PIAT Mortar, possible or waste of time?

[death50cola]

Hey, im sortve new to airsoft been playing for a year or so, and I have designs for a PIAT mortar/launcher (spring powered launcher) which comes from the british design from a WW2 tank destroyer. Just trying to figure out if it would be a decent alternative to a CO2/gas or a "hairspray flammable launcher". and if so is there any ideas for decent ammo besides nerf footballs (i.e. a canister that would explode on impact and cause splash damage with 6mm BB's to clear out enclosed areas suck as bunkers) any advice would be great. Thanks!

[Danke]

I'd be concerned about a couple things. First is a spring big enough to throw a payload will first be pretty hefty to cock (same thing for the real PIAT).

More serious would be if the "canister" round hits a person at close range.

Most of the launchers I've seen like home made mortars or anti-tank guns run compressed air, and will fire tennis balls, foam projectiles like nerf rockes or balls, and if BB's are fired they exit loose like grapeshot.

[death50cola]

Originally Posted by Danke

I'd be concerned about a couple things. First is a spring big enough to throw a payload will first be pretty hefty to cock (same thing for the real PIAT).

More serious would be if the "canister" round hits a person at close range.

Most of the launchers I've seen like home made mortars or anti-tank guns run compressed air, and will fire tennis balls, foam projectiles like nerf rockes or balls, and if BB's are fired they exit loose like grapeshot.

yeah i plan on using it for medium to long range artillery dont really plan on shooting someone 3 feet away from me lol, but thanks for the advice.
any other advice is welcome!

[Ronan]

Bike pomp for air pressured. Nerf thing for ammo.

Not hard to make, already a couple mortars guides on google.

Have fun.

[Drake]

The concern isn't necessarily only how you plan to use it, but also what happens if you do happen to accidentally hit someone at close range. The riskier it is, the more likely it'll be game organizers won't allow it on the field. And from experience I think you'll be hard pressed to find people who'll allow any kind of hard canister being launched with any significant amount of force.

Just like the gas powered 40mm shells, I think you'll be limited to shotgun-type loads. To that effect, a large spring could be used to power a large piston (like a huge springer). Your "shells" would be similar to the 40mm shells (multiple tubes loaded with BBs) except they wouldn't contain any gas (since power is coming from the piston behind it).

That being said, I don't know you nor your technical skills or what tools/equipment you own/have access to, but if you plan on achieving anything more what most will regard as a cheesy plastic contraption, you're getting yourself into quite a build (even just recreating a semi-accurate looking FIAT body). Don't mean to bash your ideas, but occasional reality checks are in order if you want this to be more than just a pipe dream.

[Yorkie]

Notwithstanding the fact that, like the Achilles heel with the real PIAT, you end up having to stand on the effing thing to cock it the first time. Not exactly the stealthiest of weapons.

[CDN_Stalker]

Just a toss in, dont' bother with loading it with BBs, waste of money, go for dry peas or beans instead, much cheaper, and hey, more environmentally friendly.