About myself & how P3 (Pipers Precision Products)
As a young man I seemed to have a knack for creativity and bringing thoughts or dreams to reality. I used to watch the (James Bond 007) movies and decide which gadgets were within my capabilities. Sci-Fi movies played a major role in my life as well, who wouldn’t want a laser gun or light saber? However that technology has yet to be discovered… at least in a lightweight portable package. And as far as sabers go, the laser would have to be self-terminating.
Anyway as I got older, and as I could find time away from work, my gadgets got more sophisticated and powerful. I never built these gadgets to sell but was for my own amusement and a few friends. My dad was a machinist by trade and that is where I had access to a milling machine and lathe and of course gained the experience of basic machining.
When I was younger I could not use them but somehow persuaded dad whether or not he knew what I was building to help me out. I was terrible at math I never used measurements to do anything; it was always on the principles of about (yay big and so long). And despite my lack of mathematics I always seemed to be successful at what I built.
It was not until I built my first air powered minigun that I realized how important math was going to be. For the first time I had to actually put all them designs in my head on paper… WOW!! And in thousands!! What a chore. Speaking of miniguns… I guess I better explain how I got into them.
I first saw a minigun on the “Green Berets” It was made 1 year before I was born & I was about 10 when I saw it for the first time. I asked Dad what it was and he begin to explain how it was a gatling gun with a motor and even told me some Vietnam war stories how one of his family members saw it in action.
I was fascinated by it and began to research everything I could about miniguns. I was determined that one day I would have one, but as I soon found out they just were not that plentiful and pricey toL.
A few years later I began to envision a .22 caliber version, at the time I did not know about all the Legalities and that you had to have a C2 to manufacture full-auto firearms. I didn’t get very far and was informed that I needed a license, I talked to the BATF and sure enough there was a lot of red tape. Scraping that idea I went back to the drawing board, this time I was going to use airpower as there are no restrictions rather it be semi-auto or full-auto. It was not until 1996 that I began to do the machining on the pneumatic mini After I the completed the minigun, known as the (Mini-Vulcan) I took it to a friends house to show it off (and of course tear up some tin cans and bottles), He felt that this was by far the best thing I had ever created and that others might enjoy this unique product. As a matter of fact, he felt that the gun was so phenomenal that I should go public and show it off
Well to make a long story short, I did. I attended an air gun show in Little Rock, Arkansas there it made such a presence and captivated the public.
I first wanted to make plans and video for the do-it-yourself machinist, however it drew the attention of a rather wealthy individual who had a passion for airguns. Without going into all the details he provided the means for me to produce a limited # of units. Once word got out, the guns were already spoken for before the first unit was made. It was not to long after that that I had a friend who was into computers, he said he could put a small web site together and display a few of my creations, to the whole world....I was skeptical but what would it hurt? Again to not go into great detail, it gained immediate attention and overwhelming demand. But then the patent thing come into play, And before I went too far I figured I better look into it.
Taking a better part of two years to get it finalized, but in Nov. of 2000, I was issued my first patent. Miniguns are my passion but I do have a variety of other guns as well.
I do construction and P3 is a side job, that’s right, I don’t want to misinform the public that I’m some huge Co. I’m a building contractor and P3 is a part time job/hobby. We are growing and maybe one day I will do this full time.
My adventures with the real minigun have not ceased, over the years I have met a few individuals that own them and were happy to show them to me, I even had the privilege of getting a grand tour of Dillon Aero. Mike has done a fantastic job in making several improvements to the reliability of the minigun. And I look forward to returning there again this year.
Along with the miniguns I have also enjoyed the company of many C2& C3 holders who have become great friends and allowed me to shoot a wide variety of machineguns and suppressed weapons. But to my amazement they find my gadgets more thrilling than there own. Image that……Well I hope you enjoyed this, and we look forward to bringing you new and exiting products each year.
Paul Piper
P3 photos
Our visit to Dillon Aero
A special thanks to the Dillon Aero & Crew for your hospitality and showing us around.