Sure Fire 6P Not So Sure to Fire... Advice?

[Professor]

I've got a Sure Fire 6P (2x3volt lithium) flashlight that will work fine if I turn the tailcap all the way forward, but will only fire with the button approximately 7 out of 10 times.

I thought it might be the batteries (strange terminals or something since they were'nt the original Duracells), but no, same problem with even new batteries. I've taken it down several times and put it back together thinking there might be a bug in assembly, but no. Any advice?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[Skyline]

I've had this happen once with my 6P. Have you tried cleaning the switch assembly and the edge of the barrel of the light?

If you have the original, non-locking tailcap on your 6P, you can take out the switch assembly. Clean the areas where the switch contacts the barrel.

Aluminum oxide, grease from o-rings, and other stuff can build up and prevent solid electrical contact. This would explain why turning the tailcap works (more pressure applied than by depressing the button).

If this doesn't help, you can always contact SureFire customer support. See www.surefire.com.

Btw, there are great forums at both www.surefire.com and www.candlepowerforums.com for flashlight discussion.

hth,
/mel

 

[dano]

Try a couple of different things:

--use a pencil eraser, and clean the switchy thing that is inside the tailcap, also clean the crud out of that same area, and the rubber tip. Clean the threads, and with the tailcap removed, clean, with the eraser, or fine steel wool, the very bottom of the light. Take the head and bulb assembly off, use the eraser, and clean the small ridge inside the body, where the bulb assembly's second (larger) spring contacts.

--If that doesn't work, BEING VERY CAREFUL, pull on the srpings on the bulb assembly, there by making them a bit stiffer. You can also do this to the switch spring...

Hope this helps...

--dan

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"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat."
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(Paris Sorbonne,1910)

Co-Moderator of the General Flashlight, Lantern, & Headlamp Discussion Board at www.candlepowerforums.com

Bladeforums oldtimer...Oct./'98...

1*

 

[Professor]

Thank you gentlemen, I've got it working tip-top. Sure-Fire sent me some extra parts at no charge, and I cleaned up the original tail assembly as you recommended, so now I've got some spare parts. It's good to have it back in commission!

Professor.

 

[The Magician]

Glad to hear it. Surefire seems to have top notch customer service.

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Have you noticed that time flies like the wind, but fruit flies like bananas ?