Designing a non-lethal OC selfdefense cartridge, please help.

[Robert2009]

Hi guys,
I'm new here and wanted to ask for an advice.
I am looking forward to develop a 15x90mm selfdefense cartridge, here's my drawing of how I see it.

This cartridge will contain.

1. a blank .22 round in the back
2. cartridge body ( shown in grey )
3. a cap ( also shown in grey ), that covers the front end and has a nozzle
3. a plunger ( black )
4. OC - pepper spray - solution
5. and a plug ( black ) that plugs the nozzle in the cap

When the .22 round goes off, its supposed to push the plunger and propel the OC solution out of the nozzle.

What do you think about my design in general? What materials do you think should be used for body and cap, considering that the .22 round gives off 45 joules of energy. Polycarbonate?

Thanks!

 

[Compositepro]

Any device that uses an explosive propellant will be regulated as a firearm. Tasers use a compressed gas capsule for that reason.

 

[Pud]

1.5mm wall 90mm long is a marginal flow path for PC. It's also hopeless with most solvents/greases etc. I would look at a LCP for the body* (better still, steel!)

* Can not see how you're going to mould the serrations inside the end, nor how you are going to achieve a leak-proof seal.

Cheers
H



www.tynevalleyplastics.co.uk

It's ok to soar like an eagle, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

 

[Robert2009]

Nope, to be a firearm, it has to have gunpowder in that propellant, while this one has just a primer. Don't worry about the legal stuff, there already are such toys on the market, see "kimber guardian angel", "jpx jet protector" and a few more.

What do you think about the materials that should be used on this round?

 

[Robert2009]

Thanks, I'll look into LCP. Steel would be too costly for such a round. The serration is only about 0.5mm , I thought it would be possible to pop it off the mold, wouldn't it?

 

[Pud]

be possible to pop it off the mold

Nope. Not with those sharp corners at 90º to the line of draw. Nor in LCP. A thread would be ok but adds tool cost.

H

www.tynevalleyplastics.co.uk

It's ok to soar like an eagle, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

 

[Robert2009]

Yea, thread's a good idea. Besides it could be could be either heated or glued in place, to get a tight seal.

 

[Robert2009]

Other companies are making similar cartridge like this...

 

[Pud]

Easiest way would be to have an external thread on the body, and an internally threaded cap. You could then put a seal inside the cap.

H

www.tynevalleyplastics.co.uk

It's ok to soar like an eagle, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

 

[Robert2009]

and like that... visually, what material do you think this might be? To me it looks like nylon6 or something. :/

 

[btrueblood]

A .22 primer does not give off anywhere near 45 J of energy. That level of energy is equivalent to a .22 short, which contains gunpowder even if it has no projectile per se (i.e. a blank cartridge).

 

[Pud]

like nylon6 or something

Could be - looks like they have been machined from barstock.
Buy one, burn it and smell it.
H

www.tynevalleyplastics.co.uk

It's ok to soar like an eagle, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

 

[Robert2009]

See

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_CB

- usually no gunpowder, just the primer - Energy - 45 J ... or am I mixing something?
Short have 60-118 J , according to

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Short

 

[Pud]

Why not use primers - pistol/small rifle/large rifle - various types in each?

www.tynevalleyplastics.co.uk

It's ok to soar like an eagle, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

 

[Robert2009]

Primers actually are considered ammo parts and are regulated in some areas, while this .22 blanks are available everywhere to everyone, so there won't be able problems using them. Also primers are usually centerfire, while the design of the piston would better be with a rimfire.

 

[Robert2009]

edit: piston = pistol, i.e. if we would use centerfire primers, the hammer would have to be much wider and the back part of the cartridge would be much less covered.

 

[patprimmer]

Re is it a firearm.

That is a legal question and may vary largely from country to country or even state to state or province or whatever.

I have over 40 years experience in the plastics industry and I am considered by my peers as expert in identification. I would not presume to guess any plastic purely on looks, even for real and up close. From a photo, surely your kidding.

SG and burn tests are good starting points. Melting point can be a good second level for confirmation or final sorting.

The translucent white classifies it as almost certainly semi crystalline. That's a pretty big group.

Regards
Pat
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