Brass Barrel Slide Breech - Build Guide!

For users of modified or custom-built single-shot blasters that require manual reloading, the usual basic methods of loading foam darts is to either use "speedloaders" (a cluster of individual barrels attached together) or using a stick to ram-rod individual foam darts into a barrel... both being rather slow and tedious procedures.

A popular alternative is to use slide breeches.

Many slide breech designs have been created by various modders over the years and slide breeches are usually installed into single-shot manual-reload blasters to offer a quicker (and more elegant) dart reload solution.

I've tinkered with a few slide breech designs and eventually came up with a customised design which uses 9/16" brass tubes (my favourite barrel material and dimension of choice, as it fits the custom foam darts i use perfectly) nested within 13mm locally-sourced PVC pipe (which allows wide compatibility with all my modded and custom built blasters).

In addition, i have also designed an in-built brass barrel "secure-join" system which ensures a 100% air-tight seal.

Here is how i built my custom Brass Barrel Slide Breech:


Step 1: Prepare 1ft length of 9/16" brass tube (Brand: K&S Engineering) and 40cm length of 13mm SingaPlastics PVC pipe.

The 9/16" brass tube nests within the 13mm SingaPlastics PVC pipe.

Note that the PVC pipe internal diameters (ID) can vary depending on production batch and sometimes it can be too tight or too loose for the brass tube (even within the same length of pipe), therefore you'll need to test the nesting fit using different sections of pipe beforehand to get the best fit combination for smooth breech operation.




Step 2: Use a Dremel with a cutting disc designed for cutting plastic, along with a grinding bit to cut and trim a suitable sized breech channel in the 13mm PVC pipe, make sure the channel is long and wide enough to fit foam darts.

Include a semi-circle cut at the back of the breech channel for the breech locking tab.




Step 3: Put aside the PVC breech for now. We shall move on to the brass barrel section.

To create the brass barrel "secure-join" system, cut 3 x 2cm sections of 1/2", 17/32" and 9/16" brass tubes.

Nest all 3 brass tube sections within each other with the 1/2" and 17/32" sections positioned forward slightly. Glue the sections together with strong 2-part epoxy glue.

The 1/2" section will help push the foam dart forward into the barrel and the 17/32" section will sleeve with the 9/16" brass barrel. This forms the basis of the brass barrel "secure-join" system.

In the photo below, you can see how the system works. When the breech is closed, the 9/16" brass barrel will sleeve onto the nested brass tube assembly to create a 100% air seal.

Step 4: Install the brass tube assembly into the back of the breech channel, position it so that the brass barrel can sleeve on it when the breech is closed. Use 2-part epoxy glue to permanently attach it.

Done properly, a nice audible "click" can be heard when the brass barrel and tube assembly connect.




Step 5: Attach a breech locking tab onto the brass barrel.

In my example, i simply used 2 x hex nuts stacked up and epoxy glued onto the brass barrel. I use Selleys Super Strength 2-part epoxy glue (properly clamped with 72 hour curing time), as i've found that its the only epoxy glue strong enough to still hold the locking tab permanently even after repeated heavy-duty usage.

The breech locking tab is important because it prevents the brass barrel from slipping out of the PVC breech casing, and when the breech is closed, it ensures a secure air-tight connection and seal.

In the photo below, it shows the breech open (top), breech closed (middle) and breech locking tab engaged (bottom).

Step 6: Attach the completed Brass Barrel Slide Breech to your blaster of choice.

Here is an example of how i attached it to my +bow.

I customised a 13mm PVC adapter with PETG tube rings to match the +bow coupler.



Then i joined the Brass Barrel Slide Breech with the custom 13mm PVC adapter using a straight 13mm PVC pipe connector.



Great performance and a much smoother (and cooler looking) foam dart reloading procedure. :)