|
37mm FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
|
Questions and Answers have been submitted by 37mm.com discussion forum members.
- Can I shoot 12 gauge shotgun rounds from my 37mm launcher using an adapter?
No. Physically you can, but to do so would be to have created a class 3 weapon, a Destructive Device. Let's rephrase that to say that you can't shoot normal buckshot rounds from your 37mm launcher. You can shoot 12 gauge flares, or smoke, or any other round not designed to kill something.
- Can I legally reload my own 37mm rounds?
Sure, but you can only reload flares, stars and smoke rounds unless you have a registered DD (Destructive Device). Let's put that another way. You can reload anything for your 37mm launcher that is not designed to inflict harm on human beings. If you create a rocket round, that if fine. If the same rocket round explodes with shrapnel when it reaches its destination, then you have created a DD.
- Okay, how do I reload them?
I would suggest consulting our Reloading Guide to begin with. Once you are comfortable reloading the common flare, smoke or star rounds, you can move on to more challenging rounds.
- Are there any available books on the 37mm launcher?
Not that we're aware of. There are plenty on fireworks and pyrotechnics, but none specifically on 37mm rounds/launchers.
- When I'm making reloads, what do I put between the lift charge and the payload area in the case?
You'll need to create a time fuse which allows the lift charge to project the round out for several seconds before it bursts. The time fuse is created by wrapping masking tape to a normal green (or red) visco safety fuse. The masking tape is placed around the fuse to protect the fuse from the epoxy as it dries. The epoxy goes on top of the separating disk, and must not soak into the fuse (the tape must go above the epoxy), as if is does, the load will not ignite and the round will just fall to the ground. The epoxy layer should be at least a quarter inch thick. This will make your reloads much, much safer than the commercial rounds you can purchase (as they *only* use a cardboard disk to separate the lift from the payload). For details and pictures, check this page from the Reloading Guide.
- I don't have all the chemicals to make the primecomp from scratch. Is there anything I can use to improvise?
Sure. Get yourself some road flares, and pull the cap off of them. The part you'll want is the part on top of the flare that you scrape on the bottom of the cap to light the flare. Use a knife and scrape all that material off into a cup. Do so with three or four flares. Using a wooden dowel, turn those crumbles into a powder. Now take some rubbing alcohol and put a small amount (just enough to wet the powder) in the cup and mix it all up. Now you can use this material in the same way you'd use the homemade prime comp in your reloads. If it dries out, just wet it again with the alcohol. Also, Firefox sells primecomp kits now.
- Can I use a metal container to make my payload?
While there are no hard and fast rules or laws about it, generally no. If it were to explode and send metal fragments out (i.e. shrapnel), someone could get hurt. As a result, the BATF could interpret your round as being an anti-personel round, and you would have created an unlawful DD.
- Okay. What if I want to create a DD. Is it legal? What does it cost?
Individuals can create their own destructive devices (DDs), but they must first get approval from the BATF by filling out a Form 1. You will have to describe the DD you intend to make, get yourself fingerprinted and photographed, get your local CLEO (chief law enforcement officer) to sign the Form 1, and pay a $200 tax to the BATF. While it seems like a lot to go through, many have done it, and once done, you own a DD that you may legally shoot. And you may now make anti-personel rounds for your DD (or course you may have to file another Form 1 if you decide to create HE [high explosive] rounds). If you are interested, you can get the Form 1 here. Don't make the DD before you get the approved form back, or you will have committed a felony.
Nobody here at 37mm.com is a lawyer, (and we do not play one on the internet). Always verify the local and federal laws for yourself!
Submit a Question or Answer for the FAQ
|
(PDF file)