They may have been improved, but the last time I looked, a rechargeable battery had substantially less capacity in mAh than a primary - one use - battery.

Not knowing your application, what is your remedy when your battery runs down?
If I were using a flashlight a lot, I would use rechargeables for the long term savings, but if the work were critical, I would have a primary handy for the "reload." A spare rechargeable, maybe; how is the self discharge rate on the current crop?

 

So far, it's just been human error.

Me accidentally leaving the darn light on or accidentally flipping the "on" switch when storing.

I have yet to use the light enough at the range to run the battery down the way a normal person would wear one down.

 

Surefire 18650B in M640 but that's what it came with. I have two spares ($20 each) with a stash of CR123A's. If I dip into stash, I order new ones.

 

I use Surefire exclusively 2 different models both with rechargeable. I have two sets for each flashlight and rotate them on a schedule. I have saved a lot of money and haven't had the problem of battery disposal. I would recommend them to any Surefire user. Their lights and batteries are very good, customer service unresponsive.

 

I use surefire lights. With my EDC variety, the rechargeable batteries are mainly used. For all of my WML, I keep a good stash of non rechargeable in them with spares. Yet I still have a few 18650 (which came with scouts) and CR123 rechargeable backups for future just in case scenarios where as I might not be able to source regular batteries anymore.

 

I have a stash of regular batteries as well. One warning, I have a copy of the first Surefire flashlight from when they were Laser Products. It still works and is usable, but rechargeables will blow out the bulb - must use regular. Ask how I know!

 

It still works and is usable, but rechargeables will blow out the bulb - must use regular.

I went the other way, I have a light that came with rechargeables that did not worK. Primaries were a good bit dimmer with the Xenon bulb. It is an off brand but compatible with Surefire, so I got a LED head for it.

 

I keep Surefire hand-helds by the back door. I use them for about 5-10 min each night when the dogs go out. For over a year, I have switched to rechargeables (Surefire Cr123), and the run-time is literally cut into half.

Unless I were someone doing teaching/demos, I don't think I'd ever put a rechargeable CR123 in a weaponlight. If you insist on a rechargeable, step into 18350 or 18650

 

I use rechargeable 123s, frequently recharged and rotated, in the EDC light I carry on me and use all the time. With that, it’s really nice to be able to use the light as much as I want or need and not worry about how run down a primary is and whether it’s worth replacing yet - I just throw the other rechargeable in, and recharge the used one to stand by for next time.

I have weapon lights on an AR and 870 and those get primary 123s. I practice with them either using old rotated out primaries or burning down the current ones before putting fresh ones in. The battery currently in use doesn’t get used except for brief function checks.

 

Old school - I use Harries instead of weapon lights, learned it long ago and trust it. The flashlights I use are in the rotation for recharge so I have never had an issue.

 

I use Harries instead of weapon lights, learned it long ago and trust it.

What's a "Harry"?

 

Also....

Do batteries last longer if you store them in the fridge before you use them?

*Not sure where my mom got her information, but God bless her soul she always kept our unused batteries in the fridge when I was growing up.

 

I'm pretty sure this is soley in the context of Nickel Cadmium rechargeables and (to my understanding) was maybe a way to slow the gradual reduction of capacity while batteries sat idle on store shelves. For the user/consumer, why have uncharged rechargeables?

For nearly all other batteries and modern batteries, treat them like you would ammo. Cool and dry are key. Extreme heat and extreme cold will harm batteries or accelerate drainage.

IMHO, you're overthinking this. To put it simply:
For high-use, low-stakes: rechargeable CR123 are fine
For high-use, high-stakes: rotation of fresh* CR123 Lithium

*Partial batteries taken out of idle or limited use "serious use" devices for later use in practice or in place of rechargeables in high-use, low-stakes electronics.

 

If money is tight longer term, rechargeable win. Thing with Surefire and the CR123 is they go from fine to gone with no warning. The rotation plan, based on use and experience, that ain't gonna happen.

 

What's a "Harry"?

An archaic and outdated technique of holding a flashlight while shooting one handed. You sacrifice grip stabilization, recoil control, and follow up shot speed in exchange for ...[nothing] compared to a weapon mounted light.

Also....

Do batteries last longer if you store them in the fridge before you use them?

*Not sure where my mom got her information, but God bless her soul she always kept our unused batteries in the fridge when I was growing up.

I'm not scientist, but a cursory search showed that it actually harms modern lithium ion batteries.
I ordered a few battery holders from here: Hammy3DPrints - Firearm, Magazine, and Gear Mounts and Accessories game changer for organization and ease of storage.

 

An archaic and outdated technique of holding a flashlight while shooting one handed. You sacrifice grip stabilization, recoil control, and follow up shot speed in exchange for ...[nothing] compared to a weapon mounted light.

You have to point the gun to point the flashlight. I do not, nor do I care to. As to the rest, I have hit the things I used the technique on.

 

You have to point the gun to point the flashlight.

No, no you don't. It's a flashlight not a laser...the light's spill will illuminate without needing to be pointed directly at an object/person. Not to mention the harris techique traditionally has the flashlight orientated with the handgun, so that's a moot point even if true.

As to the rest, I have hit the things I used the technique on.

I've hit targets using weak/strong hand only...doesn't change the fact a proper two-hand grip is more efficient.

 

No, no you don't. It's a flashlight not a laser...the light's spill will illuminate without needing to be pointed directly at an object/person. Not to mention the harris techique traditionally has the flashlight orientated with the handgun, so that's a moot point even if true.


I've hit targets using weak/strong hand only...doesn't change the fact a proper two-hand grip is more efficient.

You do what works for you, and I will do what works for me. I don't own a single plastic gun either.

 

No rechargeable WML‘s, for me. Batteries have a long shelf life and can easily be carried. No reason to have rechargeable.

 

When you use a flashlight or more than one daily, there is no reason to use up batteries when you can recharge and re use. One less thing to throw away, the regular ones in reserve, as noted, good for a long time.

 

For hunting at night and having fun, rechargable...
For things that you'd stake your life on, high quality plain batteries, and change em out regularly.

 

For hunting at night and having fun, rechargable...
For things that you'd stake your life on, high quality plain batteries, and change em out regularly.

I have had failures with regular batteries, and with CR123 in Surefire, they just go dark without warning. I have not had that happen with a rechargeable because I have found a way to manage them that works for me. In any case, if you depend on flashlights you need one of these.

 

Well, I think I decided.

I'm going to invade my "ammo fund" and invest in both. Why?
(Because I shouldn't be shooting at night if I can't see what I'm shooting at)

I'm realizing I need flashlights as well. So I'll get me a couple Streamlight flashlights that takes the same type of batteries and rotate the rechargeable batteries in them. And if that goes well...rotate them in the weapons lights.
Midway USA will love me.

Thanks again folks for all your input.

 

Something to keep in mind - the latest generation of weapon lights coming from Modlight, Cloud Defensive, and Surefire only put out their max output with rechargeable batteries. The last light I'm using CR123s in is the Surefire X300 and only because that light is so much better than any other pistol light on the market. Anything I have as a handheld light or on a long gun is using 18650s or 18350s

 

Yeah everything I have is cloud defensive. And it forces me to be somewhat organized with a recharging schedule. Which concerns me a bit but I’m using their handhelds which I charge often so easy to swap batteries in a pinch.