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Flare gun question
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Jun 29, 2022 21:04:17   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
OK, I know this is a bit off the wall, but I’ve noticed we have some pretty serious firearm aficionados on the forum, so I have a question: I have an Olin flare gun and 12 GA flares that date back to when I sold my boat - probably ten years old or a bit older. Do you think they’re safe to shoot? Never going to get another boat and might be fun on the 4th, but not sure about 10+ year old 12 GA rounds in a plastic flare gun. What do you guys think?

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Jun 29, 2022 21:21:39   #
wrangler5 Loc: Missouri
 
Pressure needed to launch the flare probably aren't too great so a plastic device is probably safe. Or at least was when new. Some plastics do become brittle with age.

I would be more concerned that flares for nautical use may be designed assuming they'd come down in water. They might still be burning when they come down, and so might be a real fire hazard if they don't end up in water.

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Jun 29, 2022 21:26:59   #
happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada
 
flare guns while they are 12 gauge do not have the same load as 12 gauge shell going into a shotgun with 00 buck. That being said, I don't know about your jurisdiction but here in Canada it is a criminal offence to fire an emergency signal unless there is an emergency. While an instructor with the Canadian Sail and Power Squadrons we could not even get an exemption to fire them on a training day for boat owners. What we wanted to do was to have people that had never fired a gun fire the flare gun so they would feel safer to use it in the event of an emergency.

Our fix was to get a 10 gallon bucket and fire the old expired flares into the bucket. They got the sensation and it is nothing like firing a shotgun and we got rid of a ton of expired flares. Many people keep their outdated flares to use first in an emergency. Fortunately few people have to ever use them.

I doubt that it would be allowed where you are either but you should check, no sense getting a criminal record at your age Trix.

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Jun 29, 2022 21:33:25   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
wrangler5 wrote:
Pressure needed to launch the flare probably aren't too great so a plastic device is probably safe. Or at least was when new. Some plastics do become brittle with age.

I would be more concerned that flares for nautical use may be designed assuming they'd come down in water. They might still be burning when they come down, and so might be a real fire hazard if they don't end up in water.


Thanks - would use it over a river.

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Jun 29, 2022 21:34:44   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
happy sailor wrote:
flare guns while they are 12 gauge do not have the same load as 12 gauge shell going into a shotgun with 00 buck. That being said, I don't know about your jurisdiction but here in Canada it is a criminal offence to fire an emergency signal unless there is an emergency. While an instructor with the Canadian Sail and Power Squadrons we could not even get an exemption to fire them on a training day for boat owners. What we wanted to do was to have people that had never fired a gun fire the flare gun so they would feel safer to use it in the event of an emergency.

Our fix was to get a 10 gallon bucket and fire the old expired flares into the bucket. They got the sensational and it is nothing like firing a shotgun and we got rid of a ton of expired flares. Many people keep their outdated flares to use first in an emergency. Fortunately few people have to ever use them.

I doubt that it would be allowed where you are either but you should check, no sense getting a criminal record at your age Trix.
flare guns while they are 12 gauge do not have the... (show quote)


Thanks, thinking about over a river, but good point. I should have included it with the sail boat sale, but at the time, I was thinking that one day, I’d buy another’s boat, maybe even a power boat since after a couple of heart attacks, I just don’t have the strength to tail and grind a winch, but as I get older, the chance is becoming more remote.

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Jun 29, 2022 21:37:58   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
TriX wrote:
Thanks - would use it over a river.


Might it look like a distress signal on the water?

See if the fire department will take them.

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Jun 29, 2022 21:45:46   #
NMGal Loc: NE NM
 
We were taught that when flares reached their expiration date, to turn them in to the local fire department for disposal.

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Jun 29, 2022 21:59:14   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
NMGal wrote:
We were taught that when flares reached their expiration date, to turn them in to the local fire department for disposal.


And that is probably the right answer.

Thanks everyone for the advice

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Jun 29, 2022 22:00:23   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
TriX wrote:
And that is probably the right answer.


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Jun 30, 2022 00:09:32   #
lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA
 
You know the line in the Deep Purple song "Smoke On The Water"? Need I say more. Be cautious!

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Jun 30, 2022 06:16:10   #
Dalek Loc: Detroit, Miami, Goffstown
 
Whay goes up must come down and be careful you don't start a fire. Also, the Coast Guard my respond if you fire the flare over open waters.

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Jun 30, 2022 06:38:01   #
Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis
 
TriX wrote:
OK, I know this is a bit off the wall, but I’ve noticed we have some pretty serious firearm aficionados on the forum, so I have a question: I have an Olin flare gun and 12 GA flares that date back to when I sold my boat - probably ten years old or a bit older. Do you think they’re safe to shoot? Never going to get another boat and might be fun on the 4th, but not sure about 10+ year old 12 GA rounds in a plastic flare gun. What do you guys think?

Since there is no projectile it should not be a problem, in fact as I remember the flare shells were plastic.
As dry as it is here I won't mow the lawn for fear of hitting a Sex Stone and starting a fire.

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Jun 30, 2022 07:14:26   #
sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD
 
Manglesphoto wrote:
Since there is no projectile it should not be a problem, in fact as I remember the flare shells were plastic.
As dry as it is here I won't mow the lawn for fear of hitting a Sex Stone and starting a fire.


Someone fired one in a nearby boatel. It started a horrendous fire and most of the boats there were completely destroyed

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Jun 30, 2022 07:29:23   #
traderjohn Loc: New York City
 
TriX wrote:
OK, I know this is a bit off the wall, but I’ve noticed we have some pretty serious firearm aficionados on the forum, so I have a question: I have an Olin flare gun and 12 GA flares that date back to when I sold my boat - probably ten years old or a bit older. Do you think they’re safe to shoot? Never going to get another boat and might be fun on the 4th, but not sure about 10+ year old 12 GA rounds in a plastic flare gun. What do you guys think?


Do you want someone to give you advice on what could be a dangerous personal or property damage situation by using an old explosive-type device? How would someone here know that? Why would you believe them? To me; find out how to properly dispose of this dated stuff.

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Jun 30, 2022 08:03:33   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Show it with enthusiasm to a neighbor and make a big deal about it. He'll beg you to let him fire it. Stand back, though.

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