Author Topic: Flare cartridges in Shotguns (Read 60575 times)

Outbreak · « **on:** October 22, 2008, 03:12:39 am »

I figured this one was an essential thread for any gun forum, besides I don't remember the answers I've gotten.

So can you safely and effectively fire a 12ga flare cartridge from a normal 12ga shotgun?

I have a sailboat and it is equipped with one of those bright orange 12ga flare pistols. Last big trip we took on the boat, we also carried a Mossberg 500 type shotgun for...uhh... pirate defense

. I've also had to use the flare gun once in a real emergency situation on that boat. Its not really a question of saving space, since flare guns don't take up much space. Its more about redundancy. If we run into another emergency again and can't find/get to the flare gun, could we safely and reliably fire a 12ga flare cartridge from a normal shotgun?

WeTheArmed.com

BruceRDucer · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2008, 11:17:54 am »

I never thought about those flare cartridges. Gee, I'll have to get some!

Thernlund · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2008, 11:39:37 am »

The problem you get with 12ga flares designed for a flare gun is that they may not make it out of the barrel (especially if it has a choke). God forbid one ignites in there, eh? I'd probably be comfortable trying it so long as the flare info says it'll go 200 to 300 feet in the air. I wouldn't try the ones that say 50 feet and such.

I hear tell that there are 12ga flares meant for shotguns. And there's always Dragon's Breath if you can find them.

-T.

strickj · « **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2008, 11:40:06 am »

[/ eagerly waiting responses \]

BruceRDucer · « **Reply #4 on:** October 26, 2008, 11:17:25 am »

Hmm....maybe we should just get some flare guns. You know that movie Office Space? They mention Flare, so I think we should all watch Office Space and start learning some serious survival skills. I've started filling out my TPS Reports, and so should everybody.

foghornl · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2008, 02:56:56 pm »

Shooting Budd ruined a full-choke barrel with one of those flares...got stuck about 2" back from the muzzle. Watching your barrel turn a bright cherry red.....

Would NOT try that in anything tighter-choked than Improved CYlinder.

SuperNaut · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2008, 06:12:52 pm »

I think the more compelling question is; can you fire 12g slugs out of the flare gun?

JesseL · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2008, 06:20:09 pm »

Quote from: SuperNaut on October 29, 2008, 06:12:52 pm

I think the more compelling question is; can you fire 12g slugs out of the flare gun?

You bet!
(but you'll only do it once)

Mutant Musket · « **Reply #8 on:** November 02, 2008, 03:13:39 pm »

Never fire any type of non-flare cartridge or shell out of a flare gun. You will likely get fragged.
A flare can be fired out of a shotgun if it has absolutely zero choke, the kind of zero choke one gets when they hack some of the barrel off. Almost any degree of choke will catch the flare payload in the barrel and that's not good. It's best not to mess with the whole flares in shotguns thing.

seanp · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2008, 05:10:11 pm »

The store I used to work at sold 12 gauge flares that I was under the impression that gas operators shot from cylinder bore shotguns. I never tried it myself, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Al Thompson · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2008, 11:03:00 am »

If it dosen't specificly mention shotguns, I would not shoot in in one of mine.

I've heard for years that someone offers flares for shotguns, but the little orange flare guns are pretty good as well as being handy for a pocket.

FWIW, I note that the folks that supply the Orion flare guns also offer 26mm flares now. Makes those surplus flare guns much more viable.

sixboysdad · « **Reply #11 on:** December 08, 2008, 05:05:20 am »

Quote

I've started filling out my TPS Reports, and so should everybody.

Don't forget your cover sheet. Did you get the memo? I'll see to it that you get a copy of that memo.

Oh, and here's my flare

Avenger29 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 09, 2008, 01:15:19 am »

Flares should not be used in shotguns, unless said flare specifically states it can be used in a shotgun. The 12 guage flares made by Orion for marine use do not fall under that. Want redundancy? Buy another flare gun. They sell them at Walmart...

On the flipside, don't be stupid and try to fire a 12 gauge shell from a flare pistol. Not only should it not chamber due to design, but if you manage to fire it, congratulations, you will have created a hand grenade

The pistol is made out of plastic or weak metal.

There are also hand held flares and smoke sticks if you want those, too.

You can also buy stand alone or under barrel mounted 37mm flare launchers, too, and have some fun with those.

SuperNaut · « **Reply #13 on:** December 09, 2008, 11:40:04 am »

Quote from: Avenger29 on December 09, 2008, 01:15:19 am

On the flipside, don't be stupid and try to fire a 12 gauge shell from a flare pistol. Not only should it not chamber due to design, but if you manage to fire it, congratulations, you will have created a hand grenade The pistol is made out of plastic or weak metal.

All that does is make me want to find a higher-quality flare gun.

Al Thompson · « **Reply #14 on:** December 09, 2008, 01:07:31 pm »

Serbu....

Avenger29 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 09, 2008, 03:50:24 pm »

Quote from: SuperNaut on December 09, 2008, 11:40:04 am

All that does is make me want to find a higher-quality flare gun.

Then buy a Serbu SuperShorty if you absolutely MUST have something of that size to fire a 12 guage shell in.

It'll cost you what, $700 and the $5 AOW tax, but you'll avoid the hospital bill. Or you could get a 12 gauge shotgun, pay the NFA tax on it, and have the work done to shorten it. You can't mount a stock to a Serbu Super Shorty w/o paying the $200 SBS tax.

But I think for that kind of money, you could have a hell of a lot more fun with a Saiga 12 gauge shotgun...

SuperNaut · « **Reply #16 on:** December 09, 2008, 05:20:34 pm »

Uh guys, I've been joking from my first post in itt. Do you really think I'm going to touch off a freakin' slug in a flare gun? It doesn't get more hyperbolic than that.

Besides I already have a Saiga 12, and yes it is a lot of fun.

Next up, I plan to attach a box magazine to a mortar, don't you guys think that is a great idea?

Al Thompson · « **Reply #17 on:** December 11, 2008, 07:30:33 am »

I knew your were being funny.. LOL! Besides, it's duct tape that makes those slugs fit the 26mm Flare Guns.

SuperNaut · « **Reply #18 on:** December 11, 2008, 11:30:13 am »

That'll poke yer eye out!

Buckeye Redneck · « **Reply #19 on:** December 31, 2008, 10:15:02 pm »

Quote from: foghornl on October 29, 2008, 02:56:56 pm

Shooting Budd ruined a full-choke barrel with one of those flares...got stuck about 2" back from the muzzle. Watching your barrel turn a bright cherry red.....

Would NOT try that in anything tighter-choked than Improved CYlinder.

We have a winner. The loser ended up being my 11-87

sohmdaddy · « **Reply #20 on:** November 21, 2009, 06:48:51 pm »

Quote from: SuperNaut on October 29, 2008, 06:12:52 pm

I think the more compelling question is; can you fire 12g slugs out of the flare gun?

Sounds like a case of gun-in-forehead disease in the making

Skeptic49 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 22, 2009, 06:18:50 am »

Quote from: SuperNaut on December 09, 2008, 05:20:34 pm

Next up, I plan to attach a box magazine to a mortar, don't you guys think that is a great idea?

French did it already, in one of those fancy Panhard turrets. If I recall correctly it was 60mm gun launcher and a double automatic. i.e. the loader kept one round in the magazine, which was autoloaded into the breach by recoil.

Geoff
Who notes the old Panhard Armored Cars were very popular around the world...especially after being reengined with Cummings diesels.

only1asterisk · « **Reply #22 on:** November 24, 2009, 10:52:41 pm »

Flares out of shotguns? Sure, but not out of MY shotguns.

Skeptic49 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 25, 2009, 04:25:45 pm »

What ever happened to that H&K flare launcher? Looked like a barrelless pistol with just a grip with a magazine.

Geoff
Who vaguely remembers it from the 70s..