Flareguns and flares...

[SailBobSquarePants]

While ranting in the Laser Flare thread, I realized that THIS forum was the perfect place to find something that has been escaping me: a legal UK source for 25mm flares and perhaps a new flare gun.

I have an FAC, and I have an understanding firearms officer who will endorse it as ship's equipment. But all my web searches for them keep showing me US vendors...perhaps someone here knows a commercial UK source that I haven't found?

 

[BrianH]

While ranting in the Laser Flare thread, I realized that THIS forum was the perfect place to find something that has been escaping me: a legal UK source for 25mm flares and perhaps a new flare gun.

I have an FAC, and I have an understanding firearms officer who will endorse it as ship's equipment. But all my web searches for them keep showing me US vendors...perhaps someone here knows a commercial UK source that I haven't found?

All my Olin 25mm flare-gun cartridges are out of date because no one in Italy (where I am berthed) stocks them because of no demand and they cannot be sent from any on-line chandler due to restrictions on any sort of shipping methods for explosives.

 

[bert49uk]

is it worth asking at a gun shop?

 

[sarabande]

12 bore signal flares are available, and you may be able to have a shotgun cut down for signalling purposes, but you certainly are going to need a sympathetic Force Firearms Officer !

http://www.ashfield-extrusion.co.uk/defence.html for a start.


The plastic signal gun, Orion, may be available as an import, but with some difficulty.
http://www.orionsignals.com/Marine/Products/aerial.html

 

[Searush]

While you cannot have stuff posted to you (not even air guns FFS) it should be possible to have it sent to your local gunsmiths (with their consent). Some shops charge for this, others might not.

It's probably worth seeing your local gunsmiths anyway, they will have the appropriate contacts & be able to tell you if they can get the kit. You will also need a secure locked metal cabinet to keep it in - but as you have an FAC already, you will know that.

 

[status]

Hijacking the thread a little, is there an advantage of a flare gun over modern plastic sausage pyrotechnics? Or is it a case of why discard a perfectly decent piece of kit?

Stuart

 

[Coaster]

Hijacking the thread a little, is there an advantage of a flare gun over modern plastic sausage pyrotechnics?

Presumably one advantage is safety. Have you ever fired a flare? We do, at home, on bonfire night (100 miles from the sea, nearest neighbour 1 mile distant). I find heavy welder's gloves essential and the substance that sometimes flows from the flare, reminiscent of lava, would be very nasty indeed if it dripped onto a person, liferaft, or almost anything else.

In contrast a sensibly used flare gun should be much safer.

 

[jerrytug]

Would a yachtsman be allowed to have a Schermuly rocket line? Could be a lifesaver,and quite safe when used appropriately,like parachute flares. Is talk of phasing out parachute flares partly to withdraw potential weapons from the population? Or is it all nanny-state health and safety gone bananas? Jerry

 

[maxi77]

Presumably one advantage is safety. Have you ever fired a flare? We do, at home, on bonfire night (100 miles from the sea, nearest neighbour 1 mile distant). I find heavy welder's gloves essential and the substance that sometimes flows from the flare, reminiscent of lava, would be very nasty indeed if it dripped onto a person, liferaft, or almost anything else.

In contrast a sensibly used flare gun should be much safer.

I do not disagree that guns such as a very pistol are very safe ways of getting a signal high into the air, but that does not replace the flare/smoke for pinpoint location.

 

[William_H]

Flare gun

Here in Oz we are required to carry flares. Only the standard rocket /parachute flares are acceptable. The long time of glowing gives you a better chance of being seen. So any smaller flare types would be a bit of a waste of money. Probably useful in an emergency but when you have to carry real ones anyway...
As for 12g flare pistol. Australian gun laws are such that you just could not have anything which could potentially fire a shot gun cartridge. (especially if it looked like a pistol.) And if someone did fire a 12g cartridge full of lead shot would the gun take the loads or would it explode in your hands?
We have an old double barrel 12g (shortened) at the club for race starts. The thing has to be kept locked up and only accessed and used by registered members after training. We only use very pathetic blancks.
Finally would you want to get problems with difficult officers in foreign or even home ports for the sake of a ineffectual flare gun. olewill

 

[mlines]

While you cannot have stuff posted to you (not even air guns FFS)

You sure on that? Post service has happily delivered 4 Air Rifles this year already (and in boxes marked with what the contents are from a well known small arms company in Birmingham). I must admit I didn't check on which postal service was used however.

Martin

 

[rtchina]

ex army flare pistols are quite legal here in Austria and I have one on my boat, which I keep in Croatia. I really couldn't say if it is legal in Croatia, who can say, but given the number of guns there, I guess it is. I read that there is such a thing as a European licence for these and was a bit concerned about going to Italy with one but when I asked an Italian about licences he told me that if I got one, I would be the only person with one. I have normal flares plus parachute flares and a smoke flare (hand held). I can buy replacement flares over the counter at my local chandler.