TM 31-210
Improvised Munitions Handbook
| Section III |
No. 1 |
|
PIPE PISTOL FOR 9 MM AMMUNITION |
|
| A 9 mm pistol can be made from 1/4" steel gas or water pipe and fittings. | |
| MATERIALS REQUIRED: | |
| 1/4" nominal size steel pipe 4 to 6 inches long with threaded ends. | |
| 1/4" Solid pipe plug | |
| Two (2) steel pipe couplings | |
| Metal strap - roughly 1/8" x 1/4" x 5" | |
| Two (2) elastic bands | |
| Flat head nail - 6D or 8D (approx. 1/16" diameter) | |
| Two (2) wood screws #8 | |
| Wood 8" x 5" x 1" | |
| Drill | |
| 1/4" wood or metal rod, (approx. 8" long) | |
| PROCEDURE: | |
| 1. Carefully inspect pipe and fittings. | |
| a. Make sure that there are NO cracks or other flaws in the pipe or fittings. | |
| b. Check inside diameter of pipe using a 9 mm cartridge as a gauge. The bullet should closely fit into the pipe without forcing but the cartridge case SHOULD NOT fit into pipe. | |
| c. Outside diameter of pipe MUST NOT BE less than 1 1/2 times bullet diameter (.536 inches; 1.37 cm) | |
|
2. Drill a 9/16" (1.43 cm) diameter hole 3/8"
(approx. 1 cm) into one coupling to remove the thread. |
|
| 3. Drill a 25/64" (1 cm) diameter hole 3/4" (1.9
cm) into pipe. Use cartridge as a gauge; when a cartridge is inserted into
the pipe, the base of the case should be even with the end of the pipe.
Thread coupling tightly onto pipe, drilled end first. |
|
| 4. Drill a hole in the center of the pipe plug just large
enough for the nail to fit through. |
|
| NOTE: Hole MUST be centered in plug. | |
|
5. Push nail through plug until haed of nail is flush with
square end. Cut |
|
| 6. Bend metal strap to "U" shape and drill holes
for wood screws. File two small notches at top. |
|
| 7. Saw or otherwise shape 1" (2.54 cm) thick hard wood
into stock. |
|
|
8. Drill a 9/16" diameter (1.43 cm) hole through the
stock. The center of the hole should be approximately 1/2" (1.27 cm)
from the top. |
|
| 9. Slide the pipe through this hole and attach front coupling. Screw drilled plug into rear coupling. |
|
| NOTE: If 9/16" drill is not available cut a
"V" groove in the top of the stock and tape pipe securely in
place. |
|
| 10. Position metal strap on stock so that top will hit the head of the nail. Attach to stock with wood screw on each side. |
|
| 11. String elastic bands from front coupling to notch on each side of the strap. |
|
| SAFETY CHECK - TEST FIRE PISTOL BEFORE HAND FIRING | |
| 1. Locate a barrier such as a stone wall or large tree which you can stand behind in case the pistol ruptures when fired. | |
| 2. Mount pistol solidly to a table or other rigid support at least ten feet in front of the barrier. | |
| 3. Attach a cord to the firing strap on the pistol. | |
| 4. Holding the other end of the cord, go behind the barrier. | |
| 5. Pull the cord so that the firing strap is held back. | |
| 6. Release the cord to fire the pistol. (If pistol does not fire, shorten the elastic bands or increase their number.) | |
| IMPORTANT: Fire at least five rounds from behind the barrier and then re-inspect the pistol before you attempt to hand fire it. |
| HOW TO OPERATE PISTOL: | |
| 1. To Load: | |
| a. Remove plug from rear coupling. |
|
| b. Place cartridge into pipe. |
|
| c. Replace plug. | |
| 2. To Fire: | |
| a. Pull strap back and hold with thumb until ready. |
|
| b. Release strap. | |
| 3. To Remove Shell Case: | |
| a. Remove plug from rear coupling. | |
| b. Insert 1/4" diameter steel or wooden rod into front of pistol and push shell case out. |
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