Malkoff MD2--Anything better for the price?

[dss_777]

Just know, though, that the Surefires can't use 18650 batteries- they're too small in diameter. Yes, you can get by with a 16650, but the battery capacity is reduced quite a bit going from 18650 to 16650. Or, you're stuck with the expense of CR123 primaries.

While not the worst problem in the world to have, the 18650 is just that much better of a battery choice that going with the Malkoff bodies is better choice... assuming you're starting from scratch.

 

[P_A_S_1]

I have the MD2 Hi/Lo with the M361 Neutral. I like it but I don't like the fact that it doesn't have an anti-roll bezel like the Surefire lights.

Don't forget that if you already have a Surefire then you can by a Malkoff drop-in to fit.

The Malkoff pocket clip works well as an anti-roll feature.....and a bottle opener .

 

[Dave D]

Just know, though, that the Surefires can't use 18650 batteries

I prefer the SF Z2 as a P60 host to the MD2, I have bored mine to accept a 18650 battery, which is easily done with a drill bit and sandpaper.

In my opinion the main benefits of the MD2 over SF is the hi/Low ring and the shrouded tailswitch.

 

[Dave D]

The Malkoff pocket clip works well as an anti-roll feature.....and a bottle opener .

I like a clip on AA/14500 lights but I don't like them on larger lights.

 

[Norm]

My most used light is a MD3 with a 2 X AA battery spacer tube from Overready and a low voltage 219 dropin from Illumination Supplies.
I have a two level ring fitted, the drive current is too low to start on low, I just start on high with my hand covering the head and then drop back to a nice moon light for getting around the house at night, one day I'll get around to replacing the resistor with a few less Ωs.

Norm

 

[Dirty wage guy]

JMFWSU,
You can't go wrong with anything Malkoff.. Period... I don't care what anyone says. Don't let someone talk you in to a cheap, Chinese made 10,000 lumen piece of crap. Go with a quality made Malkoff.
Decide what color tint you want and how much light you want to throw and Mr. malkoff will be able to accommodate any of your needs in regards to flashlights.
The turn-key MD2 with high/low is $119 on the site now which is an awesome light for sure but, For less than $20 more, on Malkoff's site you can get a blemished MD2 body ($20), a blem tailcap ($17) and right now on sale is the "hound dog" neutral head for $99 which will give you 900-1000 lumens on high and with a little twist of the head, it'll will give you the low beam which is about 70-100 lumens.
The "hound dog" is Malkoff's thrower and for less than $140, hands down you can't find a better light for throwing for that price.
Also, just to reassure, the blem products from Malkoff are basically perfect in every way with the exception of a tiny, hardly noticeable engraved "B" to designate that they are indeed blemished. If Mr. Malkoff sees any imperfection he'll mark it as blem whereas you or I won't see anything wrong with it at all..
The man just has high standards and that is just one of the many reasons why he is without a doubt among the elite flashlight manufacturers in the world.
You now have the list of ingredients to make the perfect flashlight pie! Buy them, make it, enjoy it! I promise you'll have no regrets!


DWG

 

[TMedina]

My most used light is a MD3 with a 2 X AA battery spacer tube from Overready and a low voltage 219 dropin from Illumination Supplies.
I have a two lever ring fitted, the drive current is too low to start on low, I just start on high with my hand covering the head and then drop back to a nice moon light for getting around the house at night, one day I'll get around to replacing the resistor with a few less Ωs.

Norm

Huh, interesting. I'm running the same build with an M31LL 219-B and it starts up in low just fine.

 

[archimedes]

Huh, interesting. I'm running the same build with an M31LL 219-B and it starts up in low just fine.

Could it be an M61L-219 ?

I agree that an M31L-219 ought to run fine (both low & high) on 2xAA power ... :thinking:

 

[P_A_S_1]

JMFWSU,
Just curious, have you decided to go with anything or are you still researching? I'm sure all the information and opinion provided can make your head spin, it can be a lot to take in.

 

[JMFWSU]

I'm about ready to go with the Turnkey MD2 with High/Low. It may be a bit more floody than I would like, but it seems like it should still be able to light up objects 50-75 yards away, so it should work for my purposes. The responses and help has been great.

 

[cland72]

Once you get it and use it, post up here with your thoughts/evaluation.

 

[archimedes]

Don't forget that these are modular. Before long, you may find yourself buying more dropins, some different tubes, perhaps a Hound Dog assembly, etc, etc ...

 

[P_A_S_1]

I'm about ready to go with the Turnkey MD2 with High/Low. It may be a bit more floody than I would like, but it seems like it should still be able to light up objects 50-75 yards away, so it should work for my purposes. The responses and help has been great.

OK, nice. Now you just have to decide which drop in you want, cool or warm, higher output with less runtime, lower output with more runtime. Good luck.

 

[Norm]

Could it be an M61L-219 ?

I agree that an M31L-219 ought to run fine (both low & high) on 2xAA power ... :thinking:

I just checked I have a M31 219, it will start on low with Lithium primaries will not start on low with Alkaline or Eneloops.

Norm

 

[Grizzman]

I get the same results as Norm, with my M31 219B.

I keep mine in a VME on a CR123 MDC body, partly due to this exact reason.

 

[slumber]

The MD2 is a very solid light. About as exciting as a hammer and just as tough.

 

[TMedina]

I just checked I have a M31 219, it will start on low with Lithium primaries will not start on low with Alkaline or Eneloops.Norm

That must be it then - I'm using AA lithiums, not Alkalines. Good to know!I love the idea of re-fitting the high/low ring with a less powerful resistor.

 

[RWT1405]

No

My .02 FWIW YMMV

 

[maglite mike]

I'm looking for a weapon light for shotgun. Is the malkoff md2 a good solution vs say an elzetta bravo with the malkoff drop in? The reason I ask is because the malkoff MD 2 is substantially cheaper.

 

[Grizzman]

From a reliability/durability perspective, the Malkoff MD2 is fully equal to the Elzetta Bravo with an M61. I've got two MD2s mounted to ARs, with the new-ish M61 Throw Heads and single mode rings. None of my Elzettas have been weapon mounted because the Malkoffs work just as well for me for considerably less cost. When I used M61s, I ran Surefire 6Ps instead of MD2s since I wasn't using the high/low feature of the MD2.

If you want the high/low option, when the light is weapon mounted it's easier to loosen/tighten the Elzetta tailcap to change outputs than to loosen/tighten the Malkoff head. If you want to run a pressure switch, the Surefire XM07 tailcap and pressure switch work on the MD2. Elzetta does have their own pressure switch, but it doesn't incorporate a separate tailcap switch to use in case the pressure switch fails.