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Posted: 8/8/2010 10:40:58 AM EDT
I had my 870 refinished and some Trijicon sights installed last week. Took it to the range yesterday and ran 15 shells trough it. Someone there asked about how the forend light was activated and when I went to show them, it would not turn on. It worked perfectly the night before. Thought it was the batteries, so I installed new ones but still nothing. Got home and swapped the bulb from one of my flashlights and it works. The bulb is the P60. Is this an issue with these? I'm a little disappointed, spending $200 + on it and it going out with less than 50 rounds fired through the gun.  |
| Yes...even SF recommends you remove the standard lamp for extended practice / training and actually sells an insert to replace it with. (although they don't print that in big letters in the ads) Don't waste your time...just get an LED replacement for it from somewhere like TNVC or Brightflashlights...or even SF themselves...and no more worries. |
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12 gauge's put out a lot of punishment in the way of recoil. The P60 bulbs are just shock isolated filament bulbs and are not immune from the effects of recoil. You may want to upgrade the head of your light to a nice LED like the KX2C or something similar. Not only will it be a lot brighter, but it will be able to take any punishment you can dish out.
You may have just had a defective bulb. They usually last longer than that. I had an M900 on my .50 Beowulf for a long time and it never failed from recoil. The recoil on the Beowulf is similar to a shotgun. I replaced all my bulbs with LEDS and haven't had any issues. |
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I never had a problem with mine, even through the hundreds of shells of bird, buck, and heavy recoil slugs. You can call Surefire and inquire about it, the warranty and customer service there is excellent. I've had problems with some of their bulbs and they sent me a new one without me having to send the bad bulb in. |
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Quoted: Well, Surefire essentially told me "too bad," even though it's got such a low round count. Only thing they suggested was taking the light out for training. I ordered a new KX4 head lamp from Brightflashlights and give that a shot. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile WTF, they actually sent me a bulb on a courtesy call to me once for a bad bulb that was actually two years old. They didn't ask many questions either, just where to send it. |
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Yes, I am shocked also as they have the best customer service in the business. They replaced an LEO 870 forend that was over 8 years old. It was one of the original ones that simply had the pressure switch and not on/off switch. He called in with the issue he was having and they sent him a new 619FA.
I also have to make it know that I am a Surefire Professional Dealer so that anyone reading this knows I have a interest in this past being a user of the products. I have heard first hand dozen of stories of how well they stand by their products. I have 618FA's on my personal weapons as I like the distance of incandescent bulbs over LED for when I step out onto my property. I have hundreds of rounds through all of them with never an issue. I see the light on your weapon and it is the newer style, so I would call them back and be firm in that this dedicated forend cost me to much to have the bulb fail under normal use. Please send me a replacement bulb. Get it and keep it as a back up to the LED insert you ordered. |
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I was shocked as well. When he issentially told me bulbs are not covered, I asked again, "even with such a low round count?", and the rep replied "Yes". He was in no way rude and did suggest removing the light when training. I asked if something should be screwed in the stock to protect then internals and his reply was "not necessary." The light went from functional to no longer working after 15 rounds of Winchester bulk 12G 2 3/4in from WalMart. This is some of the softest shooting 12G I have run in my guns. The total round count with the forend attached was less than 50. I used this gun 2 times as a backup for 3 gun matches and even went as far to remove the forend and replace it with the factory in case I wound up using it. I really don't think I'll buy a Surefire product again. |
I understand having a "no bulb warranty" policy. How many guys would call in and get free bulbs if Surefire became known for sending them out if you uttered the magic phrase, "but I only put _____ rounds through it!" 
I will say, I ran a regular Surefire forend/bulb on my 14.5 inch 870 through a 3 gun match and a fair amount of practice, and it's going strong - or was until I got the LED kit from Brightflashlights. I think you got a weak unit and it died prematurely. Having said that, if there were ever an application for the LED, it's on an 870, so I think you did the right thing by getting that upgrade, especially from Kevin at Brightflashlights! Beyond that, I think you would do yourself a grave disservice to walk away from Surefire gear over one short-lived bulb. There simply isn't anything else like their products in many areas. I'm a huge fan of theStreamlight SuperTac, TLR1S, and PT-1 & 2L lights, but in most cases Surefire is the answer to any given question. Don't let the bulb sour you on a fantastic company. I sent a Saint Headlamp in last month because it kept turning itself back on low output after I would turn it off. I'd used the heck out of it, and they had no idea what the "round count" was. I just needed if fixed, and was willing to pay. They replaced the LED portion of it and sent it back with three fresh batteries without a word. Good people. Just like the packaging says, bulbs burn out and tailcaps wear out, but they stand behind their products when it matters. Seriously, they just can't have a free bulb program. It sucks when one dies early (I've had it happen) but it really is an understandable policy. |
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Thanks for the complement nine! I guess I should have stated it better. Their illumination devices are top notch. I am just disappointed so far with their shotgun mounted weapon lights. I would not be disappointed if a bulb burnt out after several hours of use or hundreds of rounds. I am talking about less than 1 hour of use on the bulb and less than 2 boxes of shells in a device that is known as "THE" weapon mounted light to have on a Shotgun. After spending $200 + on it I should not have to spend another $40 on a bulb to make it work after such little use. I really did not want a free bulb - if it was offered, I was going to instead ask for a credit towards purchasing a LED bulb or head directly from them. |
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