Unchained Preppers

General Category => Security & Survival => Topic started by: DMCakhunter on September 26, 2014, 12:17:55 PM

Title: Flare Guns - Useful?
Post by: DMCakhunter on September 26, 2014, 12:17:55 PM
Looking for thoughts on flare guns. They are fun on the 4th of July, more stable than fireworks, can be used to start fires (good or bad intent), but since I doubt I will ever call in air support or artillery I don't know if it would be worthwhile to stock some flares.
While they can be used to signal friendlies, the other people can see them too.
I have an HK EFL but the flares are hard to find. 26.5mm flares are common and are much brighter, plus you can get a white parachute illumination round in 26.5mm.
Title: Re: Flare Guns - Useful?
Post by: Burt Gummer on September 26, 2014, 12:59:31 PM
Know nothing about flare guns, only ever used the hand held star cluster variety.

(http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-23-30/fig5-1.gif)
Title: Re: Flare Guns - Useful?
Post by: thatGuy on September 28, 2014, 11:13:31 AM
There's a time and a place bud for sure.
Title: Re: Flare Guns - Useful?
Post by: JohnyMac on September 28, 2014, 11:43:36 AM
Best place to get aerial flares is a marine store like West Marine. They have ones from as little as personal flares (I carry a pack in my fowlies to use in case I fall over board), 12 ga. 25mm and Solas flares (Which you have to have a half dozen or so if you race sailboats away form land like the Newport to Bermuda race). The solas fares go for around $50- each and are self contained in a tube. 
Title: Re: Flare Guns - Useful?
Post by: Currahee on September 30, 2014, 08:03:44 PM
Lots of potential signals that a flare can be used for, if you cover it with your team before hand.  Effective team communications is a HUGE combat multiplier and one of the cheapest to obtain.  I carry smoke, flairs, whistles and chem-lights for this purpose.

Plus a really big fire can have its uses.... just sayin.

https://www.google.com/search?q=orion+flare&newwindow=1&client=firefox-a&hs=Eao&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ei=TkUrVMurGpWQgwShhoLoDw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1190&bih=524#spd=10596091147129407846 (https://www.google.com/search?q=orion+flare&newwindow=1&client=firefox-a&hs=Eao&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ei=TkUrVMurGpWQgwShhoLoDw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1190&bih=524#spd=10596091147129407846)
Title: Re: Flare Guns - Useful?
Post by: Reaver on October 01, 2014, 02:05:59 AM
In my neck of the woods a shotgun will always be carried some how. Short and slung long and in hand doesn't matter.

A four pack of necked down 12 Guage flares is always in my inv. Always.

Signal, creating a quick fire ( to include a purpose brush fire )
Title: Re: Flare Guns - Useful?
Post by: Burt Gummer on October 01, 2014, 02:29:00 AM
wait the standard walmart flares are 12ga?
Title: Re: Flare Guns - Useful?
Post by: Reaver on October 01, 2014, 11:39:31 PM
wait the standard walmart flares are 12ga?

Yes sir they are. They have a long empty plastic tube attached so they won't feed but cut it off and good to go.
Title: Re: Flare Guns - Useful?
Post by: Burt Gummer on October 02, 2014, 01:32:06 AM
Yes sir they are. They have a long empty plastic tube attached so they won't feed but cut it off and good to go.

(http://firstandmonday.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Mind-Blown-Kramer.gif)
Title: Re: Flare Guns - Useful?
Post by: Reaver on October 02, 2014, 04:19:15 AM
 :sarcasm:  :what: