I resolved my issue. I did not have the battery tight enough. With the noalox on the threads, I simply was adjusting the tube to be flush with bottom of the battery.
When I went back to adjusting the tube to be 1/8 " below the battery and used the extended cap, then it was much more effective. Battery tube adjustment is so vital on these things....
If I had thought long enough about it, I probably would have avoided a telescoping Mod for that reason alone.
It's not a big deal, but there is something to be said about just putting in a battery and tightening down the cap and having a nice snug solid unit.