Surefire M3

[Tana]

They really aren't THAT hard to find, but when you find them, price can range from $100 up to $200. Keep up hope!

I especially love the M3, 9P, C3, etc because you can run 2x17500 (or 2x18500 in bored hosts) and swap back and forth between rechargeables and primaries without changing the bulb or body.

Thanks to an old member here, I almost became a proud owner of M3... but my list of wanted items is so long now and no way M3 can suddenly jump in front... :-) But it's on the list...

You know what they say... the more you wait and anticipate for it, the more you appreciate it once you finally have it...

[Brigadier]

cool thanks! I just ordered one from lite hound. I still want todo an led mod in it but I have to recover from buying the m3 first lol

I find the M3 with the LF HO-M3 and AW17500's a great combo.

But for a real pocket rocket, have that M3 bored and run the SF MN11 off IMR18500's!!! In this pic, L to R:

LF HO-M3 AW17500, LF HO-M3T AW17500, MN11 IMR18500

[Funny monkey 7]

I find the M3 with the LF HO-M3 and AW17500's a great combo.

But for a real pocket rocket, have that M3 bored and run the SF MN11 off IMR18500's!!! In this pic, L to R:

LF HO-M3 AW17500, LF HO-M3T AW17500, MN11 IMR18500

ok, with aw17500's how many do I run? 2 with a spacer?

[cland72]

ok, with aw17500's how many do I run? 2 with a spacer?

Just two, no spacer required. 2x17500 is the same length as 3xCR123

[Funny monkey 7]

Just two, no spacer required. 2x17500 is the same length as 3xCR123

Wow nice! Thanks for all the help guys! I'm new to modding flash lights. So I'm still learning.

[Rat]

I was just reading this thread and seen I promised a photo of the old stock NIB M3 I scored.
It's a little late but here it is. Look close it has the uber rare bezel. This bezel has the snap out lens with the marks on the bottom section of the bezel.



Pics of the whole cross-hair gang coming soon.

[scsmith]

My first M3 came in the mail yesterday. It's also my first larger diameter reflector Surefire. The throw that reflector gives the 125 lumen MN10 is amazing. Now I can't wait to run a Nailbender D36 XM-L2 in it, and a one of his D36 XP-G2 pills in the spare M3 head I bought online. This light may be starting me down the 9P / C3 path too. I guess I have to have some vice.

[Iron Richard]

New member with an M3 question. read in this thread, "you can run 2x17500 (or 2x18500 in bored hosts)." Can you elaborate on bored hosts?

[ampdude]

You have to have someone bore out the internal diameter of the body to fit 18mm cells then you can run the fatter cells. I don't recommend it, as there are 18mm aftermarket bodies available, and it makes the 17mm and CR123A batteries rattle in the body, and makes the body weaker. I've never been disappointed with 17mm rechargeable cells, and they are a little easier on the lamp assemblies as well than the 18mm ones. And I hate bodies where CR123A's rattle in. Sometimes this causes flicker with the emitter or lamp assembly as well as the connection is not as tight.

[ampdude]

Nice light Rat, is that serial #480? Mine has the same type of bezel and body, but is almost 1000 numbers higher.

I had another one just like it, but stupidly sold it many years ago or I would have two crosshairs M3's.

[Steve in SoCal]

Nice light Rat, is that serial #480? Mine has the same type of bezel and body, but is almost 1000 numbers higher.

I had another one just like it, but stupidly sold it many years ago or I would have two crosshairs M3's.

I just saw a couple of old M3s go for big bucks ($300/$400+) on Ebay. I hope that is not the current market value...