Radiation Kid Gun Build

Basic re-build of a toy gun into a prop suitable for any holidays, films or conventions. Includes instructions for modifying the body, resurfacing the exterior and basic painting techniques. Simple steps also cover the addition of an LED array and laser diode for interactive flava.

This fun project takes only a few hours and can be accomplished with a minimum investment of supplies and tools.

Step 1: Find a Gun

Find a gun to use as a base for your project. I've heard a lot of loose talk about steam punk guns of late, but for this project I was looking for something a little more like Hellboy's "The Samaritan." That is heavy, high caliber and steel. This gun body was a perfect fit and only $2 at my local urban appropriation center. It started life as a playstation light gun and was full of more electronics then your run of the mill toy pistol.

After removing all the screws holding the case together I examined the contents. Of the original hardware I'm going I kept the trigger assembly and the A/B buttons. Everything else got cut out. Be careful to leave longer wires connected to parts you might use, this will save extra soldering later on.

I like to photograph the insides of things as a i take them apart, so i know where everything goes during the rebuild. There's nothing worse than being done and not remembering where that last bolt goes.

Comments

[Drewmartin]

how did u relocate the lazer power to the triple a battery

[Drewmartin]

well done i have to say and i have to say i really miss that old gun con i remember playing die hard trilogy and time crisis cool way to bring it back good job

[doomsdayltd]

i miss time crisis on the playstation

[chupathingy495]

this looks a lot like the 10mm pistol from the fallout games

[rashie123]

wow, you know how to make a cool, acshully awsome gun

[splashed_ink]

Wow. This tutorial is a lifesaver! Thanks for the awesome details you put in your sanding and painting steps.

[Does Not Compute]

 What could be really cool would have it so that when you pull the trigger, the light goes off and the laser pointer goes on, or the other way around.  Just wire the components through the trigger in such a manner that the normally closed is the laser pointer, and then when you pull the trigger, the flashlight turns on.  That would be nifty.  By the way, which playstation is that GunCon from?

[Pwntalive]

That sounds like a great idea for your next instructable.

I think the gun was from the classic PSX.

[temp]

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049718
this is a switch that u can use for the trigger just wire it like any other switch.  if u wire it on positive side it will turn off wen u hit it and negative will turn it on wen u flick it

[mettaurlover]

if i ever do this im using a tv-b-gone for the barrel... just so i can shoot at a tv and make it turn off.

[DrakeMercySP]

This looks exactly like the 10mm pistol from Fallout3, just with a wooden handle. I'm going to do this now, but baint the handle the same as the rest. And probably have the blaze orange barrel, because it has to have that for most props in Australia. Looks ugly as hell with the safety colour on it, but beggars can't be choosers if you are likely to get shot by the police because of a prop. Nice, simple build too. I just hope the store I have in mind still stocks these...

[corey_caffeine]

best flashlight tag ever.....

[neardood]

Pretty sweet, but y did you go to ALL that trouble to make a gun that does'nt even fire any projectiles? I'd b cooler if it shot bb pellets or something.

[jester_200x]

do you have any idea how much trouble hollywood prop makers go through? he said the end product was a prop. a PROP. not a weapon. also its very nicely done.

[Pwntalive]

Thank you

[jester_200x]

hey the truth's the truth, brother

[legless]

Well if it's in a country like OZ you can't make it from a gun that fires something. Airsoft pistols are illegal and so are replicas. To build a gun that actually shoots a projectile would require you to build the entire mechanism and then it would be illegal too.

[neardood]

who said anything about it being legal?

[flaresam]

Oh god I LOLed.

[Grey_Wolfe]

Costuming is an art form. Art doesn't necessarily require itself to also be functional. It looks cool, and it makes the creator happy. It doesn't need to do more.

[legless]

Exactly. It doesn't need to actually function just look the part. Sadly that too can make some things illegal here as well. LOL

[neardood]

whatever, just saying if you combined visuals AND functionallity, it would b AWESOME!!!

[Grey_Wolfe]

Agreed, though likely illegal. lol The Government's got an issue of unregulated gun production.

[neardood]

the government here is paranoid. you cant take a bug swatter in from another country without getting busted

[legless]

I do find it a little odd that I can't import a laser pointer or a double edged knife but I can go to a sports shop and buy a speargun.

[neardood]

exactly. Some things hav reasons but that is just stupid. what's o stop people making a bug swatter out of raw componants if they know how anyway?

[EnigmaMax]

hey, looks like the 10mm on Fallout 3. good job.

[hottamaleindustries]

That's exactly what I was thinking...

[htlaets]

does he use the normal torch or micro?

[Pwntalive]

Assuming your using the torch in the sense of a "portable battery powered lighting device" and not "rag on stick on fire last seen in Frankenstein films." then i would have to ask for a definition on what micro means in that context. We may be encountering some regional variation on terms here. The "flash light" i used had an 9 led array an ran on 3 1.5v AAA cells

[red-king]

a torch is the same as a flash light. spend more time in other countries... =P lol

[Pwntalive]

Your reply is neither helpful or necessary. Would you like to add anything relevant with your LOLz?

[htlaets]

how did u switch the leds plz reply

[Pwntalive]

With a soldering iron and a pair of needle nose pliers.

[andrewbaker]

i say make one with uv leds so it burns people

[diskincluded]

Well if that's the kind of reason why you'd make something like this, maybe you'd be better off not making it.

[andrewbaker]

have you ever thought that im just very violent

[diskincluded]

Was... was that an attempt to justify what you said about burning people? Are you seriously trying to say "I'm just violent, so it's ok"? Hell no it's not ok, and if you think it is then you oughta be seeking help.

[Pwntalive]

I wouldn't put that much thought into it, im very sure he didn't. And please don't suggest he clog an already overburdened mental health care system with his sort of adolescent bullshit. I am quite sure that time will show him what an insufferable ponce he's being. maybe once he hits puberty. I don't condone his behavior, i just wish he'd take it someplace else.

[Pwntalive]

I agree, andrewbaker has nothing constructive to add to this instructable.