Boring of M3 to fit 18500s?

[signal 13]

Thinking about boring my M3 body to fit 18500s. I want to keep the stock body for easier on-duty carry. Couple of questions though:

Anyone in the Dallas/Fort Worth area who can do this?

Is this recommended?

Will it compromise the strength of the body or anything like that?

 

[Patriot]

Post edited. I thought the OP was talking about 18650's

Sorry

 

[adamlau]

Thinning the walls of any structure will typically compromise its integrity. In the case of the M3, the O-ring seat and threads are the two critical areas to be concerned about. But do not let this fair warning stop you as a couple of LAPD friends of mine have been testing bored M3-T lights in the field with excellent results. 18500 cells can be a tight fit. Due to the extra length the PCB affords, you may lose momentary with a click-on, twist-off tailcap. Shortening lamp assembly springs circumvents this annoyance. Alternatively, you may also opt to shorten the tailcap spring. Boring an M3 allows for greater power and output flexibility, sine qua non.

 

[DM51]

Quite a lot of people have done this with their M3s (and M4s, and various other SF lights).

I have a bored-out M3 which I acquired through B/S/T, and although I haven't tested it for strength, that is unlikely to be a problem unless it gets very hard use indeed.

The extra capacity allows you to use more powerful bulbs. While it is not a good idea to try running a MN11 on 2x17500, you can run it with 2x18500, and I have found that a very good combination.