Well, I was bored today, so I went about looking at some of my old favorite places, and behold! While I was at Xinventions, something caught my eye. The webmaster their has devoloped a semi-automatic pneumatic air cannon, powered by a CO2 tank so that it is portable. I would provide information on how to build it, yet it costs fifteen <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> dollars to get the plans! Rip-off!

I wish I knew more about the auto-loading mechanism. Here is what he says about it on the site: </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">It uses a bolt-like system which grabs and places the ammo in the barrel, directing the air flow only to the projectile being fired, and springs back to catch another projectile automatically. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">I also wish I could see his "detailed diagrams"

The CO2 system is pretty easy. All you need is a regulator, set to about 100 PSI, and as soon as you fire, the CO2 tank will automatically refill the air resevoir.

I cannot tell what type of cannon it is, but if I had to guess, I would say it is either a diaphragm or piston type cannon. I'm thinking of "borrowing" some money from my friends to order the plans. If I ever do, I would upload them to the FTP.

The knowledge of this would be very good. You could safely and effectively build a system to launch tear gas, or other goodies. You could even build one to be operated by remote control.

Any speculation on how the "automatic loading mechanism" works?

A picture:

<img src="http://www.xinventions.com/main/spud/pac6.h1.jpg" alt=" - " />

*EDIT* I encountered problems with PGP Corporate Desktop 7.11, and had to uninstall. With it on my computer, I could not post new topics at E&W, or check my hotmail mail :(

EDIT: Couldn't reduce the size of the image you posted using UBB code, so swapped it for a smaller one to stop the page stretching out. - Anthony

<small>[ February 19, 2003, 10:04 PM: Message edited by: Anthony ]</small>

In it's present state it doesn't seem too good.

By the creator's description, you drop a round into the stubby "magazine" and the gun automatically chambers it. To me that isn't semi-auto - it's breach loading single shot.

You might as well load directly into the breach with a hand operated bolt, or a break barrel action. Whilst a gas operated bolt may offer a slight advantage in firing rate, it also consumes more gas and decreases reliability.

Now, if it was full auto, or even true semi, with a decent mag, then it'd be more of a weapon. At present it's a bolt action breach loading CO2 powered gun - all of which have been done long ago.

Even as a full auto it wouldn't be anything new. IMO the creator although quite a smart guy (but not a patch on the professionalism of Ed Goldmann), is just out to make a few quick bucks.

Unless you really want to build one *just like* his and want cut-along-the-dotted-line instructions, anyone would be better off saving their money and utilising the existing information available on the internet. Particularly that provided by people more interested in spudguns themselves than dollars.

Sorry, but "buy my plans!" sites piss me off.

<a href="http://geocities.com/autoaircannon/index.html" target="_blank">http://geocities.com/autoaircannon/index.html</a>