Feasibility of making and selling high-performing projectile-shooters that look like Nerf Guns

Fungyi · November 16th, 2009, 23:02

Hi all,

As this is my first post, I ask for your understanding and forgiveness if I inadvertently post in a way that may be inappropriate or may cause bad feelings. I was thinking of building a projectile-shooting system, completely from scratch, that would propel BB's at 495 FPS, but would look something like a colorful Nerf Gun, of a design that would not even closely resemble any copyrighted designs, and certainly not any real firearm. I may sell or otherwise "transfer" such an item to other persons in Canada. My question is twofold: firstly, on a theoretical basis, is this legal? And secondly, on a practical basis, is it actually do-able? Ignoring the fact that it's much cheaper to just buy one from a legit retailer...(I am willing to spend $100's for keeping an enjoyable hobby as a machinist) would this idea be conceived by an average, reasonable person as "legal"? If yes, would you be aware of any issues or loopholes or legal/business practices that will lead this pursuit to failure regardless? (e.g. you sell it to a guy, he abuses it..the police catches him and say it "looks" like it does more than 500 FPS... the police shows up at my door, confiscates all my prototypes...it takes them like a year or two to prove that indeed it only does 495 FPS, but by then, i would have lost so much money/time/enthusiasm, that I'll likely give up anyway)

Thank you,
Mark

p.s. another example would be, the government/retailers would want me to pay extra for permits ("like everyone else") regardless, that they'll somehow "force" a case against me, for example, under the basis the gun can be "easily modified to appear like a real firearm" (e.g. by spray-painting it black)

AngelusNex · November 16th, 2009, 23:06

500 fps AND 5 joules energy Is a restricted firearm (I'm 99% certain that it's supposed to be both)
Also, have you ever built something like this before? If not good luck, your going to spend minimum 10x that of buying a few guns. and If it looks ANYTHING AT ALL like a real firearm (ie, if cops decide it kinda looks like a replica) then it's illegal to build.

Rock 'N' Roll Outlaw · November 16th, 2009, 23:09

While this does sound like a fruitful venture, Id highly suggest you seek legal counsel for the legality of this. Asking an internet forum isn't the best idea.

Secondly, sounds like you want to build a BB airgun, not necessarily an airsoft gun. You might find better answers over at www.airgunforum.net

Hope you find the answers to your questions!

Rock 'N' Roll Outlaw · November 16th, 2009, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelusNex

500 fps AND 5 joules energy Is a restricted firearm (I'm 99% certain that it's supposed to be both)
Also, have you ever built something like this before? If not good luck, your going to spend minimum 10x that of buying a few guns. and If it looks ANYTHING AT ALL like a real firearm (ie, if cops decide it kinda looks like a replica) then it's illegal to build.

It wouldn't make it a restricted firearm. It would be UNrestricted.

And it doesn't sound like he wants to build airsoft guns, so why would he buy them?

Danke · November 16th, 2009, 23:12

What's the intended use of this item?

Strelok · November 16th, 2009, 23:30

Legal paintballesque-airsoftesque freakchild guns?

Fungyi · November 16th, 2009, 23:48

I apologize, but what is the difference between an airsoft gun and a BB gun? Thanks

p.s. I should clarify, what is the difference between airguns that shoot plastic BB's at 407+ FPS, and airsoft guns that shoot less than 407 FPS bb's?

Amos · November 16th, 2009, 23:49

Airsoft guns fire 6mm plastic BB's and are meant for shooting at people in a sport that's similar in play style to paintball.

BB guns fire 4.5mm metal BB's that are used for target shooting and varmint/small game hunting.

Fungyi · November 17th, 2009, 00:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danke

What's the intended use of this item?

It is intended to be used in a war game... If the design is to be pneumatic, as I envision it, it can be installed with porting to allow selectively lowering the FPS, to whatever the site/group deems to be non-injurious enough...

Styrak · November 17th, 2009, 00:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fungyi

It is intended to be used in a war game... If the design is to be pneumatic, as I envision it, it can be installed with porting to allow selectively lowering the FPS, to whatever the site/group deems to be non-injurious enough...

I think you need to do some research and get your facts straight (you don't even know the difference between an airgun that shoots metal BB's and an airsoft gun that shoots plastic BB's?!).

Fungyi · November 17th, 2009, 00:16

Okay, at this point I really need to sincerely apologize again and clarify that I mean a gun that shoots PLASTIC projectiles at 495 FPS... I am not sure why I misled all of you into thinking that it'd shoot injury-causing metal projectiles; please advise as to what it is I am miscommunicating.

Sorry again.

The Saint · November 17th, 2009, 00:22

Shooting a 6mm plastic BB at 495fps will still causing injury.... Plastic is harder than skin, and 495fps is a lot of energy with even relatively low weights like 0.20g.

surebet · November 17th, 2009, 00:23

495 is stupid hot for live fire against fellow players, especially in anything other than bolt action.

After that, getting a mechbox to shoot 495 without exploding is expensive and quite technical.

Aim for lower numbers if you want to airsoft with this, between 300 and 350

SuperCriollo · November 17th, 2009, 00:24

wikipedia is a good place to start doing your research. no kidding BTW.

Danke · November 17th, 2009, 00:46

How much is it going to cost you to build each of these devices?

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November 16th, 2009, 23:02	#1
Fungyi Trader rating Join Date: Nov 2009	Feasibility of making and selling high-performing projectile-shooters that look like Nerf Guns Hi all, As this is my first post, I ask for your understanding and forgiveness if I inadvertently post in a way that may be inappropriate or may cause bad feelings. I was thinking of building a projectile-shooting system, completely from scratch, that would propel BB's at 495 FPS, but would look something like a colorful Nerf Gun, of a design that would not even closely resemble any copyrighted designs, and certainly not any real firearm. I may sell or otherwise "transfer" such an item to other persons in Canada. My question is twofold: firstly, on a theoretical basis, is this legal? And secondly, on a practical basis, is it actually do-able? Ignoring the fact that it's much cheaper to just buy one from a legit retailer...(I am willing to spend $100's for keeping an enjoyable hobby as a machinist) would this idea be conceived by an average, reasonable person as "legal"? If yes, would you be aware of any issues or loopholes or legal/business practices that will lead this pursuit to failure regardless? (e.g. you sell it to a guy, he abuses it..the police catches him and say it "looks" like it does more than 500 FPS... the police shows up at my door, confiscates all my prototypes...it takes them like a year or two to prove that indeed it only does 495 FPS, but by then, i would have lost so much money/time/enthusiasm, that I'll likely give up anyway) Thank you, Mark p.s. another example would be, the government/retailers would want me to pay extra for permits ("like everyone else") regardless, that they'll somehow "force" a case against me, for example, under the basis the gun can be "easily modified to appear like a real firearm" (e.g. by spray-painting it black) Last edited by Fungyi; November 16th, 2009 at 23:09.. Reason: for clarification purposes

November 16th, 2009, 23:12	#5
Danke Prancercise Guru Trader rating Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Danger Zone	What's the intended use of this item? __________________ Airsoft, where nothing is hurt but feelings.

November 16th, 2009, 23:48	#7
Fungyi Trader rating Join Date: Nov 2009	I apologize, but what is the difference between an airsoft gun and a BB gun? Thanks p.s. I should clarify, what is the difference between airguns that shoot plastic BB's at 407+ FPS, and airsoft guns that shoot less than 407 FPS bb's? Last edited by Fungyi; November 16th, 2009 at 23:54..

November 16th, 2009, 23:06	#2
AngelusNex formerly Sepulcrum Trader rating Join Date: May 2007 Location: Kingston,ON, aka Funkasia	500 fps AND 5 joules energy Is a restricted firearm (I'm 99% certain that it's supposed to be both) Also, have you ever built something like this before? If not good luck, your going to spend minimum 10x that of buying a few guns. and If it looks ANYTHING AT ALL like a real firearm (ie, if cops decide it kinda looks like a replica) then it's illegal to build.

November 16th, 2009, 23:30	#6
Strelok Trader rating Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Brandon Manitoba	Legal paintballesque-airsoftesque freakchild guns?

November 16th, 2009, 23:49	#8
Amos Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Japan	Airsoft guns fire 6mm plastic BB's and are meant for shooting at people in a sport that's similar in play style to paintball. BB guns fire 4.5mm metal BB's that are used for target shooting and varmint/small game hunting. __________________ Custom Builds: FA3674U Krinkov G3SD6

November 17th, 2009, 00:16	#11
Fungyi Trader rating Join Date: Nov 2009	Okay, at this point I really need to sincerely apologize again and clarify that I mean a gun that shoots PLASTIC projectiles at 495 FPS... I am not sure why I misled all of you into thinking that it'd shoot injury-causing metal projectiles; please advise as to what it is I am miscommunicating. Sorry again.

November 17th, 2009, 00:22	#12
The Saint Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Quebec	Shooting a 6mm plastic BB at 495fps will still causing injury.... Plastic is harder than skin, and 495fps is a lot of energy with even relatively low weights like 0.20g. __________________ "The Bird of Hermes is My Name, Eating My Wings to Make Me Tame."

November 17th, 2009, 00:23	#13
surebet Vicious MSPaint Wizard Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Longueuil, Quebec	495 is stupid hot for live fire against fellow players, especially in anything other than bolt action. After that, getting a mechbox to shoot 495 without exploding is expensive and quite technical. Aim for lower numbers if you want to airsoft with this, between 300 and 350 __________________ Annoyingly good with numbers Stop American Censorship

November 17th, 2009, 00:24	#14
SuperCriollo Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Kitchener, ON	wikipedia is a good place to start doing your research. no kidding BTW. __________________ SuperCriollo

November 17th, 2009, 00:46	#15
Danke Prancercise Guru Trader rating Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Danger Zone	How much is it going to cost you to build each of these devices? __________________ Airsoft, where nothing is hurt but feelings.

Feasibility of making and selling high-performing projectile-shooters that look like Nerf Guns

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