I've got a 1st generation M3 that I bought new in 00, I've tried putting a cellextender on it so i can run 17670's rechargeables. No luck apparently the older M3's are different than newer models, I put on the cell extender and the batts slide back and forth and will not make conact, hence it won't light up. Can anyone offer suggestions on how to make this work?:thinking:
Early SF M3 question
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Size15's
Flashaholic
You have an M3 with a Lexan bezel?
Any chance of a photo please?
Could the lamp assembly and/or the TailCap spring contacts be for some reason not stretched out sufficiently?
Any chance of a photo please?
Could the lamp assembly and/or the TailCap spring contacts be for some reason not stretched out sufficiently?
Well it's serial # is A00098 and I ordered it when I first read about them in Combat Handguns magazine. It arrived at my dealers in about Mar 00, someone might be more knowledgable than I am but i think it's the 98th M3 produced. The HA finish is quite different than the current type, much more of an olive green than grey. I had an M3T current mfg and I had it set up with the cell extender and it worked fine bu it seems that the older M3's are threaded differently than the current ones? If you'd still like a pic I can get one no problem.
Size15's
Flashaholic
It's fair to assume it was the 98th M3 body laser etched but since SureFire manufacturers in batches it's not possible to state when exactly a specific flashlight was manufactured, processed, assembled or packaged this these may have occured at different times (in batches). One flashlight does not move through the facility after the next. They are handled in trays.
It is reasonable to assume that the M3 etched A00098 was one of the very first in the grand scheme of things. Excellent!
I am interested which bezel style it has (and whether it has a Lexan rather than Pyrex window).
If you could show us a photo of that one compared to your M3T body we may be able to spot what is causing the problem.
The TailCap threads side-by-side would help.
Does the HA look like this body (compared to the current bezel and TailCap)
It is reasonable to assume that the M3 etched A00098 was one of the very first in the grand scheme of things. Excellent!
I am interested which bezel style it has (and whether it has a Lexan rather than Pyrex window).
If you could show us a photo of that one compared to your M3T body we may be able to spot what is causing the problem.
The TailCap threads side-by-side would help.
Does the HA look like this body (compared to the current bezel and TailCap)
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Yes the color difference is just like that, as for what is the lens amterial honestly i don't know :thinking: I just parted out my M3T and the body is on it's way to Europe so i can't take any pics of the 2, but the current body is shorter than this older one. My photography skills aren't very good but here it is with a current M2 :
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mossyoak
Flashlight Enthusiast
whoa, i think you have something even size15's doesnt have, that'd be a first.
benchmade_boy
Flashlight Enthusiast
I had one of the first 300 or so, but it came with a little bit newer turbo head. it had the older bezel as well, but I never trally saw it.
BTW I cant see the pic, I dont know what is wrong.
BTW I cant see the pic, I dont know what is wrong.
Size15's
Flashaholic
Thanks for the photo.
Compared to your M2, if you tap the M3's bezel with a metal coin it will either sound the same, or different since the M2's window is Pyrex glass.
Also, if the M3's bezel has a black plastic ring [retaining the window] like the M2 does then it is glass rather than Lexan polycarbonate.
Please can you take the TailCaps off and photograph the threads side-by-side?
Compared to your M2, if you tap the M3's bezel with a metal coin it will either sound the same, or different since the M2's window is Pyrex glass.
Also, if the M3's bezel has a black plastic ring [retaining the window] like the M2 does then it is glass rather than Lexan polycarbonate.
Please can you take the TailCaps off and photograph the threads side-by-side?
OK it has the Lexan lens with no retaining ring, is this rare?? Tapping the 2 they do sound different as well. I'll try and get you a pic but as you can already tell my prowess with a camera is pretty poor, it doesn't take closeups very well at all. BTW the tailcap is Laser Products Fountain Valley Ca. instead of Surefire, Surefire is at the bottom of the logo. M3 is on the right of the photo, M2 on the left. The threads on this end appear the same, I believe the difference lies on the other end with the head. Anyway here's a pic:
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Size15's
Flashaholic
I hope you don't mind my fixing your photos...
The Lexan versions of the M3 are rare. I don't know how many were made but I don't know very many people who [realise?] they have one.
The Lexan versions of the M3 are rare. I don't know how many were made but I don't know very many people who [realise?] they have one.
Not at all, what am I doing wrong with the pics? I've still got the original box etc., should I retire this M3 and get another to replace it? I carried it on duty for several years, it has just a couple of small marks, the lens however is king of dinged unfortunately. I'd call it 95% condition. How about a value? It was a gift from my parents so it'll never be sold but just out of curiosity, would it get a premium over a regular M3? Thanks for your input on this, I had no idea it was rare.
Size15's
Flashaholic
Sorry, I'm not the right person for working out a flashlight's value.
I find the best way to put an image into a post is to copy the url of the image (which will start with http and end in .jpg) and past it into the Insert Image (yellowish icon with mountains).
I find the best way to put an image into a post is to copy the url of the image (which will start with http and end in .jpg) and past it into the Insert Image (yellowish icon with mountains).
I know what you mean, I have an early M3 and a C3 in the 700's. I was going to sell the M3, but I have decided not to.
(need to go edit that ad now)
What kind of extender are you using? I have been using an olive hard anodized MC123 like this only not black.
I have not had any problems with either the stock tailcap or a Z48 and ran the MN11 with two of AW's 17670's a few times. No problems at all.
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Size15's
Flashaholic
Notice that the bezel of the M3 had already changed by the time the serial numbers got to the 600's.
Yes that's the cell extender that I've got, maybe I'll try to stretch the springs some to see if I can get it to work.I know what you mean, I have an early M3 and a C3 in the 700's. I was going to sell the M3, but I have decided not to.
(need to go edit that ad now)
What kind of extender are you using? I have been using an olive hard anodized MC123 like this only not black.
I have not had any problems with either the stock tailcap or a Z48 and ran the MN11 with two of AW's 17670's a few times. No problems at all.
Do these 17670's have raised contacts at the end or are they flat ended?
