Since this came up in that BB gun thread. I'm curious as to the definition of Potato guns. I guess it would also apply to Polish Cannons(shoots Tennis balls) which we used to make in the 70s with beer cans when they were steel. Now you'd probably have to get some other type of can. Explosive device or something?

 

They certainly have a bigger projectile than 3/8 inch.

 

From that other threat:

Actually.. since my motivation for work is now gone:

 

"Firearm or firearms" means any handgun, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, automatic or semi-automatic

rifle, or any gun, device or instrument in the nature of a weapon from which may be fired or ejected

any solid projectable ball, slug, pellet, missile or bullet, or any gas, vapor or other noxious thing, by

means of a cartridge or shell or by the action of an explosive or the igniting of flammable or

explosive substances. It shall also include, without limitation, any firearm, which is in the nature of

an air gun, spring gun or pistol or other weapon of a similar nature in which the propelling force is

a spring, elastic band, carbon dioxide, compressed or other gas or vapor, air or compressed air, or

is ignited by compressed air, and ejecting a bullet or missile smaller than three-eighths of an inch

in diameter, with sufficient force to injure a person.

 

http://njsp.org/info/pdf/firearms/06240 ... 13ch54.pdf

Police: Man charged for use of 'potato gun'

 

 

Burlington County Times

 

MEDFORD

Police: Man charged for use of 'potato gun'

 

 

Burlington County Times

 

MEDFORD

lol...I think they still sell it at some supermarkets. I just remember seeing those tall pink cans way down on the bottom shelf. Static guard works exactly the same as aqua net, just without the stickiness. Propane works well too. . . :shock: Technology has improved the antiquated spud gun, electronic bbq ignitors that run of a 9v battery works incredibly well. Aint it fun to shoot a potato over 1/2 mile or so ???

We would use ether or carb cleaner.

That'll make em go too !!!!

Mine had a coleman lantern striker in it. I read about some kid who accidentally ignited his potato gun using a BBQ electronic striker...the ahem...FROG that had been loaded as the projectile flew out and struck the kid in the face blinding him for life.

 

Happened in Texas I think. 5-6 years ago. Course i've not shot a Potato gun in 15 years or so.

 

EDIT: Found it: http://www.clickorlando.com/news/2116865/detail.html

 

I recall reading more detail that it was indeed that he bumped the ignitor or something.

 

Hmm, reading the article it was a hangfire.

WOW. is brings back old memories, late 70's we use to use soda soda cans, cut both ends open with can opener and tape them together, a tennis ball fit perfect.

they had changed the cans so you could no longer do this.

 

we used lighter fluid and lit it with a match through a small hole at bottom.

How about pneumatic? 100 psi will be pretty devastating on a potato and anything it hits.

Oh the stuff we were allowed to do as kids, that would get us arrested now if our kids did it