meridian
Guru
Over the years I've acquired 3 or 4 Olin 12GA flare guns, but never used them. I have one at home and decided to test fire it into a snow bank. This would also allow me to check old cartridges. First one fired perfect, second fired but was a dud as a flare, third fired perfect but then I couldn’t open the breech. On searching the web I found this from BoatUS May 2004. I’ll check the others this spring.
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MANUFACTURER’S ADVISORY
From time to time, marine manufacturers identify problems that may not qualify as safety defects but which nevertheless require repair or correction. In such cases, the manufacturer may conduct a voluntary campaign to notify owners and make repairs. The U.S. Coast Guard does not oversee voluntary campaigns.
Orion Safety Products recently discovered that a defective opening mechanism in some 12-gauge plastic flare guns manufactured by Olin (now Orion Safety Products) prior to 2000 may not open wide enough to accept a flare cartridge. Guns with a modification to correct the possible problem are marked with U.S. Coast Guard approval code 160 028//12/1. Boaters with older flare guns should check the operation of the opening mechanism now and at the start of each boating season. If the breech will not open wide enough to accept a cartridge, the gun should be sent back for a replacement.
A spokesman at Orion Safety Products confirmed the problem. Nylon material used to keep the breech closed can deform and jam the opening mechanism. Any Olin plastic flare gun is suspect, as are Orion gun made before 2000, the year the mechanism was reengineered (guns with the modification have the UCSG approval code 160 028//12/1 stamped on the body).
A recall has not been issued, although Orion has agreed to replace any of the defective guns, regardless of age. Send defective guns to: Orion Safety Products, Marine Division, 3157 N. 500 West, Peru, IN 46970; 1-800-851-5260
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MANUFACTURER’S ADVISORY
From time to time, marine manufacturers identify problems that may not qualify as safety defects but which nevertheless require repair or correction. In such cases, the manufacturer may conduct a voluntary campaign to notify owners and make repairs. The U.S. Coast Guard does not oversee voluntary campaigns.
Orion Safety Products recently discovered that a defective opening mechanism in some 12-gauge plastic flare guns manufactured by Olin (now Orion Safety Products) prior to 2000 may not open wide enough to accept a flare cartridge. Guns with a modification to correct the possible problem are marked with U.S. Coast Guard approval code 160 028//12/1. Boaters with older flare guns should check the operation of the opening mechanism now and at the start of each boating season. If the breech will not open wide enough to accept a cartridge, the gun should be sent back for a replacement.
A spokesman at Orion Safety Products confirmed the problem. Nylon material used to keep the breech closed can deform and jam the opening mechanism. Any Olin plastic flare gun is suspect, as are Orion gun made before 2000, the year the mechanism was reengineered (guns with the modification have the UCSG approval code 160 028//12/1 stamped on the body).
A recall has not been issued, although Orion has agreed to replace any of the defective guns, regardless of age. Send defective guns to: Orion Safety Products, Marine Division, 3157 N. 500 West, Peru, IN 46970; 1-800-851-5260
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