Old Flare Disposal Question

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Rusty20702

Rusty20702

.
Dec 17, 2004
56
Macgregor 25 San Diego
I would like to know how to dispose of some old flares and flare gun cartridges with corroded bases I found as I was cleaning out my new-to-me 82 Mac 25. The flares are over 13 years out of date. I didn't see these in my initial survey as they were buried in a storage locker below the galley which was screwed down.
 
Rusty20702

Rusty20702

.
Dec 17, 2004
56
Macgregor 25 San Diego
I would like to know how to dispose of some old flares and flare gun cartridges with corroded bases I found as I was cleaning out my new-to-me 82 Mac 25. The flares are over 13 years out of date. I didn't see these in my initial survey as they were buried in a storage locker below the galley which was screwed down.
 
G

gary

old flares

give them to the Coast Guard Aux. or your police dept. either will be glad to dispose of them for you.
 
G

gary

old flares

give them to the Coast Guard Aux. or your police dept. either will be glad to dispose of them for you.
 
P

patrick

.
Jun 7, 2004
944
Birch Bay Washington
If they are in good shape, you might

use them for practice. Have your crew light off a few too. Do this safely on land. Do not set anything on fire and you should let the local law enforcement guys know what you are doing so you do not raise an alarm. You more adventurous types might try some target practice. I would like to see what damage a flare might do to a bad guy or his boat. If anyone runs some tests, I would be interested in your conclusions. I have been planning to do this myself but never seem to get to it. I must have several dozen old flares of various kinds.
 
P

patrick

.
Jun 7, 2004
944
Birch Bay Washington
If they are in good shape, you might

use them for practice. Have your crew light off a few too. Do this safely on land. Do not set anything on fire and you should let the local law enforcement guys know what you are doing so you do not raise an alarm. You more adventurous types might try some target practice. I would like to see what damage a flare might do to a bad guy or his boat. If anyone runs some tests, I would be interested in your conclusions. I have been planning to do this myself but never seem to get to it. I must have several dozen old flares of various kinds.
 
J

John Dawson

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May 18, 2004
386
- - Baltimore
I keep them

New flares don't always work, and most old flares will still work many more years as some tests show, so its good to have backups. The current ones keep you legal but when you are in distress, the Coast Guard won't ask about dates. Better too many (how many could you use in one night?) than not enough.
 
J

John Dawson

.
May 18, 2004
386
- - Baltimore
I keep them

New flares don't always work, and most old flares will still work many more years as some tests show, so its good to have backups. The current ones keep you legal but when you are in distress, the Coast Guard won't ask about dates. Better too many (how many could you use in one night?) than not enough.
 
J

Jeff M21319

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Dec 6, 2003
295
Macgregor 26D Pollock Pines, Ca.
But you say the bases are corroded?...

If the bases of the flare gun cartridges are showing signs of corrosion-DO NOT FIRE THEM! If the propellent (gun powder) causes the case to seperate from the base of the cartridge, you could be seriously injured. As a long-time competive shotgunner, reloader and NRA Range Safety Officer, my advice to you would be to call the local fire or police dept. and see if they will take them from you. If they won't, I think I'd probably send them to a deep-water grave. Just my two cents worth!... Jeff
 
J

Jeff M21319

.
Dec 6, 2003
295
Macgregor 26D Pollock Pines, Ca.
But you say the bases are corroded?...

If the bases of the flare gun cartridges are showing signs of corrosion-DO NOT FIRE THEM! If the propellent (gun powder) causes the case to seperate from the base of the cartridge, you could be seriously injured. As a long-time competive shotgunner, reloader and NRA Range Safety Officer, my advice to you would be to call the local fire or police dept. and see if they will take them from you. If they won't, I think I'd probably send them to a deep-water grave. Just my two cents worth!... Jeff
 
R

Ramblin' Rod - Mac 26D - SeaQuell

How corroded?

If they just have a little corrosion, you can just wipe them off. If they're ugly corroded (like, may blow apart on use kinda corrosion), dispose of them. We keep all outdated flares on-board, but seperate from current flares. Then, on a CG inspection, we easily meet code. However, in an emergency, if we run through the current supply, we have all the old ones for back-up, and hopefully they still work. Agreed with others that you should practice with a few old ones, just so you know what to expect, should you ever need to really use your flare gun for an emergency. (Make sure you do this where they won't be confusted with a real distress situation.)
 
R

Ramblin' Rod - Mac 26D - SeaQuell

How corroded?

If they just have a little corrosion, you can just wipe them off. If they're ugly corroded (like, may blow apart on use kinda corrosion), dispose of them. We keep all outdated flares on-board, but seperate from current flares. Then, on a CG inspection, we easily meet code. However, in an emergency, if we run through the current supply, we have all the old ones for back-up, and hopefully they still work. Agreed with others that you should practice with a few old ones, just so you know what to expect, should you ever need to really use your flare gun for an emergency. (Make sure you do this where they won't be confusted with a real distress situation.)
 
S

Stephen Paul

Flare disposal

I would call the Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxialliary, or the local Police Dept. Then perhaps the city's wast disposal hot line. I suspect they can be burned or incinerated in some way safely but I wouldn't do it unless you're up on how each is made etc. Be safe.
 
S

Stephen Paul

Flare disposal

I would call the Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxialliary, or the local Police Dept. Then perhaps the city's wast disposal hot line. I suspect they can be burned or incinerated in some way safely but I wouldn't do it unless you're up on how each is made etc. Be safe.
 
J

John S

Flare Collection

If the flares are kept clean and dry they good. I have a whole bunch of the dang things from years past, I mean I probably have 50 of them. I shoot them off at 4th of July and on New Years. One caution, the flare will be burning when it hits the ground, so plan accordingly. All of the flares I pulled out of service were on aircraft I inspected. You can see the sealant on the primer. I have never had a misfire, and I have literally shot off a hundred of them. I like to shoot them down into the water at night. Cheap thrills. The expiration date is put on the flare by the manufacturer, why do you think that is? By the way, I reload my own ammo. I have yet to see any reason to reject the flares other than the date. I wish I had a thousand of them. Hee Hee. John S
 
J

John S

Flare Collection

If the flares are kept clean and dry they good. I have a whole bunch of the dang things from years past, I mean I probably have 50 of them. I shoot them off at 4th of July and on New Years. One caution, the flare will be burning when it hits the ground, so plan accordingly. All of the flares I pulled out of service were on aircraft I inspected. You can see the sealant on the primer. I have never had a misfire, and I have literally shot off a hundred of them. I like to shoot them down into the water at night. Cheap thrills. The expiration date is put on the flare by the manufacturer, why do you think that is? By the way, I reload my own ammo. I have yet to see any reason to reject the flares other than the date. I wish I had a thousand of them. Hee Hee. John S
 
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