DIY Mosin Nagant Golfball Launcher / Can Cannon?

[Dukenukem117]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee6fjxlKCyo

I was watching this video and am wondering if I can build one in CA, or something bigger to fire soda cans/tennis balls.

My research on the legality of golfball launchers and can cannons is that they can be legal in CA. The can cannon v2 was made legal by not being able to fire a standard cartridge as the original fell in to SBR/AOW/SBS territory due to the barrel length. Since a mosin has a 28"+ barrel, I think it would be fine so long as I'm not firing explosives and such. What I'm not certain about is how the barrel is measured (length of the can cannon only?) and at what point this becomes a potato gun, which I also cant seem to find a definitive agreement on the legality of which.

[Quiet]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee6fjxlKCyo

I was watching this video and am wondering if I can build one in CA, or something bigger to fire soda cans/tennis balls.

My research on the legality of golfball launchers and can cannons is that they can be legal in CA. The can cannon v2 was made legal by not being able to fire a standard cartridge as the original fell in to SBR/AOW/SBS territory due to the barrel length. Since a mosin has a 28"+ barrel, I think it would be fine so long as I'm not firing explosives and such. What I'm not certain about is how the barrel is measured (length of the can cannon only?) and at what point this becomes a potato gun, which I also cant seem to find a definitive agreement on the legality of which.

As long as the launching device, attached to a rifle, can not discharge any type of grenade or explosive, it is CA legal.
If it can discharge any type of grenade or explosive, then it would be illegal due to being considered a destructive device under CA laws. [PC 16460(a)(2)]



In regards to the current (new) X-Products Can Cannon (blank firing only)...

Under Federal laws/regulations...

Since it uses a firearm receiver, it would be considered a Title 1 Other.


Under CA laws/regulations...

Destructive Device:
In order to be a Destructive Device, it needs to meet one of the following:
1. Fires fixed ammunition that is .60 or greater. [PC 16460(a)(3)]
2. Launches a bombs/grenades/rockets/missiles/etc. [PC 16460(a)(2)]

Since it chambered to use 5.56x45mm blanks, the caliber would be considered 5.56mm and not 211mm (diameter of soda can). In addition, since the projectile is separate from the cartridge, this would not be considered fixed ammunition. Therefore, it does not meet definition #1 of a Destructive Device.

As long as it does not launch any type of explosive/incendiary/less lethal type projectile, it does not meet definition #2 of a Destructive Device.

Firearm:
Since it is an AR15 pattern upper receiver that fits onto the standard AR15 pattern lower receiver and expels a projectile through the force of an explosion, it is considered a firearm. [PC 16520(a)]

Since it has a smoothbore barrel and does not shoot shotgun shells, it does not meet CA's definition of a "rifle" [PC 17090] or a "shotgun" [PC 17190].
But, since it has a barrel length of less than 16", it meets CA's definition of a "handgun" [PC 16530(a)].

CA laws allows a "handgun" to also be classified as a SBR/SBS. [PC 16530(b)]
However...
Since it does not shoot shotgun shells, it does not meet CA's definition of a SBS. [PC 17180]
Since it does not have a rifled barrel, it does not meet most of CA's definition of a SBR. [PC 17170(a),(b),(d),&(e)]
But, if an AR15 pattern receiver is used from a rifle to assemble the Can Cannon, then it would meet one of CA's definition of a SBR. [PC 17170(c)]

Conclusion:
As long as an AR15 pattern receiver that was DROS'd as a "handgun" or made from an "80% receiver" (registered as a "handgun") is used to make the Can Cannon, it would be CA legal.

In addition, the Can Cannon would not require a maglock (it's not semi-auto) and can have an arm brace or a shoulder stock (even though the firearm is considered a "handgun" it does not have a rifled barrel or shoot shotgun shells, so it does not meet the requirements for a SBR/SBS).

It is illegal to use of any type of explosive/incendiary/tear gas type projectile.

[timdps]

Russians actually made one themselves pre-WWII (although it was a grenade launcher). Could be built with the correct pipe fittings.

http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Dyakonov_Rifle_Grenade_Launcher

https://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?769642-Mosin-Dyakonov-Rifle-Grenade-Launcher