Lasertag Pistol (Las Pistol)

Lasertag Pistol (Las Pistol for short)

The grip is based on the Enforcer from Unreal Tournament created by Bart van der Westerlaken, used with kind permission. https://www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-enforcer-unreal-tournament-68645

The flying skull is modified from one of the existing ones on thingiverse but I cant find the one I used now, if its yours let me know and I'll add atrribution for it.

The second of my lasertag weapon projects. Yes another pistol, but this one is a little bigger than the PPG.

The design allows for several different internal configurations depending on what electronics are being fitted. Some of them probably arent relevant without some pretty specific custom pcb's but there should be enough room to fit in more generic electronics for use as a prop with light/sounds or your own lasertag electronics if you want.

The barrel uses a 16.5mm diameter lens with a 65mm focal length (the same one used in my Babylon 5 PPG project. This is because I like using common parts and the performance on the ppg has been great.

For power there are a couple of options, either fit a 4 cell 4.8v nimh AAA pack inside the powerpack and use a dc connector socket in the powerpack and plug in the pistol so that the powerpack is actually the pistols power source or you can fit 1 or 2 14500 lithium cells in the grip to give either 3.7 or 7.2 volts.

If using the powerpack for batteries then I find that installing the electronics in the grip easiest and allows for easy access later as its a single screw to open the bottom.

If using the grip for lithium batteries I install a small circuit in the body of the pistol.

The magazine release requires a small 5mm diameter spring. I used one out of a pen slightly cut down in length. You will also need a small pin to act as an hinge. I used a m2 screw as it allows me to remove it easily.

There is room for a 20x40mm speaker to be fitted either side (or fit 2 if your electronics will drive 2). The speaker should just slot into the grooves next to the vent slots in the lower and when the upper is secured it holds it in place.

The back of the pistol has a hole for a 3mm ammunition status led to be inserted if required.

The on/off is a small slide switch located in a recess on the left hand side of the pistol.

Small 6mm tactile switches can be fitted either side in recesses too for use as reload/mode buttons if required.

The trigger needs an approx 6mm by 20mm spring and is designed to activate a V3 size toggle switch with a level arm. The lever needs cutting to make it the legth of the switch and the terminal tabs where you attach wires need a bit of bending into place to get it to fit. The spring goes over the post on the trigger and into a hole in the grip. The microswitch then sits horizontally above the trigger and the post on top activates the microswitches lever.

Once all the switches have been placed into their recesses the left and right switch retaining parts are inserted and secured with M2 self tapping screws. You will need to drill small pilot holes once you get the placement right.

Upper and Lower are secured with 2x M3x25 screws, they will make their own thread when screwed in.

The powerpack top and bottom are secured using 2 M3 screws through the holes in the discs on the side of the powerpack top. You will need to drill out the proper spots with a 2.5mm drill bit. The screws should cut their own thread into the plastic.

I fit the muzzle flash led into the top tube. Its ideally sized for a 5mm led and there is an access hole to run wires from inside into there. An alternative to printing this is to use 10mm tube instead.

Other Hardware Parts needed

Trigger Spring 6x20mm or 8x20mm long should work
Magazine release Spring (approx 5mmx 10mm long)
M2x12 (quantity 3) self tapping screws (for catch hinge and switch retainers)
M3x25 (Quantity 2) to secure upper to Lower
M3x10 (quantity 2) to secure Powerpack top/bottom
5mm led bezel mount (for IR led) - https://www.rapidonline.com/truopto-r9-4815-5mm-recessed-bezel-led-holder-55-0275

Electronics Parts required

Trigger microswitch (V3 type) - https://www.rapidonline.com/rvfm-v-15fl13-c2-v3-microswitch-simulated-roller-78-0703 as an example
Reload Switch 6mm tactile with 7mm long post- https://www.rapidonline.com/zip-switch-tc-00104-070c-tactile-switch-6x6mm-height-7-0mm-78-3804
Speaker 20x40mm low profile type - https://www.rapidonline.com/rvfm-abs-224-rc-miniature-loudspeaker-rectangular-40-x-20mm-4-ohm-35-0292
Muzzle Flash led - 5mm high brightness type for example https://www.rapidonline.com/kingbright-l-7113qbc-d-5mm-blue-led-2200mcd-55-1662
IR Led - tsal 6100 or SFH4545 (or similar) - mouser or digitkey are good suppliers for these.
Suitable batteries (either a 4 cell 4.8v nimk pack or 1/2 14500 lithium cells) - https://www.componentshop.co.uk/4-8v-aaa-950mah-flat-battery-pack-low-self-discharge-type.html for example
DC jack and socket for the powerpack connection for example https://www.rapidonline.com/rvfm-ap-142-2-5mm-standard-dc-power-plug-20-0924 and https://www.rapidonline.com/truconnect-dc-power-socket-2-5mm-20-1096
Circuit to drive everything unless you are just making as a prop
Wire to hook everything together

These are just examples from a UK company, Im sure if you explore ebay or similar you will find lots of alternative suppliers as the parts are fairly common.