Sold/Expired Modding Surefire bodies for 18650's?

Hi everyone

I really enjoy these forums- thanks to all contributors!


Does anyone know what Surefire bodies can be modded to take 18650 cells?
I love the convenience and energy density of that format and want to marry it to a strong Surefire body and tailswitch.

I have a U2 whose tailswitch has always been perfect and love its heft and solidity- a WYOS and removing the batt sleeve has made it ab fab.

So I am looking for other targets...
Thanks for any help

the U2 is the only one that is that easy... the p and c series can be bored out as well as the millenium series... not sure about the rest...

if 18650 won't fit, try a 17670. It fits in a L4.

The older U2s let 18650 cells fit perfectly in them. The newer U2s have a plastic sleeve that must be removed to allow the 18650 to fit.

The M series can be bored out to accept 18650s. One particular combination that has been popular is a M3T + cell extender or M4 which can run a MN21 with 2x18650. A fellow Aussie flashaholic has done it here .

Thanks guys

That bored-out M4 looks cooooool!

I have a bored-out M4 with the M6 HOLA and two 18650s. It's a freaking GREAT light. Today I ran it with my ammeter (it pulls 5.1 amps when cold and settles to about 4.993 amps within a minute) and during the test it actually melted the padded mat I keep on my workbench while working on lights!

scott.cr

Sounds like a lot of fun- that's a lot of power!
I'm after U2 sized Surefires that I can stick Aleph stuff on- any ideas what is bore-able in that range.

Also scott how did you bore yours out? I'd love to know.
Thanks a lot.

Also scott how did you bore yours out? I'd love to know.

Click to expand...

I have a lathe at home and bored my M4 on it. My longest boring bar is only three inches, so I had to bore half of the light, turn it over and bore again. But it's not difficult to get a seamless match when boring this way (the final pass has to be a very light cut for better results).

The diameter difference between a CR123 and an 18650 is only 1 mm (nom) so almost every light that runs on CR123s could be bored for an 18650. They are about 2.5 mm different in length, and the 18650 has a flat top, and either of these could cause problems. But with SF Turbohead type lamp assemblies it's not a problem.

EDIT: To change length of 18650. I originally incorrectly said they are 5 mm shorter than CR123. It is actually 2.5 mm.

I bored out my L5 body for hold 18650s.

Can someone point me to a thread on replacing the U2 LED?

Thanks Mac