User Panel
Posted: 5/25/2013 1:42:42 PM EST
I've always been intrigued by these but never pulled the trigger on one because I was never impressed by their ability to shoot smoke/flare. But I've found that they make reloadable shells that you can pretty much do whatever you want with. I just need to find the hard cardboard tubes to be able to reload for them. I already have the powder and primers from reloading at my bench.
But for those that have them, what do you think of them? Are they worth the $350? Good quality that will outlast future generations? Pics are always welcome! Thanks -Emt1581 |
|
We just got one. It is solidly built and a quality product. It is also a lot of fun. We've just messed around with Super Breakers (fireworks), smokes, and flares.
Realize that if you want to shoot antipersonnel rounds (like reloads with bean bags, shotgun shot, etc) then you need to register it as a destructive device via NFA rules first. |
|
Quoted:
We just got one. It is solidly built and a quality product. It is also a lot of fun. We've just messed around with Super Breakers (fireworks), smokes, and flares. Realize that if you want to shoot antipersonnel rounds (like reloads with bean bags, shotgun shot, etc) then you need to register it as a destructive device via NFA rules first. So good quality then? As for the registration, I've been through it several times, no big deal for me. Could you see it serving any practical purpose for you other than shooting things to stare at? Thanks -Emt1581 |
|
Quoted: We just got one. It is solidly built and a quality product. It is also a lot of fun. We've just messed around with Super Breakers (fireworks), smokes, and flares. Realize that if you want to shoot antipersonnel rounds (like reloads with bean bags, shotgun shot, etc) then you need to register it as a destructive device via NFA rules first. Can't stress this enough. Gun store I worked at sold 37mm launchers, and also ammo. The owners SWORE up and down there was no problem selling pepper rounds, and rubber shot. Even though the launchers came with paperwork that SPECIFICALLY said owning both a launcher and antipersonal/ less-lethal was an NFA violation without registration as a DD. |
|
+1 on the quality, the things at least when I was selling them were built very well. More simple and rugged than the M203.
Sold a lot of launchers, and the stand alone stocks to boaters who sailed up to Canada, so they could have something more aggressive looking without breaking firearms laws. But, unless DD'd there's not much more you can do with them besides their intended purpose of being a signaling device and looking bad ass. |
|
So, have the hive determined how well flares work on zombies yet?
|
|
Quoted:
+1 on the quality, the things at least when I was selling them were built very well. More simple and rugged than the M203. Sold a lot of launchers, and the stand alone stocks to boaters who sailed up to Canada, so they could have something more aggressive looking without breaking firearms laws. But, unless DD'd there's not much more you can do with them besides their intended purpose of being a signaling device and looking bad ass. Let's say I did go the DD route, other than turning them in to what would amount to a shotgun or bird bomb chucker....what can they be loaded with? We don't have the capability to buy cast iron tips or anything like that to turn them into actual grenade launchers right? Thanks -Emt1581 |
|
Quoted: Quoted: +1 on the quality, the things at least when I was selling them were built very well. More simple and rugged than the M203. Sold a lot of launchers, and the stand alone stocks to boaters who sailed up to Canada, so they could have something more aggressive looking without breaking firearms laws. But, unless DD'd there's not much more you can do with them besides their intended purpose of being a signaling device and looking bad ass. Let's say I did go the DD route, other than turning them in to what would amount to a shotgun or bird bomb chucker....what can they be loaded with? We don't have the capability to buy cast iron tips or anything like that to turn them into actual grenade launchers right? Thanks -Emt1581 This guy make some goodies for the 37mm if you ever want to make your own rounds. Check his website for more shells. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=341606765 |
|
Quoted: Quoted: +1 on the quality, the things at least when I was selling them were built very well. More simple and rugged than the M203. Sold a lot of launchers, and the stand alone stocks to boaters who sailed up to Canada, so they could have something more aggressive looking without breaking firearms laws. But, unless DD'd there's not much more you can do with them besides their intended purpose of being a signaling device and looking bad ass. Let's say I did go the DD route, other than turning them in to what would amount to a shotgun or bird bomb chucker....what can they be loaded with? We don't have the capability to buy cast iron tips or anything like that to turn them into actual grenade launchers right? Thanks -Emt1581 Skies the limit really, I'd cross post in the DD subforum for better answers, as that's outside my knowledge base, but IIRC if it's a DD, you can put pretty much anything you want to in them as long as it's NFA legal. (I.E. HE rounds and such are all individually DD's, so they must be registered). I believe you can also bore them out to 40mm to use regular 40mm ammo like practice rounds and such. Not sure how to do it legally though. (i.e. what form to use) As I said, ask people who know more than me about it!!! Nitty gritty, it's going to be a conversation piece/toy. If you have the money to spend, you might enjoy the hell out of it, or it might get dust in the closet. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
+1 on the quality, the things at least when I was selling them were built very well. More simple and rugged than the M203. Sold a lot of launchers, and the stand alone stocks to boaters who sailed up to Canada, so they could have something more aggressive looking without breaking firearms laws. But, unless DD'd there's not much more you can do with them besides their intended purpose of being a signaling device and looking bad ass. Let's say I did go the DD route, other than turning them in to what would amount to a shotgun or bird bomb chucker....what can they be loaded with? We don't have the capability to buy cast iron tips or anything like that to turn them into actual grenade launchers right? Thanks -Emt1581 This guy make some goodies for the 37mm if you ever want to make your own rounds. Check his website for more shells. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=341606765 Maybe I'm not thinking outside of the box enough but those just look like plastic projectiles that you can fill no? Thanks for the link. -Emt1581 |
|
Quoted:
Skies the limit really, I'd cross post in the DD subforum for better answers, as that's outside my knowledge base, but IIRC if it's a DD, you can put pretty much anything you want to in them as long as it's NFA legal. (I.E. HE rounds and such are all individually DD's, so they must be registered). I believe you can also bore them out to 40mm to use regular 40mm ammo like practice rounds and such. Not sure how to do it legally though. (i.e. what form to use) As I said, ask people who know more than me about it!!! Nitty gritty, it's going to be a conversation piece/toy. If you have the money to spend, you might enjoy the hell out of it, or it might get dust in the closet. HE = High Explosive? I only have access to powder so I'm not sure that I could do much. Good idea with posting in the DD forum. Thanks -Emt1581 |
|
Yea, HE is High Explosives.
Also, no prob! It's REALLY easy to turn 37's into a NFA violation if you don't study up on them. |
|
I think I found one...
http://www.cdvs.us/Product.aspx?ProductId=786 ...but it looks like they've done something to it so you can't just fill it with powder and launch it. -Emt1581 |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
We just got one. It is solidly built and a quality product. It is also a lot of fun. We've just messed around with Super Breakers (fireworks), smokes, and flares. Realize that if you want to shoot antipersonnel rounds (like reloads with bean bags, shotgun shot, etc) then you need to register it as a destructive device via NFA rules first. Can't stress this enough. Gun store I worked at sold 37mm launchers, and also ammo. The owners SWORE up and down there was no problem selling pepper rounds, and rubber shot. Even though the launchers came with paperwork that SPECIFICALLY said owning both a launcher and antipersonal/ less-lethal was an NFA violation without registration as a DD. To be fair, I believe OC rounds are legal for civilian usage out of an unregistered launcher so long as they are not for antipersonnel use. For example, for use on wild animals. ATF considers "antipersonnel rounds" to be those which are useful in offensive or defensive combat, and ATF has specifically highlighted beanbags, flechettes, shotgun loads, etc as "antipersonnel." OC seems to be a grey area, and I'd love to see an ATF letter one way or another on it. IANAL so YMMV. Some states do have restrictions on OC devices over a certain capacity, though, so that may be a factor. ETA: Here's the ATF ruling. http://www.titleii.com/bardwell/atfruling.95-3.txt It specifically breaks out gas/flare guns as being seperate from destructive devices. |
|
Ahh, clarification on my part, the pepperballs were CS and rubber pellets.
|
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
We just got one. It is solidly built and a quality product. It is also a lot of fun. We've just messed around with Super Breakers (fireworks), smokes, and flares. Realize that if you want to shoot antipersonnel rounds (like reloads with bean bags, shotgun shot, etc) then you need to register it as a destructive device via NFA rules first. So good quality then? As for the registration, I've been through it several times, no big deal for me. Could you see it serving any practical purpose for you other than shooting things to stare at? Thanks -Emt1581 I think you wuld be required to buy a tax stamp for each individual round, as each one is considered a destructive device...might be wrong, but that is the way I read the law |
|
How reliable are the fused casing? Be afraid of getting a face full of flare
|
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
We just got one. It is solidly built and a quality product. It is also a lot of fun. We've just messed around with Super Breakers (fireworks), smokes, and flares. Realize that if you want to shoot antipersonnel rounds (like reloads with bean bags, shotgun shot, etc) then you need to register it as a destructive device via NFA rules first. Can't stress this enough. Gun store I worked at sold 37mm launchers, and also ammo. The owners SWORE up and down there was no problem selling pepper rounds, and rubber shot. Even though the launchers came with paperwork that SPECIFICALLY said owning both a launcher and antipersonal/ less-lethal was an NFA violation without registration as a DD. To be fair, I believe OC rounds are legal for civilian usage out of an unregistered launcher so long as they are not for antipersonnel use. For example, for use on wild animals. ATF considers "antipersonnel rounds" to be those which are useful in offensive or defensive combat, and ATF has specifically highlighted beanbags, flechettes, shotgun loads, etc as "antipersonnel." OC seems to be a grey area, and I'd love to see an ATF letter one way or another on it. IANAL so YMMV. Some states do have restrictions on OC devices over a certain capacity, though, so that may be a factor. ETA: Here's the ATF ruling. http://www.titleii.com/bardwell/atfruling.95-3.txt It specifically breaks out gas/flare guns as being seperate from destructive devices. What about concussive rounds? would they be considered DD? |
|
.22lr beehive round FTW.
I had the 9" rear-load Havoc and eventually sold it, plenty of cool factor but for me it had limited actual practical use. The side loading model wasn't released to market yet when I got mine. It's probably quicker to reload and get back into action when the zombies are shambling en masse towards your position. |
|
I was intrigued by these also...As with anything as long as you are not an idiot with them I am sure that they are safe, but anyone thinking about one should probably read this:
http://grog.webs.com/safety1.htm |
|
Quoted:
.22lr beehive round FTW. I had the 9" rear-load Havoc and eventually sold it, plenty of cool factor but for me it had limited actual practical use. The side loading model wasn't released to market yet when I got mine. It's probably quicker to reload and get back into action when the zombies are shambling en masse towards your position. Beehive round? I'll have to look that one up. Thanks -Emt1581 |
|
Quoted:
There is an Arfcommer who had his bored out to 40MM. http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2227/havockaos001.jpg Now that looks badass!!! Is that yours? What rounds are those? Thanks for the pic!! -Emt1581 |
|
Well money is a bit tight right now so I'm going to have to sell something to get it.... But I figure, in time, they'll be on some list for ban so I might as well get one while I can along with the loadable/reloadable shells.
-Emt1581 |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
There is an Arfcommer who had his bored out to 40MM. http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2227/havockaos001.jpg Now that looks badass!!! Is that yours? What rounds are those? Thanks for the pic!! -Emt1581 It belongs to someone else here, he took it to a machinist and had it bored to 40MM. Spike's doesn't endorse doing that, as I am sure they don't want the liability of it breaking or worse like blowing up. The gold tipped round is a Shivak 9-round .22lr beehive round, shoots all 9 rounds at the same time he also makes an 18rd. 10rds are also availible. The blue ones are plastic practice rounds, I believe they act more like the baton rounds. The orange tip I think is an orange chalk round. I don't know about the short round. This is just what is available off the top of my head for 37MM and 40MM Original buckshot rounds which are expensive, original flares, starburst rounds and parachute rounds. Foam baton rounds, wooden baton rounds, rubber shot, rubber baton, CS, CN, OC and smoke rounds. Practice, chalk, low explosive HE practice rounds (legal no tax stamp needed) Buckshot, shotgun adapters for 20ga, 12ga, 410ga, and 26.5ga, 37MM sleeves, flechette, WP, and lastly real HE rounds. Grog's site has a whole tutorial has a whole section on reloading he also has made sabots, oglaves, and other reloading parts. http://www.freewebs.com/grog/ I built an M79, which because it is built like a brick shit house will handle about anything you can put into it. Once I get back to the US, I plan on doing a lot of my own reloading and shell making. |
|
Remember, the beehive round is an antipersonnel munition which would require registering your launcher as a DD. They have 12 gauge adapters too -- the lighter duty shotgun flare adapters are fine with an unregistered flare launcher, but the heavier duty 12 gauge lethal load adapters need a registered DD launcher.
I personally am pretty happy with my unregistered launcher for now. Flares, fireworks, and smokes are fun on holidays and somewhat useful. So are short range OC rounds (liquid and powder as well as muzzle blast are available, or you can mix your own without running afoul of the ATF -- useful for animal control), and you can also load them up with insect poison (I've got a nasty wasp nest that may get a 37mm round ). ETA: Sure, there's cheaper ways to deal with wasps but this is more awesome. I hate wasps. I'm also using the flare launcher as a chance to learn about reloading. My dog loves to chase the shells in flight and is enthralled by the fireworks so I'm thinking about a Treat Ball load that will air burst with a bunch of rawhides and hotdog bits. Later I may register it as a DD if I want more options. For now I'm pretty happy with it in flare launcher configuration. |
|
Quoted:
There is an Arfcommer who had his bored out to 40MM. Oh wow, that is beautiful. |
|
Quoted:
There is an Arfcommer who had his bored out to 40MM. http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2227/havockaos001.jpg That is awesome.. But, (pardon my ignorance) how would you register it? I'm assuming you just keep it as a DD, but it's also like an SBR, minus the R. I'd write SBDD to confuse the background agent. |
|
|
|
Quoted:
I have this type: http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d162/Pat_Sajac/Weapons/IMG_1271.jpg I wonder if that stock would fit, and if it is available separately. The stock is available separately, but it only works with rail mounted launchers. It looks like yours attaches with a barrel band. |
|
Quoted:
I went this route. I have matching walnut furniture for it, a complete rear sight in perfect condition, 2 37MM, and 1 40MM barrel. Once I get back I am going to bead blast, and refinish every part I have, so it's as close to heirloom quality as I can get it. http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/387242_10150401682020878_1565704848_n.jpg That is one of my lottery guns (if I win the lottery I am gonna buy one). |
|
Quoted:
There is an Arfcommer who had his bored out to 40MM. http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2227/havockaos001.jpg That is very sexy!! I want! |
|
Quoted:
I went this route. I have matching walnut furniture for it, a complete rear sight in perfect condition, 2 37MM, and 1 40MM barrel. Once I get back I am going to bead blast, and refinish every part I have, so it's as close to heirloom quality as I can get it. http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/387242_10150401682020878_1565704848_n.jpg Now THAT is Bad.Ass! I wish someone would turn out a GP-25 in 37MM..... I would buy one of those...... |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I went this route. I have matching walnut furniture for it, a complete rear sight in perfect condition, 2 37MM, and 1 40MM barrel. Once I get back I am going to bead blast, and refinish every part I have, so it's as close to heirloom quality as I can get it. http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/387242_10150401682020878_1565704848_n.jpg Now THAT is Bad.Ass! I wish someone would turn out a GP-25 in 37MM..... I would buy one of those...... http://www.baodatviet.vn/dataimages/201102/original/1021808_gp-1.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/F20000/Guns/P1010001.jpg Hell yeah! |
|
Quoted:
I went this route. I have matching walnut furniture for it, a complete rear sight in perfect condition, 2 37MM, and 1 40MM barrel. Once I get back I am going to bead blast, and refinish every part I have, so it's as close to heirloom quality as I can get it. http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/387242_10150401682020878_1565704848_n.jpg How did you find that? I've never seen one for sale. Beautiful!!! Reminds me of Terminator 2!! Just need the bandoleer! -Emt1581 |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I went this route. I have matching walnut furniture for it, a complete rear sight in perfect condition, 2 37MM, and 1 40MM barrel. Once I get back I am going to bead blast, and refinish every part I have, so it's as close to heirloom quality as I can get it. http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/387242_10150401682020878_1565704848_n.jpg How did you find that? I've never seen one for sale. Beautiful!!! Reminds me of Terminator 2!! Just need the bandoleer! -Emt1581 It took me over an entire year to find everything, most of the common parts came off of Gunbroker, the rear sight came from New Zealand along with a lot of extras, a few parts from Destiny in Utah, a handful from Recon Ord, a couple from Arfcommers, including a barrel and some stuff came from Randy Shivak. When I have a chance I will be doing an entire rebuild and refinish post on it along with a Youtube vid. I have over $6K into it, including gear pouches and the Terminator bandoleer, 2-3 40MM vests as well. My trip over here to Korea put a 2 year hold on everything, for now. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I went this route. I have matching walnut furniture for it, a complete rear sight in perfect condition, 2 37MM, and 1 40MM barrel. Once I get back I am going to bead blast, and refinish every part I have, so it's as close to heirloom quality as I can get it. http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/387242_10150401682020878_1565704848_n.jpg How did you find that? I've never seen one for sale. Beautiful!!! Reminds me of Terminator 2!! Just need the bandoleer! -Emt1581 It took me over an entire year to find everything, most of the common parts came off of Gunbroker, the rear sight came from New Zealand along with a lot of extras, a few parts from Destiny in Utah, a handful from Recon Ord, a couple from Arfcommers, including a barrel and some stuff came from Randy Shivak. When I have a chance I will be doing an entire rebuild and refinish post on it along with a Youtube vid. I have over $6K into it, including gear pouches and the Terminator bandoleer, 2-3 40MM vests as well. My trip over here to Korea put a 2 year hold on everything, for now. Holy shit!! $6K!!! Still an awesome piece! -Emt1581 |
|
The last complete one that sold on GB went for somewhere around $8K or so.
My receiver was the most expensive part $2500 and the 40MM barrel $1000, but luckily both were NOS. The rear site was $400, keep in mind that I have 3 complete barrel set ups and a box full of spare parts. My next project after I get back is an M60E4 or MK 43 Mod 1 |
|
My buddy has an LMT M203 40mm and a Spikes 37mm that he Form 1'd to a DD.
He got really, really mad when I showed him the surprise in the Spikes logo |
|
The firework shells don't work all that well but the flares are pretty damn bright even during the day They are fun but not sure if worth the money.
|
|
Quoted:
The last complete one that sold on GB went for somewhere around $8K or so. My receiver was the most expensive part $2500 and the 40MM barrel $1000, but luckily both were NOS. The rear site was $400, keep in mind that I have 3 complete barrel set ups and a box full of spare parts. My next project after I get back is an M60E4 or MK 43 Mod 1 Oh I know they must be expensive. I just didn't realize they were up there with full auto's expensive. Speaking of expensive...anyone look at what Spike's wants for their rail system?!?...$220 at the cheapest! I mean all I need is the rail and the piece that the pistol grip and stock attaches to. Thanks -Emt1581 |
|
Quoted:
.22lr beehive round FTW. I had the 9" rear-load Havoc and eventually sold it, plenty of cool factor but for me it had limited actual practical use. The side loading model wasn't released to market yet when I got mine. It's probably quicker to reload and get back into action when the zombies are shambling en masse towards your position. Unfortunately I don't think they make a 37mm beehive....just 40mm. At least not the site I saw. Anyone know different? Thanks -Emt1581 |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I've always been intrigued by these but never pulled the trigger on one because I was never impressed by their ability to shoot smoke/flare. But I've found that they make reloadable shells that you can pretty much do whatever you want with. I just need to find the hard cardboard tubes to be able to reload for them. I already have the powder and primers from reloading at my bench. But for those that have them, what do you think of them? Are they worth the $350? Good quality that will outlast future generations? Pics are always welcome! Thanks -Emt1581 i've got one. Have Grog's reloading CD. Have a bunch of hulls. Haven't got any farther than that. http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i300/jheregIDPA/37mm%20Flare%20Launcher/IMAG0298.jpg http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i300/jheregIDPA/37mm%20Flare%20Launcher/IMAG0297.jpg (I know there isn't a real use for the sights on it, but I couldn't leave that top rail empty.... ) |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I've always been intrigued by these but never pulled the trigger on one because I was never impressed by their ability to shoot smoke/flare. But I've found that they make reloadable shells that you can pretty much do whatever you want with. I just need to find the hard cardboard tubes to be able to reload for them. I already have the powder and primers from reloading at my bench. But for those that have them, what do you think of them? Are they worth the $350? Good quality that will outlast future generations? Pics are always welcome! Thanks -Emt1581 i've got one. Have Grog's reloading CD. Have a bunch of hulls. Haven't got any farther than that. http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i300/jheregIDPA/37mm%20Flare%20Launcher/IMAG0298.jpg http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i300/jheregIDPA/37mm%20Flare%20Launcher/IMAG0297.jpg (I know there isn't a real use for the sights on it, but I couldn't leave that top rail empty.... ) http://www.ammoland.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Meprolight-Mepro-GLS-Self-Illuminated-Optical-Sight.jpg I'll do something different at some point, but not until I get it tested and register it as a DD. It's been a low priority project so it's sitting there waiting on me. I have read that it's quite fun to shoot pingpong balls out of one though... (Haven't tried it.) |
|
Even with the right sight, are these all that accurate? I mean, could you nail a cow from 50yds either with a straight shot or by arcing it?
Thanks -Emt1581 |
|
I got a really good deal on one a while back. I put it on my "truck rifle", with a smoke round... hell, why not?
|
|
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.