SureFire M2 and M3

Bucky

Bucky

Joined
Jun 10, 2000
Messages
511
I have a SureFire 9P and I am looking at purchasing a M2 or M3. I like the idea of the waterproofness, accidental "turn-on" prevention, and pocket-clip.

Anyone have both? I like the idea of the small size of the M2 being brighter than my 9P. I have not purchased the P91 bulb for my 9P yet, but I hear it makes a world of difference. So anyone have any feelings on the M2 or the M3? The M3 seems much bigger than my 9P, but with the short run-time bulb producing 225 lumens, that would be incredible. I think I remember Walt Welch saying that the P91 was incredible. If that is the case with the 200 lumen P91 then 225 from the M3 must be outrageous hey! The M2 would produce 120 lumens though which would be brighter than my standard 9P and it would use 1 less DL123A and be waterproof which is helpful when camping/canoeing. Maybe a P91 lamp for my 9P and a new M2 would be the best option.

Anyway, someone please offer opinions/preferences to help me decide.

BTW, anyone see the Discussion Forum that was on the SureFire site for a while? I signed-up to post and had trouble doing it. As it turned out, no one made a single post and the forum was removed not too long ago. I emailed SureFire to tell them of my difficulty posting and to urge them to bring the forum back. Unfortunately, I never received a return email - which seems like a bad business practice to an interested consumer. Anyone see the forum while it was up/know why it has been taken down?

Thanks all, Bucky
 
The Surefire discussion board was operational last year, but then it was gone.

As for the M-series, I think they are over-proced and not worth the extra $$$.

The p91 bulb is SUPER BRIGHT, but can't be used for longer then 2-3 minutes at a time, or the lens will melt.

I like my old-as-dust 6P with a p61 bulb.

--dan
 
I have both the M2 and M3. The M2 with the hi output bulb is brighter than the standard 9P but for only 20 minutes. The pocket clip on the M2 comes in handy when I don't wear a belt. It carries well and is secure.

Dano, the M series lights have a pyrex lens which is much stronger and durable the the standard lexan lens.

I don't think the M2 or M3 are overpriced.

Standard 6Z $55
P91 bulb $15
pyrex lens $3
pocket clip $5
anodized finish $5
new tailcap $20
total $103

You can get the M2 for $100

I have a M3 for sale if anyone is interested.

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Check out my pics
 
What is the M2's burn time with the standard lamp... 1 hour? Is it any brighter than the other 6v standard bulbs?

E_WOK: what don't you like about the M3? Just too long?

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847
 
Ive been happy with the M2. As indicated in E-Wok's post, it isn't that expensive when you consider the standard features. Well made.
 
The M2 with the standard lamp is 65 lumens for one hour--same as the 6P. Or 120 lumens for 20 minutes with the high output lamp.

The M3 is just a tad too long and wide to carry. I've carried my 9P which doesn't bother me much at all.


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Check out my pics
 
It seems that after SureFire changed their site, their forums just shutdown. I could never get past the 1st page to look in any of the forums. This is a shame. But you have me here now...
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I want an M2 with the high intensity lamp. I hope it's as tough as it looks!
 
Speaking of whether the M2 is as tough as it looks, anyone able to get their M2 Centurion on a scanner to show us what it really looks like. The only picture I have seen is the one from the SureFire website, the generic one with the batteries in the background.

If it is possible, how 'bout a couple angles if it isn't too much trouble.

Thanks, especially if a pic gets posted,

Bucky
 
E_WOK wrote:

Standard 6Z $55
P91 bulb $15
pyrex lens $3
pocket clip $5
anodized finish $5
new tailcap $20
total $103

Joe's comments:

I was actually coming at this from another point of view. Most everyone I know already has a 6P or 6Z. Given that, should you spend $100+ for an M2? I have my 6Z, and I'm frankly happy with it. I could spend $15 on a P61 bulb if I absolutely have to have the brighter bulb, so it's a $15 marginal investment versus the full $100 price of the M-2. The other features of the M-2, like the octagonal bezel, lockout tailcap, etc., are cool, but not enough to make me spend more. So I say, if you already have a 6Z, just keep it, or get a P61 bulb and be done with it.

Now for someone who doesn't have a 6Z already, what should they do? Well, if you want the extra bright P61 bulb, it's the 6Z+P61 for about $70, or the M-2 with the P61 and other cool features for $100. A tougher choice, I guess. But I will say that the P61 bulb has only 20 minutes run time, and might not make quite as hug of a difference as you might think.

In retrospect, the right choice for me would have been to keep my stock 6Z, and blow the extra $$ on some other toys. But, as is, I carry my M2, with the P61 bulb in it, and I'm happy with that, too. It definitely kicks butt, but it was a big investment for a small return.

Joe
 
Thanks for the pic E_WOK, I have seen that pic from the Equiped to Survive website too, I was just wondering if that is what it really looks like. The pic on the SureFire site makes it look like it is black, not greenish.

If the production M2's look just like that then great, if not then can someone post a pic of what the production models look like.

Thanks again E_WOK,

Bucky
 
The M2 is actually a greyish color, not green. The production model looks the same as the one in the picture.
 
M2 owners:

Have any of you dropped your M2 yet? I ask because I retired my 6P from daily carry due to the latter's bulb/reflector assembly lacking good shock resistance. The darn things would defocus when dropped onto even carpeted floors; a couple of friends even had theirs blow outright due to a drop...

Thanks.
 
Ive dropped an M2 on a carpeted floor, dropped a 6P on some rocks, with no adverse affects. The failure rate doesn't seem consistent because I've heard of others who had them de-focus or blow out. The shotgun bulb units are supposed to be more shock proof, dont know if they can be installed in an M2.
 
Hmm... The lamp assemblies are identical between the 6 volt dedicated taclights and the 6P-variant flashlights. The only difference is the additional shock absorbing head in the former.

But, FWIW, I actually have defocussed the lamp on my 11-87's dedicated SureFire forend due to recoil, so the shock head is still no guarantee.

The reason I "retired" 6P was that I had lamps defocus on me three separate occasions - and all of them on carpeted floors!
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Being a confirmed Flashlight-oholic, I couldn't stand to walk around with a mere photonic donut projector...
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[This message has been edited by yeedude (edited 06-30-2000).]
 
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