How to Make PVC Pipe Guns

Harmless snack or ammunition? You decide.

It may not be politically correct, but a lot of children want to play with guns. Many toy guns look like the real thing, and that can cause trouble. It is just too easy for a child to pick up a real gun, believing he has a toy. Water pistols are fun in the pool, but not so great indoors. Making a toy gun is easy with PVC pipe and connectors. These guns can shoot mini marshmallows--a safe and tasty ammunition. Do not glue the pieces together. They are easier to clean when they come apart.

Things You'll Need

• 24 inches of ½-inch PVC pipe
• PVC cutters or small saw
• 2 ½-inch 90-degree elbow joints
• 2 ½-inch T-shaped joints
• 2 ½-inch end caps
• Bag of mini marshmallows

Instructions

1. Cut six, three-inch sections of the ½-inch PVC pipe. The remaining section will be about six inches long.

2. Attach the end caps to two of the three-inch pieces. Push the other end of one of the capped pieces into an elbow joint. Set aside.

3. Push the other end of one of the capped pieces into the bottom opening of a T-joint. Attach the six-inch piece into one of the top holes of the T-joint with the capped end. Attach another three-inch piece to the other hole.

4. Push the second T-joint onto the free end of the three-inch section. Make sure that this T-joint is upside down, leaving a hole pointing straight up.

5. Attach two three-inch pieces of pipe together with the elbow joint. Push this assembly into the hole in the T-joint that is pointing straight up. Stick the last piece of free pipe into the empty hole of the T-joint.

6. Stick the last elbow joint with the capped pipe onto the free end on the three-inch pipe. This will give you a gun with two handles pointing down and a mouthpiece on the top.

7. Plug the end of the long piece with a mini marshmallow. Blow into the mouthpiece and fire away.

Tips & Warnings

• Try sticking the end of the pipe into a potato and pull out a plug for more ammunition.

• Don't shoot at the heads or faces of people or pets.

References

• Ultimste Camp Resource: Marshmallow Shooter
• Cub Scout Pack 002: How to Make a Marshmallow Gun