Flare gun question (Page 3): OK. . . How does one "dispose of the flares appropriately?"...

twowindsbear

TriX wrote:

OK guys, I am suitably chastened for even asking t... (show quote)

OK. . . How does one "dispose of the flares appropriately?"

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

twowindsbear wrote:

OK. . . How does one "dispose of the flares appropriately?"

It has been suggested turning them in to the fire department. I will ask my oldest son, who is a fire chief, his thoughts on the matter.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

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?

This seems to fall into the category, "What could possibly go wrong?"

Guyserman Loc: Benton, AR

Just Shoot Me wrote:

When a question is asked on this site, you get a myriad of answers from the left to the right and some sitting on the fence, basically leaving you with "whom do I trust."

Why do you even look at this site. You can't trust anyone here.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Guyserman wrote:

Why do you even look at this site. You can't trust anyone here.

Then why are you here?

Guyserman Loc: Benton, AR

TriX wrote:

Then why are you here?

I should go back and edit my comment to include (tongue-in-cheek.) Sometimes I over=estimate people's ability to percieve, or perhaps my ability to make it obvious.
Edit:
Whoops! I just noticed your smiley. I get your drift.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

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?

Yes it should be safe as long as the gun is not brittle. The sad thing is they are not very spectacular at all. I shot some old ones off then some new thinking the old ones were not very good. Wrong assumption. Lol. Yes they are usually burning when they hit the water.

sourdough58 Loc: Maine

Just Shoot Me wrote:

As the captain of the ever Given responds to a challenge of making a U TURN in the middle of the Suez Canal.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

NMGal wrote:

We were taught that when flares reached their expiration date, to turn them in to the local fire department for disposal.

You only live once.
Perhaps you want to go out in a blaze.
Listen to your mother (or NMGal if your mother cannot convince you).

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

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?

Should shoot the flares at the boat
💥💥💥💥💥

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

TheShoe wrote:

You only live once.
Perhaps you want to go out in a blaze.
Listen to your mother (or NMGal if your mother cannot convince you).

If you read back to page 1 to see NMGal’s comment, then you saw my comment right below stating that’s what I would do.

Guys, as I said before, I’ve been a sailor for 50+ years and know better than to shoot flares in Navigable waters (indicating distress), and I mentioned I was considering shooting it over a non-navigable river on page 1, so no fire issue. The ONLY thing I asked was were 10 year old 12 GA loads safe to shoot for the shooter. No one actually answered that, but it was pointed out that flares do have an expiration, so, lacking some contrary information from Olin, I will dispose of them safely.

Thank you everyone - the end.

Bret Perry

Ha, you got it. I was going to say do it on the 4th and no one will notice yours!

For really old firearms, it is advised to fire them first on a test bench with a string just in case.
Maybe a heavy glove and safety goggles on the river?

twowindsbear

TriX wrote:

If you read back to page 1 to see NMGal’s comment,... (show quote)

Is there any sort of expiration date on the actual gun?

IF you dispose of the flares by NOT SHOOTING them, it kinda makes the question about the condition of the gun mute.

Were you wondering about 'normal,' consumer grade fireworks - soaking them in water would dispose of them. That may even work with the Olin flares.

mikee

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?

Illegal to use marine flares except in times of distress, or approved training. I wouldn't worry about the plastic pistol or the flares themselves. We do flare demo's yearly (with sheriff, coast guard, and park ranger approval) and at most you might have a dud. If we have a dud we drop the whole mess in a 5 gallon plastic bucket full of water for a few minutes. As a demo, we also wear eye protection.