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Posted: 4/3/2014 3:29:06 PM EDT
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So, I'm just checking to make sure I'm not a moron before I go ahead with a couple purchases.
I have a Surefire 6P; got it for free. I plan to mount it to an AR. This AR is generally used for recreation (I'm not LEO/MIL), carbine courses, and home defense. I plan on slapping in a Malkoff M61 LED as a replacement to the incandescent since it'll get beat up by recoil. My question is, does anyone have any experience with their stock or low output model? My current plan is to put the standard model in (which I understand may be a real damn bright light for indoor use, resulting in user blinding), since during a home defense situation for all I know it could be used both indoors and out. Would it be stupid to mount that and just get a dimmer or diffuser of some sort when used indoors? Additionally I plan to just install a clicky malkoff MD2 tail cap since the stock twist mode is kind of a pain in the butt (as I understand it this would fit a 6P since the MD2 is the same dimensions). I would also assume that since there is a spring in the tail cap and possibly one around the drop-in that recoil wouldn't cause it to flicker off every shot. I apologize for the questions, I hate to be "that" guy that can't find simple things on Google. |
| I have pretty much every Malkoff drop-in that they offer. The standard M61 is 325 lumen, while the low output is 175 lumen. I find the low output to still be fairly bright, and the 5hr battery life is a nice bonus. The standard M61 is great for all around use, but I guess it could be a bit much if you are using it strictly indoors. I like the warm and neutral tints, especially for outdoor use, but for a weapon light, bright white light tends to be more visually offensive to those on the receiving end. The tailcap should work fine on your 6P. Should do fine under recoil, but if it were to flicker at all you can stretch the spring on the drop-in some. |
| I bought on amazon a bulb from China that was supposed to fit my surefire. It took it a month to get here, but at only $7, I didn't mind the wait. The only issue I had with it was the coil at the bottom of the bulb was way too big for the light. I took the coil off the p60 bulb and used it instead and everything is gtg. It is incredibly bright. Glad I didn't spend the $50 on a malkoff when $7 did it. |
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Interesting point, I didn't think that tint made much difference in that setting. I do know that a floody light with a lot of spill doesn't work well in fog/smoke/dust, and in those situations something with more throw and less spill (like a Surefire TIR) is a better choice.
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I just have to say, I like warmer tints because of fog and smoke |
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The cheap Chinese drop-ins seem to be hit-or miss in terms of quality. I'm not sure that I would trust one for any kind of defensive use, especially in a weapon liight. Malkoff drop-ins are fully potted to hold up to recoil. Plus the body is solid brass for heat sinking. Without heat sinking you are more likely to melt the foam inside of Surefire's shock insulated bezels. And the Malkoffs have a liftime warranty. Apples and oranges really.
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I bought on amazon a bulb from China that was supposed to fit my surefire. It took it a month to get here, but at only $7, I didn't mind the wait. The only issue I had with it was the coil at the bottom of the bulb was way too big for the light. I took the coil off the p60 bulb and used it instead and everything is gtg. It is incredibly bright. Glad I didn't spend the $50 on a malkoff when $7 did it. |
I really appreciate the replies guys. I'm in the buy once cry once category for potential self defense weapons so I plan on going with a known brand, but I'm glad you found a model on the cheap that you like 
Right now I'm leaning towards the M61WL. Warm tint so I'm not blind and slightly lower output for greatly increased run time. I could always get the bright stock models with a diffuser for the best of both worlds but there's still the sacrifice of battery life. So many choices. It's a balance between versatility, search ability, and "blind the bastardability" 
I found this page handy for anyone looking as an FYI: http://thebrightsideforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=782 The M91 looks like a mini sun. It'd be entertaining as hell to own but I wouldn't be able to see for 30 minutes. |
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A full output M61 is too much light for a weapon light, unless the target is 100 yards out.
Get a M61WL (warm tint, low output) You will not be disappointed. Also, I don't think the MD2 tailcaps are interchangeable with Surefire 6P's. I know the heads are not, but I could be mistaken. Ask Gene or Cathy Malkoff before buying, they are good people. And Gene stands behind his products 100%. |
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I've used 500 and 800 OTF lumen lights in structures with light colored walls. I didn't find them any more or less blinding than 200 lumen lights. Anything will ruin your NV, so to speak. How do you get blinder than blind? And neither will ruin your ability to see with them on.
Anyway, I think you will be happiest with the highest output light, personally. I had a Malkoff M31. Similar output to the M61, in a VME on an M300 body. At 25 yards on an indoor range partially lit, I found it difficult to shoot groups. The McLeash reflector Gene is using just isn't a throw-king. It's a GREAT general purpose reflector, but what I mean is, the LUX is not all that high. You are far from "blinding" yourself with it even at 325 OTF lumens, IMO. I think if you get the M61L you will regret it outside. Even the M61 will leave you wishing for more once you sample something like the X300U or another TIR light or the M61SHO. Run-time is a non-issue on a firearm based light for "real-world" usage as a civilian. For recreational shooting, yeah, it does matter. In that case, for play-time, buy some rechargeables. |
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Indeed it is. I bought 3 6P's recently just so I could use them as hosts for all the various Malkoffs that I wanted. Right now I have a couple M61's, a M61L, M61LL, M61N, M61W, M61WL, a Scout head, a couple MD10's, and a Magcharger drop in.
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He also stocks the M61N on his site, a neutral tint version. So many damned choices, I fear that like everything in this hobby lights will be a slippery slope  |
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Well, I went with a M61N plus a tailcap, with plans to buy a warm lower output model for a second 6P ASAP 
Thank you everyone for the input, it's greatly appreciated. Hopefully it helps someone else along too. I like the polymer PL1S to mount my light to rifle since I can remove the light by lifting the spring loaded bar and slide it off the rail. I wrapped my Olight M20 with a little vet wrap self adhesive wrap to keep it from moving in the mount since it seems to be a little smaller than Surefire host. The stock holster for the light was cut under the cell holder on one side to accommodate the mount while in the holster. I find a frosted lens works well to make the beam cover a wider area and be more "floody" as it disperses the hot spot. You can get a film to do the same thing for a few bucks just look for the thread on cpfmarketplace/candlepowerforums. A Solarforce L2M with a Lumensfactory warm drop in would work fine but you may need to wrap the drop-in or use outer spring for fit. Lumensfactory fits my Z2 better than Malkoff drop-in but the Malkoff is really made to fit E series with VME head perfect which no other drop-in does. |
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Indeed, I am a big fan of the neutral color tint. It seems like it's just warm enough to not give you that blinding feeling.
The light plus malkoff are now lovingly mounted to my AR via an IWC SMC light mount. I am now in the market for a second, since that was my only nice handheld light 
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