Opinions Wanted: Cobray 37mm Flare Launcher

[CrystalHunter1989]

I have the opportunity to acquire one of these, but I want some feedback on their function and practical applications.

Do they look awesome mounted on a rifle? Heck yes, but what can you use them for? Civilians can only use a very limited variety of cartridges. Any anti-personell ammunition (even though it's all non-leathal) makes it a Destructive Device. Flares are mainly used now a days in maritime applications, and even so, they seem to prefer 12 gauge pistol flares (assuming their highly advanced radio is broken).

I can only think of a very few situations where signal/illumination flares would be useful. They all involve a loss of power in a city for several weeks and defending a fixed position. Of course, with my luck, I'll end up in the exact type of situation where something like this is the only way to get out alive, lol.

Anyone here have personal experience with something like this?

[RONSERESURPLUS]

Hello all, RESPONCE TO CrystalHunter1989

I have oned one of these I had Mounted below an AR-15, It was a Trade deal I got and I did have a Lot of fun with it, But besides the posible SHHTF applications of other rounds, to me, IT SEEMED PRETTY USELESS? I have the sheets onhow to re-load the rounds and how to make it more useable but once agian you said it that makes it a "DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE"? Ifr it wwere me, unless you have after lawlesssness plans I'd pass?


  RON L

[Veritas]

I'd buy more food, but that's just me.

[Ghost]

I'd buy more food, but that's just me.

Same. I don't really see much of a purpose of it. I mean, it's easy enough to have a flare launcher in a BDU pocket (the pistol kind). As well as the ones you can fire from a 12ga shotgun (especially if you have someone running a shotgun in your crew).

[Dave_M]

It's mall-ninjary at its finest.

[Currahee]

It is a toy, and having carried a real 203 it really throws the balance/handle-ability of the rifle off.  Even if I could get a real 40mm with HE grenades I would want a smaller stand alone like an HK69.

Flares on the other hand have many uses.  If you operate in a small team you can establish preset signals such as "shift fire right" or "withdrawing to ORP."  For this purpose I would get one of the small 12 gauge pistols available at any marine store.

[DownRange1776]

I would pass on it and get more preps in other areas. I don't know if a flare would be a good thing in the SHTF or not.

I could see using them around a base camp to alert you if someone is coming close but not mounted on a gun.

I think they would be fun toys but just that.

[505th.NM.Militia]

I could see using a flare as a diversionary tactic, or even popping one into a home or vehicle in a WROL only situation. 

/would a flare screw up optics on a UAV given hail mary perfect conditions?

[WhiskeyJack]

I would pass.

[Dave_M]

I could see using a flare as a diversionary tactic, or even popping one into a home or vehicle in a WROL only situation. 

Pocket flares would do the exact same thing and not add a bunch of needless weight to your rifle. For some kind of illum, a stand-alone parachute flare would be a better option
Link

[Ghost]

/would a flare screw up optics on a UAV given hail mary perfect conditions?

Shit dude, I'd guess if it's one of those real low flying ones, you could quite possibly take it out with a flare lol.

[Rebelac7]

12ga flare adapters come in usefull sometimes when the opportunity presents itself..