I thought it would be interesting to have a little discussion on the benefits of raising the handle of a wood gun, as well as seeing different ways of doing it.
What prompted me in the first place was this pic of fuzz' gun because I've never seen it done like that. Fuzz, how did this work out, any drawbacks? I'm considering doing it this way on my next gun.
Here's Davie's way of doing it. Maybe he can say something about how it turned out.
The good Doctor doesn't seem to think there are benefits from doing it.
My gun was just tinkering with designs... some of the other guns in the shop are much better designed for raising the handle.
I think the high handle is one of the best assets of euro guns. Muzzle flip is largely a function of rotation around the handle caused by recoil. This is why a low-set mid-handle like the riffes has exacerbated muzzle kick - the handle is a fulcrum point and the larger the distance, the greater the effect. On the other hand, recoil on a good euro design is driven straight back into the handle & largely on a horizontal plane.
Hopefully that makes sense... if not, I'll bust out the MS paint. 
Here is a Charlie Strugill vintage gun I own from the 70's and my gun Tiputa both have raised handles in contrast to the early Riffe. If you stand up in a kids wagon you can tip it...lay down and you have a better ride.
This Safari handle from 1969 also shows a lift to the mass of the shaft, not a euro.
Cheers, Don
Display MoreMy gun was just tinkering with designs... some of the other guns in the shop are much better designed for raising the handle.
I think the high handle is one of the best assets of euro guns. Muzzle flip is largely a function of rotation around the handle caused by recoil. This is why a low-set mid-handle like the riffes has exacerbated muzzle kick - the handle is a fulcrum point and the larger the distance, the greater the effect. On the other hand, recoil on a good euro design is driven straight back into the handle & largely on a horizontal plane.
Hopefully that makes sense... if not, I'll bust out the MS paint.
You forgot to add the fact that it also offsets the humdrum design of just placing it on a flat plane, giving it the favorable aesthetics, of such a placement:D In other words, IT LOOKS COOL!
Even my fart gun Nitrobalete can have good form.;)
I have been a big fan of building guns so I can get the web of the thumb as high as i can. The last image is my first gun, very hard to tell from the angle but the handle sweeps up.
Cheers, Don
Seaweed did a nice breakdown of recoil forces a while back on another thread. The general perception seems to be that a raised handle reduces muzzle flip because it is closer to the line of the shaft. But Davie's analysis, I think, indicated that the real benefit may be in having the handle in line with the band attachment, regardless of the height relative to the shaft.
All my guns have bands less then 3/16 below the shaft center line, for every degree of angle that the rubber pulls from below the shaft axis corresponds to less speed of the shaft.( if all tracks or grooves have
the same friction and shaft spline cycle). Of course roller guns do not apply.
On launch platforms with sufficient mass, handle placement and geometry are less of a factor. The grip,mass ( I weigh 190 lbs) and shooters form can tame a poorly engineered gun with counter force and stability.
Right and left handed shooters have different target patterns with the same gun. this is due to some extent to the geometry of the hand and elbow pivot points. Right hand guys shoot high left and left handed guys shoot high right with a heavenly recoiling gun in most cases. Just as their respective wrists and forearms pivot at the joints.
Cheers, Don
When I build my bluewater gun I try to get the handle as close as possible to the shaft, Is closer than my Wong and my TIKIS, it can be seen on the second pic, this gun weights 14 pounds and is a 63" enclose track, 2 3/8 tight bands, no muzzle flip at all only a little recoil to the back but I am 220 lbs, I try it first because it looks very cool:D, second I read it somewhere that it works specially in big guns when you don’t want to use muzzle fins and last I ask a friend that he is an engineer and he tried to explain about forces running in different direction and closer to the subject in movement and :crazy:well he convince me:D
2 3/8 tight bands, no muzzle flip at all only a little recoil to the back but I am 220 lbs, I try it first because it looks very cool, Quote: Pucho.
No wonder....you need more power...:D:D;) .... I know it must be a typo.;)
Nice looking top gun my the way..:thumbsup2:
Cheers, Don
Hahaha, sorry 4 3/8" bands, or maybe loose some weight:D
Here's a different approach from Milan, the MareMania.The third image is the Purapnea also from Italy.
Cheers, Don Paul
pucho very good arsenal!!!...we got to talk brother about those wood spearguns...im looking forward to make my own...Don i love your vintage spearguns...(i learn the word on the other thread haha) is just sooo good to see how it was...
Attan I am no expert but will help you out.
Don that gun is sick, thats a reverse trigger right? the holes must be for water ballast and the reel is inbeded in the belly, nice, nice.
My new 120 denton. 112cm but stretch of a 120cm gun
Woooow!!!!!:@ Great looking gun.
Here are some pics of Truguns, the mech are really close too, I hav a friend that has one and is a beauty, sweet gun.
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