Idiot's Guide to Making a Gun (Note: Emphasis on Idiot)

[Lonewulf]

Make your own gun now!

(an article on how to make a $10 gun on Totse.com)

This has to be the dumbest design I've ever seen in my life, and I'm not even a (true) guns expert. I mean, seriously; it doesn't fire a cartridge, it's just a miniature "flintlock wannabe" that can barely do any damage, and is only really effective from 3 meters away? And needs to be fired by using a match at the back?

Yeah. Very effective, dumbass.

[Мастер]

Make your own gun now!

(an article on how to make a $10 gun on Totse.com)

This has to be the dumbest design I've ever seen in my life, and I'm not even a (true) guns expert. I mean, seriously; it doesn't fire a cartridge, it's just a miniature "flintlock wannabe" that can barely do any damage, and is only really effective from 3 meters away? And needs to be fired by using a match at the back?

Yeah. Very effective, dumbass.

I think something in the title might have indicated the likely quality level:

$10 Gun

[Lonewulf]

Some Zip pistols are just about as cheap, using only salvaged materials that, possibly, you could get for free. And those can fire actual cartridges; like, say, a .22 calibre. Which is a weak calibre, and the gun isn't that reliable, but it sure as hell is better than the piece of shit shown on this site.

[FZR1KG]

But it can penetrate the hard amour on a flies back

[Lonewulf]

"penetrate the hard amour"? You mean armor, right?

A .22 calibre round can't penetrate much, really. It's mostly made to be used against birds, squirrels, mice, and rats. And the .22 pistol calibre is pretty dang weak; the only way to really do damage to someone is to aim for the vitals or eyes; anything else won't do a lot.

One woman was shot in the back of the head five times at point-blank range with a .22 pistol; she suffered no serious injury. Main reason why was because her braincap protected her.

[FZR1KG]

Yeah, amor, typo.

Um, the "hard amor on a flies back" was sarcasam

Bit like the old saying here, enough power to break a mosquito's spine

The .22 rimfire can be quite dangerous, its all in the length of the barrel and the type of shell. Subsonics in a short length like a pistol are usless. A high velocity round in a rifle with a long barrel is a different issue.
I've shot goats and pigs with a .22 rimfire. Not recomended for sure but a well placed shot brings all but the bigger ones down.

Anyway, you are 100% right, that gun described is as useful as tits on a bull.

[Мастер]

Yeah, amor, typo.

Um, still typo, I think :)

[Lonewulf]

YThe .22 rimfire can be quite dangerous, its all in the length of the barrel and the type of shell.

Well, yes, a solid metal armor piercing round would be better at armor piercing, and hollowpoints would do more damage; but the length of the barrel doesn't really effect damage much, I think. I think it more of just effects accuracy (which still makes it deadly, but not through power alone).

Subsonics in a short length like a pistol are usless.

I don't agree, really. The .45 is subsonic, the 9mm is not; the 9mm has better penetration (not a whole lot, but still better) than the .45. Of course, the .45 does more actual damage thanks to size.

(Subsonics aren't the only reason one is better than the other, of course; it also has to do with something bigger *and* slower not being to penetrate)

Anyway, you are 100% right, that gun described is as useful as tits on a bull.

Mooooo.

Anyways, I misinterpreted your post as not being a joke. Heh.

Either way, I'd like to see someone create a .22 Zip gun out of simple, easy materials; see how "easy" it is to actually accomplish, and how dangerous it would really be.

[FZR1KG]

Thats cool, I joke more than I'm serious

My reference to subsonics in a pistol was for a .22 rimfire btw.
Useless for anything except paper

.45 is the calibre of the projectile but there are different .45's. Some high speed some low speed and in older guns there is a limitation on the barrel pressure that can be used which limits the speed. You may be comparing the stats for a high velocity .45 vs a 9mm instead of a lower velocity one.
I don't have my reloading manual with me and I don't use any .45's so I can't compare the two calibres for different cartriges and velocities.

The barrel length is vital in both accuracy and speed. Speed is the main component of energy for most bullets as it's a squared law whereas mass is linear.
So double the speed gives four times the energy whilst doubling the mass only doubles the energy.
Damage is one of those hot topics. Ask any two shooters and you'll most likely get two different answers.
My opinion is that it depends greatly on the bullet speed/mass and type as well as the intended target.
FMJ's for example drill holes, hollow points can disintegrate leaving local damage without penetration etc. This is a generalisation but holds true for a wide range of projectiles and velocities in my experience.

It's generaly agreed however that a projectile should mushroom for maximum energy transfer to the target object. The problem is of course every target has different areas and densities. Thick hides on some game vs thin pelts on others. Mud on a pig for example can destroy a high velocity HP before it enters the animal so is quite useless in smaller calibres for such a job.

This explains why many shooters have lots of different guns.

Having said all that reminds me I need to get a .22LR for bunnies, I haven't had one for 18 years or so and my bigger calibres are an overkill.

[FZR1KG]

Yeah, amor, typo.

Um, still typo, I think :)

Ya rekcon ;)

[umop ap!sdn]

Yeah hard amour is usually that which does the penetrating.

Somebody had to say it.

[Мастер]

Yeah hard amour is usually that which does the penetrating.

Somebody had to say it.

I thought that too, but then the "fly's back" part of the comment doesn't make sense...

[Enzo]

Who said amour has to make sense?

[pmcolt]

I'd choose my .45 for self-defense before I chose that $10 "gun".

Actually, I'd choose a cheap junk gun for self-defense before I chose that $10 "gun".

Actually, I'd choose pepper spray for self-defense before I chose that $10 "gun".

Actually, I'd choose a twelve-inch piece of string for self-defense before I chose that $10 "gun".

And I can get the string for less than $10.

[Lonewulf]

I'd choose my .45 for self-defense before I chose that $10 "gun".

Actually, I'd choose a cheap junk gun for self-defense before I chose that $10 "gun".

Actually, I'd choose pepper spray for self-defense before I chose that $10 "gun".

Actually, I'd choose a twelve-inch piece of string for self-defense before I chose that $10 "gun".

And I can get the string for less than $10.

My point exactly.

The advice on this site isn't the best I've ever seen.

Hell, I'd trust a .22 Rivet Gun over that one. Probably has more range.

[Ikyoto]

That information is an open invite to anyone who does get hurt to sue the server owners asses off. I hate the lawsuit happy soiety we have developed, but in this case I'd encourage it!

And as someone who has fired at least 100 types of projectile weapons, I'd say that this thing is a great waste of time and effort and should be considered to be a makeshift peice of shit.

[Lonewulf]

I reread my Original Post. I said it was a "Flintlock Wannabe". That was giving it far too much credit; Flintlocks actually use solid balls, and, you know, has an elegant design, usually.

I wonder, though -- with the way it's designed, isn't it REALLY likely that it would back-blast? I mean, from the sounds of it, there's a hole at the back of the barrel, pointed towards you. Is it even likely that the load would fire towards the front?

[Мастер]

Actually, I'd choose pepper spray for self-defense before I chose that $10 "gun".

I've heard conflicting information on the effectiveness of pepper spray on wild animals. This is something I need to look into...

[umop ap!sdn]

Am I the only one here who thinks that site is a joke? :?

I've heard conflicting information on the effectiveness of pepper spray on wild animals. This is something I need to look into...

AFAIK, it only works on mammals.

[Lonewulf]

Am I the only one here who thinks that site is a joke? :?

I'm not sure on it being a joke...

But come to think of it, that would be funny parody.

[Doe, John]

Am I the only one here who thinks that site is a joke? :?

I'm not sure on it being a joke...

But come to think of it, that would be funny parody.

Like that site for do-it-yourself home lasik surgery?

[Мастер]

AFAIK, it only works on mammals.

Those are the ones I would worry about. But really big ones, several times my size, with sharp teeth and claws. I don't know if it works on them...

[Lonewulf]

It probably does. I mean, pepper spray has little to do with the size of the animal, and more to do with it's ability to smell or "feel" the pepper.

[Doe, John]

On the other hand you have to be pretty close to use pepper spray. I'm not sure I would want to enrage a fanged, clawed, bigger-than-me mammal with pepper spray at close range. If you're that concerned about meeting one, then just carry around a BFG. :D

[Lonewulf]

If an animal is attacking you, you generally don't have much of a choice on the distance. And if all you have on you is pepper spray, especially on an animal that relies on scent (like, say, wolves or big cats), then go ahead and use it. It's very unlikely that an animal would start at a long distance and then come running at you; so you don't have a lot of time to mess with a big gun.

It would probably stun, blind, and disorient and the animal; all big plusses in getting the hell out of there. Run fast, and try to find a more advantageous position; such as in a car or something.

There's also a possibility the animal will run away if it can. Another plus.

So an animal you didn't have to kill to protect yourself.