High speed, low drag, tactical... straws

[Uisge]

Ok, so I wanted to get my boy shooting, as I boy I loved shooting B.B. and pellet guns so I thought it would be a good place to start. At princess auto I found a couple cheap Umarex UCP 177cal B.B. guns, also grabbed all the supplies and a jumping target. At home I tested function etc, one failed miserably immediately dumping its CO2 cartridge down the barrel so it’s going back. However the other one worked acceptably. I was getting ready to go out and shoot some cans and cardboard boxes when I determined loading the mag was a pain in the butt. So I got my thinking cap on, I found some skinny drinking straws, folded and taped one end, the inserted them into the B.B. container, flipped it over, then jiggeled the around a bit until they filled up. Then folded and taped the other end. Now we have speed loaders for our B.B. gun! I’m sure someone thought of this long before me, but I didn’t even resort to the internet so I’m proud of my discovery. We went out and the straws worked as planned, saved us a whole bunch of time reloading and got us shooting more as it was cold so time was limited. All in all a great time introducing my boy to shooting, he was pretty excited after scoring some hits on the cans and box targets we brought. The jumping target proved a little too challenging but we will work up to that. On a side note, the trigger pull was quite long and stiff for the little dude, any one have suggestions for a similar air pistol with an easier trigger for small hands? Rather not break the bank though.
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[Ozymandias]

Cool idea! As for trigger pull, I have never shot an air pistol that didn't have a long trigger pull! I am sure they are out there, but for a better trigger you probably pay a whole lot more.

 

[Uisge]

Yeah, I kinda thought so too, it’s not the worst thing ever, he improved quite a bit in the short time we shot, but would complain of his hand cramping up. I’ll try some different models and see what might work better. For now the Umarex will be a good trainer.

 

[Foxer2373]

If you find a skill dowel you can push it down the straw with the bb’s and it pushes the follower down at the same time ; ) I’m about to break your day but look up Airsoft Canada. It’s paintball but with plastic Bb’s yes you can feather light pistols and even full auto pistols but they do break the bank they start at $99 go up to 10K(not joking Korth and nighthawk license them). You can also get battery powered rifles that shoot 20+bb’s per sec at 420fps and bolt actions up to 500fps.

It’s a great sport if you get into games but as for back yard plinking and teaching it is also a great trainer and ammo is 0.01 per shot lol. My only piece of advice is the holiday classic (don’t shoot your eye out) always where high end protection as the round bb’s bounce and deflect and come back way more often then you think at first.

Happy shooting with the boy.

 

[Uisge]

If you find a skill dowel you can push it down the straw with the bb’s and it pushes the follower down at the same time ; ) I’m about to break your day but look up Airsoft Canada. It’s paintball but with plastic Bb’s yes you can feather light pistols and even full auto pistols but they do break the bank they start at $99 go up to 10K(not joking Korth and nighthawk license them). You can also get battery powered rifles that shoot 20+bb’s per sec at 420fps and bolt actions up to 500fps.

It’s a great sport if you get into games but as for back yard plinking and teaching it is also a great trainer and ammo is 0.01 per shot lol. My only piece of advice is the holiday classic (don’t shoot your eye out) always where high end protection as the round bb’s bounce and deflect and come back way more often then you think at first.

Happy shooting with the boy.

You bet, I’ve been to an airsoft shop here in Edmonton and barely made it out alive. So many replicas of guns we can only dream of up here! Been meaning to get back there when I have some cash to burn. As far as safety gear we had the safety glasses and thick clothes on and safety was the main lesson of the day. He has to recite the golden rules before he gets the gun and has me ruthlessly enforcing them. Thanks for the tip though. An airsoft may be the next one we try out, probably bring him along and let him pick one we can afford, no Korth this time lol.

 

[Foxer2373]

You bet, I’ve been to an airsoft shop here in Edmonton and barely made it out alive. So many replicas of guns we can only dream of up here! Been meaning to get back there when I have some cash to burn. As far as safety gear we had the safety glasses and thick clothes on and safety was the main lesson of the day. He has to recite the golden rules before he gets the gun and has me ruthlessly enforcing them. Thanks for the tip though. An airsoft may be the next one we try out, probably bring him along and let him pick one we can afford, no Korth this time lol.

I just noticed your in Edmonton, they have a great forum of there own (Edmonton Airsoft) they have an EE section and you can sometimes get great deals.

Also Black Cobra Airsoft out in Redwater does rentals (Magpul M4’s) and you can join a big groups or play on your own.

Happy hunting and nice job on the straws, if I forget my speed loaded(yes they make auto loaders and pump loaders) I normally just sat there swearing one B.B. at a time specially at a tournament where I’d be loading 800 rounds.

 

[Uisge]

I just noticed your in Edmonton, they have a great forum of there own (Edmonton Airsoft) they have an EE section and you can sometimes get great deals.

Also Black Cobra Airsoft out in Redwater does rentals (Magpul M4’s) and you can join a big groups or play on your own.

Happy hunting and nice job on the straws, if I forget my speed loaded(yes they make auto loaders and pump loaders) I normally just sat there swearing one B.B. at a time specially at a tournament where I’d be loading 800 rounds.

Cool man, and I’m sure if you found the right size straws it could be applied all over the place, I have a tube mag 22 that I bet it would work on as well with the right straws.

 

[skoal]

Cool man, and I’m sure if you found the right size straws it could be applied all over the place, I have a tube mag 22 that I bet it would work on as well with the right straws.

McDonald's straws and a a paper clip work great.