Flamethrowers

[MicroBalrog]

Apparently, flamethrowers are not GCA-regulated. How much do they cost? Who buys them? Have they been ever used in crime?

 

[KMKeller]

And can you fit one in a fanny pack...

 

[PATH]

Just out of curiousity what would anyone want with a flamethrower?

It does make a wild noise and it looks cool but what are its practical applications?

 

[stans]

And can you fit one in a fanny pack...

No, but it would make for an interesting back pack. Perhaps flame throwers are one of those items that are just never sold as surplus. I really can't see much sporting purpose in them. I think they would be too cumbersome and slow to use as a defensive weapon. I really would not want to eat anything cooked with one.

 

[BamBam]

Just out of curiousity what would anyone want with a flamethrower?

I'd probably rather take a .45 slug than a five second blast from a flame thrower

 

[PATH]

BamBam,

The real drawback of a flamethrower is limited fuel and thus burn time. A well placed .45 round can turn you into one of the Fantastic Four. Flame on as you would become Johnny Torch!

Me I'd rather be shot than burned any day of the week! Well I 'd prefer neither but if I had to choose..........

 

[TearsOfRage]

I imagine they'd be handy for clearing the ice off your sidewalk...

 

[Blackhawk]

They're good for burning enemy troops out of shallow caves and bunkers, but that's about it.

Limited range and very grievous unintended consequences pretty much limit them to being something you don't want.

 

[redneck]

Harbor freight sells weed burning torches for about $19, another $20 for a 25 lb propane tank an there you go. Crank that regulator wide open an you should have a fair amount of reach.

Should work with a $2 plumbing size bottle too, and burn time should still be about 20 minutes.....

Good for everything from those evil dandelions that pop through gaps in the sidewalk, to rebellious marshmellows and everything in between

 

[Monte Harrison]

It does make a wild noise and it looks cool but what are its practical applications?

Setting things on fahr! Duh!

 

[bogie]

You can usually rent 'em at Knob Creek. Now they make you suit up and everything...

The harbor freight torches meow great for getting campfires and BBQ grills going.

 

[Triad]

Uh, stans

What does that have to do with anything?

I really can't see much sporting purpose in them.

 

[KMKeller]

I can just imagine the next time my buddy asks me for a light! Heh heh heh. Hey, Keller, you got a meow match? (gratuitious meow for meow you bogie)

 

[Mike Irwin]

After WW II a lot were sold on the surplus market in the South.

One of the most popular uses was clearing brush on land that had gone fallow during the Depression, and which was now being put back into production.

 

[Gordon]

We have an old flatfender jeep rigged up on a 8000acre ranch near here for "controlled burns". You take a couple big propane bottles and plumb them to dram liguid propane. Then the burner is an industrial sized unit on a 10 foot piece of pipe with a a lever valve to control flow. It shoots 30 to 50 feet as we drive the hell away. The handle gets frozen with all the fuel released, wear gloves and face mask.

 

[ahenry]

They’re awfully good for burning the prickly off of prickly pear. In drought conditions they (or rather smaller, less oorrahh versions) help ranchers out a lot. They get used in South Texas every few years. Some ranchers use them on a regular basis.

 

[PATH]

Monte Harrison,

Duh! I know its for setting things ablaze. You just have to watch you don't get accused of Arson! Flame on!

 

[Beren]

A flamethrower is a critical part of any survivalist's gear. When SHTF, how else are you going to fight off the Giant Mutant Man-Eating Army Ants??

 

[AZTOY]

Beren

ROTFL

 

[DonP]

Nice way to clear the back of my lot

It would sure be a fast and fun way to clear the back of my three acres that's all overgrown in scrub and stunted trees.

Of course itmight make the soccer mom's on the hiking trail that runs along my property line nervous whenIi did it, but how cool would that all be?

I have to call the local rental place and see if they have one to rent for the weekend.

Don P.

 

[cordex]

Same "sporting" purpose as fireworks.

If I built or bought one, I'd probably fire it up on the Fourth and let it collect dust elsewhen.

 

[Kentucky Rifle]

This is the honest truth...

I was at Tilford's last saturday filling out the "44whatever form" when the owner's wife took a call from someone wanting to know if Tilford's sold flame throwers. It wasn't a joke call either.

KR

 

[80fl]

Boy....Could I tell some stories.

Just the other day I replied to a post and caught the full fury of a "flamethrower"

 

[Plan-B]

The real drawback of a flamethrower is limited fuel and thus burn time.

What, you never saw the intro to Lethal Weapon 4? That guy was burning for a long time!! They can't show it in the movies if it's not real.

 

[MarineTech]

One factor that probably affects the lack of availability of mil-spec flamethrowers, is the lack of parts for them. As I recall, the nozzle unit used a housing containing 6 "matches" to ignite the fuel stream. Once the matches were used up, the housing was replaced with more. I can't imagine there'd be many of these left around anymore since the US hasn't issued a flamethrower since Viet Nam and hasn't manufactured them since Korea. Nor do I imagine that the hoses and gaskets on the things are is very good shape anymore.

Besides, compared to other weapons and equipment, flamethrowers were not that common.