$400 for a Surefire? Yeh they have some light that msrp for that or more. That MSRP is for suckers though. I've yet to pay more than $225 for any of the SF lights I own including 2 LED scouts, 6 x300's, two 9v weapon lights and two 6v weapon lights. All but two cost less than $185. Ebay, the Equipment Exchange at BARFCOM, M4Carbine, etc.... are your friends here. All it takes is a little time and patience to get a great deal. 1st of the year through tax time is when you can get some fantastic deals from folks in a tight for money.
There's nothing wrong with some of the cheap chinese stuff from Solar Force and Fenix. The low end stuff from primary arms, itac/sigarms, etc.. I'd avoid. The major problem with any of it is the lack of after sale support. You may get a warranty but it probably won't be a lifetime one and it sure as heck won't come from American workers. Surefire has legendary customer service and they happen to be american. But hey, if moneys tight feel free to support a baby killing, organ selling tyrannical communist regime that's working steadily towards our county's demise.
One last thing, the new 200 lumen SF G2 & 6P lights are awsome and affordable. Buy once, cry once.