[Third_Rail]

I just signed for and opened my FedEx package today; inside was the H&K flare launcher I had ordered.

It's nice, much nicer than the cheapie $30 Orion from WalMart. I'm glad I went this route instead; now I've just got to quickly turn down some aluminum stock for the 12ga flare insert and I'm ready to go!

[Third_Rail]

I took some pictures of the package as I went, I forgot to post them earlier! :o


The opened box.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=18812&stc=1


The bag still closed.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=18813&stc=1


The bag opened.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=18814&stc=1


The launcher itself.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=18815&stc=1


The launcher and cleaner.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=18816&stc=1

[Third_Rail]

I love .jpg compression. I've only taken 100k so far total with these pictures! :)

Opened, looking down the bore.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=18817&stc=1


Opened, laying on the side.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=18818&stc=1


Closed, laying on the side.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=18819&stc=1


Closed, looking down on the top.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=18820&stc=1


Metal hammer, barrel, sear, locking lugs, and backplate. The trigger and frame are standard H&K polymer.

[MrMurphy]

That looks amazingly like the model the Germans used in WW2 for the same purpose. I wouldn't be surprised if it's a slightly modernized version of the same flare pistol. :)

[Third_Rail]

Cold war surplus, so I wouldn't be too surprised if it were the same except for very minor changes in materials and to make production easier.

[P95Carry]

Third - nice pics and - refreshing to see someone who can exploit JPG compression to good effect!

What was price tag on this and - aren't the flares awful pricey?

[Combat-wombat]

Yeah, I was looking into those. The 26.5mm flares, IIRC, are pretty expensive, but there's an insert that makes it accept normal 12ga flares.

[Third_Rail]

When purchased from Dan's ammo, the flares work out to $3 each, which is actually cheaper than the $20/3 for the 12 ga flares.


The launcher went for $40, $7 for shipping. Not too bad, considering the 12 ga launcher was plastic and went for $30!!!


And P95, people posting pictures without compression has always been a pet peeve of mine. Glad you enjoyed seeing what real compression does! :D


I'll be turning down aluminum stock to make an insert for 12 ga flares in shop next week, so I didn't spring for the extra $15 for that. It'll cost me about $1 in materials! :)

[sm]

Third_Rail ,

Great Post and Pics! Thanks for sharing.

I too have been interested in a flare gun, and the expense of / availiblity of flares. Please keep us informed , and since you do the pics so well...

[Third_Rail]

Yep, no problem. Come X-mas, when I get flares, I'll post pics of them too.

If anyone would like pictures of the internals, I can do that as well, I've already taken it apart and reassembled a few times. Not too hard, even without a manual.

EDIT: I might as well tell everybody that there's only one place that sells the flares for even a half decent price, Dan's Ammo. The flare gun seems to go for $40 everywhere I've looked.

Here (http://www.dansammo.com) is a link, look on his ammo page about halfway down.

[jcjacobvt]

Also have gotten 26.5x80mm flares from Dan's Ammo.

Great prices. The is a place for 12 cga. flares also for $7.95 per 3.

http://www.hi-vel.com/Catalog__20/Specialized_Shotshell_Ammuniti/specialized_shotshell_ammuniti.html


Best to get a lot at a time to spread the hazmat charges. Suggest you get your buddies together for a purchase.
:banghead:

[steeltiger]

I'm well aware youl probably think im crazy, but have any of you put any thought into a flaregun for self defence? The 12ga offerd for boating applications low gharge birdshot or the actual flares. If im correct police forces dont mind you carrying a flaregun in the car (or does that only aply to road flares either would be usefull in the event of a carjacking:fire:

[hso]

No penetration with a flare.

[Pax Jordana]

I'm well aware youl probably think im crazy, but have any of you put any thought into a flaregun for self defence?

It's been thought of - use your search function, luke! :p And no, not crazy, just creative like the rest of us. Don't give that up- but please, keep reading.


The 12ga offerd for boating applications low gharge birdshot or the actual flares.

I've never been hit with a flare - I bet it hurts. Also a buddy of mine who's a Marine was telling me you have to actually cut burning phosphorous out of your skin.. can anybody validate that? But that's only if you get it on your skin - not easy to do if you're shooting COM on a guy that's, you know, clothed.

If im correct police forces dont mind you carrying a flaregun in the car (or does that only aply to road flares either would be usefull in the event of a carjacking

A). A flaregun and a box of 12ga. shells? Cops have seen, or have been trained by cops who have seen, pretty much everything there is to see regarding self-defence. They'll know what you're up to.

B). Would you set a man on fire to protect your car? I wouldn't.. unless it was the most dire of circumstances.


Just to reiterate, i do believe it's been established that shooting 12ga out of a flare gun is a REALLY BAD IDEA. Or a really good idea if you think you have one too many hands. You must've played too much "blood" in the 90's, bro (actually if you remember "blood" at all you're older than I'm guessing you are)

[hso]

Just to make it clear -

Do not attempt to shoot actual shot out of a modified flare gun.

You put yourself and everyone around you at risk of a small bomb going off as the thing ruptures.

There is no acceptable level of discussion promoting this at THR.

[sm]

I want to see the Flare gun apart (the insides) , the adapter and awaiting a range report.

I see these flare guns as a very useful tool in the toolbox.
I remember how folks used them in times of critical needs and all.

Thanks-

Steve

[Zero_DgZ]

I used to have one of those. I, uh... blew it up. Ask me how some time.

I still have that funky rubberized green bag, but I replaced the flare gun itself with Sportsmans Guide's model du jour... Similar mechanical design but the grip looks a little different. I see they have the HK's back in stock now but not the one I replaced mine with.

It looks much better Duracoated and will probably resist rust forever. Now all I need is a boat to go with it...

[Prof. A. Wickwire]

You must've played too much "blood" in the 90's, bro (actually if you remember "blood" at all you're older than I'm guessing you are)

"My eyes! My eyes! It burns out my eyes!" :)

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire

[Ohen Cepel]

I have one that also came from Dan's. It's a great set-up and the Czech flares/smoke that I put through it have all been first class stuff.

My brother and I have probably put 70-80rds through them (all the Czech stuff). First rate stuff!

It's load when it goes off though! Not like our military parachute flares. Wear ear plugs with it.

I've been looking for an insert just in the event that down the road I can't get more of the correct flares but haven't found a good one for a good price yet.

Was cool that this is what the Germans still had with them in Bosnia in 2004, probably still issued there.

[Zero_DgZ]

Sportsman's Guide had the 12 ga. adapters, too. Somewhere in the neighborhood of ten bucks when I bought mine, I think.

[mp510]

Just to make it clear -

Do not attempt to shoot actual shot out of a modified flare gun.

You put yourself and everyone around you at risk of a small bomb going off as the thing ruptures.

There is no acceptable level of discussion promoting this at THR.

The ATF tested the 25mm to 12 gauge conversion unit that some online retailer was selling for the Orion flare guns. Like the 12 guage to .38 conversions, they experienced catastrophic failure upon firing the first shot.

Converting a flare launcher to fire conventional ammunition or posessing a conversion device and flare gun (constructive) has been determined by the BATFE to require an AOW stamp, and other AOW requirements to be met.
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/050406_firelauncher.htm

They have also ruled 37/38mm launchers to be DD's posessed with antipersonnel ammunition.
http://www.atf.gov/pub/fflnews_pub/ffl0896.htm

[mp510]

Sportsman's Guide had the 12 ga. adapters, too. Somewhere in the neighborhood of ten bucks when I bought mine, I think.

Their $20 now.

[steeltiger]

Do you think that a flaregun would be a respectable anti pairating implement? If im correct they are primarily magnesium based class three flame virtualy in inextinguisable ( pardon spelling ).

[Zero_DgZ]

No. They're stronium nitrate based, just like a road flare, and will go out if exposed to too much water (to wit, shoot one into the lake and notice it goes out on impact). Also, they don't fire with a heck of a lot of force, and weigh nearly nothing besides. The best bet would be intimidation (I'll bet even knowing all this you'd duck if someone winged a flare at your head) or general disruption (land one someplace important, like near the engine or fuel of a boat) but otherwise there's not much merit to it. Better plan would be to launch all your flares in the air in case of pirates, hoping that emergency responders will, well... respond.

(And bring a real gun!)

[Tinker2]

I would not recommend using anything other then the flare
that is made for them.




Tinker2

[steeltiger]

Shame something that overwhelmingly entertaining, is not that usefull.
P.S. I hope I never have to soley rely on someone else for resque, I'm not a very trusting person.