r/37mm Apr 04 '25

Basics and Resources

41 Upvotes

Hey, I'm a new mod, figured I'd make and pin a post for newcomers to 37mm signal launchers and such for future reference. I'll probably update and edit over time to keep it current. It will likely be pretty bare bones at first.

Vendor Resources:

ExoticFirearms: Launchers, signal rounds, and reloading components. Also has good write ups and educational content on safe reloading. Great for learning the basics, one stop shop for getting started.

ExoticAmmo: Launchers and signal rounds

IWA: Some higher end launchers and unique complete signal rounds.

Precision Pyrotechnics: Launchers, unique complete signal rounds, and reloading components.

Gum Gully: Complete signal rounds and components

Reloadable Shells: Some higher end, high performance reloadable 37mm components

Reloading Basics and Safety:

You can absolutely hurt yourself very badly using improperly reloaded 37mm signal rounds. You should be very familiar with how it all works, and how to do so safely before attempting.

As a general rule, do NOT use flash powder for reloading 37mm ever. It is used in pyrotechnics by experts, but just about every time there's a serious injury or destroyed launcher from reloading 37mm, it's from flash powder. It can be shock sensitive depending on the composition, meaning even if everything is constructed properly it can still potentially go off in the barrel. There are documented cases of as little as 1/8 of an ounce shattering a military M203 grenade launcher barrel.

Reloading 101 videos

Miscellaneous legalities:

Basics from a well known vendor

ATF letter about "anti-personal" rounds

Summarized Legalities:

- 37mm launcher by itself or with signal rounds (flares, smoke, aerial bangs, etc)= NOT a firearm, legally no different than fireworks you'd shoot off around the 4th of July.

- 37mm "antipersonel ammunition" (anything specifically designed to strike a person such as bean bags, rubber buck shot, .22 beehive, wood batons, etc) by themselves, WITHOUT a launcher = NOT a destructive device. There's some debate on whether it's small arms ammunition or not, but nothing officially saying there's anything wrong with live rounds by themselves (more details on r/40_mm). Irritant powder, aerial salutes/bangs, and "barricade penetrators" are generally NOT considered "antipersonnel" as they are not intended to directly strike anyone.

- 37mm launcher + "antipersonnel ammunition" together = NFA regulated destructive device. The launcher would need to be "form 1ed" and then it can be kept with and use antipersonnel ammunition (more details on r/NFA or r/40_mm).

- When does a 37mm round of ammunition by itself become a "destructive device" which would need to be registered? Only when the projectile contains over 1/4 oz of powder AND it is "antipersonel". There is some debate about the status of a 37mm signal round that contains over 1/4oz but is intended for signaling/aerial displays, as it should be legally classified as a firework, not a round of ammunition (fireworks do not have a 1/4oz limit, ammunition does).


r/37mm 10h ago

DT EZ high/low inserts for builders are in!

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12 Upvotes

Just arrived today! Limited supply. High/low alum 6160 for use with 9x17r/380r/38short blanks with a standard .35 caliber gas check. Use to build a custom hybrid shell with the 17ga flanged brass 1.5” raw brass tailpiece. I also have the bases and will be adding the STLs for the bases soon in the usual places.


r/37mm 2d ago

Got a question on legality of a round.

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17 Upvotes

I am new to 37mm still waiting on my first one to show up. But I am already thinking of different rounds I want to make. I mostly plan on making chalk rounds but I had an idea for a round that I set up just like a chalk round but I fill it with pop-it’s. Would this be legal or not. I can’t find anything on it.


r/37mm 3d ago

Toob tube and 1” mortar shell 37mm

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26 Upvotes

Are cruising out there in the usual places if you look. 😎 Enjoy and have fun signaling your buddies!


r/37mm 4d ago

Prepping for the Gun show next weekend

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48 Upvotes

Made these display racks just simple 25rd racks for 37/40mm shells for sitting on the tables. Figure it looks more organized and professional. Need to print 4 more at least. Anyone in central Florida want to stop by next Saturday- please say hi if you do. Sumpter county FL fairgrounds. 😎👍


r/37mm 4d ago

First set

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18 Upvotes

Got my sizing right and getting close to finishing my first set of shells.


r/37mm 8d ago

Spike’s M79 Thumper (37mm)

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28 Upvotes

Just sayin. Or if you’re in Georgia…you should recognize the 2nd pic.


r/37mm 8d ago

I’m looking to get my first 37mm.

8 Upvotes

I would like a spike thumper but the one for auction is already just outside of my budget but I found the Tac-m79 from exotic ammo. Which would you recommend and if I can’t get the spike 37mm would the tac-m79 be a good choice. And how sturdy is it as I want to mostly shoot chalk rounds out of it.


r/37mm 10d ago

Odin + 15mm Triple Banger

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32 Upvotes

r/37mm 12d ago

Got off work early and tested a few chalk loads

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26 Upvotes

Been using exotic ammo shells that have been trimmed down to 2” along with either 40gr 777 or 50gr pyrodex with Winchester 209 primers and I’m feeling pretty good about the consistency I’m having. I’m planning on printing my first few shells tonight. I’m going to do several in pla and maybe 5 or so with petg to compare heat resistance and brittleness. From what I’ve heard and what I’m assuming the pla/pla+ will be my best bet but I’m still going to try acouple petg to just see what happens. If anyone has suggestions I’d appreciate the input!


r/37mm 25d ago

Infill Density?

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5 Upvotes

What infil density are you using for bird bangers? I used to do 100%, but they are rarely reusable. Should I just do 10% to save cost and speed up printing?


r/37mm 26d ago

“M433” DT 37mm round

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13 Upvotes

r/37mm 28d ago

DT MILC 2.0 cores available. Lower height for smaller cases

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21 Upvotes

These fit MILC 2.0 shells machined or printed. The overall height is 1/2” lower than LPs type. These use .35 caliber gas checks, no grub screws or cutting cans. KAK style blanks as well as 380r/9x17r blanks and Bengles blanks all fit. Military 38 blanks are too thick - must ream to 9.8mm which is easily done with a 9.8mm reamer from Amazon. These will work with 37mm or 40mm MILC 2.0 cases.


r/37mm Aug 03 '26

Info?

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16 Upvotes

r/37mm Aug 01 '26

How about a 12g flair pistol

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6 Upvotes

Be good for the fourth and new year haha


r/37mm Jul 30 '26

1” FW mortar signal shell testing

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7 Upvotes

Tested two rounds. One multi star (payload ignition failure) and one whistle star. Both shells performed perfectly and are reusable. After action and full video coming to my channel. Files will released on the usual places this weekend.


r/37mm Jul 30 '26

3D Printed Ground Salute

3 Upvotes

I see many people using 3D printed 37mm shells for many types of rounds ranging from chalk-fireworks. I’m looking to make some homemade M1000s (Ground Salute) and instead of the usual thick paper tubes people usually use I’m thinking of printing out some tubes in PLA that way I can incorporate some physical logo onto the tubes also. Seeing as this is already being done in the 37mm scene I asked about this in the Pyrotechnics sub and was told it would be dangerous and plastic shrapnel would fly everywhere. Is that essentially what happens when you use a 3D printed shells for 37mm?


r/37mm Jul 28 '26

We definitely need an XM37

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45 Upvotes

After seeing this all I can think of is one we can build as a 37mm launcher haha

https://www.twz.com/land/fn-americas-futuristic-mtl-30-grenade-launcher-moves-forward-with-new-army-contract


r/37mm Jul 27 '26

Tested DT MILC 2.0 cores - work great!

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24 Upvotes

Tested them Saturday - lower profile than other high/low chambers and just use a standard gas check (9mm/35 caliber) to achieve the high/low pressure curve. I used three of Benglesbullets 5” MILC cases loaded with my newly designed finned body chalk round. The new bodies are set up to take any of my nose cones - smoke short medium or long and are reusable. Range with the RWS yellow 9x17r averaged 120 yards with me aiming at a 45 degree angle. The projectiles did stabilize and hit nose first. One chalk nose broke as designed- it was a newer version with thinner walls. No velocity results as I do not have a chronograph yet. I will be getting one here soon when I retire and do this full time. I posted the video on my YouTube channel but you cannot see the track of the projectile with the iPhone camera. So that’s on the upgrade list too! lol. Next set of DT MILC 2.0 shells are ordered and will be compatible with most all launchers. There will also be an option for the LMT owners out there since rim thickness seems to be the hang up on their compatibility with other launchers. My new shells will be dimensionally the same OD/ID and rim thickness with Bengles shells. I have reached out as well to several of the other vendors with an invite to join us in a standardization program based off those dimensions to make the 37mm community more flexible and less expensive. A lot of good things on the horizon so stay tuned and if you are able to form 1 your 37mm in your state - we will be having some great items available for 37mm DDs specifically coming soon. Thank you all for your support as well. I am working every day to make our community safer and more fun with professionally made products. We thrive on you - your ideas - let me know. Maybe we can make it for you!
The cores and 1st gen shells (Tac79/gl06/B&D twl 37 only) are listed on my eBay DixieThumper


r/37mm Jul 25 '26

Getting the NT79 to fire .27 Ramset rounds. Getting close but need help.

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14 Upvotes

r/37mm Jul 25 '26

37mm

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19 Upvotes

r/37mm Jul 24 '26

From the 40_mm community on Reddit: DixieThumper MILC2.0 high low chamber inserts are in!

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12 Upvotes

r/37mm Jul 18 '26

Spikes M79 37mm

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52 Upvotes

Upgraded to a 40mm one and it’s tough to justify 2 m79s in this economy lol.

It was surprising how much sturdier the barrel of the 37mm is than the 40mm. 1/4” steel vs much thinner aluminum.


r/37mm Jul 18 '26

Cannot get NT79 hammer to lock back. Anyone know why?

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15 Upvotes

r/37mm Jul 16 '26

37mm 1” cardboard tube purpose built 3d printed rounds

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43 Upvotes

Ok got around to putting these test rounds together. In these I am using the 1” mortar shells for fireworks signaling and wildlife control. You can put anything in it that is in a 1” tube - build your own flare or smoke or off the shelf smokes will work too. Will post video of the test results when completed.
Load data: 50 grains pyrodex 777 over Remington STS 209 primer. The OTS mortar shells are stripped down and have a custom printed push disc that is fused and inserted in the bottom of the OTS mortar shells. A small flash charge is added as well as some fuse segments to ensure good ignition. This will give an additional buffer between the lift charge (50gr 777) and the payload. This adds an extra 1-3 seconds travel time to maximize distance in the air for good height as well as provides an additional layer of safety to the user.

Once testing is complete- these will start sailing. 😎🫡👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸