How to Make a Simple Paper Gun

Co-authored by Amy Guerrero

Last Updated: December 18, 2024

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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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Smooth the fold to get the paper as flat as possible.
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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Continue folding in the same direction. You should end up with a long strip of folded paper.
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.'
You should now have a piece that resembles a 'r' shape. This piece will become a handle for your gun.
Create a long, tight cylindrical shape.^{[1]
X
Research source} 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]
X
Research source}
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.
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.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making a Pistol with a Slide

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1
Get two pieces of standard printer paper. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Go from left to right. This will make the longer side of your paper half the length that it was.
Fold both ends of the strip down at slightly less than a 90 degree angle.^{[3]
X
Research source} When you're done, the paper should somewhat resemble the number seven.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Tips

Get a black marker or spray paint to give your gun a more realistic look and feel.

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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.

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Tips from our Readers

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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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