37mm flare guns, what's the deal!?

[Impala]

I can remember when these things were commonly available and at almost every gun show I went to, you could even order a folding stock model for under $300
(37mm immitation m203s went for $250, I still see these on gunbroker from time to time. I remember there were even big ass firecrackers called "bird bombs" that you could buy for $3 a pop, but then those were banned for some dumb reason )

I almost ordered one about 5 years ago from a company called "firequest" at that time you could have it shipped to you without even needing a drivers license let alone an FFL, then all of the sudden you couldn't, the market seemed to dry up on them, the price nearly doubled and the cost of loaded ammunition units increased ten-fold. What I want to know is why these things have gone up so much in price, especially the 37mm ammo
I recently saw 37mm smoke rounds were $14 A PIECE!!! what is the meaning of this madness!? I can remember a time when they were only $3 and $50 for a case of 30.
I know I sound like an old man complaining about this, like saying I remember when a coke cost five cents, but I'm dumbfounded about why they would jack up the price on these things.
Does anybody here own a 37mm launcher? if so do you load your own rounds?
What useful Information can you give me about the 37mm hobby?

 

[Ohen Cepel]

http://37mm.com/

This link seems to be a good start point.

I know what you're saying though, they were everywhere and now seemed to have dried up. Not sure why though.

Might be best for me. Reduce my temptation

 

[Zero_DgZ]

Don't know from 37, but I have one of these and it's a hoot. With the steel 12 gauge adapter stuck in there you can launch all sorts of silly things. Tons of fun on the 4th.

 

[Third_Rail]

Near as I can tell, the BATFE bullied most manufacturers into ceasing production, on threats of "DD" regulations.

 

[JBusch8899]

okay......I will forego a 37mm

May I instead have a 40 mm?

Anyone whom understands this last statement will agree.

 

[rbernie]

$200 buck tax per 40mm shell is a bit rich for my taste. But it was fun when my rich uncle let me play with 'em for a while.

 

[AJAX22]

I know what you mean about them drying up, it seems like they're down to just a few manufacturers now.

As I recall people used to buy them to stick under the AR15 and when those were banned, there wasn't enough market for the stand alone ones.

now that the ar15 is back in a big way, I wouldn't be supprised if they didn't start trickeling back into the market. If there is a market, manufacturers will fill the need.

I believe most of the ones that are out there now are cobray, although I heard a rumor of someone making a 37mm smoothbore barrel for the real M203, which would allow you to have the real deal under your AR without registering it as a DD. I think Mr40mm was the one working on it.

There are other options for ammo, for reloading, ammoman has 37mm cases for about a buck apice, and some guy always has cases on ebay.

I've heard of people taking 40mm (nylon) cases and turning them down which allows you to use the solid practice loads for the 40mm.

For launchers there are a number of used LE units on the market, as well as some WWII surpluss if you can find it.

I picked up a M8 pyrotechnic signal pistol in 37mm, its the one from the B52 bommers, that has the locking lugs to mount it to cockpit. I even scrounged up one of the mounts, and two original 1943 flares for it. I was planning on playing around with it untill I saw how much they were selling for. mine is just to nice to screw up.

but I'll probably wind up swaping it for an ar upper that has a 37mm attached. something I can actually play with and not feel bad.

 

[dartos]

I have a cobray folding stock launcher, it is a hoot!, the flare rounds are the only ones I've seen lately, 10 for $60, my local gun shop has a 37mm rifle mounted launcher for $289 and one bag of flares, he used to have a dozen launchers and an assortment of flare, smoke and aerial (fireworks) type rounds in stock....no more..., I have seen kits for loading your own rounds, some people have launched those 35mm plastic film canisters filled with chalk powder, when they hit the ground they would produce a cloud of dust, 37mm.com is the best place to check out the launchers and rounds, one member on 37mm.com submitted photos of his hand after a reload blew his launcher apart ...and most of his hand off...

 

[torpid]

one member on 37mm.com submitted photos of his hand after a reload blew his launcher apart ...and most of his hand off...

Just checked it out.
That was... sobering.