Learn how to craft and use the Pipe Pistol
7 Days to Die is all about adapting and using what you can scavenge to survive. In the spirit of that, the player starts out capable of crafting pipe guns, among which the Pipe Pistol stands as a solid choice for a low-tier weapon. This scrappy revolver is capable of firing several shots in quick succession and maintaining its accuracy while mobile.
This guide will walk you through crafting a Pipe Pistol in 7 Days to Die and offer advice on utilizing it best.
How to craft a Pipe Pistol in 7 Days to Die
It’s impressive that our character can carve functional revolver parts from scrap, and doing so will only cost you a few basic resources. The amount of crafting materials required will depend on the quality of the firearm being constructed:
| Material | Quality 1 | Quality 2 | Quality 3 | Quality 4 | Quality 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short Iron Pipe | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Glue | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Wood | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Rifles Crafting Skill | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 |
- Short Iron Pipes can be crafted from Forged Iron or salvaged from numerous pipes, sinks, fridges, toilets, and other plumbing fixtures.
- Glue can be scavenged from chemicals or parts containers or may be crafted from Bones and clean water at a Campfire or Chemistry Station.
- Wood can be gathered by looting trash, smashing wooden structures, or chopping trees and shrubs.
- The Handguns crafting skill can only be improved by finding and reading issues of the Handgun Magazine skill magazine.
Pipe Pistol Overview
Base Stats
| Property | Quality 1 | Quality 2 | Quality 3 | Quality 4 | Quality 5 | Quality 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magazine Size | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Rounds / Minute | 126 | 126 | 126 | 126 | 126 | 126 |
| Effective Range | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Max Durability | 75 | 87 | 99 | 111 | 123 | 135 |
| Mod Slots | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Ammo
The Pipe Pistol is chambered in low-cost 9mm Ammo, of which there are 3 kinds: Standard, HiPower (HP), and Armor Piercing (AP). The damage of each quality of weapon is determined by what ammo the player has loaded into it.
Damage By Ammo Type
| Ammo Type | Quality 1 | Quality 2 | Quality 3 | Quality 4 | Quality 5 | Quality 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9mm | 28 | 29.3 | 30.8 | 32.2 | 33.6 | 35 |
| HiPower 9mm | 31 | 32.5 | 34.1 | 35.6 | 37.2 | 38.7 |
| AP 9mm | 34 | 35.6 | 37.4 | 39.1 | 40.8 | 42.5 |
9mm Ammo
Crafting 9mm Ammo will require a workbench and the following materials:
- 1 Bullet Tip
- 1 Gunpowder
- 1 Bullet Casing
HiPower 9mm Ammo
Crafting HiPower 9mm Ammo will require a Workbench, that the player has read the Pistol Pete Vol.5 perk book, as well as the following materials:
- 2 Bullet Tips
- 1 Gunpowder
- 1 Bullet Casing
AP 9mm Ammo
Crafting AP 9mm Ammo will require a Workbench, that the player has read the Pistol Pete Vol. 6 perk book, as well as the following materials:
- 2 Bullet Tips
- 2 Gunpowder
- 1 Bullet Casing
Mods
The Pipe Pistol accepts the following mods. Note that only one mod of any category may be attached at a time except accessory mods.
- Barrel: Barrel Extender, Muzzle Brake, Silencer
- Sights: Reflex, Scope x2
- Accessory: Cripple ‘Em
- Tech: The Hunter, Rad Remover
- Rail: Laser Sight, Weapon Flashlight
Tips and tricks for using the Pipe Pistol
As a member of the Handgun weapon class, the Pipe Pistol scales in power with the player’s Agility attribute and the Gunslinger perk.
The Pipe Pistol is one of the more versatile pipe weapons, dealing low-moderate damage at mid-close range. It’s also capable of being fired on the move or from the hip (but not both) without losing too much accuracy. This makes it a decent choice for close-quarters confrontations and indoor combat.
Regardless of this weapon’s mobility, it can still only hold 6 shots at a time, so it’s important to make each shot count by aiming for headshots and enemy weak points. As with all pipe guns, the pipe pistol is extremely slow to reload (around 6 seconds per shot.)
Due to the frequency with which users will be reloading and the excruciatingly slow animation, we strongly suggest strapping a Bandolier Mod onto your armor and investing in the Gunslinger perk to decrease reload times. The Run and Gun perk is also an excellent choice, as it can greatly reduce the movement speed penalty from reloading.
The Pipe Pistol’s greatest weaknesses are its short range and extremely low durability. Fortunately, this weapon can be repaired with simple iron pipes and can be fitted with sights and a barrel extender to assist with range.
This gun makes an excellent sidearm or backup weapon for players relying on less versatile and mobile weapons such as the Pipe Rifle or Pipe Shotgun.
Final thoughts on the Pipe Pistol
Though not the best weapon by any means, the Pipe Pistol is a relatively stable choice when selecting an early-game weapon. Its increased ammo capacity and handling make it a solid weapon for Agility characters and anyone needing an adaptable gun in the early game. Also, we must admire the detail The Fun Pimps put into the model and reload animations of this weapon.
Looking for some more pointers to help you survive 7 Days to Die? Check out our 10 Tips for Getting Started or our in-depth Beginner’s Guide.
