A zip gun is  famous type of homemade ‘improvised’ weapon. This homemade zip gun uses a rubber band to push out the firing pin, thus igniting its projectile via a thin metal pipe. Even though it’s not safe ( and useful) like a professionally made gun, zip guns are easy to make and can easily be made at home.

Things you’ll need

  • Two steel pipe couplings
  • ¼ inch pipe made of steel, approximately 6 inches ling
  • Two elastic bands and a metal strap that will be used for the firing mechanism
  • Metal file saw, and drill for constructing the gun.
  • A quarter-inch slid pipe plug.
  • Flathead nail and two #8 wooden screws
  • A thin rod used in reloading the zip gun and a 9mm Ammunition.

  1. Look At The Integrity Of All Parts

Before you proceed with constructing the zip gun, start by giving every piece a check then ensure they are all intact completely. When a coupling is broken, or any pipe has a dent, the zip gun you’re constructing can be dangerous.

  1. Make Holes On The Couplings And Pipe

Making holes on the metal requires a high-quality and precise drill. Ensure you drill a hole with a 9/16 inch diameter and a 3/8 inch deep on one of the couplings. After that, again, make a hole with a depth measurement of ¾ inch on the main pipe.

Drilling the hole as large as you wish will accommodate the chosen ammunition. Furthermore, making it 1 centimeter in diameter can accommodate a 9mm ammo. After that, fix the drilled coupling on a rear pipe.

Alternatively, if you don’t have ammo at hand, use a bullet’s size t measure how large you want to construct the hole.

  1. Construct The Cartridge Plug

A pipe plug that you may have acquired a bit earlier must fit snugly on the pipe. Additionally, the pipe should secure the bullets along with the loading chamber. Begin by drilling a hole in the middle of the plug, quite large enough to allow the nail to pass through it. After that, file the nail on the other side. You can fit the plug on using the hind coupling when the zip gun is fully loaded.

  1. Furnish The Zip Gun’s Stock

All guns need a stock as it adds more stability to your hands, and it provides something to help you develop the firing technique on. Using the wood that you have, make sure you saw some pieces to fit inside the pipe, providing a space on the front side for the pipe coupler.

Furthermore, saw off more board to help in gluing on the bottom to give you something to hold on. Also, make sure you leave an opening behind for rear coupling and pipe plug. The gun should have a boxlike look when furnished properly with the receiving pipe swelling towards the end.

A carpenter glue is an excellent idea when piecing the wood together. Give it a few hours to allow for a sufficient stock set.

  1. Fix The Couplings

Immediately the stock is set to your preference, screw the forward-facing coupling located in front of the zip gun. After that, fix the coupling at the back part of your pipe then ensure you screw in the pipe plug.

  1. Plan The Firing Mechanism

In the case of a zip gun, an elastic slingshot effect will do the trick correctly since a makeshift firing technique is a bit tricky. Pick the metal strap then make it bend, giving it a ‘U’ shape. You can also make some holes on the end side to link it with the remaining part of the gun.

After that, file a tiny notch on both parts of the metal strap to attach the elastic bands. Fix it to the wooden stock by placing two screws on the holes on the strip. Then secure them on the top side of the stock. Afterward, fix the elastic band on every side of the strap as you stretch them on the front side of the coupling.

  1. Inspect It To Check for Any Imperfections And breaks

Immediately you finish constructing the gun, inspect it. If you intend to feed the zip gun with some live bullets, the zip gun must be thoroughly built. This involves providing the gun with a thorough look to ensure that it has no breaks on the flaws or the material that happened during or before the zip gun making process.

  1. Load The Gun to Test if it is Working

Loading the device is a bit easy. Eliminate the plug located on the rear coupling then add some bullet gently inside. After that, close the plug. You will repeat this incase the zip gun functions properly anytime you want to shoot a projectile.

  1. Fire it

Test the zip gun through pulling behind the strap, then release it. Releasing the pressure will make the gun to fire. Ensure you are not flinching as it leaves off, or else you can make the bullet fly astray.

That’s how you can make a zip gun. The first time can be challenging, but during the second attempt, you’ll have experience. Regular practice will add you more experience, and you’ll perfect.

You can also model smaller versions of zip guns using fountain pen chassis. But they are a bit limited when it comes to the number of ammunition they incorporate.