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xxxxxzsanta · New Member

For a long time I’ve had an idea of an open source project developing
an air/CO2-gun that is very modular, with all the
drawings and measurements available free online. Handy persons or machine shops could then manufacture optional parts, stocks, grips or the entire gun.
New ideas and solutions would later find its way into the
project and become parts of the “base” gun. Companies could also sell
the guns as kits in basic or different configurations.

I've been in contact with makers of custom parts for airguns around the globe and there seems to be an interest for the project.

I've also set up a portal and a discussion forum on http://www.openairgun.com Come and join us in creating the ultimate airgun!

/Mike S

broommaster2000 · Moderator

They kind of already did that kind of thing...

It's called Crosman. Neutral

xxxxxzsanta · New Member

Surely there are a lot of parts for a 22xx and similar available, but having to change and mod 99% of the original to end up with something useful seems a little bit unnecessary, why not start over and make it right from the beginning?

/Mike S

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Well, I personally would like the idea of a Lego gun. But to me, that's Crosman.

Same goes for the Bam B50's and QB78's. If you are handy, you can easily make some parts for them.

Don't get me wrong, it's a cool idea, but it's been tried before, unsuccesfully. Neutral

I wish you the best of luck! Exclamation

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Been there, done that... Rolling Eyes

What do you think about this, Roger?

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

That idea is not in the spirit of capitalism. (Remember that capitalism is supposed to be a good thing!)

If everyone can make it then there is no copyright and proprietary ownership rights and all of the profits can't be funneled to a priveleged few.

Sorry, couldn't help but get all political on it.

The idea of course is fantastic. You could upgrade your powerplant, your barrel, your trigger, and the stock. It could be a pistol or a rifle, whatever you wanted. Sort of like an Erector set, but for airguns.

But good luck getting a project like that off the ground!

fritz · Silver Status Member

It might work... but then again some *donkey* would come in and put a patent on everything, and ruin it for us all.

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

It's in the same vein as crosman, but instead of a 40 year old model, it could be done based on an modern design. Sh*t, Crosman doesn't even have a scope rail mount on their guns. That's absurd. They could make this thing fully modular and have scope rails on all sides of it if you wanted to go fully tactical.

The key is to make each component autonomous in itself, so that it does not require another part of the gun in order to work (interchangeable parts). Make it simple, but in such a way that it can be very complex if you want it to be.

I'm still just describing crosman arent' I? Damn it! Rolling Eyes

broommaster2000 · Moderator

It's hard to change something as great as Crosman. Neutral

AirGunEric · Site Admin

While I think it's a good idea- someone needs to be the first to put together the most basic part of the thing- the frame. Someone is going to have to machine frames out of steel or have a boatload of them fabricated to make it reasonably economical. This is how the Crosman 22xx's have become what they are- the basic frame is there already.

If people could design a proper base of a frame and basic trigger setup, the rest would likely follow fairly easily and rapidly.

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

The frame should be just a basic purpose built design. You could have all sorts of "skins" (stocks) that could be easily put on it. Most parts, like the barrel, handle, and butt should be screwed on the same way you screw on an 88g co2 cannister. Also, the co2 should be in the butt of the rifle similar to how airforce designs their ag's. It's more efficient use of space and will balance the gun.

Since I'm an artist I'll see about making some simple drawings/schematics tonight and post them, just for shits and giggles.

broommaster2000 · Moderator

I guess the question is, what can we do better then Crosman, Airforce, and other easy to modify airguns. Neutral

You have to come up with a good barrel exchange system. I agree with Roger that it should have a set up like airforce, however, this will have it's impart on looks. After all, aesthetics are sometimes more important then performance. Neutral

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

That's why you have skins that can be snapped on or otherwise easily attached. Not just some gay little foregrip or pistol grip like crosman has. I'm talking full on assualt rifle replica stocks and a wide variety of other styles of skins.

I'm not sure on what the consensus is for the powerplant, is it just co2?

You could have 12g co2 compatibility that fit easily into traditional butt stocks as well, so if you wanted a traditional wood design, that could be possible.

Hmmm...so many possibilities here. A very thought provoking concept indeed.