5 replies to this topic

[Draconis]

I use quite a few higher power, single shot guns, like the BBB and Nat Geo/spy gear guns. I also like to use the missiles and arrows that I have, mostly because of variety. So naturally, I have developed some specialized barrels to allow me the use of both micro darts (stefans in this write-up) and arrows without changing out the barrel. It's pretty simple really.

Materials:

3.5 inches or so of 3/4 OD PETG tubing (vary length to match your arrows).
3.5 inches or so of 1/2 PETG. (9/16 if it's not OMC's)
1.5 inches of 1/2" copper pipe. Thin wall preferably.
One copper pipe to male NPT thread fitting.
One little strip of metal, cut slightly larger than the inside diameter of the fitting. About 9/16".
Adhesive (Goop is nice, hot glue works okay too)



Basically, construction consists of nesting everything together and sealing it up.

First step is installing the strip of metal in the fitting, to prevent stefans/streamlines from getting sucked in to the plunger tube. Not really needed if you only use stock darts.



Next, insert the piece of pipe in the fitting. You can solder it, if you like, but it's not necessary. Just using a little adhesive and it will be fine.



Next, we nest the narrow PETG inside the copper pipe. It's usually tight enough to not require adhesive, but a little goop will keep it from coming out on it's own. I also wrapped the end in e-tape to reduce dead space when using arrows. You can also use adhesive instead.



Next up, just nest the larger PETG over the fitting and the E-tape. I used a single bead of hot glue around the pipe at the fitting and then quickly added the PETG.



Lastly, use a strip of tape to cover the back edge of the large PETG. Just so it doesn't snag your arrows.



There you go. All done. Wait for your adhesive to dry and you can screw it in to any weapon with a threaded 1/2" coupler.



Variations:

Depending upon your darts and play style, there are a couple of easy variations.

If you only use stock darts, like taggers, then you can use a short (2" to 2-1/2") section of CPVC instead of the narrow PETG, copper pipe, and metal strip. This way, your outside tube acts as an additional larger barrel. Much like using brass nested in sch. 40 PVC.

If you are using non-nerf missiles or arrows, like those that come with a spy gear launcher, BBBB, or mega missile, then they have a much more narrow inside diameter and need smaller pipe. Most aquarium shops that have the 3/4 OD PETG will also have something like 11/16" OD, which should work okay.


Questions? Comments? Advice? Jeers?

[Split]

I say you make it so that the inside petg is removeable. That way, it would act as a coupler, and you could use longer barrels, and then store them when using arrows. It would also allow for speedloaders.

Major pros:
Increased range (longer barrels)
Increased accuracy (ditto)
Increased rate of fire (speed loaders or couplered)

All of the normal good stuff.

I like it though. I assume you don't change these out in the middle of a round? I love modular stuff (threaded female coupler on the blaster). imaseoulman and I were just talking about that kind of stuff earlier.

[analogkid]

Typically I just use a CPVC coupler, then for arrows wrap a short piece of CPVC in E-tape, that way I can use a speedloader, then when I want to fire arrows, I just put on the short CPVC and fire the arrows. This is also an interesting way of doing it though, if you wanted to use PETG instead.

[Draconis]

I say you make it so that the inside petg is removeable. That way, it would act as a coupler, and you could use longer barrels, and then store them when using arrows. It would also allow for speedloaders.

Major pros:
Increased range (longer barrels)
Increased accuracy (ditto)
Increased rate of fire (speed loaders or couplered)

All of the normal good stuff.

I like it though. I assume you don't change these out in the middle of a round? I love modular stuff (threaded female coupler on the blaster). imaseoulman and I were just talking about that kind of stuff earlier.

Not a bad idea... Perhaps I'll try a version with a slightly flared end on the copper section to aid insertion of the PETG sections.

Typically I just use a CPVC coupler, then for arrows wrap a short piece of CPVC in E-tape, that way I can use a speedloader, then when I want to fire arrows, I just put on the short CPVC and fire the arrows. This is also an interesting way of doing it though, if you wanted to use PETG instead.

Also a good idea, except that my FBR just doesn't work well in CPVC.

[Lt Stefan]

Pretty good idea, you might want to make the barrels longer though?

I suppose you have a fitting on all your guns then for this to work?

[Draconis]

Pretty good idea, you might want to make the barrels longer though?

No, you wouldn't, or you will lose range with the arrows. If the barrel is longer than the hollow shaft inside the arrow, then an extra length is just dead space. Much like using a long PETG or Brass barrel with tagger darts.

I suppose you have a fitting on all your guns then for this to work?

Yep. Well, anything with enough power to launch an arrow. BBB, BBBB, Triple Strike, BS, Mega Missile, Roto-Rocket, SGL, Titan, etc. Should also work with XBows, +Bows, Big SNAPs...

Edited by Draconis, 27 August 2008 - 04:35 PM.