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Posted: 3/30/2023 6:57:41 AM EST
[#1]
First time I ever saw a Surefire it was an original 6P a PA brought in to work. We were putting gels up in light rigging 40 feet up at a venue and needed flashlights. He had been bragging about this expensive flashlight all morning but when he went to use it up in the dark ceiling the bulb burned out almost immediately. I had an old AA Maglight with a tailcap conversion (you could get them on sale for $10 at Walgreens then) and was able to get us down out of the rigging. This was probably ‘95 or ‘96. Surefire replaced his bulb, but he was pissed.
I have a bunch of Surefires from back in the day. A few Streamlights and Brinkmann’s too. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 6:57:50 AM EST
[#2]
I still have and use my 6Z.
It’s a good light |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 7:14:59 AM EST
[#3]
Quoted: I remember that Glock used to have first-party WMLs that were dog crap by today's standards. Quoted: SureFire G2 Nitrolon. I thought it was the shit. I've lost 2 of them  they were great at the time. Junk by today's standardsI have both of those, plus a 618fa and 618lf. About 260 lumens or so between the 4 of them. Most of the modern lights that I actually still use are are almost double or quadruple that. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 7:16:23 AM EST
[#4]
My early SF collection included the 8X, my first duty light after Maglites were "discouraged." I also had a forend light for my Mossberg 590. Had to grind off the bayonet lug to make it work.
I won this in a team giveaway here many years ago:  Attached File |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 7:33:50 AM EST
[#5]
I remember Maglite flashlights.
About as bright as a match. They were a better club than a light. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 7:44:30 AM EST
[#6]
Man, how things have changed in 30 years.
Upgraded my 9Z to a Malkoff M61 and two 17500's. At 450 lumens, it makes for a good light around the house. 
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Posted: 3/30/2023 7:51:13 AM EST
[#7]
I have a Surefire L4 Digital Lumamax LED Flashlight KL4. I think it was the first or one of the first LED's. Seemed like magic at the time.
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Posted: 3/30/2023 7:59:00 AM EST
[#8]
Remember when a 2AA Maglite was good stuff?
 Kharn |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 8:00:08 AM EST
[#9]
Quote HistoryYes. Kharn |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 8:02:58 AM EST
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What was an old school 90-degree GI plastic 2-D cell flashlight do? They sucked. Less than one candlepower. Kharn |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 8:05:17 AM EST
[#11]
My UTL’s battery pack fell out almost every time I fired my USP 45.
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Posted: 3/30/2023 8:18:26 AM EST
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: @memsu What's a reputable 16650 battery? All the ones on Amazon have ~40 ratings, so likely all Chinese co-workers saying how awesome the battery is (until it lights my house on fire). I use KeepPower. Orbtronic are also supposed to be good. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 8:29:31 AM EST
[#13]
I remember when the majority of arfcom said it's your funeral to have over 100 lumens and the washout would blind you and get you shot.
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Posted: 3/30/2023 8:30:02 AM EST
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Double the lumens but still pretty dim. I wish I would have kept one or two just for nostalgia https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/132893/Surefire_png-2763482.JPG I have one of those some place |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 8:31:53 AM EST
[#15]
A Krypton bulb was an upgrade
Quote HistoryQuoted: Remember when having a rechargeable Maglight with a halogen bulb was a status symbol?  |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 8:35:43 AM EST
[#16]
I found my old Surefire 6P with red and IR filters a couple weeks back while organizing some gear. Put some batteries in it and immediately started to laugh when I hit the tailcap. The $24 rechargeable Amazon headlamps I keep stashed around the house blow that thing away by a country mile.
We have it so good these days. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 8:36:40 AM EST
[#17]
I still have a Laser Products "Turbo Head". OoooooOOOOOOooooooo
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Posted: 3/30/2023 8:36:44 AM EST
[#18]
Have a Z3 combat light I bought new"back inna day".....was state of the art. 105 lumens for 2hrs or with the "up grade" 200 for 20 min. Lol battery eating machine. Have since upgraded w/led from malkov but can't remember the lumens. Battery life alone was worth te upgrade.
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Posted: 3/30/2023 8:41:43 AM EST
[#19]
Quote HistoryI can see the benefits of a strobing light for disorienting a bad guy, but using it so one of yours can ninja on up to him to shoot him in the head doesn't seem like the COA I'd take 
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Posted: 3/30/2023 8:43:25 AM EST
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I use KeepPower. Orbtronic are also supposed to be good. I'll second KeepPower. I have had both the USB and regular external charging versions in use, for years, with no issues:  |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 8:52:27 AM EST
[#21]
Quote Historythat can't be that old I had one of those 30 years ago... |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 8:53:40 AM EST
[#22]
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Posted: 3/30/2023 8:55:14 AM EST
[#23]
Just for shits and giggles I bought one of the USGI right angle flashlights. Still made in USA believe it or not.
A cigarette lighter puts out more light. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 8:55:54 AM EST
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 60 lumens sounds like a luxury. They estimate these were 10-15 lumens. https://preview.redd.it/f0yf2wwcd8n91.png?width=1308&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=d52d5f6f1d19b085674f61493b34913289bc5d40 In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king
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Posted: 3/30/2023 9:11:27 AM EST
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Lol. Somewhere in the house, I still have Surefire's 1st ever foray into LEDs (IIRC); the KL1 LED module. 15 lumens  Then again, I'm old enough to have carried the original Maglite Solitaire, when those first came out. By the time LED lights were common, I remember a joke on Candlepowerforums about the Solitaire, "Oh those. About as bright as a lit match, but with less runtime"  Hell, mine's sitting on the end table next to my recliner. It's what I use at night to light up possums, 'coons, stray cats and 'dillos before I shoot them. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 9:20:08 AM EST
[#26]
What model number was the old light green anodized pic rail mount light that took 2 x CR123s? Still have a couple of those with tape switch tail caps where the cable is all frayed and fucked up.
Might be worth investing in some new heads and tail caps if the bodies are compatible. Does SF have a section of their website with pics and details of their discontinued options? |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 9:24:53 AM EST
[#27]
I had an Insight M3 incandescent and thought I was bad ass. It was so damn dim by todays standards and ate batteries. But it worked.
I remember one of the first LEDs I got I was blown away. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 9:26:28 AM EST
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What model number was the old light green anodized pic rail mount light that took 2 x CR123s? Still have a couple of those with tape switch tail caps where the cable is all frayed and fucked up. Might be worth investing in some new heads and tail caps if the bodies are compatible.  Google "surefire catalog 2005" and you'll see quite a few hits for .pdf copies |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 9:40:05 AM EST
[#29]
Heck ya! I’ve been a flashoholic for my whole life.
I had an HDS light that put out 60. I loved that thing. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 9:41:27 AM EST
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: M951 or M952, depending on the OEM mount. I have an Overready 1 cell extender between the body and tailcap, and a 9 to 12 Vdc Malkoff M91 LED (1100 lumens) in front: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/12179/image-2763792.jpg Google "surefire catalog 2005" and you'll see quite a few hits for .pdf copies Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: What model number was the old light green anodized pic rail mount light that took 2 x CR123s? Still have a couple of those with tape switch tail caps where the cable is all frayed and fucked up. Might be worth investing in some new heads and tail caps if the bodies are compatible. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/12179/image-2763792.jpg Google "surefire catalog 2005" and you'll see quite a few hits for .pdf copies That looks like it. Many thanks, @GunnyG |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 9:55:23 AM EST
[#31]
It wasnt that long ago. Im mid 30s and remember
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Posted: 3/30/2023 9:57:03 AM EST
[#32]
I remember seeing one of those old plastic Surefires turned on at a campground and going "whoa!" Like it was the sun
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Posted: 3/30/2023 10:48:49 AM EST
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Double the lumens but still pretty dim. I wish I would have kept one or two just for nostalgia https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/132893/Surefire_png-2763482.JPG Ive still got like 4 of em lmao |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 10:50:29 AM EST
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Just for shits and giggles I bought one of the USGI right angle flashlights. Still made in USA believe it or not. A cigarette lighter puts out more light. Yeah, when I was in I never understood why we screwed around with those things. They were worthless. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 10:53:05 AM EST
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I remember when the majority of arfcom said it's your funeral to have over 100 lumens and the washout would blind you and get you shot. Back in its day I thought my 6P was crazy bright, wouldn't want to go brighter. Now I tend to go straight to high output on all my lights unless maybe I'm looking at something very close. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 10:57:39 AM EST
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Back in its day I thought my 6P was crazy bright, wouldn't want to go brighter. Now I tend to go straight to high output on all my lights unless maybe I'm looking at something very close. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 11:05:31 AM EST
[#37]
Yeah. I remember replacing the 2 AA powered mini-Maglite on the duty belt with the Surefire 6P. I was amazed at how bright it was and how long the batteries lasted. Now same size light is pushing 1000 lumens.
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Posted: 3/30/2023 11:07:33 AM EST
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Double the lumens but still pretty dim. I wish I would have kept one or two just for nostalgia https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/132893/Surefire_png-2763482.JPG I did. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 11:09:06 AM EST
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted: My first real weapon light was a Surefire M952. I think it was 125 lumens. My most recent light purchase has 10 times the lumens and probably 50 times the candela.
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Posted: 3/30/2023 11:09:24 AM EST
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I have a couple of those. Malkoff makes an absolute bulletproof drop in LED conversion that bumps it from 120 lumen stock to a conservative 450 lumen LED. You’re not going to burn paint off something with it, but it brings it up to modern light levels. You can get a replacement head for the M951/961 series that is 2000 lumens and $100. No reason to replace those. They are tanks. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 11:09:33 AM EST
[#41]
I have an original all metal 6p with the round body ( no hex so it rolls all over the place). I’ll have to look at it, but I think it says laser something on it and not sure fire. It has a 60 lumen filament bulb.
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Posted: 3/30/2023 11:10:32 AM EST
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You left out the part we needed most. @evilyoda Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: 1.6 million candella. 400 lumens One battery. 6hrs run time. 2,650 meter -yes Meter throw. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/32554/385074AB-DF45-4045-B513-5AC73ADA236A_jpe-2763532.JPG Yes. You can mount them on rifles. You left out the part we needed most. @evilyoda https://www.z-bolt.com/blazer-lep-scout-weapon-light LEP lights. Kinda newish. They are designed to throw. Olight makes a pistol light. The ones with the 21700 battery have longer battery life. I just learned about these like a week ago so do your own research. Sorry man. Its a crazy rabbit hole of light nerd stuff. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 11:13:11 AM EST
[#43]
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Posted: 3/30/2023 11:20:25 AM EST
[#44]
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Posted: 3/30/2023 11:24:18 AM EST
[#45]
I had an insite m6 I think it was a white light with red laser I thought it was tier one operator shit
I also have a 6p with upgraded led bulb that I have carried since 2009 and still use at work to this day. It’s bright enough to get the job done. |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 11:24:46 AM EST
[#46]
How about the 5 cell Radio Shack flashlight they sold around Christmas. Can't remember if they were free with a coupon or they were $1. The batteries never lasted long
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Posted: 3/30/2023 11:26:39 AM EST
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I still have and use my 6Z. It’s a good light I upgraded the bulb in my 6Z, the last of the metal SF in my collection. Sadly, I have quite a few chicom lights that easily outperform it in lumens and features. I remember training an academy class circa 2009 in building searches, and burning through my Streamlight 20XP, the SF6P on my belt, and my backup Brinkmann 2D cell within the first hour. I had extra batteries for the 6P at least.
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Posted: 3/30/2023 11:29:46 AM EST
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted: How about the 5 cell Radio Shack flashlight they sold around Christmas. Can't remember if they were free with a coupon or they were $1. The batteries never lasted long https://i.imgur.com/U9eAoThl.jpg |
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Posted: 3/30/2023 11:30:27 AM EST
[#49]
Upgraded the LEDs and reflector assy. and way better.
The one switches to IR illumniaton and really lights up a football field in front of my PVS14. I have a half dozen streamlight TLR lights and they were a good bang for the buck and they have been improved over time. 
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Posted: 3/30/2023 11:37:25 AM EST
[#50]
Replaced all SureFire and Laser Dynamics 60 lumen heads with drop-in Malkoff units and now my old weapon lights are beam-casting lightsabers. About $100 to retrofit and modernize them, each!
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