EOTech Integrated Fore-End Light (IFL) Review

EOTech has entered the shotgun forearm light market with its Integrated Fore-End Light (IFL). Powered by a single CR123 battery, the IFL provides 120-lumens of light for a 90-minute run time from an LED bulb. The IFL is equipped with a hard on/off switch to prevent unintended activation as well as ambidextrous pressure pads.

The IFL can operate in three modes:

Momentary- hold the pressure pad
On- double tap and release the pressure pad
Strobe- double tap and hold the pressure pad

The IFL is easily installed by simply replacing the shotgun’s fore-end with the supplied tool. The IFL is available for the Remington 870 (shown) and Mossberg 500/590 series shotguns.

Eotech IFL right — The right side of the IFL. The pressure pads are easily actuated on either side of the fore-end.

image (9) — EOTech supplies the fore-end tool shown here. The flat end works with Remington 870 shotguns. The two tabs on the outside of the hole allow the wrench to work with Mossberg fore-ends.

image (8) — The EOTech IFL simply slides over the fore-end tube assembly and then the fore-end tube nut is tightened.

Comparing the IFL to the Surefire High Intensity Integrated Weapon Light Fore-end

When comparing the IFL to the Surefire Fore-end, you immediately recognize the differences. While both fore-ends (shown below) use one CR123 battery, each provides the user with a different grip on the forearm. In the pictures below, notice that the EOTech forearm has the shooter’s hand further away from the receiver and lower from the axis of the bore then the Surefire. We found this interesting, since at first glance it appears the IFL is far more compact then the Surefire. While the IFL is shorter, the Surefire does have the shooters support side hand closer to the axis of the bore. Additionally, the Surefire provides more of a traditional grip then the IFL, which provides a tapered grip surface towards the front.

image (7) — The IFL (bottom) does not protrude past the barrel lug as the Surefire (top) does. Note the distance of the shooter’s support side hand from the bore axis in each of the fore-ends. Moving the battery storage to the rear of the IFL eliminated the need to extend the light beyond the barrel lug, but moved the non-firing hand lower. The left side of the IFL allows access to the hard on/off switch and also the pressure pad. The left side of the Surefire allows access to the constant on/off switch.

The right side of the IFL (bottom) had a pressure pad. The Right side of the Surefire has a pressure pad as well as a hard on/off switch which allows the user to completely power down the unit.

Shouldering the shotgun equipped with the IFL was a little surprising the first time. This is likely due to the distance the non firing hand is from the bore’s axis. Training will increase familiarity with the system so this will most likely prove to not be an issue over time.

Perhaps the greatest advantage of the IFL would be its use on short barreled shotguns. Since the lamp does not extend past the barrel lug, the user does not have to worry about fouling on the lamp. Additionally, the IFL provides the shooter with a hand stop built into the housing.

With a street price of about $120 lower then the Surefire, the EOTech IFL offers defensive shotgun users a quality product at a reasonable price.