Your classic SureFire® may have more than a few years under its belt, but that doesn’t mean it’s ready for retirement. These lights were built to take a beating, and many are still going strong. The original incandescent lamps, however, are another story. Their limited output, relatively short runtime, and fragile filaments can make an otherwise dependable flashlight less useful than it could be.
Fortunately, you don’t have to replace the entire flashlight to get better performance. Whether you’re considering a SureFire® 6P LED upgrade or the same conversion for a G2, C2, or another compatible model, Malkoff’s M61 series can improve light output while preserving the flashlight’s original body and head.
This guide covers which SureFire® models support these LED drop-ins, how to choose the right one based on voltage, lumen output, and beam pattern, and what to know about installation, runtime, and battery safety.
Watch how a Malkoff M61 drop-in replaces the original lamp assembly in a SureFire® 6P in the video below.
Watch: SureFire® 6P LED Conversion with Malkoff M61
WHY UPGRADE YOUR SUREFIRE® TO LED?
One of the biggest advantages of legacy SureFire® flashlights like the 6P, G2, and C2 is their replaceable P60-style lamp assembly. In standard compatible configurations, an LED drop-in can take its place without requiring permanent modifications to the flashlight. The process is relatively simple, and you can keep the original lamp and reflector if you ever want to return to the incandescent setup.
The performance difference is substantial, too. A standard SureFire® 6P with its original P60 lamp produces around 65 lumens, while Malkoff’s M61 delivers approximately 450 lumens at 6 volts. For those who prioritize longer runtime over maximum brightness, lower-output options like the M61L and M61LL offer an alternative.
The upgrade can also make the light better suited to rough handling. Unlike old incandescent lamps, LEDs have no fragile filament to break, while Malkoff’s fully potted electronics help protect the module against shock and vibration.
There are trade-offs, though. Higher-output modules generally draw more power and generate more heat, so flashlight construction and battery requirements matter when choosing a Malkoff drop-in for your SureFire®.
For a closer look at LED performance and efficiency, see our guide to LED Lighting Upgrades.
WHICH SUREFIRE® MODELS CAN YOU UPGRADE WITH A MALKOFF LED DROP-IN?
Malkoff’s M61-series drop-ins are designed to fit several SureFire® lights, grouped below by their original battery configurations:
| Configuration | SureFire® models |
|---|---|
| 6V (two CR123 batteries) | 6P, G2, C2, Z2, 6Z, M2 |
| 9V (three CR123 batteries) | 9P, C3, Z3, G3 |
However, not every M61 variant fits or suits every host, and the list of compatible models differs from one module to the next. All-plastic models like the G2 and G3 flashlights have additional heat limitations, while those with shock-absorbing heads, such as the M2 Combat Light, require a Malkoff fitting ring when installing a Malkoff M61 drop-in.
Before ordering, check the product page for your chosen LED drop-in to confirm that it fits your flashlight. If your model isn’t listed, Malkoff’s team can help you explore your options.
If you’re upgrading an older SureFire® weapon light, refer to our M951 & M961 LED Conversion Guide for model-specific instructions.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT MALKOFF LED DROP-IN FOR YOUR SUREFIRE®
Your flashlight’s operating voltage, the light output and beam pattern you need, and your preferred color temperature will help narrow down the available Malkoff modules. The goal is to find one that suits your SureFire® and how you use it, not simply the one with the highest lumen output.
MATCH THE VOLTAGE TO YOUR HOST
Many Malkoff LED drop-ins work with both 6-volt and 9-volt SureFire® hosts, but their operating ranges aren’t identical. These specifications matter because the module needs to work with the power supplied by your flashlight’s batteries.
The standard M61, M61L, and M61LL drop-ins have a regulated operating range of 3.4–9V, while the M61 SHO is rated for 3.8–9V. The multilevel M361-LMH has a specified input range of 3.7–9V. Below their respective regulation thresholds, the M61 and M61 SHO can still produce light, but their output is no longer regulated.
Rechargeable batteries deserve particular attention because their voltage can differ from that of standard CR123 cells. Before switching, check that your proposed battery setup meets the module’s electrical requirements, including when the cells are fully charged.
There is a ceiling as well as a floor. Malkoff warns that an input above 9 volts may damage the module, so count your cells and check their fully charged voltage before powering up a converted light.
COMPARE OUTPUT, BEAM PATTERN, AND RUNTIME
Once you’ve established the voltage requirements, consider what you’ll need your SureFire® flashlight to do. More light can be useful when searching a large outdoor area, but a lower-output module may serve you better when you need illumination for several hours.
Malkoff’s M61 series offers several output levels depending on how you use your flashlight. For compatible hosts, the M361-LMH provides a separate multilevel option.
- M61 (approximately 450 lumens): A versatile choice for everyday tasks and general outdoor use. With two CR123 batteries, Malkoff lists approximately 1.25 hours of runtime, followed by a gradual reduction in output.
- M61L (approximately 230 lumens): Offers a middle ground between light output and battery life. Its published runtime is approximately five hours plus taper on two CR123 batteries.
- M61LL (approximately 100 lumens): Worth considering for navigation, close-up work, or other activities that call for extended illumination. Malkoff rates it at approximately 10 hours plus taper on two CR123 batteries.
- M61 SHO (approximately 750 lumens at 6V): Delivers considerably more light for demanding applications in compatible metal-bodied flashlights, holding that output across its 3.8–9V regulated range. On two primary CR123 batteries, Malkoff lists approximately 30–45 minutes at full output.
- M361-LMH: Offers low, medium, and high settings that you can cycle through using the flashlight’s switch. The cool white version produces approximately 750 lumens on high and the neutral white version approximately 500, giving you the flexibility to adjust output as your lighting needs change.
The figures above are for the cool white versions of each module. Malkoff rates its neutral white and warm white variants slightly lower, which is covered under color temperature below.
Your flashlight’s construction can also affect which module is suitable. For all-plastic SureFire® G2 and G3 models, Malkoff recommends the lower-output M61L or M61LL. Running the standard M61 at full output for more than 15 continuous minutes in these hosts may damage the module.
For compatible metal-bodied flashlights, the M61 SHO and M361-LMH offer higher-output alternatives. The SHO is not intended for plastic hosts, and Malkoff warns that operating the M361-LMH on high for more than five continuous minutes in a plastic flashlight may damage the drop-in. Check the product specifications to confirm which module suits your flashlight.
Beam pattern is another consideration. A tightly focused beam helps illuminate distant objects, while a broader beam lights up more of your immediate surroundings. Malkoff’s orange-peel reflector combines a defined hotspot with surrounding spill, giving you a useful balance of both.
For detailed specifications, visit Malkoff’s LED drop-ins for 6–9V SureFire® hosts.
PICK A COLOR TEMPERATURE
Along with output and beam pattern, the color of the light can affect your experience. Malkoff offers cool white (5700K), neutral white (4000K), and warm white (3000K) options in its M61 range.
Cool white has a crisp, cooler appearance and generally delivers more lumens than comparable neutral or warm variants. Neutral white has a more balanced appearance that can make it easier to distinguish colors and details. Warm white has a yellowish tone that some people find more comfortable for close-range tasks or extended use.
The output gap is modest but worth knowing before you order. Malkoff lists the cool white M61 at approximately 450 lumens, while the neutral M61N and warm M61W are listed at approximately 400. The same pattern holds down the range: 230 lumens for the M61L against 200 for the M61NL and M61WL, and 100 lumens for the M61LL against 80 for the M61NLL and M61WLL.
Both the neutral M61N and warm M61W have a published color rendering index (CRI) of 95, meaning they reproduce colors with a high degree of accuracy. Malkoff does not publish a CRI figure for the standard cool white M61, and for the multilevel M361-LMH it lists 70 CRI for the cool white version against 95 for the neutral. Neither is inherently the better choice. It comes down to the kind of light you prefer and how you plan to use your flashlight.
HOW TO INSTALL A MALKOFF LED DROP-IN IN YOUR SUREFIRE®
Before installing your Malkoff M61 LED drop-in, check whether your SureFire® flashlight requires any additional fitting accessories. For example, the M2 Combat Light has a shock-absorbing head that requires a Malkoff fitting ring.
Follow these steps for a standard P60-style installation:
- Turn off your flashlight and remove the batteries. Unscrew the tailcap and take out the batteries. If the flashlight was recently used, allow the compatible incandescent lamp to cool before handling it. Wear safety glasses when handling the original lamp assembly.
- Unscrew the flashlight head. Hold the body firmly and turn the head until it separates from the flashlight.
- Remove the original lamp assembly. Take out the compatible incandescent lamp and reflector as a unit. Set them aside if you’d like to return the flashlight to its original configuration later.
- Install the Malkoff M61 drop-in. Insert the module with the LED facing the lens and the contact spring facing the batteries. Make sure it seats properly without forcing it, and avoid touching or pressing on the LED dome.
- Reattach the head. Screw it back onto the flashlight body until it sits securely in place.
- Reinstall the batteries and test the light. Insert the appropriate batteries, positive (+) end first, so the raised button faces the spring on the drop-in, and then replace the tailcap. Turn on the flashlight to confirm that the LED and switch operate normally.
Malkoff notes that these drop-ins are capable of causing eye damage at close range, so keep the beam out of anyone’s eyes when you test the light and in normal use.
If the flashlight doesn’t turn on, check the batteries and make sure each positive (+) end faces toward the head of the light, confirm that the Malkoff drop-in is seated correctly, and inspect the contacts for dirt or corrosion. If the problem persists, contact Malkoff’s team for guidance rather than attempting to modify the flashlight.
BATTERIES AND RUNTIME AFTER THE SUREFIRE® UPGRADE
Your upgraded SureFire® can continue running on its original CR123 battery configuration, but you may also have rechargeable options depending on your flashlight and Malkoff LED drop-in. Whichever setup you use, battery capacity, module power consumption, and operating conditions will affect how long your light runs.
Malkoff’s published runtime figures for these drop-ins assume two CR123 primary batteries. Change the battery type and both the runtime and the way the light behaves as the cells discharge can change with it.
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can reduce the need for disposable cells, but choosing the right configuration takes a little more care. For example, the protected 16650 battery Malkoff sells fits the SureFire® 6P, G2, C2, and M2, where a single cell takes the place of two CR123s and can power a suitable M61 drop-in. A 16650 has a nominal voltage of 3.7 volts and reaches 4.2 volts when fully charged, compared with approximately 6 volts from two primary CR123 cells.
Before making the switch, confirm that the battery meets the module’s voltage requirements. If your SureFire® isn’t one of the models listed above, check that the battery fits as well.
Whatever battery type you choose, use cells from reputable manufacturers and insert them with the correct polarity. Never combine old and new batteries or different cell types in the same multicell setup.
Lithium-ion battery safety: Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can overheat, catch fire, or explode if they are damaged, misused, or charged incorrectly. Use protected cells, which guard against overcharging, overdischarging, and short circuits, and charge them only with a compatible charger. Don’t leave batteries charging unattended, and stop using any cell with a torn wrapper, dents, or other damage. Carry and store loose cells in a battery case so the terminals can’t touch keys, coins, or other metal objects, and keep batteries away from high heat and out of reach of children.
If you’re unsure which batteries will work with your flashlight and LED drop-in, Malkoff’s team can help you check. You can also explore the available batteries and chargers.
OLD-SCHOOL DURABILITY, UPGRADED PERFORMANCE
The right LED drop-in can give your SureFire® more capability without replacing a flashlight you already trust. Malkoff publishes detailed specifications for every module, and if you still aren’t sure which one suits your light, you can call and talk it through with the people who designed and built it.
Ready to get more from your SureFire® flashlight? Browse Malkoff’s LED drop-ins for SureFire® hosts or contact the team for help choosing the right option.
Trademark Notice:
SureFire, LLC, which manufactures and sells SureFire® flashlights, is not associated with Malkoff Devices, Inc. SureFire, LLC, does not manufacture, sponsor, warrant, or endorse any Malkoff Devices, Inc. product advertised on this website. The SureFire® trademark, a registered trademark of SureFire, LLC, is used solely to identify the host flashlight for the Malkoff Devices, Inc. products advertised on this website. All other trademarks, copyrights, graphics, or text appearing on this site that are not owned by Malkoff Devices, Inc. or any of its related companies are the property of their respective owners, who may or may not be affiliated with, connected to, or sponsored by Malkoff Devices, Inc.
