3-Cell Maglite: Enough?

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Are the 3 D cell maglites good enough for baton strikes?

I know the giant 6 cell is the king of self defense with a maglite, but is the 3 cell enough? I’ve got one and it seems like it might be.

Thoughts?

 

[Peak53]

I have a 3-cell that I frequently carry around the homestead. It's been converted to LED. With that in one hand, the dog in the other, I am invincible . It's a formidable close quarters weapon. I wrapped the grip with hockey stick tape for a more secure grip. There might be a backup ...

 

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

If yer bonking someone with yer flashlight, you are probly tight enough on real estate that the 3 cell maglite would probly be preferred from a standpoint of maneuverability and weapon retention. As much as we'd like to swing for the bleachers with mo' powah, that's generally just...a much less likely scenario for most of us.

 

[crc4]

My 4 D cell Kel-Lite is 50 years old. I carried it as a patrolman. If they're still alive, there are people that carry the scars from being smacked by mine. Now it rides in my car on the floor between the seat and door. Same light bulb still works. They're indestructible.

It's a shame that the current crop of thugs aren't getting their share of flashlight kisses.

Under the chin, ears, elbows, knee-caps, shins-- so many places, so little time.

Of course, this was before the street police were made ineffective through castration by the politicians.

 

[luvsmiths]

Hit yourself in the head with it as hard as you can, then leave me a response.

 

[seasoldier85]

Ah, those were the days... Any of you old coppers remember these?

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

You might find a C-cell Mag-Lite or Kel-Lite to be a more secure fit to your hand than a D. Obviously, depends somewhat on the size of your hand.

 

[crc4]

Ah, those were the days... Any of you old coppers remember these?

Our uniform pants had a sap pocket next to the back pocket. You could pull out the sap, thump a head, and have it back in the pocket before they could yell, "Wuddidoo, Ossifer?"

 

[Rudi]

I have a 4 cell D in the truck. A real good thumper.

 

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

My Father once fell madly in love with a S&W 10-5 heavy barrel that I'd stumbled into. Of course, I couldn't say no, so I cleaned it up and gave it to him for some holiday.

He felt that gun in his hand and got all kinda tight throated and sweaty eyed. Said "This was my perfect combat pistol. Them thin barreled ones bent when ya' smacked someone with them. The Model 19s got them adjustable sights broken off in any sorta wrestling match, which gotcha in trouble with Lt... But this...the barrel stayed straight, and there was no sight to break....combat perfection...."

He is alot like y'all that have carried and used Maglites and Kel Lites. The voice of experience that few of us in the public sector are smart enough to heed. Of course policin' sure was a heap different back then. I do more paperwork before 0900 on a routine day than he used to do for a murder investigation...

He did say that his baton was perfectly fine, but the brass would tear you up if you used a flashlight. Seems to me, that right there speaks volumes to it's effectiveness as an impromptu weapon....

 

[crc4]

My Father once fell madly in love with a S&W 10-5 heavy barrel that I'd stumbled into. Of course, I couldn't say no, so I cleaned it up and gave it to him for some holiday.

He felt that gun in his hand and got all kinda tight throated and sweaty eyed. Said "This was my perfect combat pistol. Them thin barreled ones bent when ya' smacked someone with them. The Model 19s got them adjustable sights broken off in any sorta wrestling match, which gotcha in trouble with Lt... But this...the barrel stayed straight, and there was no sight to break....combat perfection...."

You Dad knew what he was talking about. That heavy-barrel was great. In the old west, hitting someone with the pistol barrel was called 'buffaloing." Wyatt Earp was a fan of using it on drunks.

It still works if necessary and it's necessary more than you think.

 

[Bald1]

I have several maglites all are either LED or have been converted to LED. I have two 3D cell versions. One rides in my truck. One is next to front door of my cabin. I promise you, you don’t want me to hit you with it. So short answer is yes. It’s plenty effective.

 

[SG-688]

There are a couple of books on police defensive use of flashlights.
Better for blocking and such than striking.

Kel-Lite 1973.

 

[lkabug]

Who remembers the Ray-O-Vac?
It was the best we had back in the '60's. But we did have our slappers, and let's not forget the rosewood batons. And our radio was the call box on the corner.
Those were the days......

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Thanks, guys.

Seems the 3 cell D size is still effective. I just bought a “bust a cap” glass breaker and crenulated strike bezel for it. I have also converted it with an LED bulb which is notably brighter than the factory incandescent and probably a lot more durable. I plan to use this as my truck light for my 2023 Toyota Tacoma.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

For years a 2 D cell Maglight has stood guard on the floor on my side of the bed.......That's it's only job. It too, is heavy enough to use as club if needed.

 

[rosewood]

That heavy-barrel was great. In the old west, hitting someone with the pistol barrel was called 'buffaloing." .

I learned that term from watching Gunsmoke. Pistol whipping is when you hit them with the butt of the gun. I have had to Google lot of terms I have heard on GS. Love the show. I am in season 17 right, just a few more to go.

I always kind of wondered the value of a heavy barrel model 10 with fixed sights. It isn't exactly going to be used for bullseye shooting with fixed sights, but using it as a bludgeon makes a lot of sense.

Rosewood

 

[SAFireman]

A Hickory Shampoo or Kelitis.....ah, the good old days.

S&W and some others produced pretty good blackjacks, convoys, or slappers (depending on the style and region).

 

[Mark8]

I've had a 6-cell for probably close to 20 years now. It's way too heavy to be an effective baton in a real fight. 4-cell is probably the sweet spot.

But there is another aspect to it: If you bring a really large really mean knife to a fight, the opponent may chose not to fight at all, despite the fact that a fighting knife should be lightweight and not much longer than 6". Same thing may happen if you wield a 6-cell Maglite.

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Thanks, guys.

When my crenellated bezel comes in and tailcap mod I’ll show it here. I’m hoping the solid steel glass breaker tailcap add weight to the back end to make it more effective. The bezel should be wicked.