We have a 25 mm OLIN flare launch pistol. It is in perfect (unused)
condition in a carrying case

A recent Power and Sail Sqdn. demonstration which included the use of
what looked like 12 gauge emergency flares got us thinking!

Is it possible to buy, or have made, an adaptor so the OLIN pistol can
also fire 12 gauge flares?

Also there was a question from a boater/hunter in Alaska as to whether
12 gauge emergency flares could be fired from a 12 gauge weapon (such
as a shot-gun) since that would be a weapon likely at hand during a
hunting/fishing expedition? That could also make it unnecessary to
carry a flare pistol!

BTW the parachute flare that came with our pistol and now well out of
date, is longer than the pistol barrel. It sticks out at least a
couple of inches; whereas smaller/shorter 12 gauge flare cartridges
(using an adapter) would be entirely within the barrel length!

Anybody see any problems/disadvantages or have any info re the above?

Many thanks for any comments/suggestions. terry

On Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:29:01 -0700 (PDT), terry
wrote:

We have a 25 mm OLIN flare launch pistol. It is in perfect (unused)
condition in a carrying case

A recent Power and Sail Sqdn. demonstration which included the use of
what looked like 12 gauge emergency flares got us thinking!

Is it possible to buy, or have made, an adaptor so the OLIN pistol can
also fire 12 gauge flares?

Also there was a question from a boater/hunter in Alaska as to whether
12 gauge emergency flares could be fired from a 12 gauge weapon (such
as a shot-gun) since that would be a weapon likely at hand during a
hunting/fishing expedition? That could also make it unnecessary to
carry a flare pistol!

BTW the parachute flare that came with our pistol and now well out of
date, is longer than the pistol barrel. It sticks out at least a
couple of inches; whereas smaller/shorter 12 gauge flare cartridges
(using an adapter) would be entirely within the barrel length!

Anybody see any problems/disadvantages or have any info re the above?

Many thanks for any comments/suggestions. terry

See:
http://www.crystalbaymarine.com/cata...products_id=37
for an adapter.

I found one comment about firing a 12 gauge flare from a shotgun and
the poster said that he had done it in a cylinder bored barrel but was
doubtful whether the projectile might stick in a full choke barrel. I
would think that any of the "extended" flares that stick out of the
flare gun barrel should not be fired to a shotgun although I have no
experience with them.

Cheers,

Bruce
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)

On Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:29:01 -0700 (PDT), terry
wrote:

BTW the parachute flare that came with our pistol and now well out of
date, is longer than the pistol barrel. It sticks out at least a
couple of inches; whereas smaller/shorter 12 gauge flare cartridges
(using an adapter) would be entirely within the barrel length!

Anybody see any problems/disadvantages or have any info re the above?

25mm parachute flares normally are longer than the barrel and it is
not a problem. 25mm is quite a bit more robust (higher and
brighter) than 12 ga but neither come close to the visibility of SOLAS
flares. I've seen enough demonstrations of SOLAS flares to know that
they are the ones you want in a real emergencies. Everything else
seems like a toy in comparison.

"terry" wrote:

Also there was a question from a boater/hunter in Alaska as to
whether
12 gauge emergency flares could be fired from a 12 gauge weapon
(such
as a shot-gun) since that would be a weapon likely at hand during a
hunting/fishing expedition?

Good chance you will destroy the shotgun barrel.

A 12Ga flare is a total toy when compared to a 25MM flare when
measured on a performance basis, which when you need it is all that
counts.

Consider carying a GPS locator if you seriously need help.

Lew

On Jul 12, 4:54*am, "Lew Hodgett" wrote:
"terry" wrote:
Also there was a question from a boater/hunter in Alaska as to
whether
12 gauge emergency flares could be fired from a 12 gauge weapon
(such
as a shot-gun) since that would be a weapon likely at hand during a
hunting/fishing expedition?

Good chance you will destroy the shotgun barrel.

A 12Ga flare is a total toy when compared to a 25MM flare when
measured on a performance basis, which when you need it is all that
counts.

Consider carrying a GPS locator if you seriously need help.

Lew

I don't even own a shotgun or in fact any weapons at all; not even for
hunting. If i was going 'Up North' might carry a shotgun to dissuade
bears.
Although my neighbour tells me he has an ex army 303 rifle that he
used once for hunting. But I've never seen it; he keeps it locked up
and ammunition separately.
This is generally a peaceful society; even the police didn't carry
guns until few years back and even now don't always wear them on their
hip.
But the question about firing a flare came from an Alaskan item; and
this territory on the eastern edge of North America is somewhat
similar in topography, fishing and game. So it seemed like a
reasonable question? A hunter/fisher could carry a few flare shells
for emergency location. GPS locator good idea.
Thanks for comments.

On Jul 12, 2:19*pm, stan wrote:
On Jul 12, 4:54*am, "Lew Hodgett" wrote:





"terry" wrote:
Also there was a question from a boater/hunter in Alaska as to
whether
12 gauge emergency flares could be fired from a 12 gauge weapon
(such
as a shot-gun) since that would be a weapon likely at hand during a
hunting/fishing expedition?

Good chance you will destroy the shotgun barrel.

A 12Ga flare is a total toy when compared to a 25MM flare when
measured on a performance basis, which when you need it is all that
counts.

Consider carrying a GPS locator if you seriously need help.

Lew

I don't even own a shotgun or in fact any weapons at all; not even for
hunting. If i was going 'Up North' might carry a shotgun to dissuade
bears.
Although my neighbour tells me he has an ex army 303 rifle that he
used once for hunting. But I've never seen it; he keeps it locked up
and ammunition separately.
This is generally a peaceful society; even the police didn't carry
guns until few years back and even now don't always wear them on their
hip.
But the question about firing a flare came from an Alaskan item; and
this territory on the eastern edge of North America is somewhat
similar in topography, fishing and game. So it seemed like a
reasonable question? A hunter/fisher could carry a few flare shells
for emergency location. GPS locator good idea.
Thanks for comments.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Further googling indicates that firing 12 gauge flares in a 12 ga.
shotgune may be dangerous and should not be attempted with any shotgun
that has a choke!