SF M4 or M6

[briteguy]

Which one should I buy? I don't want both at this time...

I have a L6 and would like to have a KT4 turbo head for the M3 body. Looking at the price of the KT4, I might as well get either a M4 or a M6.

My giant light needs aren't great, only an occasional excursion into the wilderness. My only pet peeve for the light is that I don't like oval beams.

So, please let me know which LA will give me a good round focus beam in the KT4 as well.

 

[Azreal911]

get the M6, since you have the L6 you can use the head on the m6 and get like a 3-4 hrs runtime at 65 lumens. that's alot of light for such a long time! plus you can switch over quickly to the massive 500lumens for a good 20 mins. the high output lamp for the M4 overheats ans shuts down though.

 

[kakster]

The 350 lumen HOLA runs for the whole 20 minutes without triggering thermal shutdown in the cells. You're thinking of the N62 which comes with the discontinued 12Z/PM.

 

[Topper]

I run my L6 head on a M4 body with 2 168s Pila's The M4 head is on the L6 body with 2 150s Pila's and the N2 lamp.
Go figure? I do have the M6 I run it with the MN20 mostly.
The slimmer body of the M4 fits my hand much better. My favorite all time is the M4 2 A19's and 3 168s Pila's it is the Surefire pick also love my Pila GL4's I have 2 of them.
Topper /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[tvodrd]

My M6 still amazes me. I have only run the HOLA in it and after two trips to the desert dazzeling friends and one get-toghether, it still has the batts it came with in it. For some people, it's a tool. For me it has been a cool toy! I keep it on the nightstand next to the 1911 in case some day i need a tool.

Larry

 

[Topper]

I agree most amazing. No doubt if I had bigger hands it would be my favorite.. but my small feet would look even smaller. Jokes aside the extra length of the M4 is useful and can be used in wrist locks and traps that the M6 is to short for if you have any Martial Arts training in that type of thing. With the 2 A19's to run 3 Pila's you are looking at around a foot of almost an Escrima stick/light/leverage/noggin knocker that is rechargable very useful at times for those bumps in the night. Larry the 1911 is a big time light source in a darkened house but kinda short lived and waaaay too loud. I would suggest sonic ear plugs before use indoors unless as a last option.
Topper /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[tvodrd]

Topper,
I have no formal martial arts training beyond poke 'em in the eyes/throat/knees soonest! It has an 8-round Wilson mag in it and one under the pin, and the M6 kinda rules over the M1911's intermittant luminosity. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Larry

 

[Topper]

Larry, sounds like you got the basics covered /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I prefer knees first cuz im short /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mecry.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Topper /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[briteguy]

This is not getting any easier...

With either M4 or M6, I would most likely use the lower lumen lamp assembly. I feel more confortable knowing 60 min run-time. I would be paranoyed with the 20 min run-time and wanting to change batteries after every turn on /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif

I read some where that different lamp assemblies do give different beams in the KT4. Do MN60 and MN20 both shoot out round beams?

 

[Topper]

My MN20 in the M6 appears a little rounder than my MN61 in my M4 running on three 168s Pila's. How big is your hand? Do you like the Mag C cells or D cells for grip? That Sir may be the question. Or do you like the feel of D sized light or like the feel of a C sized light? If you want the longer runtime you should consider what fits your hand best. I will stop posting as I do not think I am helping here even though that was my intent.
Topper /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif

 

[briteguy]

Thank you Topper and all, you have provided me with useful information. I have handled both M4 and M6 and they both feel okay in my hand. I just have not seen them on /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif

I am leaning towards M4. I don't have a 4cell body anyway. The slender body is very clean and simple. I think KL6 will look better on the M4. Does someone have a photo of M4+KL6?

Topper, stop /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif, you are making me feel bad. You are all the greatest. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[Jake00]

I had to make that choice once and for my needs chose the
M4. For me its strictly a home defense-combat light which has to fit my
small hands, simple battery change if in darkness,rifle/
shotgun mountable,quick and bright enough to identify and blind the target. Unless Im at war or doing an intensive search.. i dont think I need more than half an hour of light. but for a romp in the woods the M6 lasts longer

 

[John N]

When you say "into the wilderness", do you mean, go out and check a noise, or backpacking?

If the former and you are not talking about a "nightstand" light, you might consider the SF 10X.

I have a M6 which I keep with fresh batteries and a HOLA as a nightstand light. From my perspective, for the purpose, brighter is better so long as it fits your hand OK.

If you are talking about backpacking, I don't quite see why your L6 wouldn't be good enough. Certainly, the less weight the better, so if you really wanted this type of light, I'd say the M4 might be better.

-john

 

[briteguy]

I am not using the lights for search and rescue missions...Once in a while, a few good buddies would have a good fishing/camping trip in the mountains.

We would go four wheeling in the back roads, or hike into the wood at night. We would have the 3-d or 6-c Mags just for fun. No one ever complained...

The M4 or M6 will be plenty powerful. I got my other lights for long runtime and wide coverage. My 60 min thing with either light is pure paranoia. Heck, I have a SC1 with me anyway.

So either light would more than fitting my needs. I just thought may be some one would have a good logic in making a choice.

I think you are right, I will get a M4 for the sake of lighter weight for the backpack.

Thanks again!