12G flare rounds, did i goof?

[kcjr1125]

so i was at walmart this past weekend stocking up on some ammo and i came across some Orion 12g Flare rounds. they were in the ammo cabinet so i figured these are meant to be shot through any standard 12g shotgun.



Are these actually made for that purpose or did i just spend 20+ bucks on something that is meant for a standard flare gun that happens to also be measured in gauges like shotguns are? This was in impulse buy for me and they only had this one pack there. i didnt want to pass up on something that can potentially save my life.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Orion-12-Gauge-HP-Red-Aerial/16326928

Orions website doesnt really specify one way or the other as far as i can tell either

http://www.orionsignals.com/products/emergency-safety-kits/product/83.html

[Skipper]

Check with Orion:

mcustomerservice@orionsignals.com

[sealocan]

I believe the majority of new flare guns made/sold in the US are in 12 gauge now.

those almost look longer than 3 inches which may lead to only 1 at a time loading or possibly difficult getting them into the chamber, unless you have a break open style shotgun.

and although I think it would work in any 12 gauge shotgun I think the bigger question is would it damage your barrel.

my guess is no, but I'll leave it to someone with more knowledge to decide.

[bigbearbear]

You can always buy the flare gun:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Orion-12-Gauge-Alerter-Basic-4/16326927

[Dead*Reckoned]

First, I'd only shoot them after rain or real emergency.... Second, there is the chance that the flare gets caught inside your barrel and could burn a big hole through it, which would suck. I wouldn't want to shoot something that burning hot through my gun, but go for it and tell us how it goes. There are videos on YouTube of people doing the same, and it seemed to work for them.

[kcjr1125]

Update: I called their customer. Service line and they said that they can only be shot through their launchers and not a 12g shotgun.

I guess I'm going to be a proud owner of a new flare gun now... Thx guys.

[madoka]

Do they make a flare gun for use when hiking? Or is there too much of a fire danger?

[TakeFive]

Flares are for emerbency use on the water, they are way too hot for land use. A mariner would probably use 25mm, more range, brighter light.

[john67elco]

buy a havoc with an adaptor