37mm.com

The 37mm Flare/Gas launcher is popular with hunters, boaters, pyrotechnic enthusiasts and those into preparedness. It is not considered a firearm, and is not subject to the Gun Control Act of 1968.

The 37mm flare launcher is similar in appearance to the M79 grenade launcher that the US military first debuted during the Vietnam war early in the sixties. The M79 (and hence, the 37mm launcher) slightly resembles a large bore, single barrel, sawed-off shotgun in appearance.

The military created the M79 to be used as a close support weapon for the infantry. The intended range of fire was between 50 and 300 meters. The device was in reality a single shot, shoulder fired, break-barrel loading weapon which accepted and fired 40mm grenades. The M79 accepted many different types of rounds, including explosive, flechette (rounds which housed approx 45 small darts in a plastic casing), smoke, CS gas, and flare rounds.

Unlike the 40mm M79, the 37mm flare launcher is only legal as a signalling device. As long as no anti-personnel rounds are manufactured, possessed or used, the device is totally legal (see additional information below).

Many enthusiasts have expressed an interest in reloading the cases of the 37mm launcher, as the rounds can typically cost from $5 to $25 dollars each.

Cautions and Warnings
Realize that if you are working with black powder and chemicals, you must take every precaution to ensure that your rounds work as expected, that is, safely! Realize that improper loading of 37mm rounds can result in the loss of life or limb!! Do not guess, do not estimate, and do not substitute. Make sure that the epoxy effectively seals off the payload area from the area with the lift charge! Failure to do so could cause your round to ignite within the chamber of the launcher and cause the launcher to explode! Do not smoke while you are working on the rounds! Keep them away from any heat or fire! Keep all of the above chemicals away from heat and fire. Do not attempt ANY of the above if you are not an adult. Do not let children anywhere near your rounds or chemicals. Do not aim towards ANY living thing. Do not place metal objects in your rounds. Do not create explosive devices for your 37mm launcher; to do so would be a felony. If a 37mm round is designed to create harm to a human being, it makes your launcher a descructive device, and subject to federal rules and regulations on NFA weapons. You can go to prison if you create such a device without paying the appropriate taxes for such a device. Do not fire the rounds in areas with houses, buildings, dry grasses, or living creatures. The safest place to fire your rounds would ideally be out over a large body of water! If you attempt to make any of the rounds described in this text, you agree that the author, publisher and this web site are not liable in any way in cases of accidents. Reading this document any further means that you acknowledge this.