exploding 123?

[EVAN_TAD]

I have one of the first gen fireflies and the other day I was using it, I noticed that the head was quite difficult to turn. I thought that maybe the lube has dried out. As I twisted the head off, there was a loud bang as if the air inside was pressurized and escaped. I'm glad I didn't get hurt. The battery was from Surefire.
Has this happened to anyone else? What could've cause the gas buildup?

 

[Sub_Umbra]

The same thing happened to me back in the 90s with a MiniM/\g and alkalines.

Caution should probably be exercised whenever any airtight battery compartment suddenly becomes hard to open.

 

[PhotonWrangler]

Is the gas buildup the same stuff that produces that "sweet & sour" odor that's so characteristic of the 123s? Is there any hydrogen produced from discharging or does that only occur during charging?

 

[cy]

firefly with original metal circlip has a dead-short danger. usually only a problem with R123's larger positive contact