Flare Guns Are Not Like Shotguns!

This guide details the fundamental differences between flare guns and shotguns, focusing on the internal components of flare gun cartridges and the operational procedures for loading, firing, and clearing malfunctions. It highlights the inherent inaccuracy of flare guns due to barrel length and lack of sights, emphasizing their purpose for signaling rather than projectile engagement. The information is presented with a strong emphasis on safety, as demonstrated by an experienced instructor.

This video from Civilian Tactical demonstrates a ballistic test of a shotgun shell loaded with three bouncy balls. The test includes impacts on water jugs, a paper target for spread analysis, and a ballistic gelatin head to evaluate penetration and damage. The instructor, exhibiting experienced authority, highlights the surprising destructive potential and fragmentation observed.

This video demonstrates an experimental test of chambering .50 BMG ammunition into a 12 gauge Orion flare gun. The presenter details a remote firing setup using duct tape and a cord, highlighting the difficulty in igniting the .50 BMG round due to its tough primer. A successful ignition of a 12 gauge blank is shown for comparison, emphasizing the importance of using correct ammunition.

This video from Civilian Tactical explores the impact of a 12-inch soda can launcher, using a Mountain Dew can and ballistic gelatin, to simulate effects on human tissue. The launcher demonstrates significant energy, recoiling harder than a 12-gauge shotgun. While blanks lack pressure for cycling, the projectile's impact is substantial, sending a ballistic dummy head flying and causing a tear in the eye socket.

This test evaluates the lethality and practical use of a flare gun, specifically an Orion 12-gauge model. While capable of causing fiery impacts, the extreme inaccuracy of flare guns makes them unreliable for targeted use, even at close range. The test highlights significant safety concerns due to unpredictable trajectories.

This video demonstrates a dangerous but potentially life-saving technique for emergency signaling using a 12-gauge shotgun shell in a plastic flare gun. The speaker, exhibiting intermediate authority, explains the severe risks of firing a standard shell due to barrel fitment and pressure issues. A safe method involves removing shot, wad, and powder, leaving only the primer to create a loud sound signal without destroying the flare gun.

This comedic skit humorously emphasizes the critical importance of wearing eye protection at the shooting range. It illustrates a handgun malfunction, specifically a stovepipe, and uses a visual gag with a spent casing to drive home the safety message. The creator showcases tactical gear and a Sig Sauer P365 XL, demonstrating firearm handling in a range environment.

This video tests the penetration capabilities of various calibers, from .22 LR to .50 BMG, against a tree. Surprisingly, even the powerful .50 BMG round failed to penetrate the tree completely, demonstrating the significant stopping power of natural barriers against firearms.

This video explores the hypothetical concept of using a human body as a suppressor, simulating the scenario with ballistic gel. A Derya Arms .22 rifle is fired into a ballistic gel head, with the host noting the shot sounded 'dead silent'. The experiment demonstrates the penetration depth of a .22 LR round through the simulated head.

This test evaluates the ballistic protection of a Belgian M1 steel helmet against various calibers. While it stopped birdshot, .22, and .380 Auto rounds, it failed to defeat 9mm and .223 Remington rounds, indicating it is not suitable for protection against common handgun or rifle threats.