Section III
No. 9
A .38 caliber pistol can be made from 1/4 in. nominal diameter steel gas or water pipe and fittings. Lethal range is approximately 33 yards (30 meters).
MATERIAL REQUIRED:
- Steel pipe, 1/4 in. (6 mm) nominal diameter and 6 in. (15 cm) long with threaded ends (nipple)
- Solid pipe plug, 1/4 in. (6 mm) nominal diameter 2 steel pipe couplings, 1/4 in. (6 mm) nominal diameter
- Metal strap, approximately 1/8 in. x 1/4 in. x 5 in. (3 mm x 6 mm x 125 mm or 12-1/2 cm)
- Elastic bands
- Flat head nail – 6D or 8D, approximately 1/16 in. diameter (1-1/2 mm)
- 2 wood screws, #8
- Hard wood, 8 in. x 5 in. x 1 in. (20 cm x 12-1/2 cm x 2-1/2 cm)
- Drill
- Wood or metal rod, 1/4 in. (6 mm) diameter and 8 in. (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 .38 caliber cartridge as a gauge. The bullet should fit closely into the pipe without forcing, but the cartridge case SHOULD NOT fit into the pipe.
c.Outside diameter of pipe MUST NOT BE less than 1-1/2 times the bullet diameter.
2. Drill a 35/64 in. (14 mm) diameter hole 3/4 in. (2 cm) into one coupling to remove the thread. Drilled section should fit tightly over smooth section of pipe.
3. Drill a 25/64 in. (1 cm) diameter hole 1-1/8 in. (2.86 cm) into pipe. Use cartridge as a guage; 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 nI, No. 1. HOW TO OPERATE PISTOL:
Follow procedures of HOW TO OPERATE PISTOL, Section in, No. 1, steps 1, 2, and 3.