After a fair amount of exploration the prototype DS gas gun is again moving along. Decided to abandon all the earlier valve designs and try something radical, made of stainless and using high tech packing. Another guy and I have been kicking the concept around off-list, and I've been in phone discussion with an aerospace valve company. At this point, it's a guess, a gamble of $65, and it will probably take two weeks for the valve to arrive. And time after that to make the other stainless components (brass is really not the best stuff to use for this application, except maybe as an outer shell or flame tubes). If the valve works as envisioned, it's a giant leap forward and the gun will no longer require a bunch of sliding tubes and mickey mouse springs, just one spring and a simple rack and pinion setup. If not, there's always the option to revert to the simple designs used in the props and the commercially made guns. I intentionally don't use the word fan-made, because it doesn't apply. People either make their own which they don't sell, or buy them from people who are in it for the money. As I said earlier, I won't be making any for sale.

BTW, re DS gun fuel, it IS available through the US mail-- just needs to be declared ORM-D and go surface mail.