The SureFire 9P Classic, along with its little brother the 6P, was the first of the P-series lights. Taking advantage of its modular design, the 9P could be easily reconfigured into rechargeable and Turbo-Head versions.
During much of its production life the light was simply referred to as the SureFire 9P. The terms “Classic” and “Round Body” are used today to distinguish these early versions from the later models which have hexagonal bezels.
The SureFire 6P Classic, followed by its bigger brother the 9P, was the first of the P-series lights. Taking advantage of its modular design, the 6P could be easily reconfigured into rechargeable and Turbo-Head versions.
During much of its production life the light was simply called the SureFire 6P. The terms “Classic” and “Round Body” are used today to distinguish these early versions from the later models which have hexagonal bezels.
The SureFire 3P is a shorter 3-volt version of the more common 6P Classic equipped with a Hi-Pressure Xenon lamp assembly capable of producing 15 lumens. The 3P was later phased out in favor of the E-series lights introduced by SureFire.
The SureFire 3P was touted as a small, compact, low-cost, easy to carry general utility light that could be used by anyone.
The new Surefire EB1 Backup® LED Flashlight has been eagerly awaited since its announcement as a replacement for the venerable E1B. It was a forgone conclusion that I would be buying one of the EB1’s just as soon as I could get my hands on it.Continue reading
The one that started it all
I am a flashlight collector and enthusiast, otherwise known as a flashaholic. I was hooked as soon as I bought my first Surefire flashlight, a special edition NRA version of the venerable 6P. Although I already owned more modern and powerful lights, I was taken by the quality of the 6P and intrigued by all of the customization options available. That first light was soon joined by others, beginning a collection that has grown to include over 100 Surefire flashlights.
Along the way I became aware of the wide variety of related products being made by other companies and individuals. Whether you are looking for a custom part, an LED drop-in to upgrade an old light, or even a complete host there is someone out there who will make it for you. The creativity and craftsmanship of these people is amazing.
My interest in the history of these products grew along with my collection. I found that although many collectors and enthusiasts are willing to share their knowledge on the subject, there were seemingly no resources dedicated to compiling and preserving this information. I imagined waking up one day and all of the “experts” were gone. What to do then?
My goal is to compile a catalog of information and to preserve it as well as I can for current and future collectors. Hopefully, in time, it will encompass the vast majority of Surefire flashlights and products from other American companies such as Malkoff Devices, Streamlight, and Elzetta. Also, I hope to share more of the history of these products as well as occasional reviews of new products. At the same time I will be learning how to operate a website, which is something I have wanted to try for a long time. Beyond that, who knows? We will see where this takes us.
FlashlightGuide.com was created to be a comprehensive source of information about Surefire flashlights and related products from the past and present.
A selection of Surefire flashlights from the past
Marketed primarily toward the military and law enforcement, Surefire flashlights have developed a strong following among outdoor enthusiasts, collectors, and anyone else who appreciates the lights for their quality, performance and innovation. Another appeal of the Surefire brand is the relative ease with which many versions can be customized or upgraded as technology advances. This has resulted in extremely strong aftermarket support for these products, even after their production has ended.
FlashlightGuide.com is an attempt to bring together and preserve the history and evolution of these products.