Patents for Modelguns or any DIY methods for modelguns

Bassicly the title, I just wanna know if anyone has attempted to find a patent for an automatic modelgun (to see how they work) or attempted to make their own. Since im in Canada it's not like I'm spoiled for choice on the amount of modelguns here and still I want one.

Hi Hugh, I think that any Patent(s) for Modelguns would be associated with the firing mechanism, the cartridges and striker. This would be the only Novel aspect of a Patent, the firearm that it would be incorporated into would be a subject of other Patents or Registered Design. Outwith the forum, there are schematic drawings of several Modelguns online if you are prepared to hunt them down. Good luck with your endeavours.

Thanks m8 for giving me some hope, I'll go hunt down those schemes then :]

Could you tell me what to search to point me into the right direction?

Is there a particular modelgun you are interested in ? There's some pretty good material on this forum, and in some cases, links to external sources. Incidentally, I came across an anthology of modelgun schematics when searching on eBay a few days ago. I've spent most of the evening trying to find it again.

Oh awesome! I suppose just about anything, I'd like to see how the automatics work and the rpgs and bolt action ones

For guns specifically I guess a vz61, czech guns are always cool and or anything russian.

Anywho thanks alot for the help! Didn't know what I was expecting but it's a nice suprise to be met with such a nice community.

https://yonyon.lolipop.jp/LongGun/hudson/vz/index.html
I've just recently discovered this site. It covers all the major Japanese modelgun manufacturers and their products.

Goddamn great find bro

I've never seen a patent relating to any modelgun or related parts. Most are a direct copy of their real counterparts with a few changes made to stop straight conversion.

Patents usually cover innovative designs for a limited time, so I'm guessing that they couldn't apply for any or they have long since run out.

The different blow back cartridge systems might be patentable, but again, I've never seen any evidence.

As 8ace said, my understanding is that the design of the various blowback cartridges is the main patentable aspect of model guns. Most designs just follow the operating design of the original weapons they are meant to be replicating. In most cases, the cartridge itself is the most complicated part. There are open cartridge examples, however.

Open bolts are straight forward. The bolt just slams the cartridge against the detonator in the chamber.

Closed bolts are a bit more complicated...They have mechanisms in place to stop the bolt from detonating the cartridge after it is chambered. This may be a system where the hammer hits a piece that pushes the cartridge against the detonator...Or, the cartridge itself has a free moving piece which acts as a primer, and the hammer hits a part that acts like a firing pin which then sets off the detonation.

Model guns cartridges appear to be very similar to the Simunition rounds that are used by militaries in live weapons that have been converted. The concept is very similar. You have a cartridge that acts as a gas piston to cycle the action of a weapon. With Simunition, this may also include the firing of a marking/paintball projectile at low velocity. Simunition also make blank only versions of their ammunition. You also have other companies that produce training cartridges such as UTM.

With these training cartridges, the weapon is converted from gas operated to straight blowback or short recoil to straight blowback. The cartridge is telescoping so it can act as a gas piston for cycling the action. The conversion is usually a replacement barrel or bolt carrier, depending on the original action.

I mention these military Simunition cartridges because I am almost certain they were inspired by the Japanese PFC and CP blowback cartridges that are used in model guns. The operating principle is very similiar. The cartridge contains the pressure generated by a small explosion to expand a sealed piston which pushes against part of the chamber that then provides enough inertia to blowback a bolt and compress its spring.

Wow, thanks for such an indepth response, this helps, a lot.