The Remington 870 is the quintessential 12 gauge pump-action shotgun for tactical and home defense use, with over six decades of service. The Mossberg 500 and 590 series is not far behind, having been introduced in 1960. SureFire supports both of these fine weapons by offering not one, but two shotgun forend WeaponLight models for them.
But which one is right for you?
The short answer is “both.” But if you only have one Remington or one Mossberg, it stands to reason that you only need one forend WeaponLight. Both the SureFire 618LMG and DSF-870 (Remington) or the 623LMG-B and DSF-500/590 (Mossberg) will drastically improve your chances of surviving a lethal force encounter in low light. That said, these tactical illumination tools offer features that are different enough to merit a comparison. Call it a sibling rivalry.
Each of these SureFire shotgun forend WeaponLight designs will replace your factory shotgun forend with no modifications required to the host weapon, and they provide smooth and seamless operation when racking the next shell into the chamber. All SureFire forends are constructed of tough glass-filled polyamide polymer, providing a secure grip and rugged durability. And all feature powerful, recoil-proof and virtually indestructible LED heads designed to seriously disrupt the night-adapted vision of any assailant, giving you a critical advantage.
The power and output of these two performers are significantly different. The single-output LMG series delivers a 1,000-lumen blast of white light focused by SureFire’s proprietary Total Internal Reflection (TIR) lens. This creates an intense, tight beam delivering 10,600 candela to a distance of up to 200 meters — enough reach for medium to longer-range applications while providing ample surround light for peripheral vision.
The DSF models deliver two levels of output shaped by our proprietary, precision-machined parabolic reflector design, perfect for tactical applications. It provides a smooth, wide beam that clearly illuminates the main object of interest while providing enough light for peripheral vision, 600 lumens on High and 200 lumens on Low. With its larger reflector, the DSF delivers up to 13,000 candela to a distance of up to 225 meters, offering tremendous versatility whether the battlespace is outside or indoors.
Switching is another area in which these shotgun forend WeaponLights deviate from one another. While both feature SureFire’s stone-reliable and intuitive switching technology, their switch layouts are quite different. The LMG’s integral ergonomic switching incorporates a long momentary-on tape switch and system-disable rocker switch on the right side of the forend, with a constant-on toggle switch located on the left side. The system-disable rocker switch conveniently allows users to deactivate the light for transport, storage, or maximum light discipline.
The DSF-870 features large, tactile momentary- and constant-on switches on both sides for precise control by left- and right-handed shooters. Selecting the LED’s output level is easily achieved by activating the light in constant-on mode and then pressing the output-mode selector switch to set the desired output level (600 or 200 lumens). The selected output can be left in constant-on mode or switched to momentary activation, and stays at that output level until reset. Every DSF-series WeaponLight also features an integrated system-disable rocker switch to prevent accidental activation during transport, storage or stealth operations.
Both the LMG series and the DSF series are powered by a pair of SureFire SF123A lithium batteries and feature similar run times in full-power mode. The single-output LMG models provides full output only, delivering 1.25 hours of runtime, while the DSF models provide 1.5 hours of runtime on High and 3 hours on Low.
In addition to their tough, lightweight polymer bodies, the SureFire shotgun forend WeaponLights feature bezels constructed of rugged aerospace aluminum and coated with a Mil-Spec hard-anodizing that stands up to scratches, abrasion and corrosion during hard use. These bezels also include optically coated, tempered windows, and O-ring and gasket sealing to repel moisture and resist the elements. Dimensionally, there is little difference in length and weight between these two shotgun forend WeaponLight families. The LMG models are slightly longer (10.3 inches) but slightly lighter (17.2 ounces) than the DSF models.
Just like the shotguns they are designed for, SureFire’s shotgun forend Weaponlight offerings are engineered to provide years of dependable operation, and they are backed by our No-Hassle Guarantee. Whichever one you choose, it will serve you well in a life-and-death scenario.
SureFire 618LMG & 623LMG-B Features
–Lightweight, high-impact polymer forend provides secure grip
–Virtually indestructible, recoil-proof LED generates 1000 lumens of blinding white light
–Total Internal Reflection (TIR) lens creates intense, versatile beam with enough reach for medium to longer-range applications with significant surround light for peripheral vision
–Switching: Long momentary-on tape switch and system-disable rocker switch on the right side of the forend, with a constant-on toggle switch located on the left side
–Bezel constructed of Mil-Spec hard-anodized aerospace aluminum for strength and durability
–Optically coated, tempered window, and O-ring and gasket seals (bezel only) provide protection in wet environments
–Includes high-energy 123A batteries with 10-year shelf life
–Backed by SureFire’s No-Hassle Guarantee
Specifications
Output: 1,000 lumens
Runtime: 1.25 hours
Peak Beam Intensity: 10,600 candela
Distance: 200 meters
Construction: Polymer/Aluminum
Finish: Mil-Spec hard anodized
Weight (w/batteries): 17.2 oz (487 g)
Length: 10.3 in (26 cm)
Bezel Diameter: 1.125 in (2.85 cm)
Batteries: Two 123A lithium (incl.)
Switching: Pressure pad + constant-on rocker + disable rocker
SureFire DSF-870 & DSF-500/590 Features
–Lightweight, high-impact polymer forend provides secure grip
–Virtually indestructible, recoil-proof dual-output LED generates 600 lumens of blinding light on its max –setting, and 200 lumens with nearly twice the runtime on its low setting
–Precision-machined parabolic reflector shapes a versatile beam with ample reach and surround light for close- to medium-range applications
–Switching: Ambidextrous momentary- and constant-on switches on both sides, output-mode-selector switch on left side, system-disable switch on forend bottom
–Lightweight, textured high-impact polymer forend provides secure grip
–Constructed of Mil-Spec hard-anodized aerospace aluminum for strength and durability
–Optically coated, tempered window, and O-ring and gasket seals (bezel only) provide protection in wet environment
–Includes high-energy 123A batteries with 10-year shelf life
–Backed by SureFire’s No-Hassle Guarantee
Specifications
Output: High: 600 lumens; Low: 200 lumens
Runtime: High: 1.5 hours; Low 3 hours
Peak Beam Intensity: 13,000 candela
Distance: 225 meters
Construction: Polymer/Aluminum
Finish: Mil-Spec hard anodized
Weight (w/batteries): 870: 17.8 oz (504.6 g); 500/590: 18.2 oz (516 g)
Length: 9.2 in (23.4 cm)
Bezel Diameter: 1.37 in (3.47 cm)
Batteries: Two 123A lithium (incl.)
Switching: Momentary- & constant-on pressure switches
