Surefire modification

Hello, this my first post on Candlepower although I've referenced the site many times in the past. Any thoughts on my post are appreciated.
Thanks, Jim
I found 6 Surefire flashlights, all non working, in a drawer where I put them probably 10-12 years ago, maybe longer. I got three of them working by swapping tail caps and buying some Cree upgrade lamps for pretty cheap. Also got some free parts from Surefire. I've got a fourth Surefire that uses 4-123's with a 12V lamp. I want to switch to 3-123's and a 9V lamp in this flashlight. Suppose I take brass or copper rod cut to the length of a 123 battery, coat it with heatshrink so its electrically isolated except for the ends and use it to take up the space of a fourth battery, giving me a working 9V flashlight. Should work, no?

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There are products called "dummy cells" sold by most of the battery sellers/flashlight dealers. Essentially what you describe.

scout24, Thankyou for your quick and informative response. Info will save me a lot of trouble.

jcmack, another option would be to use 2x16650 rechargeable Li-ion cells with something that runs on 7.4-9 volts. That way you wouldn't have to use a dummy cell, or be running through primary cells. That's what I do with my 12ZM. I realize that involves investing in a good charger and 16650 cells if you don't currently have any. It is nice using rechargeables. Years ago, one of the members coined the term, "guilt-free lumens".

One of the lights I own is one I bought from Cabelas a long time ago. It appears to be a rebranded Surefire using 4 cr123's. I have a Surefire C3 Centurion and lamp head and tail cap interchange with the Cabelas flashlight. Swaping those parts and adding a 4th battery makes it work. 9V vs 12V is the reason I tracked down (with help here) a dummy cell. The original lamp head and tail cap are shot and I've got parts coming. Are these flashlights cosidered Surefire quality?

SureFire didn't seem to be too impressed with the Cabela's clones. They sued Cabela's for patent infringement in 2011.

Surefire, LLC v. Cabela's Incorporated
State Civil Lawsuit
California Central District Court, Case No. 8:11-cv-01888-CJC-RNB

Regarding the Cabela's quality: keep in mind that the critical parts are the lamp and the tailcap/switch. You're swapping those with better parts already. The body is just a threaded tube. If the dimensions are right and everything fits, and it works when you turn it on, you shouldn't need to worry about the body quality. Use a good switch, put a decent drop-in in a good bezel, and use good batteries, you're good to go.