The angle of that picture is deceptive. The plunger tube is actually quite large, and the stock isn't as clunky as it looks in the picture.
Yet another plunger gun.
It's like a big brother to the snapper. A very big brother.
It's kind of an experiment, bringing together a lot of conceptual bits and pieces, such as the new trigger, BBB-cocking, new barrel mounts, and a 2" plunger.
I got a back saw and miter box (finally) the other day, so I used it on pretty much everything in this. It really helps with things like the stock and the grip.
That little thing poking out of the grip is a double ramrod, which slides in and out for storage.
Here's the spring-clamp trigger:
It's constructed basically like a clothespin trigger, but the paddles aren't cut off, and one is bent to create a trigger lever, which is then reinforced with an angle brace. The clamp comes with pre-made holes centered on the tips, which can be enlarged with a drill to fit a very burly firing pin.
This is how the barrels are mounted:
They're 1/2" CPVC barrels mounted in a 2" PVC plug. I drilled two holes to fit the barrels, then glued a small section of a 1/2" CPVC coupling onto the rear end of each, slid them through, put another section of the coupling on the opposite side, and filled in the gaps with hot glue. I think it turned out pretty well.
And finally, the BBB-style cocking system:
The handle starts out to the right. Slide it forward and grab the catchface:
Then, pull back until the spring is fully compressed. Turn the handle to lock the assembly, ready to fire:
I moved the catchface from it's typical position right behind the plunger head to the very end of the plunger rod, where a pull-ring or knob would typically be. This goes inside the stock tube. The handle and trigger are mounted on a piece which slides over the stock tube, with the firing pin riding in a slot. Pushing the handle forward lines it up with the catchface. Pulling it back lines it up with another slot. Rotating the handle into firing position locks the entire assembly in place. It might seem a bit odd, but it's the exact same set of motions you would do to operate a straight-pull bolt-action rifle, only you never have to release or grab onto anything. This setup also allows for the entire action to be run with one hand, if the stock is strapped to your shoulder, like in the pictures above. Maybe I'll make a lefty version someday so I can dual-wield them.
I also added in another little improvement: I sleeved the plunger rod (allthread) with some polyethylene tubing. I don't think it really added much, but it does work a bit more smoothly.
This is definitely not the final incarnation of this blaster. After all, the entire reason I designed this action is to be able to operate a reverse-pump clip like the one on the yellow jacket. Plus, I'm not really a big fan of the double barrels. They're a whole lot of fun to shoot, but they really cut down on the power, especially since this gun only uses one spring compared to the two on the Snapper. Both darts usually get about 40'-45', 50' if I'm lucky. I might try to get another spring in there again, but I probably won't until I can find a better catch washer.
Edited by davidbowie, 10 June 2006 - 06:20 PM.
