Flares as a weapon

[Cacique]

Parachute Flares As A Weapon
Bonfire Night Nov 5th
Yes I know its not allowed but I'd allready seen another red parachute flare fired and I thought the experience of firing a real flare would be of benefit if I actually need to do it in an emergency, so I got one of my old expired flares (2011) and let it off.
WOW it shocked me with the energy that it fired off with. I would suggest it would be a real deterrant if used as a weapon against an intruder, and of course its totally legal, you are supposed to keep these on board.
Handguns are not legal in he UK although I think you can get a permit for a shotgun.
I am actually considering keeping the 3 other expired flares as security! I know that they are supposed to work after being immeresed in water etc but mine have been kept in the most ideal conditions (ie in a sealed watertight box at room temperature) so I reckon they will work for another 5 years, then I will have another lot of expired flares to replace them.
So Use your parachute flares as a weapon!

[atoll]

....don't go to a gun fight with a knife......or an expired flare..........

[Kenomac]

Effective?? I'd have to agree with atoll. You be the judge:

Idiot Fires Flare Gun Into Head - YouTube

[Stingo]

If you ever are in such a predicament, don't aim for them; aim the flare so that it lands in their boat. If your aim is successful, they will probably jump out of the boat unbelievably quickly and you can sail away while they refocus on their priorities.

[rebel heart]

The scenarios for which something like that would be useful seem very remote. Probably would be better off aiming it in the air for potential help.

[Cacique]

Originally Posted by atoll

....don't go to a gun fight with a knife......or an expired flare..........

I quite agree but if the thugs turn up at your boat and you don't have a gun (hand guns illegal in UK although the thugs can get them) I thought maybe a flare or two may help.

[Cacique]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Effective?? I'd have to agree with atoll. You be the judge:

Effective?? Well it seemed to have some effect on him he looks as if he has a bit of a headache. (Why would anyone shoot a flare at their head )

[Cacique]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

The scenarios for which something like that would be useful seem very remote. Probably would be better off aiming it in the air for potential help.

This is probably a pretty good idea unless your location is a bit remote.

[belizesailor]

I have a 25mm flare pistol aboard which I have certainly though of as a potential weapon, but fortunately the opportunity has never presented itself.

It would certainly be unpleasant to be shot with it, but I seriously doubt it would kill someone. And, if they are well armed, just pissing them off might not be the best strategy.

[Cheechako]

a vaild weapon as a last resort against machete wielding boatsman I suppose. Might be enough of a deterrent. Then the CO2 speargun thru the chest of the first one that steps aboard ought to do it.

[Cacique]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

a vaild weapon as a last resort against machete wielding boatsman I suppose. Might be enough of a deterrent. Then the CO2 speargun thru the chest of the first one that steps aboard ought to do it.

Yeah I rekon that would have an effect

[Cacique]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

I have a 25mm flare pistol aboard which I have certainly though of as a potential weapon, but fortunately the opportunity has never presented itself.

It would certainly be unpleasant to be shot with it, but I seriously doubt it would kill someone. And, if they are well armed, just pissing them off might not be the best strategy.

Pissing off a thug is NOT a good idea .

[nigel1]

Originally Posted by Stingo

If you ever are in such a predicament, don't aim for them; aim the flare so that it lands in their boat. If your aim is successful, they will probably jump out of the boat unbelievably quickly and you can sail away while they refocus on their priorities.

And if you miss the boat, you'll be well f#*ked over.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Cacique

I quite agree but if the thugs turn up at your boat and you don't have a gun (hand guns illegal in UK although the thugs can get them) I thought maybe a flare or two may help.

you would be much better off with a squirty bottle full of ammonia,then whilst they are writhing around on the floor,pour in some petrol,push the boat off..........then use the flare

[hellosailor]

Gents, there's a big difrerence between the (usually 25mm SOLAS approved) parachute flares and the (universal in the US) 12g flare gun. The 12g flare guns are best used by throwing the entire canister and running in the opposite direction. The 25mm paras, might be something else again. Wouldn't want to be that you could hit anything smaller than the broadside of a barn at 25 feet with one though. And if you did, you'd probably only piss off the barn.