Custom Surefire® Hosts 6P|Z2|C2|M2: Bored, Ceramic, HA, Extras, plus Turnkey Options

[ElectronGuru]

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Threads

Custom SF Hosts (you are here)
Custom SF Parts
Custom SF Upgrades
SF Modification Service
Moddoo Drop-ins
​

Contents

Intro
Lights (limited additions)
Lights (custom ceramic)
Lights (custom type III)
Lights (factory type III)
Lights (factory type II)
Upgrades (clicky switches)
Ordering (instructions for purchase)
Buying Guide (with runtimes)
Notes
Eye Candy
​

Intro​

The best drop-ins deserve the best hosts. But the best hosts were not continuously available, that accepted the best batteries, until now. Presenting for your consideration, Surefire 'C' bodied hosts, made ready for your favorite drop-in and batteries (not included). All SF bodies are customized to accept 18mm cells, providing maximum flexibility and runtime in your favorite tactical Surefire models. All lights are brand new and ready to use.

Status: Custom HA hosts are ready!
Just pick out what you want and head to our Ordering section to complete your purchase
Want to order from multiple threads, just pick your favorite and paste all the lines into a single post
New around here, check out our Buying Guide
A CPF community production: engineering by Moddoo, color by FlashlightWidow, testing by Sgt. LED

General Features:

• C2, 6P, Z2, and G2 bodies and A19 extenders (whole/parts) receive second tailcap O-rings, from Lighthound
• Complete component control, build your dream light
• Durable OEM & custom finishes and features
• Complete OEM parts and accessories compatibility
• Each finished light is tested and cleaned before shipment

Bore Features:

• Smooth to the touch professional millwork
• Retention lip to hold 18mm cells in place when head is removed
• Backward (and forward) cell compatibility (protected and IMR cells)
• Ready for both LED and incandescent configurations

Lights (custom type III)​

Surefire C3 HA Black

bored C3 HA BK body with integrated clip and grip ring, hexagonal/pyrex Z44-HA-BK bezel, and Z41-HA-BK/twisty tailcap
mil spec custom type III (HA) aluminum
ideal for two 18500's



Please click image to configure
​

Surefire C2 HA Black

bored C2 HA BK body with integrated clip and grip ring, hexagonal/pyrex Z44-HA-BK bezel, and Z41-HA-BK/twisty tailcap
mil spec custom type III (HA) aluminum, 92 grams
ideal for one 18650



Please click image to configure
​

Surefire Z2 HA Black

bored Z2 HA BK body with integrated grip ring, hexagonal/pyrex Z44-HA-BK bezel, and Z41-HA-BK twisty tailcap
mil spec custom type III (HA) aluminum
ideal for one 18650



Please click image to configure
​

Surefire 9P HA Natural

bored 9P HA natural body, hexagonal/pyrex Z44-HA natural bezel, and Z41-HA natural twisty tailcap
mil spec custom type III (HA) aluminum
ideal for two 18500
add a black bezel ring for the complete steampunk look



Please click image to configure
​

Surefire 9P HA Black

bored 9P HA BK body, hexagonal/pyrex Z44-HA-BK bezel, and Z41-HA-BK twisty tailcap
mil spec custom type III (HA) aluminum
ideal for two 18500



Please click image to configure
​

Surefire 6P HA Natural

bored 6P HA natural body, hexagonal/pyrex Z44-HA natural bezel, and Z41-HA natural twisty tailcap
mil spec custom type III (HA) aluminum
ideal for one 18650
add a black bezel ring for the complete steampunk look



Please click image to configure
​

Surefire 6P HA Black

bored 6P HA BK body, hexagonal/pyrex Z44-HA-BK bezel, and Z41-HA-BK twisty tailcap
mil spec custom type III (HA) aluminum
ideal for one 18650



Please click image to configure
​

Lights (factory type III)​

Surefire C3-HA Gray

bored C3 HA body with integrated clip and grip ring, hexagonal/pyrex HA bezel, and Z41-HA/twisty tailcap
type III (HA) aluminum, 106 grams
ideal for two 18500's



Please click image to configure
​

Surefire C2 HA LE Gray & Black

bored C2 HA body with integrated clip and grip ring, hexagonal/pyrex Z44-HA-BK bezel, and Z59-HA-BK/clicky tailcap
type III (HA) aluminum
ideal for one 18650



Please click image to configure
​

Surefire C2 HA Gray

bored C2 HA body with integrated clip and grip ring, hexagonal/pyrex Z44-HA bezel, and Z41-HA/twisty tailcap
type III (HA) aluminum, 94 grams
ideal for one 18650



Please click image to configure
​

Lights (factory type II)​

Surefire Z2 Black

bored Z2 BK body with integrated grip ring, hexagonal/pyrex Z44-BK bezel, and Z41-BK/twisty tailcap
type II aluminum
ideal for one 18650



Please click image to configure
​

Surefire 9P Black

bored 9P body, hexagonal/pyrex bezel, and Z41/twisty tailcap
lanyard/ring are not included, see our Extras section below to add one
type II aluminum, 119 grams
ideal for two 18500's



Please click image to configure
​

Surefire 6P Black

bored 6P body, hexagonal/pyrex Z44 bezel, and Z41/twisty tailcap
lanyard/ring are not included, see our Extras section below to add one
type II aluminum, 96 grams
ideal for one 18650



Please click image to configure
​

Upgrades​

Click hosts above for complete configuration options, including
Brass + McClicky forward clicky replacement for all twisty equipped P, C, Z, and G series lights
brass + plastic + silicon, 4 additional grams (8 vs 12)



Click hosts for preinstalled options or image above to configure separately



Available in two force options

and a variety of boot colors (softpress only)


​

Ordering​

Please follow these steps:

1) Click image(s) above

2) Configure as desired from Options pop up menus

3) Click Add to Basket

4) Click View Basket

5) Select shipping

6) Check out

• No account required
• Special orders available, PM for a quote
• 30 day satisfaction guarantee (refund/replacement, less shipping)

Buying Guide​

Runtime Examples (for comparison purposes only, not performance guarantees)
Here are example runtimes, giving you an idea of what to expect. M30 (voltage boosted) modules are meant for single cell operation and M60 (non boosted) modules are meant for 2+ cells, but running M60's on single cells will lower the output sooner, boosting runtime considerably:

• Malkoff M60 MC-E + 2x AW18500 = 70 minutes of continuously high output (9P/C3)
• Malkoff M30 + 1x AW18650/26 = 105 minutes of continuously high output (6P/C2)
  Malkoff M30 + 1x AW IMR16340 = 20 minutes of continuously high output (3P)
  Malkoff M30 + 1x AW RCR123A = 30 minutes of subdued output (3P)
• Malkoff M60 + 2x AW18500 = 140 minutes of continuously high output (9P/C3)
  Malkoff M60 + 1x AW18650/26 = 600 minutes of gradually declining output (6P/C2)
• Malkoff M60L + 2x AW18500 = 270 minutes of continuous medium output (9P/C3)
  Malkoff M60L + 1x AW18650/26 = 500 minutes of continuous medium output (6P/C2)
• Malkoff M60LL + 1x AW18650/26 = 900 minutes of continuous low (80L) output (9P/C3)
• Malkoff M60L + 1x AW17670 = 220 minutes of continuous medium output (6P/C2)

Modular lights offer a tremendous variety of options and capabilities, but sorting through them all can be daunting. I hope this guide helps in your selection process. If something isn't clear, please let me know. Modular lights consist of three parts; host, drop-in, and battery. Just put them together and you're ready to go:

Hosts

Surefire makes a variety of high quality lights, the design of which has become the basis for compact modular lights industry wide. Choosing one depends on your needs and budget, but there are important characteristics to consider. In Surefire vernacular, numbers describe the length and letters describe the style.

Length - Length originally described the voltage produced by the number of cells (6, 9) but changed in later models to simply the number of cells (2, 3). 6P is equivalent to C2 and 9P is equivalent to C3. Translated into high capacity rechargeables, 2 cell lights support a single 65mm long cell and 3 cell lights support a pair of 50mm cells. The choice between them is primarily about voltage. One cell produces about 4 volts, two cells produce about 8. Which is better depends on your needs, but one cell models are shorter and two cell models are more versatile.

Diameter - SF lights are designed to be used with 16340 cells, more commonly referred to as CR123A. 16mm in diameter, they offer tremendous advantages over alkaline cells. Chief among these are energy density and energy release. Changing from 16 to 18mm cells multiplies these same advantages, while adding capacity and rechargeability. But SF lights aren't designed for such large cells. This is where boring comes in, a process that enlarges the inside diameter of the original battery tube. The result is high output, high runtime, and "guilt free lumens," all at the same time.

Style - Surefire makes a variety of model families (series). Each has a specific emphasis. Made from the same aluminum with the same thread specifications, in many important ways they are interchangeable. Where they differ is style. P series are round with knurling and are meant to be held with a standard grip. Grip rings can be added to support other holding styles. C series are square and can be held with the standard grip but also allow for the Rogers Technique. Pocket clips and grip rings are built into all C models. Z series are optimized specifically for the Rogers Technique, and are a favorite among law enforcement, but are not as versatile for pocket carry as are the C's.

Switches - Traditional flashlights have clickies. Push the button a little and the light comes on. Push it a lot and the light stays on (with a click sound). Most SF lights come with a combination of a momentary button that does not stay on and a twisty cap that does - both methods are silent. SF has clicky switches but they are generally not standard. Most models here are available in factory twisty, custom clicky, and by request, factory clicky. These are all forward clickies, with the light turning on at the start of the press. Many non SF clickies are reverse, where the light does not activate until you both press and let go.

Color/finish - Raw aluminum is rather soft. To toughen it up, finished bodies go through a process called anodization. Ironically a kind of rust, its not so much a layer of something added to the aluminum, but an alteration of the aluminum itself. The result is a hardened shell, ready to stand up to years of heavy use. There are 2 finishes popular on aluminum flashlights, type II and III. Both involve bathing the metal in electrified chemicals, but type III has an extra temperature component that is more difficult and expensive. Also known as hard coat or hard anodize (HA), type III is even harder and more durable than type II. SF generally makes type II products in black and type III products in gray.
​

Drop-Ins

The key to modular lights is matching your drop-in to your preferred host/battery voltage. Incan drop-ins depend on the voltage of the bulb, which can be changed. LED drop-ins are fixed and come in three voltage categories:

Low voltage requirement (1 cell only)
use in C2/6P (18650x1) for high output, with no dimming/warning on protected cells
recommended: Malkoff M30's & Moddoo Triple (see Turnkey section)

Medium voltage requirements (1-2 rechargeable cells)
use in C2/6P (18650x1) for maximum runtime with dimming/warning on protected cell
use in C3/9P (18500x2) for high output, with no dimming/warning on protected cells
recommended: Malkoff M60's (see Turnkey section)

High voltage requirements (2-3 rechargeable cells)
use in C3/9P (18500x2) for maximum/flood output, with no dimming/warning on protected cells
recommended: Malkoff M60 MC-E's

Warm vs Cool
High power LEDs are based on a design that emits light with a blue tint. This is called cool. To make it less blue, manufacturers can put what is essentially a yellow filter on top (called a phosphor). When struck by light energy, the phosphor releases yellow light. The blue and yellow average together, creating white. All LEDs with this phosphor treatment are described as warm. Add enough phosphor to equal how blue an LED and it creates neutral. Keep any phosphor and it creates warm (yellow). But neutral and warm LEDs are confusingly described as warm, but 'warm' typically refers to the neutral variety. When it comes to most color rendering, white is better than either blue or yellow.

Deciding between them is a person choice. Blue light is particularly challenged outdoors with the greens and browns common in nature. But the phosphor conversion process needed to make white light, taxes the available lumens. Warm drop ins are about 25% less efficient than cool, with a corresponding drop in lumen output given the same amount of energy (and battery drain). People not sensitive to blue light may not even notice the difference while those with a high degree of color receptivity often abandon cool LEDs once they've tried warm/white.

Samples in the Turnkey Section are photographs of the actual light produced by a representative drop in. To better show the degree of color variation, all samples are darker than reality. So the closer to white a light actually is, the closer to gray its sample will appear. See our complete color guide for additional information and examples.​

Batteries

Batteries are first defined by size. Generally described with a 5 digit number, digits 1 & 2 are the diameter (in mm), and digits 3 & 4 are the length (in mm). So a 16340 is 34mm long and 16mm in diameter while an 18650 is 65mm long and 18mm in diameter. In our case, a single 17670 is right at home in a flashlight built to manage a variety of (two) 16340 (aka CR123A) cells. Make (modify) a the tube a bit wider and 18650's are right at home.

Batteries are also defined by chemistry. There are two lithium rechargeable chemistries favored on CPF, Lithium Cobalt (LiIon) and Lithium Manganese (IMR). The first requires protection circuits, offers more capacity, and is better suited for low to medium power applications. The second is safer (not needing circuits), offers faster discharge rates (along with less capacity for a given size), and is better suited for high power applications (over 3 amps). See the Reference section for more information.

Please note: In addition to extra energy, lithium based rechargeables have over twice the voltage of 'normal' batteries and will overload many AAA, AA, C, and D battery driven devices. See Sanyo Eneloop batteries for these uses.

recommended: AW LiIon & IMRs (see Turnkey section)
​

Notes​

• With purchase of light means at least one body and at least one bezel or tailcap. Whole light indicates body, bezel & tailcap.
• Whole lights receive Nyogel 760G on threads and gaskets before shipment. Please indicate if you do NOT want this done.
• Weights given are approximate and absent of battery & light module
• Malkoff designations include standard, warm, and flood variants for both the M30 & M60.
• M30's must not be used in two cell configurations (5v or more)
• These lights can be expected to work with AW batteries, Malkoff drop-ins, and FiveMega drop-ins.
  They are not tested with and may not work with other brands.
• While purchased new at retail, these lights are modified and may not be eligible for warranty service.
• While tested for strength and durability, including drop and crush tests, bodies are modified from their
  original specifications and cannot retain all of their original strength.
• All items are made/modified in USA unless otherwise noted.

FAQ

• What's the new inside diameter?
  All bodies are bored to an inside diameter of 18.65mm (funny coincidence with the # 18650 but not related)
• What does the rubber fitting ring do?
  M2 bezels are designed to allow drop ins to travel forward during extreme backward movement, as with recoil when mounted to a weapon. During this movement, the drop in may loose electrical contact with the body, momentarily turning off (flashing) the light. The fitting ring minimizes this movement, keeping less fragile LED modules in place. In practice, it solves/prevents connectivity issues with certain bezel/dropin/body configurations. Most do not need it, so its provided just in case.
• Do these work with the new 2600mAh cells?
  As shown here, these lights are meant to work with AW's incredible 2600mah 18650. However, there are minor cell to cell variations, so while most (90+%) easily fit: A few dozen inserts and removals can be expected to wear and flatten the label enough for it to more easily slide in and out. See terms above if not.
• Do these work with other cell sizes too?
  18650x1 lights also run 1x 17670 and 2x IMR16340 and 2x CR123A cells.
  18500x2 lights also run 2x 17500 and 3x IMR16340 and 3x CR123A and 2x AA cells.
  Please be aware of voltage, capacity, and discharge differences when changing cells.
• What's with the different color threads?
  Surefire is changing over to an environmentally friendly finishing process. Gold threads are the old treatment, silver threads are the new.

Customer Quotes

• That is not mere HA-BK. It's HA-BK-Stealth
• Your photos simply rock. Nobody ever made a flashlight look so cool - and I am talking about your photography, not the fact you make them look like small engines of death with your designs (that too is very cool.)

References

• Fizz753's directory of P60 sized LED drop-ins
• mdocod's rechargeable battery guide
• mdocod's Lithium-Ion > incandescent guide & compatability/comparison chart
• ElectronGuru's Flashlight Tint/Color Reference
• ElectronGuru's Beginners Guide to Hotwire Incans

Eye Candy​

Please reply or PM with any questions


:devil:​

 

[Sgt. LED]

Re: FS: 18650/18500 Ready Surefires (6P, 6PD, 9P, C2, C3)



Awesome! They are ready.
I had a good time beating the crap out of these and they are very tough. When using them as actual flashlights I could not get them to fail on me. For that I had to go way beyond. Throwing, dropping, kicking, and the like is just fine for these tubes. :thumbsup: They also look like stock and are mint.
Use them in confidence, I do.

 

[jsmitty1967]

Re: FS: 18650/18500 Ready Surefires (6P, 6PD, 9P, C2, C3)

I will take:
#1 - 18650 6P-body Black - $34
#1 - z33 - $10
Economy shipping - 4$

Just PM payment info. Thanks!

 

[jsmitty1967]

Re: FS: 18650/18500 Ready Surefires (6P, 6PD, 9P, C2, C3)

Thanks for the quick reply. Payment sent via Paypal personal. Thanks!

 

[tundratrader]

Re: FS: 18650/18500 Ready Surefires (6P, 6PD, 9P, C2, C3)

Is this a one time thing or is this something you are going to keep doing?

Zach

 

[ElectronGuru]

Re: FS: 18650/18500 Ready Surefires (6P, 6PD, 9P, C2, C3)

Hi Zach,

Everything's in place to continue this, and its our intention to do so.
Initial supply fills out soon and we can scale with demand on most items within a few weeks.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[LEDAdd1ct]

Re: FS: 18650/18500 Ready Surefires (6P, 6PD, 9P, C2, C3)

Hi Zach,

Everything's in place to continue this, and it's our intention to do so.
Initial supply fills out soon and we can scale with demand on most items within a few weeks.

Thanks,
Dan

*jumps up and down and throws a party and eats some imaginary pizza*

Hooray! This is truly terrific news.

 

[nfetterly]

Re: FS: 18650/18500 Ready Surefires (6P, 6PD, 9P, C2, C3)

Hi Zach,

Everything's in place to continue this, and its our intention to do so.
Initial supply fills out soon and we can scale with demand on most items within a few weeks.

Thanks,
Dan

That is good to hear! I was in the market for one 3 weeks ago & picked up a bored 6P - but would have loved to have had a C2 - next time round....

 

[Gary123]

Re: FS: 18650/18500 Ready Surefires (6P, 6PD, 9P, C2, C3)

By any chance would you bore a C2/ C3 body?

 

[ElectronGuru]

Re: FS: 18650/18500 Ready Surefires (6P, 6PD, 9P, C2, C3)

jsmitty1967,

Order shipped!

Dan

 

[ElectronGuru]

Re: FS: 18650/18500 Ready Surefires (6P, 6PD, 9P, C2, C3)

*jumps up and down and throws a party and eats some imaginary pizza*

Hooray! This is truly terrific news.

That is good to hear! I was in the market for one 3 weeks ago & picked up a bored 6P - but would have loved to have had a C2 - next time round....

Thanks Guys!

By any chance would you bore a C2/ C3 body?

Great question Gary.

Edit: please see post 24

 

[jsmitty1967]

Re: FS: Surefire 6P, 9P, C2, & C3's, bored for your favorite 18mm cells

I got the parts this morning and everything is great! The body is flawless and the machining is perfect. My 18650 fits like a glove with no rattle. Thank you for the quick shipping and care in packing things. Bump it!

Jonathan

 

[mikes1]

Re: FS: Surefire 6P, 9P, C2, & C3's, bored for your favorite 18mm cells



#1 - 18650 C2-HA-whole gray - $129
#2 - Z33 - $11
Fast shipping non-CONUS (international) USPS Priority, $13
Shipping insurance $2.50
PayPal cash
Total $155.50

Thanks

Mike

 

[nfetterly]

Re: FS: Surefire 6P, 9P, C2, & C3's, bored for your favorite 18mm cells

I'm not in the market right now...., but if I was I would be interested in the C2 but with a clicky (Z58 or Z48 in HA).

Any chance of that being available? I've converted all of my twisties (including G2s) into clickies and it really is the only way to go. If I was going to buy a complete body I would just as soon start with a clicky - would be nice to have an "almost" oem Surefire.

 

[Chodes]

Re: FS: Surefire 6P, 9P, C2, & C3's, bored for your favorite 18mm cells



#2 - 18650 6P-body black - $34
#2 - 18650 C2-HA-whole gray - $129
Fast shipping non-CONUS (international) USPS Priority, $13
Shipping insurance $2.50
Total $178.50

PM sent for payment info

 

[ElectronGuru]

Re: FS: Surefire 6P, 9P, C2, & C3's, bored for your favorite 18mm cells

I would be interested in the C2 but with a clicky (Z58 or Z48 in HA). Any chance of that being available?

Great question nfetterly,

As everything already comes out of the package for modification, swapping parts is easy. Its mostly a question then, of acquiring the upgrade parts and having something to do with the standard parts that remain. I have Z49/BK's on order already, with plans to upgrade 6P's and 9P's, then use the Z41/BK's to build more 6P's and 9P's. But everything's in black, so it works. I would love to offer a Z48/HA option, but I'm :thinking: trying to come up with ways to reuse the Z41/HA tailcap.

Let me look into the possibility of buying C2 bodies...

 

[DimeRazorback]

Re: FS: Surefire 6P, 9P, C2, & C3's, bored for your favorite 18mm cells



#1 - 18650 6PD-whole black - $86
Fast shipping non-CONUS (international) USPS Priority, $25 per order (no limit)
Non-CONUS shipping insurance is $4.00

Total - $115

Just need paypal info!
:thumbsup:

 

[ElectronGuru]

Re: FS: Surefire 6P, 9P, C2, & C3's, bored for your favorite 18mm cells

Chodes,

Order shipped!

Dan

 

[Sgt. LED]

Re: FS: Surefire 6P, 9P, C2, & C3's, bored for your favorite 18mm cells

In the effort to constantly check the QC of these products so they will all be as strong as possible the next round of testing will be done shortly.

The victim? A bored 9P. oo:oo:

Now aside from the standard 1 and a half story drops on to cinderblock and running it over a few times with my car as well as hammer fisting concrete with the head and tail is there anything you prospective buyers would like to have done? I am planning on adding a sort of load bearing test past the previous one where I hung from the light and bounced around. I don't weigh enough to do it justice.

If you have any ideas on how to test these just let me know. Now sure shooting it is fun but I would like to keep the testing within the realm of heavy flashlight use/abuse. This is for science! :devil:

 

[Linger]

Re: FS: Surefire 6P, 9P, C2, & C3's, bored for your favorite 18mm cells

If you have any ideas on how to test these just let me know. :devil:

Thank-you! Yes, a few.
Durability of switch - drop while it is on, see if 'de-bounce' and momenatry changes during impact help fry the bugger, if partial contact brought on by rebound overstresses the switch. Put it in a old bag (canvas) with some rags, tools, used clothes and toss it around a truck or a canoe for a while. Compair before / after beamshots for any emittor damage.
This will really punish the emittor too...Any chance I can send you a drop-in and see just how it works? I'll have to ask the manufacturer first for permission, but it'd be an interesting quality experiment.

Resiliency of threading? while the light is closed (and turned on?) give it some harsh impacts near the threading. Bezel and tailcap. Idea is to see how it maintains functionality under abuse.

Lastly, waterproofness. Fill the light with paper (or another medium to reveal ingress path) and submerse it in water (tie on a string and drop it +30feet deep?). This will be especially interesting with partially damaged threads - if they deform you may lose watertight integrity.

Thanx, that was a fun exercise.
hrm, if I have these questions maybe I should do it to ease my own mind as well? follow mdocod's path
Best,
Ryan