How to Make a Paper Gun That Shoots

On rainy afternoons indoors, you can pass the time by making a paper gun that actually shoots. It's a fun way to entertain yourself and practice target shooting. You can craft either an origami-style paper gun or a revolver with a trigger to shoot paper bullets. With just a few folds and some patience, you'll have a full paper gun set to display.

Gather the Materials. Before you start assembling your paper gun, you'll need some basic tools and materials. Here's what you'll need to collect:

• Several sheets of sturdy paper (22x28 cm, any color)
• Clear tape
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Marker pen
• Hot glue gun
• Rubber bands

Roll the first sheet of paper into a small tube, starting from one corner. Begin by selecting a sheet of paper and rolling it into a small tube. Gently roll the origami paper into a cylindrical shape, leaving a small gap in the middle if possible. This tube should resemble the core of a tiny paper towel roll. You'll use this first tube as a mold for the other tubes.

• This tube will have a diameter about the size of a pencil. You can use a ballpoint pen or pencil to help form it more easily.

Roll the second sheet of paper around the first tube. To make a functional paper gun, use the first tube you created to form a second, larger tube. Wrap the origami paper around the first tube tightly. Once you have rolled up the second sheet, slide the small tube out from the inside. You now have a second tube that's slightly larger than the first, resembling the core of a small paper towel roll as well.

Adjust and secure the paper tube with clear tape. Once you’ve rolled up the paper tube, use clear tape to secure it. Tape both ends of the tube to hold it together, and then trim the edges with scissors for a clean finish. The paper tube should be smooth and even, with no loose or frayed paper sticking out.

Roll two more paper tubes and cut them into the following lengths. Continue rolling the paper tubes like the previous ones. Then, use scissors, a ruler, and a marker to measure and cut the tubes into the following sizes:

• For the gun barrel: You need two tubes, each 15 cm long.
• For the gun handle: You need seven tubes, each 5 cm long.
• For the trigger guard: You need one tube, 8 cm long.

Create the gun handle by gluing the 5 cm tubes together at a slight diagonal angle. Arrange all the 5 cm tubes next to each other, one after the other. Then, adjust the final tube by slightly shifting it diagonally to mimic the shape of a standard revolver handle. Use hot glue to bond the tubes together, forming a long, slender handle.

• Alternatively, you can glue the tubes in a straight line and then trim one end to create a diagonal edge. Use scissors to smooth out the cut for a neat finish.

Glue the 8 cm tube onto the gun handle, leaving 3 cm protruding from the right side. This tube will sit on the side of the handle, angled inward. In other words, when you hold the gun to shoot, the 3 cm portion that sticks out will face you. This will serve as the "trigger guard".

Attach the two 15 cm tubes together, then secure them to the gun handle. These will form the gun barrel, so naturally, they should face forward. Position the end of the barrel near the center of the handle and use hot glue to attach it firmly.

Roll two smaller paper tubes. This time, there’s no need to leave an empty space inside the tube. Roll the paper (using a different color for variety) into smaller tubes, slightly thinner than the first one. These tubes should fit snugly inside the ones you created earlier. To make them smaller, roll without using a core, and trim the triangular end of the paper (about 10 cm) to reduce the thickness in the middle.

Bend a thin tube into a U-shape so it fits inside the trigger guard and the top tube of the gun handle. Cut the tube to leave only about 0.5 cm of tube protruding from the trigger guard, ensuring it does not stick out from the back of the handle. The U-shaped bend will be positioned near the gun barrel. This will act as the trigger – when you pull it back, this small tube will pop backward from the trigger guard.

• Ensure the tube slides smoothly back and forth, as it will serve as the trigger.

Create a trigger guard loop with another small tube (optional). Bend the tube into an "S" shape, flatten the curves if needed. Insert one end of the tube into the second tube starting from the top of the handle (just below the trigger guard) to form a small protective loop. Use hot glue to secure the remaining tube under the gun handle, trimming any excess.

Flatten a small paper tube and use it to seal the back of the gun handle. The paper tube should be pressed into a long, thin strip. Attach it to the back of the handle using hot glue, wrapping it around the front and underneath the trigger guard if present. The goal is to close off any unnecessary open ends of the tubes on the handle, especially the one right behind the trigger guard.

• DO NOT seal the trigger guard chamber. This area needs to remain open for loading and firing the gun.
• In the end, you’ll create a “border” at the bottom of the gun. For a better look, consider using a different color.

Take the spring from an old pen and insert it into the top tube of the barrel. Remove the trigger guard and slide the spring into place, pressing it against the outer tube. This will enable the trigger to automatically snap back after firing.

Create a trigger using rubber bands and a matchstick. Fold a piece of origami paper in half twice to form a long, thin strip. Roll this strip into a thick tube, securing it tightly with tape, and trimming the edges to make it smooth. This tube will resemble the core of a tiny toilet paper roll. Next...

• Use scissors to cut open the tube. Place a rubber band inside.
• Seal the tube with tape. You now have a thick paper tube with a rubber band inside. This will serve as your trigger.

Insert the rubber band trigger into the lower barrel tube. Trim the ends of the tube so that the rubber band side is as close as possible to the rear of the barrel, with no tube sticking out in front of it.

Hook the rubber band at the front of the barrel so that it stretches between the two tubes. Make sure the back of the trigger sits right in the opening of the trigger guard. When you pull the trigger back, the protruding end of the tube will release the trigger, causing the rubber band to snap and fire the bullet.

Load and fire paper bullets. Your paper gun is now ready to shoot. Roll small pieces of origami paper into tiny balls. Place one ball at the front of the gun, facing the handle and trigger. Hook the rubber band and pull the trigger to release the band, shooting the trigger tube forward and firing the bullet. The paper bullet will shoot out of the barrel.

Prepare 2 sheets of paper, folding them into long, narrow strips. To begin folding your origami paper gun, start with two sheets of paper. Take a large rectangular piece of origami paper, fold it in half, and tear it into two smaller, wider rectangles. Fold each of these smaller rectangles as follows:

• Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise, creating a narrower rectangle, then unfold it.
• Use the crease as a guide. Fold one half of the paper inward so the edge aligns with the center crease. Then, fold the other half in the same way, ensuring both edges meet at the center crease.
• Now, fold the paper in along the center crease. You’ll end up with a long, narrow strip of paper.

Fold a strip of paper into a horseshoe shape. Take a strip of paper and fold both ends in half, then unfold it. The crease in the middle will divide the strip into two halves. Fold the right side up at a 90-degree angle, then do the same with the left side. The strip will now resemble a horseshoe shape.

• The horizontal part in the middle will be twice as long as the width of the paper strip. Place the strip to the right of the center crease. Then, fold the ‘arms’ of the horseshoe at the point where it meets the narrow strip in the center.

Fold the 'arms' of the horseshoe inward at an angle. Keep the original fold intact and re-bend the angles of the horseshoe so it now resembles a square teardrop shape. A triangle will form at the center of the 'tear.'

Fold the triangle in half, then press it into shape to form the "gun handle". The strip of paper will now resemble a lowercase 'L', with a long strip and a small curved section at the end. You will also fold this narrow strip in half.

Attach the second strip of paper to the first one by sliding both ends into the openings on the handle. This step can be tricky, so take it slowly. Take the second strip of paper and fold both ends to create a double fold. Then, insert this folded strip into the handle:

• Gently separate the handle to reveal two small openings. Slide both ends of the folded paper strip through these openings.
• Continue pulling the ends of the folded paper through the openings until the two strips form an angle of about 110 degrees. These two ends will become the "barrel" of the gun.

Adjust until the gun has a trigger, then pin the handle and barrel to prevent shifting. Now you can see the gun’s shape forming. A small folded paper section will stick out just below the barrel. Gently pull this section downward until it sticks out beneath the gun. You can now bend the handle inward or outward to serve as the trigger.

Use a craft knife to make a small incision about 1 cm above the handle. This will be the place where you "load the bullets" for your gun. The cut should be about 0.5 cm deep and 1 cm wide. This incision is located just above the angled "trigger".

• You may need to make two cuts – one through the barrel and another through the lower gap. If you do this, try to offset the cuts slightly to create a "hammer" effect, like in films where you pull it back before firing. This small incision will help hold the rubber band (the bullet).
• Ensure the cut is deep enough to hook the rubber band into place.

Make a small incision at the tip of the barrel. This cut should just be enough to hold the rubber band at the other end. You can then hook the rubber band into this cut and the first incision. When you pull the "trigger", it will move the cuts far enough to release the rubber band, and you'll fire!

• Press the folds firmly and roll the paper evenly for the best results.
• Stack plastic cups into a pyramid shape to make a target for shooting.

• Do not make or bring paper guns to school. The school's zero-tolerance policy could lead to suspension or expulsion.
• Do not shoot paper guns at other people.