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Flashlights....what's the best for all-round use?

SahaganBeta
I'd guess I have like 25 flashlights around here, and most of them are unmitigated junk. I recall recoiling the very bulbs out of maglights mounted on a Mossberg 500 I had. Can a light be had that will take recoil?

I see lights advertised in the gun journals, but am confused. How many lumens do I need if I want to blind a potential assailant? Do I need the lights that use three LEDs? then can switch to 43 LEDs if needed?

Are most lights capable of being mounted on a gun? Pistol? What diameter of light is most useful for this?

And why on earth can a flashlight, not much bigger than a Hebrew National Hot Dog, cost a hundred bucks?

Thanks in advance....

Sahagan
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • Jake_S-83
    I have a surefire Z2 that is lightweight, tough, and is extremely bright. I got it for free so I don't really know what they run. I'm guessing around a hundred bucks. The only downside is they get very hot, and bulbs and batteries are fairly pricy. It isn't capable of being mounted on a weapon but has rubber grommets that can be positioned to be held with a pistol. I doubt I would pay that kind of money for another one but I like it a lot.
    jake
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  • Dakota308
    all around flashlight(not weapon light)

    maglights new 3watt led 3 d-cell battery i will outshine your ability to see $35ish

    weapon lights surefire and stream light make quality products but i dont own any to tell you
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  • Nwcid
    I am a Surefire fan and own several. For the best deal you can get the G2 which is a 60 lumen light, comes in 3 colors, brighter then a 3 D mag light and cost is about $30. I have bought several for gifts. I own a couple of the high power 9volt lights and they are awsome. Surefire backs their lights 100%. I dropped one of mine on accident in my basement on to cement an it broke a part. I called Surefire and they without question sent me a new part (about $90 retail) for free. I did not feel that they should replace it since I what I did was beyond what should be expected of the light and they would not take my money. I will never hesitate to buy Surefire products.

    As for the batteries are not that expensive if you dont buy them at the regular store. From Surefire they are about $1.50 each and I bought bulk from another company for $1 each (50 at a time). For the amount of good run time you get compared to standard batteries the cost is about the same.

    I know the lights are expensive but once you own one you will know why they cost that. It is like cheep scopes and good scopes. Compare a $99 scope to a $900 scope and you will see a huge difference.
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  • Jake_S-83
    I hadn't shopped around much for the batteries. Thanks for the heads up.
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  • Nighthawk
    I had a surefire 60 Lumen G2 to short out, and the batteries burst and spewed every where. When I called them they said they would replace it if I sent it back. I explained its in my yard now spewing white crap everywhere, and Im sure no one would want to ship it. Still they insisted I send it back. Little did they know it will cost them way more than $30.00 in the future. I know at least 15 LEO's that sent E-mails saying they would not use their products. Were using Streamlights with 120 Lumens. As far as blinding someone in the dark it would only take 20 Lumens or less.
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  • Zebra
    Surefire A2E Aviator with blue LED's app. $170
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  • 1911a1-fan
    surefire all the way

    6p
    g2
    e2d defender in my pocket

    haven't seen a maglight yet that even comes close
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  • jwb267
    for an all around light i dont think you can beat the generator type light that wally world sells for about 10-12 bucks.always ready just turn the crank for one minute and you have a bright light that will last for ahour plus
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  • MrOrange
    Used, abused, wore out, gave up on or flat-out threw in the trash:

    Maglight (AA, C & D, more than a couple of each)
    Streamlight (SL-20 & Stinger)
    Pelican (AAA, AA & C)
    Tac Star

    Not to mention the various hardware store types.


    Buy for myself and family members:

    SUREFIRE

    Personal carry light is a Surefire 9AN Commander, list with charger $258.00. I got it NIB but kinda smoke flavored, if you know what I mean, for a lot less. I think everybody should have a G2 or two lying around. It's by far the best bang-for-the-buck in the known universe. Although Surefire does not recommend their personal lights be used on firearms, I have a G2 mounted on my ready Mini 14, which obviously doesn't recoil a heckuva lot.



    BTW, Your first line reminds me of one of my favorite liar's competition winners: "I have three sons and five flashlights at home, and they all work."
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  • He Dog
    I certainly hope I never have need of a $250 flashlight, because I am gonna be hurting for sure. Mine are all maglights and they work fine for me. I don't need to run over them with my truck, I don't need to weld re-bar with one and I don't need it for a weapon, though a clunk on the head with a maglight would do the job.
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  • oldgunner
    If I'm going to have gun fights in the dark, I want one that will stay as far away from me as possible.[:D]
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