TM 31-210
Improvised Munitions Handbook
| Section III |
No. 9 |
|
PIPE PISTOL FOR .38 CALIBER AMMUNITION |
|
| A .38 caliber pistol can be made from 1/4" nominal diameter steel gas or water pipe and fittings. Lethal range is approximately 33 yards (30 meters). | |
| MATERIALS REQUIRED: | |
| Steel pipe, 1/4" (6 mm) nominal diameter and 6" (15 cm) long with threaded ends (nipple) |
|
| Solid pipe plug, 1/4" (6 mm) nominal diameter | |
| 2 steel pipe couplings, 1/4" (6 mm) nominal diameter | |
| Metal strap, approximately 1/8" x 1/4" x 5" (3 mm x 6 mm x 125 mm or 12-1/2 cm) | |
| Elastic bands | |
| Flat head nails - 6D or 8D, approximately 1/16" diameter (1-1/2 mm) | |
| 2 wood screws, #8 | |
| Hard wood, 8" x 5" x 1" (20 cm x 12-1/2 cm x 2-1/2 cm) | |
| Drill | |
| Wood or metal rod, 1/4" (6 mm) diameter and 8" (20 cm) long | |
| Saw or knife |
| 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. | |
| 2. Drill a 35/64" (14 mm) diameter hole 3/4" (2 cm) into one coupling to remove the thread. Drilled section should fit tightly over smooth section of pipe. |
|
| 3. Drill a 25/64" (1 cm) diameter hole 1-1/8" (2.86 cm) into pipe. Use cartridge as a gauge; when a cartridge is inserted into the pipe, the shoulder of the case should butt against the end of the pipe. Thread coupling tightly onto pipe, drilled end first. |
|
| 4. Follow procedures of Section III, No. 1. steps 4 through 11. | |
| 5. Follow SAFETY CHECK, Section III, No. 1. | |
| HOW TO OPERATE PISTOL: | |
| Follow procedures of HOW TO OPERATE PISTOL, Section III, No. 1, steps 1, 2, and 3. | |
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