Potato cannons and such

J

jsp98m3

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A friend/customer of mine just called to see what I was up to and we chatted for awhile. I told him I was watching the TV and reading a gun forum. One discussion lead to another and we got to talking about potato cannons. Being the reasonable, near 50 y/o adults, we decided that we really wanted to take some sizeable diameter steam pipe and make a remote ignition (safety, you know) cantelope cannon.

What are the legalities of making, much less using one of these things? Since we live in Southern CA and have off road trucks, we can get way the hell out in the middle of nowhere to play with one of these babies.
 
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Don't know about your state or local laws but BATF is on record that they are not "firearms" and not something they will deal with.
 
As long as it's either catapult, compressed air, steam, bow or elastic powered you're OK.

If you make it powder/explosive powered you're stepping into quicksand.
 
I just got in trouble for playing with a potato cannon at a beach campsite. We were firing out towards the ocean, but apparently that wasn't good enough. The sheriff that came over basically said that all that fun stuff has to be limited to blm land.

(side note: the cannon was fueled by igniting vaporized hairspray, so that might be why we got in trouble...I don't know whether or not compressed air would have made a difference in terms of where you can shoot it.)
 
Perhaps the most famous owner of a Potato Cannon (although it is little known outside of certain circles) is the first President Bush. I was visiting a factory in a large midwest town that I used to work for and saw a picture of the Pres. firing his cannon from the beach of his home in Maine. The owner of the factory and Pres. Bush are close friends (as the owner donated a ton to his election campaign). Barrell was about 8' long and hairspray launched a "medium baker" a fair distance. Now tell me, what cop is going to come up and tell him he can't do it?

BTW, there is a "tongue in cheek" society that promotes air cannons, and siege weapons like used in the middle ages for the purpose of throwing various vegetables. Something like "The Society of Airborne Veggies" or similar. I have seen events in Washington and Colorado. Usually occur about this time of year. Biggest one I have seen is an air cannon that threw a Pumpkin over 300 feet. Actually left the area they set up for impact.
 
A lot of it depends on state laws. Federally, they are not considered a DD (destructive device) unless you get caught for doing something particularly stupid, like firing flaming tennis balls or using it in a less than lawful manner. You really shouldn't have have to worry about federal laws.

State laws (and quite possibly other local laws) is where it's at. Some states, like California, have absolutely ridiculous weapon laws, and some don't. Most cities also have laws against discharging firearms inside city limits, and depending on their definition of a firearm, a potato cannon might qualify.

You might want to visit http://spudtech.com/ for further information.
 
I found that a spritz of starting fluid was ideal for fueling an Idaho Artillery piece. It burns clean and dosen't leave the gunk behind that hair spray does.
 
Spud chuckers

Also known as a RPG's (Recreational Potato Guns) are great fun. I used to tinker when I was younger, Right gaurd aerosol deodorant ignites nicely. I've sent taters about 250-300 yds out of a sch.40 PVC gun. Tons-o-fun:D
 
I just got in trouble for playing with a potato cannon at a beach campsite.
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Just because they aren't firearms, doesn't mean you can use them wherever you want.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#a29

"Potato guns" or "spud guns" generally consist of sections of PVC plastic tubing and fittings and are designed to launch a muzzle-loaded potato (or other similar-size projectile) using hair spray or other aerosol vapor as a propellant. The propellant is ignited by means of a barbecue grill igniter or other similar ignition system.

Section 5845(f), Title 26, United States Code, regulates certain weapons as "destructive devices" which are subject to the registration and tax provisions of the National Firearms Act (NFA). Section 5845(f)(2) includes within the definition of "destructive device" any type of weapon which will or may be readily converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, the barrel of which has a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter. However, section 5845(f)(3) excludes from the definition of "destructive device" any device which is neither designed or redesigned for use as a weapon and any device, although originally designed for use as a weapon, which is redesigned for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line throwing, safety, or similar device. The definition of "destructive device" in the Gun Control Act (GCA), 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, is identical to that in the NFA.

ATF has previously examined "potato guns" or "spud guns" as described above and has generally determined that such devices using potatoes as projectiles and used solely for recreational purposes are not weapons and do not meet the definition of "firearm" or "destructive device" in either the NFA or GCA. However, ATF has classified such devices as "firearms" and "destructive devices" if their design, construction, ammunition, actual use, or intended use indicate that they are weapons. For example, ATF has classified such devices as "firearms" and "destructive devices" if they are designed and used to expel flaming tennis balls.

Possession and use of "potato guns" or "spud guns" may be restricted under State laws and local ordinances. Further, any person intending to make, use, or transfer any such device must be aware that they have a potential for causing serious injury or damage.
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I'd love to make a potato gun. Anybody got links to some good, easy-to-follow instructions (that don't require obscure parts to obtain)?


FWIW, I imagine that the force required to pop a cantaloupe out of a pipe might well crush the cantaloupe in the bore rather than launch an intact, round melon. Perhaps that is why potatoes are sort of ideal for this kind of thing?

-blackmind
 
Well, the darn ATF has ruined the flaming tennis ball idea. Drat!

Will they be satisfied if I just go ahead and use a flaming spud, instead? :D
 
in my school days some idiot (me) put a fully loaded, but malfunctioning potato gun in the back seat of his 86 ford escort, muzzle pointed into the hatch back glass. about an hour later while driving down the road, some other idiot (my friend) says "hey, is that a gas grill ignitor?" the boom was the deafening, and said idiot's (my) rear window was scattered across the highway. oops
 
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aaahhhh! Fond memories!

This was my son's 6th grade science project entitled:
"How far could a woodchuck chuck a potato if a woodchuck had a potato gun?"

We built said device, and tried several different brands and amounts of hairspray. The dollar store "Super Extra Hold" stuff was awesome! Quite the fireball. Gotta go dig that sucker out of the closet this weekend!
 
There's probably more than enough info contained herein to keep ya busy and entertained.

http://www.advancedspuds.com/crawler.htm

Couple of suggestions though:

First is that you want you main gun tube to be about 40 inches. The tube can be made of PVC.

Second, you are better off constructing the firing chamber of ABS instead of PVC. ABS is ah.....shall we say a bit more forgiving in the strength department.
 
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