Gold & Silver Forum - Surefire C2 with Malkoff M60 LED

In preparing for potential armed conflict, many times the gun and ammunition are given priority while tactics, including lighting, get far less thought. If you are looking for a high-end light to use with a handgun, I'd like to give my review of the C2 Surefire flashlight, modified with a high power Malkoff M60 led module. For those who are not familiar with the Surefire family of lights, I'll provide an overview first.

SureFire light groups include the E series, the smallest in the lineup, the original P series midsize light, the G series composite body lights, the weapon mountable larger M series, and the C series light reviewed here. The Surefire Centurion, or C, lights include the C2 and C3, with the suffix indicating the number of batteries used. All Surefire lights use size cr123 lithium 3 volt batteries, surefire named their brand of batteries SF123A. The Centurion 2 cell light is available in a black regular anodized version known as the C2-BK, a hard anodized version called the C2-HA, and a hard anodized led version called the C2L-HA. The example reviewed here is the C2L-HA.

Surefire C2L
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3391/...e3a30789ae.jpg

The Centurion series was designed from the start to be used in conjuction with a handgun, with the light held in the supporting hand in a grip known as the SureFire technique. When this grip is used, the flashlight is naturally aligned with the bore of the gun, and can be switched on and off as needed with a hand contraction without changing the point of aim of the light. A rubber ring called a grip ring is located slightly past the center of the light and aids in retaining the light between one's fingers. Specific features include a black stainless pocket clip, rubber o-rings for waterproofing, a pyrex lens, and a momentary tailcap switch. This means the light will turn off when you stop pressing on the tailcap. To lock the light on, twist the tailcap clockwise. To prevent the light from activating, rotate the tailcap one turn back from the on position.

The SureFire flashlight grip technique
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3504/...cedfd6024f.jpg

Subjective Evaluation.

This is an extremely high grade light. The first thing noticed is how good it feels in the hand, just large enough to get a secure grip on while not being too bulky. All of the threaded parts fit together perfectly, and are anodized or coated to prevent corrosion and promote electrical conduction. While the light can be clipped into a pocket and carried daily, it was designed to be a combat light and its size is noticeable when carried in a jeans pocket. About the only criticism the reviewer has for this light, is in it's performance. The Surefire led module, while being of high quality, disappoints in it's lack of brightness. While it's 80 lumen output is much greater than traditional lights, it is far behind the intensity of many other lights now in the marketplace.

The Malkoff M60

Gene Malkoff is a flashlight enthusiast who noticed the need for a better performing led for use in Surefire lights. His M60 module was designed to replace the incandescent P60 lamp used in many Surefire lights including the 6P, G2L, C2, M2, and others. At first, each M60 led was custom made one at a time, but the demand quickly overcame his ability to build them. At that point, a contractor was found to produce the module in volume. Quality has not suffered, the modules are built in the United States and exhibit high levels of fit and finish.

C2 showing Malkoff module
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/...cbb49996_b.jpg

The problem inherent in high intensity led's is in dissipating the heat generated. Fail to cool the led and it will fail in short order. Some manufacturers deal with this problem by reducing the output of the led. The Malkoff solution is to turn the entire body of the module into a heatsink. Each M60 module is machined from solid brass. To this a Cree high output led is added, focused by an optic.

Performance

The C2 performance difference with the M60 module installed is nothing short of dramatic. The output jumps from 80 to 240 lumens, and it shows in use. The light pattern changes from a bright spot with acceptable flood, to a brilliant white disk of light with a surrounding flood that lights an entire room. In testing, the reviewer found it was possible to look in the direction of someone shining the Surefire lamp at him, but that it was painful to look anywhere near the light directed at him from the M60. Nothing can be seen except a brilliant white light. This gives the user a definite advantage in a gunfight, as it's rather hard to shoot at something you can't directly look at. If you use the recommended technique of hitting your opponent with a quick blast of light and then moving, it's doubtful they'll be able to see you past the spots floating in their vision.

This beamshot is the C2L with Surefire led
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3314/...092129d114.jpg

Here is the same light with the M60
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/...2af408a04f.jpg

Other options

While the M60 was the first Malkoff module produced, there are now other options, including 140 and 80 lumen models, with both spot and flood beam patterns available. There are also models available to fit Maglite flashlights. The M60 was recently topped in the lumen department by the new MC-E variant with a stunning 500 lumen output. You will however, pay for your lumens in both runtime and with your wallet. While the M60 has a runtime of roughly 1.5 hours of acceptable output, the MC-E reduces that to 45 minutes. It also costs roughly twice as much. It is worth considering if you are concerned with outdoor areas or large indoor spaces such as warehouse areas, etc. I'd be leery of recommending this for indoor use without testing it first. The M60 is bright enough itself to stun its user when reflecting off light colored surfaces at close range, particularly with night adapted vision. It should be noted that demand is extemely high for all malkoff models and they are often sold out.

Conclusion

I see the Surefire C2 with M60 as the perfect option for anyone who wants to have the best quality light to use with a handgun. If you are expecting to have to deal with marauders after it all hits the fan, expect them to come under cover of darkness. You have to see whats coming at you in order to hit it, and with this light you can make it difficult for them to hit you, as well.

Resources

www.surefire.com

www.malkoffdevices.com