Resources to build a gun?

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Lovesbeer99

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I have an idea to build a single shot pistol but I'm not sure where to start? Are there any resources for this or do I have to just figure out each piece myself.


I'm looking to build a tip up style of my own design. I'd need info on steel and pressure requirements, CNC or similar, etc.

Any advice?
 
What sort of resources are you looking for? Is this something you want to produce on a large scale, or just make a single example of for yourself?
 
I'd start by building a prototype, but I'd like the option to build a hundred, or a few hundred it the opportunity presents itself.

Even firty would be nice.
 
You don't need a FFL to build a firearm, unless you plan on building an NFA weapon of some sort, or unless you plan on producing several guns for the purpose of selling them.
 
but I'd like the option to build a hundred, or a few hundred it the opportunity presents itself.
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So in the event the prototype works, even I can't see a good reason why an individual would need 50 or 100 of a single firearm if there's no plans to sell/gift. So, a FFL would likely be in order.

Otherwise, how experienced are you with this kind of stuff? Any background with some form of mechanical engineering, or are you more of say a business major who thinks it might be neat to build a gun?

You'll definitely need some precision tools, and likely some much more advanced equipment (lathe/mill/drill press) and all..

But otherwise, here's a pretty decent website for ya:
http://www.weaponscombat.com/firearm-construction
 
As one of my engineering instructors from long ago once said, "There's no need to re-invent the ball bearing, just get out a catalog and order one from some company who does this for a living. Channel your energy into what's unique about your project."

Why not just special order a barrell in desired caliber from someone who makes them or obtain a standardly made barrell in caliber you want and shorten down (if necessary). That way you aren't spending time and effort on that aspect of your gun and you can be fairly certain that part won't blow up on you.
 
Tag for later review.

One of my goals this year is to scratch build a pistol completely using simple hand tools just to show that it can be done and what a crock of BS gun control really is.

Ok, ban all guns. You gonna ban hand files, drills, dremels, and table saws as well? That's all that it would take to make a simple firearm.
 
So my idea is not that fresh. I checked out both sites and Weaponeer is awesome. People are really building some cool stuff. I had no idea there was this level of interest.

Anyway, my idea was just to model the Steven's single shot pistol #35, but in a modern way with modular components. I'd like one and I'd think that there would be a market for an inexpensive single shot .22 with plinking and target potential. Not one in every safe, but a market non the less.
A few people are already building there own in metal shops.

I get that the process is simple in concept, but how do you figure where the gun will stress and pressure points and metal strength and stuff like that. I guess you need to be a metal smith with an engineering background.

No biggie, but an ambitious thought for the new year. Thanks for all the responses. Shoot safe, I do.

Lovesbeer99
 
just to show that it can be done and what a crock of BS gun control really is.

The Filipino "slam bang" shotguns and bolt action shotguns built from pipe during the Japanese occupation in WWII ought to illustrate the futility of civilian disarmament. Do gun banners plan to be as intrusive as the Japanese occupation army in the Phillipines 1941-1945?

A lot of American reporters claimed they changed their minds on gun control after touring the arms bazaars of Afghanistan and watching guys with vises, files and a segment of railroad rail shape receivers for LeeEnfields and trunnions for AK47s by hand.

Right now, gun running in America is at the stage of bootlegging before Prohibition: small time, largely individuals with very loose connections if any. Last thing we need to do about gun running, is what was done by Prohibition to make bootlegging the business of organised crime.
 
Building a gun is not that difficult. But it's not that easy, either. The one part you're gonna need to buy is a barrel, unless you plan on investing alot of money in specialized equipment. It is not legal to have a cartridge firing smoothbore pistol, so rifling is a must.

Everything other than the barrel can be manufactured from mild steel if you're not planning on using high pressure cartridges. Hammer, firing pin and other parts that need to be harder can be treated.

Making a simple reciever can be done with hand tools, but to make the more complex firing mechanisms, you're gonna need a small mill. Or a Dremel, an incredibly steady hand, and lots of patience.

Others have given you some good resources. Your best bet other than existing plans is to study them and come up with your own version. But for safety, simplicity and economic reasons, I maintain that you're much better off buying a barrel.
 
It is not legal to have a cartridge firing smoothbore pistol
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... unless you file a Form 1 with the ATF for creation of a Title II "Any Other Weapon."

Not hard, nor unusual, but adds a step you might not want to hassle with.

-Sam
 
... unless you file a Form 1 with the ATF for creation of a Title II "Any Other Weapon."
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I haven't personally checked on it, but doesn't one need to be a class 2 SOT to construct title II firearms?

As well, smoothbore pistol would be classified as SBS, no?
 
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I haven't personally checked on it, but doesn't one need to be a class 2 SOT to construct title II firearms?
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Nope. If you want to build them to sell, then yes. You can build all you want for yourself as long as you file the form and get your tax stamp FIRST.

This is how so many guys build their own SBSs and SBRs. File you Form 1, get your approval, get to work with your hacksaw. You're now the manufacturer of the regulated firearm.

As well, smoothbore pistol would be classified as SBS, no?
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No. Smoothbore firearms under 18" barrel length with a shoulder stock is a SBS. Smoothbore handgun is an AOW. The Sebu "Super Shorties" are AOWs, not SBSs.

Off their web site:
The SUPER-SHORTY is based on a Mossberg Maverick (also available on Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 at additional cost) 12-gauge shotgun which came from the factory with a pistol grip. Because of this, the SUPER-SHORTY is considered an AOW (Any Other Weapon) and can be transferred with a $5 stamp!
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Emphasis there is mine. If they started with shotguns that came from the factory with full stocks, they'd be registered as SBSs.

The manufacturer does this because the transfer tax is only $5 on an AOW. The transfer tax on the SBS would be $200. However, the owner of the AOW cannot then add a full butt stock to it without re-"making" it as an SBS, which I'd want, personally as I don't care for PGO shotguns.

-Sam
 
Nope. If you want to build them to sell, then yes. You can build all you want for yourself as long as you file the form and get your tax stamp FIRST.

This is how so many guys build their own SBSs and SBRs. File you Form 1, get your approval, get to work with your hacksaw. You're now the manufacturer of the regulated firearm.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. I knew you could hack a barrel and "make" your own SBS/SBR or add a VFG to a handgun and "make" an AOW. I just had been under the impression that to manufacture an NFA weapon completely required class 2 SOT, no matter who it was for. Like I said, I never really researched it..
 
I'd be careful with this topic. Anyway I was thinking about getting one of those smaller milling/lathe/drill press etc. machines.
 
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