Do police use maglite flashlights for its dependability and durability or it can be used a weapon sometimes?

Would it be cosidered a deadly weapon?

For liability reasons, any use of force must be properly administered according to training. Police can not use an object not intended as a weapon except under extreme circumstance.

There is a legal principle called "not trained but justified", but it up to the officer to be able to articulate why it was necessary.

The newer flashlights are made of plastic and very light weight and are not practical for defense.

How do you remove battery leakage from inside the barrel of a Maglite flashlight?

The leakage is from the alkaline batterys, and the acid is now dry. What can be used without damaging the inner working electronics?

A backing soda solution that is not real wet (but not too "pasty")and a small brush. The mag light is spun aluminum and there are no "electronics" involved. The battery contact in the end cap is made up of the spring and the cap it's self and can be soaked in the solution and brushed clean. The positive contact (bottom side of the bulb holder) can also be removed and soaked clean.
The cylinder can be brushed with the brush well saturated and should come clean with no problem. "Coke" has been used to clean battery terminals for years, but the new formula Coke sucks for that purpose and soda works much better.

I found my lost maglite flashlight, old batteries leaked and are now stuck in it. How can I get them out?

Try putting vinegar down the tube...this should dissolve the deposits and break them loose.

Can you help me find a way to safely purchase a maglite rechargable flashlight?

I have found lots of websites offering these under $100 dollars, which I think is a great deal. BUT I am not sure if I should trust the websites. Can anyone help me? I can't afford to lose 100 dollars and I can't afford to have my debit card info leaked. (can anyone?) I usually only shop on e-bay, which have better systems in place to help determine whether you should purchase from the buyer.

Go to a local hardware store or sporting goods store and buy it in person. That way, you'll feel 100% safe.

Having said that, major online merchants are safe like Amazon.com. If you haven't heard of the web site (Bill's Best Flashlight Deals), then you should be leary.

Its stuck inside, is there anything i can do to get it out? ive beaten on it and tried shimming it out with a screwdriver.no luck.is there a chemical solution or has anyone else ever had this problem?

Auto parts stores have stuff for battery corrosion. I dont know for sure it sounds like the battery somehow welded itself to the aluminum.

How come a Faraday flashlight isn't as bright as a maglite or even an ordinary flashlight?

Also, how come they don't come in miniature size?

It has to do with the amount of charge that you can generate through the 'shaking'. They can be as bright as you want to design them but with such a low charge rate you would have to shake them for hours to store enough 'charge'. That is also the restriction on size since the size of the 'coils' determine the rate of charge. They are an engineering compromise large enough to be useful but small enough to 'shake'.

Can you take a large maglite flashlight (a cop flashlight on an airplane).?

Like the largest one on this page:
http://maglite.com/custserv.asp

The link did not show. The light could be a problem since it has a potential of being a weapon (which is one reason it is popular with the police).

You could call the airline and ask. But it might be best to pack it in your checked baggage. Turn one of the batteries around or place a small piece of tape on the end of the top battery to keep the light from accidentally turning in your luggage and burning out the batteries.

I usually carry a small AA or AAA light in my carry on.

I have a 3D cell Maglite with the standard bulb in it (22,000 candlepower White Star lamp).
I want to upgrade to the recommended - Xenon Mag-num Star Lamp.
They recommend the usual LMSA301 for the 3D cell and up to the 30,000 candlepower LMSA601 for the 6D cell
The bulbs have the same head diameter so if I put a bulb made for the 6D in my 3D Maglite, will it be brighter than if I went with the 3D bulb?

Thanks

Flashlight

The 301 is made to operate on 4.5v.
The 601 is made to operate on 9v.
If you try to operate a 601 on only 4.5v, you'll probably get less than half the brightness out of it.

Conversely, if you stick a 301 into a 6D flashlight, it will work VERY brightly for a few minutes and then probably burn out.