12 ga flares in a shotgun

Captain Workbench · September 28, 2002, 11:25 PM

I do not have much experinece with shotguns yet so this may be a novice question.

Are the 12ga marine flares the same size as a regular 12 ga shell? If you were in an emergency situation could one be fired out of a regular shotgun? For instance could I carry a couple 12 ga flares while out in the woods, and use them in the shotgun I would be carrying if I needed to? Thanks........... CW

stinger · September 28, 2002, 11:51 PM

There is a big difference between whether you could and whether you should.

Sure you could.
But, no, you shouldn't.

Run a search, it will undoubtedly turn up some threads.

BTW, welcome to TFL.

Stinger

Nightcrawler · September 29, 2002, 12:10 AM

I don't see why you couldn't. I've fired flares out of my NEF single shot before. My flare gun's barrel and chamber are made of plastic; I'm sure that if that can handle the flares then the big steel barrel of a typical 12ga can too.

However, don't load them in the magazine tube. They may be too short for your shotgun to cycle properly.

Al Thompson · September 29, 2002, 07:27 AM

The big issue with flares in a "real" shotgun is having one stuck in your barrel. Unless the flare cartridges are specificly designed for a 12 ga, I would regards using them as very high risk.

One of the regulars knows someone who tried this and had the flare stick in his barrel. Not a good thing.

C.R.Sam · September 29, 2002, 11:23 AM

Captain Workbench...
Welcome to TFL

In a dire emergency....use them to signal for help.
Not wise to practice with them in a decent gun tho for the above reasons.

If shooting flares...
Be aware of ALL possible flammables in the area.
They don't ALWAYS burn out before reaching the ground.

Sam

Captain Workbench · September 29, 2002, 04:26 PM

Thanks for the advice. I thought that it would be a bad idea but I wasn't sure. I will not consider it a viable option. Thanks.... CW

September 28, 2002, 11:25 PM	#1
Captain Workbench Junior Member Join Date: August 7, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 5	12 ga flares in a shotgun I do not have much experinece with shotguns yet so this may be a novice question. Are the 12ga marine flares the same size as a regular 12 ga shell? If you were in an emergency situation could one be fired out of a regular shotgun? For instance could I carry a couple 12 ga flares while out in the woods, and use them in the shotgun I would be carrying if I needed to? Thanks........... CW

September 29, 2002, 12:10 AM	#3
Nightcrawler Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2000 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,945	I don't see why you couldn't. I've fired flares out of my NEF single shot before. My flare gun's barrel and chamber are made of plastic; I'm sure that if that can handle the flares then the big steel barrel of a typical 12ga can too. However, don't load them in the magazine tube. They may be too short for your shotgun to cycle properly. __________________ Nightcrawler- TFL Alumnus

September 29, 2002, 07:27 AM	#4
Al Thompson Staff Alumnus Join Date: May 2, 1999 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,611	Welcome! The big issue with flares in a "real" shotgun is having one stuck in your barrel. Unless the flare cartridges are specificly designed for a 12 ga, I would regards using them as very high risk. One of the regulars knows someone who tried this and had the flare stick in his barrel. Not a good thing. __________________ http://www.scfirearms.org/

September 28, 2002, 11:51 PM	#2
stinger Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Location: west texas Posts: 772	There is a big difference between whether you could and whether you should. Sure you could. But, no, you shouldn't. Run a search, it will undoubtedly turn up some threads. BTW, welcome to TFL. Stinger

September 29, 2002, 11:23 AM	#5
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	Captain Workbench... Welcome to TFL In a dire emergency....use them to signal for help. Not wise to practice with them in a decent gun tho for the above reasons. If shooting flares... Be aware of ALL possible flammables in the area. They don't ALWAYS burn out before reaching the ground. Sam

September 29, 2002, 04:26 PM	#6
Captain Workbench Junior Member Join Date: August 7, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 5	Thanks for the advice. I thought that it would be a bad idea but I wasn't sure. I will not consider it a viable option. Thanks.... CW