What makes a gun? An elements of a gun lesson Answered

Since this is a group that likes to break it down a little, I decided to give you guys a good start.

First you have to ask yourself, How do you break down a knex gun? Every time you design a new gun (not basing on looks first), this is how you define each element:

- Trigger:   This is quite obvious; a system that will lock the trigger back and release when activated. (examples: true trigger, a single pin, crossbow trigger, motor (for turret designs), etc.)

- Ammunition feed: This is the system that will pull a single bullet from the ammunition storage, and put it in place for firing. (examples: gravity, spring (from a clip on the bottom of gun), lever system, etc.)

- Ammunition Storage: A simple device in theory, but sometimes quite complicated due to the fine tuning involved; a place that stores your ammunition not in use. (examples: hopper, chain-fed, clip, chamber (like a revolver or a pseudo Gatling gun), etc.)

- Reload:   One of the hardest systems to design in knex yet very crucial to the gun; the system that reloads the gun for firing again. (examples: semi-auto, full-auto, pump-action, etc)

- Firing pin:   The system that obviously fires the bullet loaded.

- Barrel: This has always been an iffy in knex. This is completely optional, but here are the results for it: If you add one, it can increase accuracy of shooting - but can lead to jamming and friction. If you don't, your shots can (most likely will be) quite inaccurate at medium to long ranged.

- Safety: This feature is nice, but not necessary at all and should defiantly be thought of after the gun is fully made or the firing system / ammunition system is completely done. This system of course allows users to lock their gun while not in use to prevent mis-firing. For larger guns, I tend to go full out on this feature as larger guns can be more user-friendly and dangerous in the wrong hands (or the right hands!); and I've even created a key-lock system to enable the gun (like a car engine). (yes, the key lock was designed similar to that of a house lock, it had changeable teeth that could only be opened when the appropriate key was turned in) I highly recommend this feature, but please leave it to the end!

- Other features / handles: other features such as how the gun is held or mounted should be thought of at the very end, otherwise you would end up trying to work around that, not the other way around.

BUILDING
I highly suggest designing these systems separately and puting them together after they work. The only thing about this is that you build all the systems one at a time, but be sure to add the next piece on AS you're building it. Otherwise you would end up with a variety of systems that work, but not together. PLEASE feel free to post any systems designed (or built) in this group so we can work as a team to put these pieces together. For an example please check out the gun I've posted on this website (I've only posted one so far), it's a great example of building and designing systems separately but to work together.

HAPPY BUILDING!

Tags:elements of a gun lesson k nex knex

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What makes a gun? An elements of a gun lesson Answered

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