to upgrade the bulb to an LED. Occasionally, used 618FA's in the $100-150 range.

[aegusto]

Does Surefire (or anyone else) make a red filter to fit a SureFire DSF-870? I recently bought one and was trying it out around the house. (Ya, I saw the discussion on ARF.com about battery drainage but mine does not seem affected.)

Reason I ask about a red filter is that the white light bouncing off the white walls in my house destroys my own night vision. It is a bright light and while it would certainly blind an adversary, it also blinds me. Blinding your adversary is a Good Thing, but I think it is more important to identify your target and retain your own night vision. A red filter seems like it would solve the problem but will appreciate any ideas or comments.

[aegusto]

Answered my own question, but holy cow! I am not going to pay $150 for a red filter. That is ridonkulous. I will try some red Christmas-cookie Saran Wrap first.

Wow! What a great deal! I can get one on Ebay for only $112.40.

[Synchronizor]

If you don't need the fancy flip-up filter, you can buy colored polymer sheet for really cheap. Shouldn't be too tough to make a red lens for the flashlight, assuming you can take the light apart.

[aegusto]

Found a reasonably inexpensive solution to the red filter problem that works well with the FAB Defense Speedlight G2 3V.

The Surefire F05 red filter gets the job done for $10.

Of course, the cost of the underlying parts is about 50¢ so there is a significant markup, but it is still the cheapest solution I have found.

I'm not set-up to make perfect 1" circular cuts in sheet polymer, but that would work, too.