I remember back at least five years or so ago, I got a set of rechargeable CR123s from a trusted vendor. They had their place as I used them in an older Streamlight that I had only for dog walking.

I thought about them again today and it seems they aren’t available anymore (except for brands I’ve never heard of before, of questionable quality). Were they a bad idea whose time has passed? Or might it be worth it to use in a light that’s not one that I keep around for safety of life and property?

They certainly aren't a commercial failure, seeing as there's tons out there. Just about every Fenix light available can be bought packaged with Nitecore rechargeables of whatever size, including CR123.

I did recently have a few go bad, no real explanation as for why other than they might not like being stored fully charged.

I’ve had good luck with nitecore, and they seem to be a “trusted brand” with the kool dudes.

I’ve used streamlight and 4sevens without issue

Guess I’m just old school and not familiar with many of those brands. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Candle power forums is your friend.

Get a protected circuit battery and understand how to reset them if you over discharge.

So far, the only CR123 failures I've had are with the streamlight hooked up on the rail of the M&P FS .357 SIG.  Every so often the light would fail, I'd take the batteries out and shake them and one would rattle.  Sometime coming loose inside them from the recoil.  That didn't happen on the Glock M31 or the CZ's in .40 S&W or 9MM.  Just that M&P .357 SIG.