Just another copper gun

[hyldgaard]

So, i finally got around to making myself a decent powered gun. You can se most of the details on the pictures, but if there is anything you want to know, just ask
The barrel is 140cm of 15mm copper, the chamber is 120cm of same diameter copper, the pistonvalve is actuated by a 1/4" ballvalve and i generally use the gun at around 16-18bar(my gauge only goes to 16).
I better mention that this was my first time soldering, hence the not so pretty result.
I didnt build this gun to be pretty, but to perform well, so please, no comments about the zipties as they dont bother me
I have added a couple of pictures of my homemade pump, which easily takes the cannon to 16bar, but i think were all kind of fed up with hearing about homemade pumps, so ask if there is anything you want to know. The day after i made that pump i got a fridge compressor, so for now its a backup.


The gun fires homemade lead slugs, that tumble a lot in flight, but has some kick. I know that people will tell me to drill out the bottom, but thats easier said than done. i have done it with a few, but i dont really feel like using that much time on a projectile that I will probably never be seeing again. for precision, i use 11mm ball bearings encased in candlewax formed as a slug.


I read somewhere on this board that pancaking a lead slug was impossible with a spudgun(....!?! )


Took a few shots at 22mm plywood.


The pump


The compressor

Like i said, just ask if there is something you need to know.

[Mitchza89]

Wow mate, let me be the first to tell you that that thing is beautiful. The power that it gives those slugs to mush em like that, that's really impressive. You reeeeeeally need to up the pressure for a gun like that though, it's a must! Curious....How much psi can that fridge compressor output?

Job well done mate,

Mitch.

[bigbob12345]

the chamber and barrel length is probaly a little overkill but i really like it.
My only question would be is that pvc for the body of the pump?
if not what is it

this is definately not just another copper gun

[Ragnarok]

Very nice. I would only be too happy to have a launcher like that in my collection - and that's saying something, because I don't have much storage space, so I have to be quite picky about what I build and keep.

Those flattened slugs and holes through the plywood inspire ideas... what did you "pancake" them against?

[Antonio]

cool!!! Nice gun!

[pizlo]

Dude thats some good work, more details on the piston? Nice pump(s) nice gun, and nice damage.

[STHORNE]

Nice job on the ammunition. You really told it who's boss lol.

[hyldgaard]

Wow mate, let me be the first to tell you that that thing is beautiful. The power that it gives those slugs to mush em like that, that's really impressive. You reeeeeeally need to up the pressure for a gun like that though, it's a must! Very Happy Curious....How much psi can that fridge compressor output?

Job well done mate,

Mitch.

Im not too sure on the max output as i have only used it up to around 18 bar, but i can tell you that it takes 16 seconds to fill the chamber to that, and it sounds like its quite effortless for the compressor

Dude thats some good work, more details on the piston? Nice pump(s) nice gun, and nice damage.

The piston is a piece of 18mm copper filled with hot glue, so i could bolt on the rubber sealing face

the chamber and barrel length is probaly a little overkill but i really like it.
My only question would be is that pvc for the body of the pump?
if not what is it

this is definately not just another copper gun

My goal was power without having a very large cannon, so i had to up the length a bit
The body of the pump is made of 18mm copper, sleeved in rubber for protection against bumps and scratches

Those flattened slugs and holes through the plywood inspire ideas... what did you "pancake" them against?

I shot a 1/4" steelplate point blank, quite depressing that it hardly left a mark

And all of you others, thanks for your positive comments feel free to tell me if you have any ideas on how to improve this.

Edit:
anyone care to run it through GGDT? im not at home, so i dont have acces to a computer with the program/rights to install the program. Would be really nice, thanks.

[potatoflinger]

Wow, that is a beautiful gun! The damage pics really speak for themselves

[Jared Haehnel]

Nice gun... how much do the slugs weigh?

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Impressive stuff, perhaps you should cast your slugs over a mandrel so they would already have a hollow tail without the need for drilling.

I *really* should get me one of those fridge compressors...

I shot a 1/4" steelplate point blank, quite depressing that it hardly left a mark

Hardly surprising though, what you need is a hard metal object like a nail encased in a suitable sabot.

[hyldgaard]

Nice gun... how much do the slugs weigh?

Oh right, sorry. The slugs weigh a healthy 20grams each

Edit:

Impressive stuff, perhaps you should cast your slugs over a mandrel so they would already have a hollow tail without the need for drilling.

I *really* should get me one of those fridge compressors...

I shot a 1/4" steelplate point blank, quite depressing that it hardly left a mark

Hardly surprising though, what you need is a hard metal object like a nail encased in a suitable sabot.

Believe me, ive had my run with experimenting with casting these slugs, and it seems that this is what i ended up being most satisfied with. I definately agree that the result would be a lot better with a hollow tail, but it simply takes too much of my time to make them in bulk
And for the steel plate, i never really expected it to do any damage to the plate, and i dont think im up for the challenge with that thick of a steel plate, i would be worried about ricochets
Finally, yes, do go get yourself a fridge compressor, it makes life 45% better

[STHORNE]

fps?

[hyldgaard]

fps?

I would really like to know too, maybe someone will be kind enough to run it through GGDT soon

[POLAND_SPUD]

lol fridge compressors rulezzzz

hyldgaard the gun looks good but that ammo is awsome

don't worry you can up the pressure a lot I think you can easily get past 400 psi.... but I am affraid that the airhose you have (in the last pic) is the first thing that is likely to fail when you get past 350 - 400 psi... you might try to get the smallest diameter of air hose you can - they have higher pressure ratings