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How to Build Your Own Tactical Light

A tactical light has a single purpose: it provides a bright and narrow beam of light in a dark or dimly lit environment that moves in concert with the barrel of the weapon (gun or rifle) that it is attached to. You can make your own tactical light by modifying a simple flashlight purchased from a drugstore or supermarket. You will also need a higher wattage incandescent light bulb from a hobby store and specialized batteries. No electrical or mechanical skills are necessary to build your tactical light.

Things You'll Need

Newspaper
Wax paper
Flashlight
Cellophane tape
Black spray paint
Penny
Black magic marker
11 watt incandescent light bulb
3 lithium batteries, 3V
Duct tape
Toy gun

Instructions

- 1
  Place newspaper down on a work surface. Place wax paper down on the newspaper. Place the flashlight down on the wax paper on its side so that it is lying vertical.
- 2
  Tape a piece of wax paper over the front of the reflector at the end of the flashlight with cellophane tape.
- 3
  Spray the entire side and ends of the flashlight with the black spray paint. Let the paint dry for at least 3 hours.
- 4
  Turn the flashlight over. Spray the other side and ends of the flashlight with the black spray paint. Let the paint dry for at least 3 hours.
- 5
  Remove the wax paper from over the front of the reflector. Dispose of the newspaper and the piece of wax paper that was placed on the newspaper.
- 6
  Unscrew the battery cap from the battery compartment at the back of the flashlight. Empty out the batteries from the battery compartment.
- 7
  Remove the reflector from the front end of the flashlight. Remove the retaining ring from around the front end of the flashlight.
- 8
  Push out the plastic lens from inside of the reflector using your finger. Place the plastic lens down on the work surface.
- 9
  Place a penny on the center of the plastic lens. Draw around the penny with the black magic marker. Remove the penny.
- 10
  Black out the entire plastic lens, except for inside of the circle, with the black magic marker. Let the ink dry for an hour.
- 11
  Unscrew the incandescent bulb from the bulb holder inside of the flashlight with your fingers.
- 12
  Screw the 11 watt incandescent bulb into the bulb holder inside of the flashlight with your fingers.
- 13
  Place the retaining ring back onto the end of the flashlight.
- 14
  Place the plastic lens back into the reflector. Screw the reflector back onto the end of the flashlight.
- 15
  Insert the lithium batteries, positive contact end first, into the battery compartment. Screw the battery cap onto the battery compartment at the back end of the flashlight.
- 16
  Place the toy gun down on the work surface on its side with the barrel facing to the right.
- 17
  Place the flashlight against the underside of the barrel, with the reflector flush with the end of the barrel.
- 18
  Wrap duct tape around the barrel and the flashlight to secure the two together.
- 19
  Pick up the toy gun. Press the "On" button on the flashlight that you have now made into a tactical light. Turn off the lights in the room.
- 20
  Aim the narrow and bright beam of light at the far wall. Take aim and press the trigger to "fire" your weapon at the wall that has the narrow and bright beam of light projected on it.

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