Problem solved reguarding the ring removal. I gave it to maglite and they took care of it.
I got 12 6-cell Mag-num star bulbs and with the Energizer Max D cell my 7d maglite blows bulbs right away. It is bright for a few seconds but apparently I bought the wrong bulbs. It's great to have a rare classic but keeping it funchning is the problem. I just got it back from maglite in Ontario, Ca. and they went through it and put everything new that could be replaced free. Lifetime guarntee. They put a philips PR 20 bulb it and it was so weak that a 2 cell cheap flashlite had the same brightness. What is the solution to keeping the brightness and getting good bulb life?