Free reloading for air gunners and indoor fun

[jmorris]

After repairing a stock yesterday and looking for parts I came across a .22 air pistol that I had as a kid. It sparked memories of darts we made for with our air guns.

Some straight pins from shirts I received for Christmas and the ends off of old shoe laces provided the components.

First cut of the end of an (unused) shoelace. Then with one straight pin fray it so it’s “full“. Next trim the fray so it is symmetrical and insert another pin (if you bent the first one) into the center.

One pump on my old Benjamin pistol was all it took to send them to the target. I only had a few decent ends to work with so I also tried Q-tips and “doctor” style cotton swabs, they worked but were quite inaccurate, relative to the shoelace end dart.

I tried them from 1 to 5 pumps getting 141.5 fps, 223.7 fps, 292.3 fps, 368.4 fps and 395.5 fps respectively. 1 pump was more than enough for 15’ distance to target, at 3 damage to the target began and at 5 damage to the dart itself begins at least that close to the target.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/reloading/air/1.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/reloading/air/2.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/reloading/air/3.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/reloading/air/4.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/reloading/air/5.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/reloading/air/6.jpg

[LUBEDUDE]

looks like fun!

My Benjamin air pistol was the second thing I bought I with my paycheck from my first real job when I was 14.

I always wondered what happened to it.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Mr Morris: They had small darts you could buy for those guns back in the day, you got like 2 or 3 with that Crossman air pistol that looked like a .45 Auto.

I called always called them "foo foo darts"

I never had more than 3 at one time, they always seemed to get lost immediately.

I personally would upgrade yours with brads or 4D finish nails for a little more punch at the target.

I do like your solution to the fletching.

Do you work, or do you just sit around all day and dream up cool stuff to build?

Randy

[jmorris]

Do you work, or do you just sit around all day and dream up cool stuff to build?

I have spent years getting set up so I can work at home but lately spend more time with my new "project" and work/tinker between naps.

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv5/qvideo/cabinet/arm/DSC02403.jpg

[blaser.306]

Now that there is what I call a pacifier!!!

[W.R.Buchanan]

It took me many years (20+) to get set up to work from home. When we moved to Ojai the main intent was to have my Machine shop in my own backyard.

I got that finally, now all I have to do is hold onto it.

I don't have any of those little pistoleros at my house. Looks like that one is being broke in right out of the gate! Good Job!

Randy

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

These do a number on squirrels with very minimal meat damage.

The main problem is drift.

Regards,

Josh