How to Build a Toy Gun

2025 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2025-01-24 13:29

Toy guns are what it takes to liven up a party or play outdoors. Try one of the methods given here to build one.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Method 1: Cardstock

Step 1. Cut a 15x15cm sheet of cardboard

You can use a cereal box or a notebook cover.

Step 2. Fold it in half, and re-open it

Step 3. Fold both outer edges to coincide in the center

It should now have three folds in total.

Step 4. Fold the cardboard into a rectangular tube and seal it with masking tape

Don't worry if it looks a little bad, the paint will cover everything.

Step 5. Cut two 4x4 cm pieces of cardboard

Step 6. Attach a piece of cardboard to one end of the rectangular tube to block its opening

Step 7. Use the other piece of cardboard to close the second end of the tube

If you have a finished tube of glue stick available, use the final part (the one that turns) by attaching it to a 4x4cm piece of cardboard. Then attach it to the other piece of cardboard welded to the tube.

If you don't have a tube of glue stick, you can simply make a hole to simulate the exit hole of the gun

Step 8. Cut a 15x7.5cm piece of construction paper

Step 9. Fold the card stock in half for the long side

If you have folded it correctly, each half should measure 7.5x7.5 cm.

Step 10. Fold both sides towards the center

The cardstock should now have three folds.

Step 11. Tape everything together to form a cardboard tube

Fold along the lines already made.

Step 12. Cut a corner from both ends of the pipe

Assign a letter to each side of the tube: A, B, C and D (you can write them above the tube if you want). Starting from the top corner of side A, cut a corner on side B, and straight on side C, and then again a corner on side D. Now the end of the tube should be angled. Repeat the same operation on the other end of the tube to obtain parallel corners.

Step 13. Trace both ends of the angled tube onto a piece of construction paper with a marker pen

Step 14. Cut out the corners you just drew and use them to cover the angled tube exits

This will be the butt of the gun.

Step 15. Glue the butt of the gun to the barrel

To be a gun worthy of its name, glue or tape the stock to the end of the barrel (1.5cm from the edge). In this way the stock protrudes outwards.

Step 16. Add the trigger (optional)

Cut an L-shaped piece of construction paper, and drill holes in the barrel and butt of the gun (in front of the butt). Glue the L of construction paper into the slots to make it look like a trigger.

Step 17. Add details as you like

You could add a strip of cardboard in front of the barrel outlet (near the circular opening) or a cardboard sight, to make the gun more realistic.

Step 18. Paint the weapon black

You can paint it with acrylic paint, or you can use black insulating tape to cover parts of the weapon (eg. The butt).

Method 2 of 2: Method 2: Hot Glue Gun

Step 1. Get an old hot glue gun and remove the screws

Make sure it is not plugged into an electrical outlet and that it is cold.

Step 2. Separate the two plastic parts that make up the gun, inside you will find all the internal components

Step 3. Remove all internal components except the trigger and loading mechanism

The loading mechanism is that part that allows the glue to enter the back of the gun, it should be connected to the trigger mechanism. Don't forget to remove the metal nozzle from the front of the gun.

Step 4. Screw the two halves of the gun back on

Test the trigger mechanism to make sure it is still attached to the loading mechanism. If it isn't, take it apart again and fix it.

Step 5. Decorate the gun (optional)

You can either paint it black, or wrap the butt in black electrical tape.

Step 6. Insert a pellet into the loading mechanism and pull the trigger

The force exerted by the loading mechanism on the pellet should cause it to explode, making the sound of a shot.

Step 7. If you want, you can build a "charger"

You can fire a series of pellets without loading, just build a "magazine":

• Trace the opening of a non-collapsible straw on a piece of medium flexibility plastic. You can use the lid of an unused or old plastic container.

  

• Use the utility knife to draw an X in the plastic circle you just drew.

• Cut the piece of plastic with the X, leaving a few millimeters of space on the edges. The piece must be wide enough to cover the front opening of the gun (where the glue comes out from).

  

• Pour the glue around the cut out piece of plastic. Make sure you don't glue the X.

• Glue the piece of plastic to the opening of the gun.

  

• Gently insert the pellets into the straw, leaving a little space between one and the other.

• Insert the straw into the back of the gun, until it passes through the X (it will prevent it from moving). Now you can fire the pellets in quick succession.

  

• When the straw no longer fits into the gun, remove it, turn it over and fire the remaining pellets.