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Caselman air machinegun

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 7:41 pm
by jackssmirkingrevenge
Not my own, but I came across these plans for what appears to be a functional high-powered 32 caliber air machinegun. I believe MrCrowley had linked to some pictures in the past but this link contains the actual drawings. The design requires access to a machine shop as well as an HPA/CO2 source so it's beyond the capabilities of most fabricators on this site, but a good reference nonetheless.

Edit: full plans can be downloaded here as a zipped .pdf file - just enter the password "caselman" in the box next to "Senha de visitação:" and click "OK"

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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:06 pm
by Hailfire753
Geez, a little complex, I wonder what velocity it gets? Nice find though. You see any videos on that site?

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:09 pm
by Ragnarok
Well, the power is said to be roughly equivalent to .32 ACP, so you can expect about 120 ft lbs from it. Assuming a similar projectile weight, I'd say around 900 fps.

I wouldn't mind one of those...

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:11 pm
by jackssmirkingrevenge
I think that's a little optimistic Ragnarok - according to this site it's "extremely powerful" but no figures are given - with HPA and those heavy looking 32 cal slugs i imagine you'd be looking at over 10 ft/lbs per shot.

edit:
The rare Caselman Air Machine Gun video volume I - see it, copy it, share it, it is being distributed under the CopyLeft spirit.
This video along the Plans avaiable at http://www.thehomegunsmith.com/ means FREEDOM!
The CASELMAN works under 3.300 psi air; muzzle velocity was 790-800 fps (in .308/7.65mm, .355/9mm, and .451 calibers); rate of fire 600 rpm; with a single air charge it´ll shot 100-105 times within this range of power; in .451 caliber, using 225 grains bullets (NOT round balls) it´s muzzle energy is 311 foot pounds.
We can be sure it is as accurate as the best closed-bolt submachineguns, something like 100-120 meters.
It is a closed-bolt weapon, and since airguns are ever more accurate than any firearm, it is not hard to imagine that.
Of course if we pick the best bullet (weight, profile, hardness) to our rifling path and bbl. lenght, and we build with the utmost care the gun, magazines, and load with care each magazine, we´ll get even better accuracy with the Caselman AMG.
To get a PDF file with the Caselman´s history, photos, complete blueprints, and the videos, please click here:
http://jrrabrahao.discovirtual.uol.com. ... selman.zip
to download the 60+ Mb file.
The password to download it is:
caselman
Best regards.
Mad Abe (http://www.unclefesterbooks.com exclusive author)

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:16 pm
by Ragnarok
It says, even on that page you linked to: "Delivers .32 ACP power"
I'd say my assumptions were reasonable.

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:18 pm
by jackssmirkingrevenge
Have a look at the edit, you may well be right - it actually DOES cut a 2x4 in half! :shock:
Hailfire753 wrote:Geez, a little complex, I wonder what velocity it gets? Nice find though.
Aside from the fact that it's got a blowback bolt instead of blow forward one, the design is essentually similar to your paintball sniper design.

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:35 pm
by Hailfire753
Hmm.. blow backward bolt *relooks at picture*

well, I just scanned over the pic the beginning, and then looked at it in more detail after the video. Oh man was that sweet!!

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:42 pm
by jackssmirkingrevenge
This design works well because it operates at very high pressures, if it had to be used at normal compressor pressures of around 100 psi I doubt it would have enough power to cycle, especially in a small calibre.

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:44 pm
by goathunter
Its actually far more simple than most would imagine.As I guessed in the earlier post about this gun the valving is a sheridan system. For those of you not familiar, "an autococker or PGP".Not exactly the same due to its cocking system, but nonetheless incorporating the same principles.A darn good valve design I might add.Just about impossible to kill one.

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:50 pm
by jackssmirkingrevenge
It's the same hammer operated valve design that has been used on airguns as far back as the Girandoni, the only difference is that instead of a fixed breech, the air is also used to recock the bolt by simple blowback. It would still be a challenging project however due to the sort of construction required to withstand its high operating pressure.

If you had access to such materials and equipment, it would be far easier to build a 3000 psi cloud strafer, with similarly devastating performance.

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 4:45 am
by ALIHISGREAT
If you had access to such materials and equipment, it would be far easier to build a 3000 psi cloud strafer, with similarly devastating performance.
yes but you are forgetting the cool factor 8) to me that is 1000 times cooler than a cloud and about 1000 times less accessible :(

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 6:05 am
by Ragnarok
I'd bet that's a darn sight more efficient on air use than a cloud though. And I agree, a lot cooler.

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 6:21 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
Of course, I'd much rather make one of these than a cloud, hell, with those sort of pressures, you could even incorporate my cartridge design and have the ultimate coolness factor of flying brass :D

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 6:42 am
by ALIHISGREAT
you could make it accurate aswell with a rifled barrel etc.

it kind of looks like a tippmann 98 paintball gun because of the grips.

and as rag brought up air efficiency in clouds... would a really small vortex block in a low capacity bb chamber = good air effeciency?

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 7:02 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
smaller vortex block = better efficiency, but still wasteful of air. For 100% efficiency you want your BBs in the chamber and a valve between the chamber and the barrel.