Thinking of building a Surefire M4 Frankenstein

[ebow86]

I've gotten some really good advice in the forum since I've joined here so hopefully that tradition will continue here. Ok, here's the deal. Right now I'm waiting on a refund from surefire on a product I just returned. I've been contemplating on how to spend the funds. I was thinking about going with a rechargeable setup for my G3 but changed my mine, I really don't use the light enough to justify it right now, althought I plan on going this route later on, and I would rather get a new light instead.

Right now I'm using a G3 nitrolon with KT2 turbohead and MN15 lamp, love the setup by the way, angelofwar convinced me in an earlier thread after posting pics. Anyway I always wanted an M6 but it's way out of my budget right now, so I figure if I want the clostest and brightest surefire incan to it that I can afford it's going to be a M4 Frankenstein. I only have about $150 to work with so it's going to be tight, but

9P- $90
MN60-$30
A19- $22
KT turbohead-already have

Before I consider going with this setup I have a few questions

1. There is talk in many other threads about an A19 adding resistance and therfore slightly diminishing output compaired to a real M4, question is how much? Do you think that's it enough to even worry about? I won't be compairing it directly to an M4 but I would still like to know how my setup would stack up against the real thing. If it doesn't quite put out the quality of light of the M4 that's ok, i'm just wondering how much the A19 plays a role in this.

2. The main question, After running the MN15 lamp the last few months I've got a pretty good idea of it's runtime and quality of output over the lifespan of the batteries (surefire primaries). My question is this, how would the runtime and quality of output over the lifespan of the batteries running the MN60 compair to the setup I'm running right now (9volt MN15)? I know the MN60 is putting out more light overall but I'm more intrested in how the 60 minute burn is compaired to the MN15. Will it tend to dim faster over the lifespan or does the MN60 hold it's brightness better than an MN15?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Eric

PS. AngelofWar, I know you have one of these setups, how about some pics to show it off man, would love to see what the light looks like fully assembled

 

[fivemega]

Instead of buying a 9P and A19, you may find similar item to this in market place.
In this case you will have ability of using 2x18650 without need of extension and it's unwanted resistance.

 

[angelofwar]

Actually, I have an M4 body, and am running the MN60 using the bezel from my M6. I prefer the beam of the M4 to that of the M6, and the M4-LOLA throws further than the M6 LOLA, since the MN60 has a "Circular" beam, compared to the oblong beam of the MN20.

I'll try to get some pic's psoted tonight after work though. Between the M6 and M4, I prefer the M4 as a light, but the M6 is "more" pocketable.

 

[ebow86]

Actually, I have an M4 body, and am running the MN60 using the bezel from my M6. I prefer the beam of the M4 to that of the M6, and the M4-LOLA throws further than the M6 LOLA, since the MN60 has a "Circular" beam, compared to the oblong beam of the MN20.

I'll try to get some pic's psoted tonight after work though. Between the M6 and M4, I prefer the M4 as a light, but the M6 is "more" pocketable.

Sorry about that, I could have swore I read you had the 9P setup, I guess I got you confused with someone else. Anyway, yeah pics would be cool, but if you don't get around to it that's fine too, I just wanted to see what the 9P setup looked like, as I've searched countsley and can't find any pics.

 

[ebow86]

Instead of buying a 9P and A19, you may find similar item to this in market place.
In this case you will have ability of using 2x18650 without need of extension and it's unwanted resistance.

Yes very intresting but I was actually wanting to go the surefire route if I can, thanks anyway

 

[angelofwar]

I did have the 9P/A19 set-up (and still do in a sense)...I just decided to run the MN60 in my M4 once I got that due to the better fit/finish, etc.

 

[ebow86]

I did have the 9P/A19 set-up (and still do in a sense)...I just decided to run the MN60 in my M4 once I got that due to the better fit/finish, etc.

Did you notice any difference between setup's or was the difference too small to tell, I'm talking about brightness and runtime.

 

[angelofwar]

The difference isn't really noticeable. You would only be able to tell with measuring equipment, and not with your eye's. Of course, I get in the habit of cleaning the top edges of my bodies and extenders, which leads to better "energy flow" (less resistance). Here's a pic of my C4T! LOL! I'll try to get one of my "M4F" up tomorrow for ya.

 

[ebow86]

Very nice, thanks so much.

 

[ebow86]

Ok guys, I just placed an order for a 9P on the way and an A19 cell extender. Here's my question, does anyone have any tips on how to minimize resistance when using the A19 extender? Does cleaning the threads make any difference? Will nyogel on the treads make any difference? Thanks.

 

[angelofwar]

I'd keep the lube limited to the area around the O-ring. I notice better performance when the threads are "clean", but the threads aren't nearly as imporatant as the "top" of A19. If you look in the tailcap, the threads on the inside of the tail-cap are annodized, so this will have little effect regardless, and the base of the switch (covered by the boot) is what completes the circuit when it touches the top base of the A19 or light body. So, as long the the "rims" of the light body/A19 are clean, and the base of the switch are, you should get maximum results.

I still gotta get a pic up for, but congrats on getting the parts...you won't be disappointed!

 

[ebow86]

I'd keep the lube limited to the area around the O-ring. I notice better performance when the threads are "clean", but the threads aren't nearly as imporatant as the "top" of A19. If you look in the tailcap, the threads on the inside of the tail-cap are annodized, so this will have little effect regardless, and the base of the switch (covered by the boot) is what completes the circuit when it touches the top base of the A19 or light body. So, as long the the "rims" of the light body/A19 are clean, and the base of the switch are, you should get maximum results.

I still gotta get a pic up for, but congrats on getting the parts...you won't be disappointed!

Thanks alot, dont' worry bout the pic though, I'll have the setup soon enough I was debating between getting the 9P or the C3, I finally decided on going with the 9P cause it's cheaper and probably has the better grip, and looks better with the A19, and I wasn't crazy about the C3's pocket clip, still a nice light though. I'll revert my G3 back to the 1.25 bezel and P90, makes a very nice, small lightweight incan powerhouse that fits nicely in your pocket. Once everything arrives I'll post back and give my thoughts.

 

[angelofwar]

Thanks alot, dont' worry bout the pic though, I'll have the setup soon enough I was debating between getting the 9P or the C3, I finally decided on going with the 9P cause it's cheaper and probably has the better grip, and looks better with the A19, and I wasn't crazy about the C3's pocket clip, still a nice light though. I'll revert my G3 back to the 1.25 bezel and P90, makes a very nice, small lightweight incan powerhouse that fits nicely in your pocket. Once everything arrives I'll post back and give my thoughts.

Why don't ya get a M60LF for your G3? They're for sale on Malkoff's site for $39, and with superfast shipping, you could have it by Fri-Sat. While the P90/91's are nice, they're only worth running on R/C's, unless you get free batteries that is.

 

[ebow86]

Why don't ya get a M60LF for your G3? They're for sale on Malkoff's site for $39, and with superfast shipping, you could have it by Fri-Sat. While the P90/91's are nice, they're only worth running on R/C's, unless you get free batteries that is.

Seems like a good deal but for right now I want to keep the G3 as an incan, but if I do decide to go led I will difinetly give that malkoff dropin a look at. I'm ok with feeding the P90 primaries right now, I has pretty good runtime as far as incan's go and I don't think I use it enough right now to justify the rechargable's, though I'm always open to a pair of 17500's later on. Everytime I think about buying a pila IBC and 17500's I read some damn post about people reccomending charging their batteries in fireproof boxes and things like that and it scares me out of it every damn time.

 

[ebow86]

I just remembered something, apparently there are 2 different A19 cell extenders, one that works with nitrolon models and the other doesen't. 2 questions,

1. how can I tell the difference between both models?

2. how long has the older A19 been discontinued? Am I likely to recieve an older model or do you think it's been discontinued too long?

 

[angelofwar]

There's only 1 A19 (Singel cell Extneder)...There ARE two Rechargeable Extenders though...the A14-BK (Aluminum for 6P's, etc.), and the AN-14-BK/OD/YL (Nitrolon for the G-Series), that allow the two cell models to accept a B65 rechargeable battery. So, if you ordered the A19, you ordered the right one, since there's only one that exists. Hope this helps.

They also have the A12, A13, A20, and A21, but these are mostly for weapon light applications, and, AFAIK, they have all been "discontinued" in the sense the SF doesn't advertise them on there website.