Body for Surefire 6P parts

ampdude

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He'd be running the risk of getting an early example that isn't bored out to take an 18650 cell.
I've never found that incredibly important, and have never had a factory body bored out for 18650's.. I'd rather have a factory example. If it's bored out, it's also less reliable with 16500's 17500's and CR123A's. The batteries rattle around in the larger tube.
 

Monocrom

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I've never found that incredibly important, and have never had a factory body bored out for 18650's.. I'd rather have a factory example. If it's bored out, it's also less reliable with 16500's 17500's and CR123A's. The batteries rattle around in the larger tube.
With a SureFire 6P body, folks usually just want the option to use an 18650 rechargeable, with 2xCR123 primaries as a back-up. Someone with skill and experience can bore out the body just enough for a tight fit with an 18650 that minimizes rattle with two primaries. Yes, the rattle can be a bit annoying. But for many, worth it considering what you get in exchange for putting up with it.

Keep in mind, this was back when all RCR123 rechargeables were 3.7v. And, 3.0v such cells were unheard of. So, if you wanted a reliable rechargeable option in a light as compact as an SF 6P, it was bored out body or nothing.
 

ampdude

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With a SureFire 6P body, folks usually just want the option to use an 18650 rechargeable, with 2xCR123 primaries as a back-up. Someone with skill and experience can bore out the body just enough for a tight fit with an 18650 that minimizes rattle with two primaries. Yes, the rattle can be a bit annoying. But for many, worth it considering what you get in exchange for putting up with it.

Keep in mind, this was back when all RCR123 rechargeables were 3.7v. And, 3.0v such cells were unheard of. So, if you wanted a reliable rechargeable option in a light as compact as an SF 6P, it was bored out body or nothing.
I honestly don't understand where you are coming from. The bored body will cause rattle, and this leads to issues like flickering and non-reliance. You never needed to have a bored out body to run a P90 or a Malkoff on rechargeables in a 6P or 9P body. In fact many people have always done it in a G2 or G3. Not my preference though. I remember the first time I ran a P90 in a G2 with rechargeables back about 2004. It was amazing.
 

Monocrom

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I honestly don't understand where you are coming from. The bored body will cause rattle, and this leads to issues like flickering and non-reliance. You never needed to have a bored out body to run a P90 or a Malkoff on rechargeables in a 6P or 9P body. In fact many people have always done it in a G2 or G3. Not my preference though. I remember the first time I ran a P90 in a G2 with rechargeables back about 2004. It was amazing.
Only should cause a tiny bit of rattle, at worst. No flickering issues. But truth is, it was very easy to go too far when boring out those SF bodies. A lot of members did. Causing reliability issues. I have a Leef C-C custom 9P body that can take two rechargeables or 3xCR123 primaries. Rattle is barely audible. Never a single flickering or reliability issues. Have a Fivemega custom 6P body. Again, no issues at all. Takes one 18650 or 2xCR123 primaries. I wasn't going to risk ruining a perfectly good stock 6P body by boring one out myself. I know my skill level when it comes to that, and I admit that it's very low.
 

ampdude

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Only should cause a tiny bit of rattle, at worst. No flickering issues. But truth is, it was very easy to go too far when boring out those SF bodies. A lot of members did. Causing reliability issues. I have a Leef C-C custom 9P body that can take two rechargeables or 3xCR123 primaries. Rattle is barely audible. Never a single flickering or reliability issues. Have a Fivemega custom 6P body. Again, no issues at all. Takes one 18650 or 2xCR123 primaries. I wasn't going to risk ruining a perfectly good stock 6P body by boring one out myself. I know my skill level when it comes to that, and I admit that it's very low.
Yea, and I've seen them go bad. I also know you can use a battery sleeve as well. I do have well done 18650 bodies, but it takes a strong spring on the LED head or lamp assembly, and also one on the tailcap to make them reliable with other batteries. My preference over the years from what I have seen is to just not bother. I always prefer reliablibity out in the field over most things and I can usually just grab more batteries. Especially since 17500's used to be very common. And now 16670's seem to have a pretty high capacity. They would always fit without boring.

Also, there have been different tolerances for 18650 over the years. The different protected versions, the INC? The IMR's, it's all over the place.

I also remember seeing a Crosshairs C2 that some guy had bored out years ago.. I told him not to. He did it and the body bulged out. I wanted to throw up. :(
 
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Monocrom

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Yea, and I've seen them go bad. I also know you can use a battery sleeve as well. I do have well done 18650 bodies, but it takes a strong spring on the LED head or lamp assembly, and also one on the tailcap to make them reliable with other batteries. My preference over the years from what I have seen is to just not bother. Especially since 17500's used to be very common. And now 16670's seem to have a pretty high capacity. They would always fit without boring.
Just being honest, clearly our experiences are different. I've had excellent luck over the years. Still, will admit it's nice nowadays to just be able to pop in rechargeable cells; without having to first reach for power-tools before they'll fit.
 

ampdude

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Just being honest, clearly our experiences are different. I've had excellent luck over the years. Still, will admit it's nice nowadays to just be able to pop in rechargeable cells; without having to first reach for power-tools before they'll fit.
Yea, I was gonna say the same thing, we have different experiences in this. I like rechargeable cells still, but they're mostly for my higher powered lights these days.
 

DE73

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I have one 6P purchased from Oveready around 2010. It’s bored to 18,6 mm, but the fit is too tight for some of the new batteries. The battery in the picture I have to press in. So if I bore a new one 18,7 mm should be perfect. I will measure the weakest point and see material thickness. Of course you can always do mistakes and ruin the body during machining. Rattle isn’t a problem because I only use 18650 in this light. CR123 is not common in Europe and very expensive. If I’m away from home a long time I stick to AA lights. AA you can find In every store. But for rechargeable batteries I like one 18650.
 

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