Potato Guns???

[camoman33935]

Im not sure if this is the right section but, is it legal to build and own a potato gun in Florida? Does anything have to be done besides the building of the potato gun (i.e. registry with ATF)?

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

http://www.spudfiles.com/spud_wiki/index.php?title=Legal_issues

 

[kingpin008]

and there's no danger of putting too much fuel in the gun. With a compressor you know exactly how much pressure is being applied.

Sorry, that's not true at all. Just because it's compressed air and not a combustible material (hairspray or whatever) propelling the projectile doesn't mean it's safe.

PVC isn't exactly Kryptonite, and any time you subject a home-made pressure chamber to repeated pressurizations and depressurizations the potential for failure is indeed something to consider. I've never been next to one when it's happened, but I'd put money on a homemade spud gun experiencing a KB! under pressure (even at a measly 40 PSI) being able to ruin your day.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

schedule 40 is not rated for much pressure even schedule 80 can blow up.

 

[kingpin008]

schedule 40 is not rated for much pressure even schedule 80 can blow up.

Exactly. I'm not trying to down on King Ghidora, but I've gotta correct what I see as bad (and potentially dangerous) advice.

Bottom line, anything can fail, and fail catastrophically - especially when you A.) use it for purposes it's not intended for, and B.) Decide to make it yourself. Even the handiest handy-man has an off day, and sometimes that's all it takes for bad things to happen.

 

[stevelyn]

and there's no danger of putting too much fuel in the gun.

Being an Idaho Russet Cannoneer myself, I can tell you from my own experience that there is no danger of putting too much flammable propellant in a spud gun.
It will only ignite at a certain air-fuel ratio. Too much fuel and it won't light off. This is even with starting fluid as the propellant.

The best material for the firing chamber is ABS. You can use schedule 40 PVC for the barrel since it isn't subjected to high pressures.

 

[X-Rap]

I'd suggest wraping multiple layers of duct tape around the combustion/presure chamber as well as the lower barrel. This will help keep the shards of plastic contained should it blow. We used tennis balls on ours and it shot well over 100 yds.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

after the "incident" i use a stun gun and 50 foot leads to fire my spud gun.

 

[RedLion]

The only danger I've heard of is using oxy acetylene as a propellant. It's kind of a no-no, as you can imagine. The pressurized ones I've gone up to 80 psi without a problem.

I use standard sch 40, with a 4 in pipe down to 1.5 and haven't had any problems with static guard ( what i've found as the best propellant, no sticky residue like hairspray). Just make sure your potato isn't jammed into the barrel. And make sure you use primer, then glue, then let it set for a few hours, otherwise your gun parts become a projectiles.

i don't know how bad it is in FL, but in South East MN, a cop came to my friends house when we were shooting some potato guns off his deck ( in city limits, but towards some woods outside of city limits) and he said we should leave because of the noise disturbing neighbors.

 

[Gryffydd]

I use all ABS and Propane for the propellant. Even the slightest bit too much propane and it won't ignite at all. I fill a 60cc (perfect for a 3"x1' chamber) syringe with propane and inject it into the chamber through a very small hole in the cap on the end of the chamber. It works well, but you have to fire within a minute of fueling or too much propane will leak out the hole.

http://www.burntlatke.com/

Has all sorts of calculators for figuring out chamber/barrel ratios, fuel air mixtures etc. It's a great resource.

 

[LoneCoon]

My spud gun is all air pressure. It shoot a respectable distance, and can also be loaded with paintballs, provided you use a sabot.

 

[Zeeemu]

A couple of decades ago I asked an ATF rep. about spud guns and was informed they weren't subject to ATF rules since explosives weren't involved. Good thing since I don't want to register my potato purchases.
I wonder how long it will be before this loophole is discovered and closed?

 

[stevelyn]

The only danger I've heard of is using oxy acetylene as a propellant. It's kind of a no-no, as you can imagine.

Yeah........you could very easily overcharge with oxy acetylene.
That stuff will shatter windows 100 yrds away when mixed and ignited in a garbage bag.

 

[SIRVEYR666]

A lot of states have banned potato guns I believe. That's ok though. It's a pretty dangerous thing IMO. What is actually a safer contraption is a air tank gun.

A lot of states have banned "assault weapons" and regular capacity magazines I believe. That's ok though. What is actually safer is a hunting rifle that has a fixed reduced capacity magazine.

 

[xx7grant7x]

I like right guard sport spray deodorant, the first 3 ingredients are propane, butane, isobutane, and alcohol. Plus your potatoes smell sporty fresh!

 

[SciFiJim]

is it legal to build and own a potato gun in Florida

I don't know about the legality of spud guns, but when some kids shot one at my house it only happened once. I told them that if it happened again, I reserved the right to return fire and that I don't own a spud gun. Those things are dangerous and used by kids that aren't taught gun safety.

Why yes, I am know as the crotchety old b****** down the street.

 

[EMUGOD]

this may be off topic oven for the thread, but has anyone measured the typical firearm metrics for spud guns? ie muzzle energy and velocity (and then at different ranges). i know that this is entering territory of turning your spud gun into a DD, but i'd imagine sticking some nails into your potato could turn it into a fairly lethal weapon, and i know from personal experience they can shoot pretty darn far.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

we tossed a pitch fork a 100 yards using a tater as wadding. whats the law on deer gigging?. the mass of projectile can be problematic it raises chamber pressures with sometimes spectacular results. i use a 8 foot 6" chamber with a 10 foot 2 " barrel am looking into the rifled barrels.

 

[jbauch357]

I just know it works way better than a potato gun (which we also built) and there's no danger of putting too much fuel in the gun.

when using hairspray or starting fluid, if you add too much it's too rich of a mixture and actually burns worse than if you had the proper leaner mixture.

a couple of our spud guns were destroyed by the police after being called "destructive devises" - and my friend was threatened with multiple fealonies for operating/building them (the funny part is that while one of the cops was inspecting the "destructive devises" he decided to flick the igniter and shocked himself). this was in Washington state.

 

[wickedsprint]

Unless things have changed or the numerous Florida cops lied to us, spud guns are legal in Florida so long as you don't use it illegally...don't fire it at people or personal property or endanger others.

I would usually have police officers ask me what I was carrying when I'd be taking it to a friend's house, who's dad was a Sherrif. They always thought it was cool.

To add, we used Butane in a conventional sized spud gun and would routinely get 400+ yds of range.

 

[dmazur]

There are some engineers in California marketing PVC-pipe guns to launch tennis balls. The purpose is to trail a line for pulling amateur radio antennas into trees for "field day" exercises. Propellant is compressed air, and range is around 200 ft, trailing a line.

Previously, bows and arrows & slingshots were used, but these were "weapons" and were illegal in most parks.

I understand the guys making these devices have a letter from BATF stating that they do not consider potato guns and similar devices to be firearms, provided they aren't used for illegal purposes.

So, we're probably OK until someone holds up a bank with a potato gun...

 

[EMUGOD]

So, we're probably OK until someone holds up a bank with a potato gun...

this is what we have 'black projects' for.

 

[2nd 41]

PG's are dangerous to the shooter and the people in the close area. Expanding gases are not exactly harmless. I wonder how many PG's blew up on ignition.

I know....who cares.

 

[Quiet]

I understand the guys making these devices have a letter from BATF stating that they do not consider potato guns and similar devices to be firearms, provided they aren't used for illegal purposes.

www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b17
(B17) How do I obtain a classification from ATF for my "potato gun?"

Any person desiring a classification of a “potato gun,” “spud gun” or similar device must submit a written request (not e-mail) to the Director and include a complete and accurate description of the device, the name and address of the manufacturer or importer, the purpose for which it is intended, and such photographs, diagrams, or drawings as may be necessary to make a classification. A final determination may require physical examination of the device. Such requests for classification should be submitted to: Bureau of ATF, Firearms Technology Branch.

 

[LibShooter]

Here's one reason I am no longer a public school teacher.

Leaving my classroom about 7pm one evening, I heard a few "Whoomps" coming from the Football press box. Four future THR member had a really nice PVC spud launcher shooting culls from the marching band's fundraising orange sales. They just about had the range on a garbage can out in the middle of the field, when they saw "A Responsible Adult" and figured they were in trouble.

"No! You're using hairspray... and way too much." I dug a can of starting fluid out of my old Honda and showed them how a couple of quick sprays would improve their fuel-air mixture. I left them getting hits pretty close to the visitor's bleachers. I considered it a teaching moment.

The principal and I never understood each other.