Old Surefire G2s: What to do

[Bratch]

I’m on a mission to get my ducks in a row and that has progressed to my lighting. Went through my closet and I have about 10 old Surefire G2s from the 60 lumen incandescent to the 200/15 lumen LED Pros. I haven’t bought a light since 200 lumens was the latest hotness.

It looks like the new 600 lumen G2 are $60.

Is there any cost effective way to utilize the old lights and get them up to modern standards or should I just consider them disposable and buy the new G2? I’d prefer not to jack around around With the lights, I’ve always loved the simplicity of the G2 so I don’t want to click 3 times slow for low and 3 times fast for strobe. The Pro interface is acceptable.

Malkoff has lots of drop in heads for $45 with 20% off so I could try to save some of these for just over half of a new one...? NH Shooter Totem Polar

[Malamute]

I used one in a weaver ring attached to a short base on an AR handguard at 11:00. Works fine as a simple and economical weapon light. I think the highest output lamp I have is 120 lumen. Its enough for my yard and uses.

If you decide they are undesirable, let me know, I wouldnt mind having a couple-few more.

59992

[NH Shooter]

I’m on a mission to get my ducks in a row and that has progressed to my lighting. Went through my closet and I have about 10 old Surefire G2s from the 60 lumen incandescent to the 200/15 lumen LED Pros.
Is there any cost effective way to utilize the old lights and get them up to modern standards or should I just consider them disposable and buy the new G2? NH Shooter Totem Polar

Yes, absolutely - the Malkoff drop-ins are a great way to go about updating the G2!

The only potential issue with the G2 is you will have to limit the output of the drop-in to avoid overheating it - the plastic bodies do not pull the heat out of the drop-in like metal bodies/bezels do. Considering that I would recommend the Malkoff M61L drop-in (https://malkoffdevices.com/collections/surefire-drop-ins-for-6p-g2-c2-etc-6-9-volts/products/m61l-low-output-to-fit-surefire) that is rated for 230 lumens and is rated for use in plastic-body lights.

FWIW, I have several of the G2s myself and use the above-mentioned drop-in. It provides plenty of light and is comfortable to hold, especially in cold weather.

[ranger]

Agreed on the Malkoff upgrade for a G2 - I updated one of mine.

[ViniVidivici]

Please send them to me for disposal.

I won't throw 'em away, I'll get more LED replacement bulb assemblies from Optics Planet.

Put one in a Surefire 6p, has held up perfectly , and very bright. Gotta get a couple more for my own 2 G2s that're gathering dust.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/sportac-p60-led-drop-in-2-level-module-bulbs-for-led-flashlights.html

[Navin Johnson]

I’m on a mission to get my ducks in a row and that has progressed to my lighting. Went through my closet and I have about 10 old Surefire G2s from the 60 lumen incandescent to the 200/15 lumen LED Pros. I haven’t bought a light since 200 lumens was the latest hotness.

It looks like the new 600 lumen G2 are $60.

Is there any cost effective way to utilize the old lights and get them up to modern standards or should I just consider them disposable and buy the new G2? I’d prefer not to jack around around With the lights, I’ve always loved the simplicity of the G2 so I don’t want to click 3 times slow for low and 3 times fast for strobe. The Pro interface is acceptable.

Malkoff has lots of drop in heads for $45 with 20% off so I could try to save some of these for just over half of a new one...? NH Shooter Totem Polar

The correct answer for the g2's is a Malkoff.

correctly they cannot run sustained over a certain amount of output as the head cannot take the heat.

However they can run short-term on the higher output heads.

You can also get a multi-level head that you just have to be careful not to run on the high mode for very long.

The G2X's are much more difficult to get the heads off and be sure you can do so without damaging if you want to upgrade the head.

My most used flashlight is a g2 with a neutral low 5-hour runtime head in it. I may get the low low neutral head...... for every day tasks it's probably a better output.

[vcdgrips]

Concur re Malkoff and the lower output M61 for the turnkey approach.
Malkoff, like surefire of old, is spot on to a bit conservative re lumens output.
If Malkoff says 230, if will be no less than that and will often be perceptibly brighter than other lights advertised in the 250-350 range.

Alternatively, there is a fairly vigorous resale maker for all things surefire and you could sell off the lot and buy/configure a couple of lights.

[BillSWPA]

Another vote for the Malkoff M61L. This drop in will avoid any likelihood of overheating the light while providing reasonably good output and excellent runtime.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HCM]

Yes, absolutely - the Malkoff drop-ins are a great way to go about updating the G2!

The only potential issue with the G2 is you will have to limit the output of the drop-in to avoid overheating it - the plastic bodies do not pull the heat out of the drop-in like metal bodies/bezels do. Considering that I would recommend the Malkoff M61L drop-in (https://malkoffdevices.com/collections/surefire-drop-ins-for-6p-g2-c2-etc-6-9-volts/products/m61l-low-output-to-fit-surefire) that is rated for 230 lumens and is rated for use in plastic-body lights.

FWIW, I have several of the G2s myself and use the above-mentioned drop-in. It provides plenty of light and is comfortable to hold, especially in cold weather.

Malkoff makes great stuff but $47 to upgrade the old light to 230 lumens when a new 600 lumen version is $60 on Amazon just seems inefficient.

[Lon]

Buy one of these to see if they work. $11 on A Prime. If it works out buy more.

https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Flashlight-Replacement-Surefire-Ultrafire/dp/B07XCMQWVS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=surefire+replacement+led+bulb&qid=1599523422&sprefix=surefire+replacemtn&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFRRFJSR1gzNFBNMFImZ W5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwMzgyNDJGRDM0N0VGSjFHRzQmZW5jcnl wdGVkQWRJZD1BMDI0MjQ5ODE4R01VUTE0NzdBVlcmd2lkZ2V0T mFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1J lZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

[NH Shooter]

Malkoff makes great stuff but $47 to upgrade the old light to 230 lumens when a new 600 lumen version is $60 on Amazon just seems inefficient.

The HUGE advantage of the old G2 is that you can Lego it just like a 6P. It will take ALL the same bezels that fit on a 6P as well as all tailcaps. It can be fitted with UCL glass lenses and take any drop-in intended for the 6P, as long as one keeps the output within reason with the standard G2 plastic bezel. You can install any SF metal bezel intended for the 6P and run any drop-in you want. The G2 is actually a great host for Lego builds, here are two of mine;

https://i.ibb.co/XVDskgr/G2-1.jpg


The WML is fitted with a Surefire M2 Z32 shock bezel (ebay) and an EDC Plus X60LT P60 XP-L Hi V3 (https://www.edcplus.com/p60-dropins-c-3_18/edc-plus-x60lt-p60-xpl-hi-v3-1-mode-5000k-neutral-white-p-247.html) drop-in (560 lumens, 18k candela), fitted to a rail section using a Vltor SMOCG Scout Mount Offset CG (https://www.opticsplanet.com/vltor-smocg-scout-mount-offset-cg-model-fits-lights-98-to-1-04-aluminum-black.html). The light goes on and comes off quickly, so I don't have to have it mounted when not needed, or if I need to use the light as a handheld. The tailcap can be backed off to prevent accidental activation, and the total weight as shown with mount and two CR123 lithium batteries is seven ounces.

The G2 below has been fitted with a Malkoff M61LL (https://malkoffdevices.com/collections/surefire-drop-ins-for-6p-g2-c2-etc-6-9-volts/products/m61ll-lowest-output-to-fit-surefire) drop-in (100 lumens) and will run for over 10 hours on a pair of CR123A lithium batteries. I also updated the plastic lens with an UCL glass lens, and the light rides very nicely in a KyTex horizontal holster (https://kytexgear.com/product/horizontal-flashlight-carrier-for-surefire-streamlight-nightstick-copy/).

Another point about the G2 is the plastic body is comfortable in the hand, is easy to grip and does not feel as cold in winter weather as a metal bodied flashlight.

With the WML mounted and the second G2 on the belt, I have effective and durable lighting that shares components and batteries. What's not to like?

[Bratch]

I ordered the low and low low head to drop in my 2 incans. Also ordered two of the foreend kits for my 870 and M1.

[RAM Engineer]

Those grenade grip G2 lights were the best lights Surefire ever made. Their new, glued-together nitrolon lights suck in comparison.

[TWR]

I just revived a couple of G2 lights myself and will look into the Malkov conversion.

One thing I will throw out there, if you mount the light forward so the tail cap is solid in the mount along with the body, it greatly reduces AD’s of the light. It only comes on when you push the button, my lights would flash on if any part of the tail cap was bumped if that makes sense.

[TWR]

https://i.postimg.cc/nrMN9G9M/B6-E08-EEB-F33-D-4-FAE-9-A16-4051-E85-C33-A5.jpg (https://postimg.cc/N2qdWT4w)
1000 words

[HCM]

Buy one of these to see if they work. $11 on A Prime. If it works out buy more.

https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Flashlight-Replacement-Surefire-Ultrafire/dp/B07XCMQWVS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=surefire+replacement+led+bulb&qid=1599523422&sprefix=surefire+replacemtn&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFRRFJSR1gzNFBNMFImZ W5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwMzgyNDJGRDM0N0VGSjFHRzQmZW5jcnl wdGVkQWRJZD1BMDI0MjQ5ODE4R01VUTE0NzdBVlcmd2lkZ2V0T mFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1J lZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Bought one - did not fit in the G2 or a Z2. The base of the bulb is too thick and doesn’t sit deep enough to allow the lens head to be screwed down.

[rob_s]

Malkoff makes great stuff but $47 to upgrade the old light to 230 lumens when a new 600 lumen version is $60 on Amazon just seems inefficient.

I was just about to post the same thing. My first thought was “oh cool, I have several of those around here somewhere” and my second thought was “f-that, I’m not spending $50/light to rehab lights that probably cost me less than that when I bought them new!”

I bought some malkoff bezels for my gen1 p3 and gen2 p6 most,y for nostalgia and then set to fiddle-farting with them and regretted the whole thing Immediatelyy after I got the wrong click tail cap (which I didn’t realize until after I took the OEM one apart), didn’t get the bezels I meant to... stupid rabbit hole of stupid.

I’m thinking the best route at this point is to list the old ones and just buy a bakers dozen of these.
PolyTac X USB - includes Rechargeable battery https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079DD53KC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_ACoxFbXCRHW0B

[Lon]

Bought one - did not fit in the G2 or a Z2. The base of the bulb is too thick and doesn’t sit deep enough to allow the lens head to be screwed down.

Well shit. I bought one for an old SF 870 firearm and it worked fine. Thought they took
The same bulb assembly.

It went on this.

60276

[HeavyDuty]

Bought one - did not fit in the G2 or a Z2. The base of the bulb is too thick and doesn’t sit deep enough to allow the lens head to be screwed down.

I just had two come in. I tried one in my original 6P, I had to remove the big spring and it fit. I’m thinking that if I trim the spring it will work ok, but I may just send them back.

Edit - I just looked at the listing again, and they mention removing the large outer spring for the 6P. I’ll look for one of my older G2s and see how it works.

[OldRunner/CSAT Neighbor]

Bit of a swerve fellas but need a rec. on a replacement head for the SF in the center & a new drop in for the Z2 on the right?

Looking for something w/ good spill plus some distance throw & disregard the LNIB X200B on the left unless ya know someone that WTB it.

60296

[NH Shooter]

Bit of a swerve fellas but need a rec. on a replacement head for the SF in the center & a new drop in for the Z2 on the right?

Looking for something w/ good spill plus some distance throw & disregard the LNIB X200B on the left unless ya know someone that WTB it.



I'm using one of these in my Z2 and really like it - https://www.edcplus.com/p60-dropins-c-3_18/edc-plus-x60lt-p60-xpl-hi-v3-1-mode-5000k-neutral-white-p-247.html

https://i.ibb.co/Kb79rQN/z2-1.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/RCBfCKy/z2-2.jpg


In fact, I use the same drop-in for the G2 Lego WML;

https://i.ibb.co/XVDskgr/G2-1.jpg

[HeavyDuty]

Bit of a swerve fellas but need a rec. on a replacement head for the SF in the center & a new drop in for the Z2 on the right?

Looking for something w/ good spill plus some distance throw & disregard the LNIB X200B on the left unless ya know someone that WTB it.

60296

Not sure about the SF, but the one I ordered lists the Z2:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XCMQWVS

[HCM]

Buy one of these to see if they work. $11 on A Prime. If it works out buy more.

https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Flashlight-Replacement-Surefire-Ultrafire/dp/B07XCMQWVS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=surefire+replacement+led+bulb&qid=1599523422&sprefix=surefire+replacemtn&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFRRFJSR1gzNFBNMFImZ W5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwMzgyNDJGRDM0N0VGSjFHRzQmZW5jcnl wdGVkQWRJZD1BMDI0MjQ5ODE4R01VUTE0NzdBVlcmd2lkZ2V0T mFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1J lZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==


Bought one - did not fit in the G2 or a Z2. The base of the bulb is too thick and doesn’t sit deep enough to allow the lens head to be screwed down.


Well shit. I bought one for an old SF 870 firearm and it worked fine. Thought they took
The same bulb assembly.

It went on this.

60276


I just had two come in. I tried one in my original 6P, I had to remove the big spring and it fit. I’m thinking that if I trim the spring it will work ok, but I may just send them back.

Edit - I just looked at the listing again, and they mention removing the large outer spring for the 6P. I’ll look for one of my older G2s and see how it works.

You are correct - you need to remove the large outer spring to fit the G2.

[Bratch]

I was just about to post the same thing. My first thought was “oh cool, I have several of those around here somewhere” and my second thought was “f-that, I’m not spending $50/light to rehab lights that probably cost me less than that when I bought them new!”

I bought some malkoff bezels for my gen1 p3 and gen2 p6 most,y for nostalgia and then set to fiddle-farting with them and regretted the whole thing Immediatelyy after I got the wrong click tail cap (which I didn’t realize until after I took the OEM one apart), didn’t get the bezels I meant to... stupid rabbit hole of stupid.

I’m thinking the best route at this point is to list the old ones and just buy a bakers dozen of these.
PolyTac X USB - includes Rechargeable battery https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079DD53KC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_ACoxFbXCRHW0B

I went back and forth on this quite a bit but decided to go ahead with the Malkoff. My reasoning was light output and runtimes. The new G2 is more powerful at 600 and 15 lumens but nothing in between, feels like either a dragster or a tricycle. The Malkoff gave me a couple levels of brightness (100/250 lumens) with a ton of run life and not having to click 4 times to get what I want. I think these will end up more GP use around the house or get dumped in the cars.

[Navin Johnson]

The G2's are best for M61L and LL for utility/BU lights with really nice beams and ok runtimes.

Malkoffs high output stuff is good for metal hosts and task specific activities.

The best value is the in-between lights like the g2x tactical or MV. $60-80 with good output. quality and runtime.

If SF made a high/low twist head on the g2x a guy could buy 5 and have almost everything covered. (I'm sure they don't cause there would be no reason to buy any of there other products)

The 15 lumen low on a g2x is surprisingly useful and ok for many tasks. Probably the best feature of the unit. I think a low of 100-150 would be cool for certain situations but I doubt the runtime would be much more than double the high.

The etc1L-t is the one lacking on low.

[GyroF-16]

You are correct - you need to remove the large outer spring to fit the G2.

Mine just arrived. I will validate tomorrow and report back.

[rob_s]

I went ahead and posted to the for sale section here to offer up the only two G2 lights I could find in my stash. Price is OBO.

[GyroF-16]

Mine just arrived. I will validate tomorrow and report back.

Re: this drop-in from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Flashl...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Installed in a G2 today, and seems to work fine. I’ll take it outside when I let the dog out tonight to assess throw and spill, general utility, etc.
So far, I’m pleased to make an apparently useful flashlight for $10 and the body of one that I’ve had for about 20 years.
I did need to remove the “big” spring to make it fit.

[Le Français]

Buy one of these to see if they work. $11 on A Prime. If it works out buy more.

https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Flashlight-Replacement-Surefire-Ultrafire/dp/B07XCMQWVS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=surefire+replacement+led+bulb&qid=1599523422&sprefix=surefire+replacemtn&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFRRFJSR1gzNFBNMFImZ W5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwMzgyNDJGRDM0N0VGSjFHRzQmZW5jcnl wdGVkQWRJZD1BMDI0MjQ5ODE4R01VUTE0NzdBVlcmd2lkZ2V0T mFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1J lZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==


I also got the one to which Lon linked (after seeing this thread, but before he posted - weird). Anyway, I also had to remove the large spring, and so far it works well in a G2. It seems a bit brighter than a 600-lumen Streamlight Polytac, with a slightly larger hotspot. New life to an old favorite! Before this, I had the 120-lumen incandescent lamp in this G2.

Any recommendations for a bezel-down pocket clip? I'm thinking RCS is the way to go. https://www.bigtexoutdoors.com/product/raven-concealment-surefire-p-and-g-series-pocket-clip/

Does anyone recommend something else?

[GyroF-16]

Re: this drop-in from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Flashl...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Installed in a G2 today, and seems to work fine. I’ll take it outside when I let the dog out tonight to assess throw and spill, general utility, etc.
So far, I’m pleased to make an apparently useful flashlight for $10 and the body of one that I’ve had for about 20 years.
I did need to remove the “big” spring to make it fit.

Replying to my own post to update...

Very pleased with this $10 update to an old G2. Similar brightness to a Surefire Fury (600 lumens?). More flood, and larger hotspot than the Fury, with a little less throw. All in all, a great budget flashlight option.

[Chuck Whitlock]

Any recommendations for a bezel-down pocket clip? I'm thinking RCS is the way to go. https://www.bigtexoutdoors.com/product/raven-concealment-surefire-p-and-g-series-pocket-clip/

Does anyone recommend something else?

The RCS clip works great with my old 6P. Only caveat is that you will not be able to screw the tailcap down enough for constant on. For my uses, that is a feature and not a bug.

[Le Français]

For my uses, that is a feature and not a bug.

Same here. I ordered one. Thanks!