Yes, we have a report of a short, not denying that at all… I hope it is a one off event and that is the only one. I do insulate my connections up there and will advocate for anyone with the skill to do so as well.
For the why not do it to the front end, I would say to see the posts about lenses being put back in and cracking the edges, stuff like that. Firstly, not everyone buying this light will ever take it apart. Most will, and can do what “should” be done on the front end. I am simply trying to provide a map for those not up to taking their lights apart unless they have to. Not denying the short the one member had, or the fact it may happen again. Once that centering ring is in place, there should be almost no movement or abrasion.
The tail cap removal stopped the process for Kawiboy1428 during his short, and he is an experienced user. The moments that it took him to realize there was a problem, and work through the cognitive dissonance that a factory light was having an issue would be circumvented by having a procedure and a plan in place when firing this light for those concerned. Realizing there is a problem and having an immediate action to correct it is a good thing. Should the anodizing fail to insulate the tail cap after the first 1/2 turn or so, the fact is you will still be ahead of where KB was during his process, which resulted in no major injuries to himself or others, and only a damaged light… Not a good thing, but in the circumstance, the best outcome. If you beat his time in unscrewing a tail cap to stop a short, your odds are better for safety. The better outcome is to take steps to minimize the risk and I think you and Hank have done that here with the fore/aft insulation on the pill. I am just throwing my $.02 in the ring…
The hoverboards are a prime example of LiIon danger… As for flashlights, it is a caution and a decent caution for what could happen if a battery were to short inside a sealed tube and then vent. Watching those videos will give you an idea of what a group of 18650’s will do, but the interesting thing is the single ones that were ejected, they burned pretty well once lit…
We wear seat belts not in anticipation of having an accident, but to be prepared should one happen. Thus my caution on the LiIon and the list above…