How to Make a Simple Paper Gun

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Making a simple paper gun is quick and fun to do. It can make an amusing, safe toy for kids. Or you can use it as a prop in a performance. Best of all, you don’t need a license for it. You can even use different methods to create different types of guns to add to your collection! All you need is a couple pieces of paper and a few minutes to create an origami gun of your own.

If you want to make a paper gun that shoots, see the wikiHow article on How to Make a Paper Gun That Shoots .

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Creating a Colt Double Barrel

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  1. Smooth the fold to get the paper as flat as possible.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Gun
    Go the same direction as the previous fold. Take the top edge of the paper and bring it to the bottom. Smooth the fold again.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Gun
    Continue folding in the same direction. You should end up with a long strip of folded paper.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Gun
    Starting about 1/3 of the way from each end of the strip, fold each end of the long strip down at a 90 degree angle. You should end up with a shape that looks like the letter 'n.'
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Gun
    You should now have a piece that resembles a 'r' shape. This piece will become a handle for your gun.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Gun
    Create a long, tight cylindrical shape. [1] You want the tube to be relatively tight to produce a realistic looking barrel. By rolling the paper you create the look of the Colt handguns. Pinch the middle of length of the tube and fold the piece in half so the round openings at the ends are even. [2]
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Gun
    Hold the handle at the base of the longer segment. Take one folded side of the barrel and slide it over the bottom segment of the handle and under the top segment. Take the other folded side of the barrel and slide it over the bottom of the handle and under the top segment.
  8. You don't want it so tight that it ruins the shape of your double barrels. You just want to adjust the gun to the proper shape.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Making a Pistol with a Slide

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  1. Lay them down so that the long side of the paper is facing you.
    • You may want find a flat surface on which to work to make folding your papers easier.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Gun
    This will make the shorter side of your paper half the length. Smooth the fold to get the paper as flat as possible. Try to keep the edges as closely aligned as possible to create the best origami.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Gun
    Go the same direction as the previous fold. Take the top edge of the paper and bring it to the bottom. Smooth the fold so the paper stays flat.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Gun
    Continue folding in the same direction. You should end up with a long strip of folded paper. Place the first sheet down so the long side of the paper is facing you and retrieve the other sheet of paper.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Gun
    Make the same folds in the previous steps so that you end up with two long folded paper strips. One of the strips will be used to form the barrel and the other piece will create the handle.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Gun
    Go from left to right. This will make the longer side of your paper half the length that it was.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Gun
    Fold both ends of the strip down at slightly less than a 90 degree angle. [3] When you're done, the paper should somewhat resemble the number seven.
  8. Undo the last two folds so you have a long strip again. You should be able to see the crease marks from your previous folds. There will be one in the center, and another on each side, halfway to the edge of the paper.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Gun
    Fold the ends of the strip along the previous fold lines. You will end up with a crease in the center and a strip at each end that is folded downward. It should almost look like a shirt collar at this point.
  10. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Gun
    Take the left side and fold it along the center crease so that it is aligned with the right side. You should once again have a piece that resembles a 7 shape. You should now see a loop-like opening where you will be able to slide the other piece of paper. This will form the handle of your paper gun.
  11. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Gun
    Go from left to right. This will make this piece half as long. This piece will form the barrel of your paper gun once you insert it through the opening of the handle.
  12. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Simple Paper Gun
    Hold the handle piece by the open end at the base with the loops facing away from you. Take one folded side of the barrel piece and slide it over the bottom segment of the handle and under the top segment. Take the other folded side of the barrel and slide it over the bottom of the handle and under the top segment as well.
  13. This will help adjust the gun to the proper shape. Don’t make it too tight or the slide won’t function. You don’t want your gun to jam.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    If I would show my paper gun to my friends in school. Would I go to jail? Would everyone think I'm a school shooter?
    Community Answer
    It's unlikely that anyone would mistake your paper gun for a real gun, but many schools have a zero tolerance policy for weapons, and people get in trouble for even carrying toys that look like weapons.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 59 Helpful 127
  • Question
    Is It Illegal In public, like the mall?
    Community Answer
    You may hold a simple paper gun in public, but if you wave it in a threatening or menacing way, someone may think you have a real gun and the consequences could be terrible.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 66 Helpful 131
  • Question
    Can a simple paper gun shoot anything?
    Community Answer
    The guns shown here aren't designed to launch any projectiles, but with a little extra effort, you can make paper guns that can launch rubber bands or paper darts.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Get a black marker or spray paint to give your gun a more realistic look and feel.
        Thanks
        Helpful 9 Not Helpful 1
      • Always be cautious when playing with guns, even paper ones. You don’t want it to be mistaken for the real deal.
        Thanks
        Helpful 7 Not Helpful 7

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Don't bring a paper gun to school as it may result in punishment from administration.
      • Try coloring the tip or a visible part orange so nobody mistakes it for a real gun.
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      Things You'll Need

      • 2 sheets of paper

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      References

      1. ↑ http://wn.com/origami_paper_gun
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHuXTdPivs4
      3. ↑ http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-gun.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make a simple paper gun, you'll just need 2 sheets of standard printer paper. Fold one of the pieces in half lengthwise. Fold that paper in half again 2 more times in the same direction until it’s about an inch tall and 11 inches long. Then, fold it in half horizontally. Repeat the same folds on the second sheet of paper. Once they're folded, take 1 of the strips of paper and open up the horizontal fold you just made. Fold the ends on each side downwards at a 90-degree angle. Then, follow the center crease and fold the strip in half again to make a handle. Take your other strip of paper and slide the ends through the loops of the handle sheet. Adjust the paper until you get the shape of a gun. To learn how to create a colt double barrel with paper, read on!

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