Hey all. Been sitting on this project for some time now, but I've finally got onto this build. As it's going to be crazy busy this year (making my first feature film), so I'm hoping to get this knocked out this week before I go back to work.
The goal of course...
I really wanted an airsoft version of this and managed to pick up the correct model PTS Masada for a couple hundred off eBay. It's used but works great and looks a little weathered which is perfect. What I really like is the way it kicks a little when fired, gives it a great feel.
Managed to get a kit from @wondersquid, super stoked!
This pic from @PeterLC was a huge help in working out what goes where...
Bit of a test fit just for fun...
Lots to do and not sure how it will go using the airsoft but let's get into it. First up, the front shells are filed to fit together snugly...
Screws fitted to mounting blocks...
And this is where the fun begins! The mounting blocks sit too high and create a huge gap between the shells...
On the other side the slide handle is hard up against the shell. Some modding will be needed here...
Not sure this was the best way to go as it caused more fitting issues further down the track, but I decided to cut down the mounting blocks...
This fixed the gap...
And also got the charge handle off the shell...
The slot for the charging handle had to be enlarged...
Looking at some reference pics I took off the blue ray the enlarged slot actually looks quite accurate...
The next issue is getting the shells to marry properly. Wondersquid's kit is awesome, but not perfect (as he mentions in his run thread). The lower shell's sides warp in a little so they don't quite line up with the upper shell...
So out came the heat gun and I heated up the lower shell then adjusted the shape. The trick here is to not let it get too hot and to make sure the adjustments are even so it stays square. Once reshaped the shells married well...
In connecting the shells I decided to use some pieces of styrene left over from my Stormtrooper build to give the shells something extra to glue to...
Upper and lower shells were glued, then I painted the inside mat black...
Fitted the shells to the Masada. Keep in mind the front shells have to be able to slide on and off, as the airsoft battery sits inside the lower shell. looking good...
I discovered the same issue with the rear shell parts. The lower shell's sides bend in...
Unfortunately my heat gun died as I was fixing the front shells, so the rear shell got dipped in boiling water. Shhhh, don't tell the wife I used her pretty jug...
Reshaped and married up to the upper shell...
Used the same styrene technique for the rear shells...
Rear shell mounting blocks fitted...
I decided not to have a folding stock, although it's quite doable. (Check out Soulinertia's build thread for a folding stock). With that in mind I decided I wanted everything as solid and locked together as possible.
Fitted the stock button but this will be glued in place once assembled...
Added a screw through the stock join, again to add to it holding together well...
Also added screws through the mounting blocks for added strength...
Hinge bolt and sling attachment added...
The sling attachment created another issue as it gets in the way of the lower shell. Easy fix...
Assembled and a bit more paint...
Stock fitted to the Masada...
So the front and rear shells are fitted. The issue of course will be the middle shell section as the height position of the front and rear shells are different. All fun and games though, right? Lol.
The goal of course...
I really wanted an airsoft version of this and managed to pick up the correct model PTS Masada for a couple hundred off eBay. It's used but works great and looks a little weathered which is perfect. What I really like is the way it kicks a little when fired, gives it a great feel.
Managed to get a kit from @wondersquid, super stoked!
This pic from @PeterLC was a huge help in working out what goes where...
Bit of a test fit just for fun...
Lots to do and not sure how it will go using the airsoft but let's get into it. First up, the front shells are filed to fit together snugly...
Screws fitted to mounting blocks...
And this is where the fun begins! The mounting blocks sit too high and create a huge gap between the shells...
On the other side the slide handle is hard up against the shell. Some modding will be needed here...
Not sure this was the best way to go as it caused more fitting issues further down the track, but I decided to cut down the mounting blocks...
This fixed the gap...
And also got the charge handle off the shell...
The slot for the charging handle had to be enlarged...
Looking at some reference pics I took off the blue ray the enlarged slot actually looks quite accurate...
The next issue is getting the shells to marry properly. Wondersquid's kit is awesome, but not perfect (as he mentions in his run thread). The lower shell's sides warp in a little so they don't quite line up with the upper shell...
So out came the heat gun and I heated up the lower shell then adjusted the shape. The trick here is to not let it get too hot and to make sure the adjustments are even so it stays square. Once reshaped the shells married well...
In connecting the shells I decided to use some pieces of styrene left over from my Stormtrooper build to give the shells something extra to glue to...
Upper and lower shells were glued, then I painted the inside mat black...
Fitted the shells to the Masada. Keep in mind the front shells have to be able to slide on and off, as the airsoft battery sits inside the lower shell. looking good...
I discovered the same issue with the rear shell parts. The lower shell's sides bend in...
Unfortunately my heat gun died as I was fixing the front shells, so the rear shell got dipped in boiling water. Shhhh, don't tell the wife I used her pretty jug...
Reshaped and married up to the upper shell...
Used the same styrene technique for the rear shells...
Rear shell mounting blocks fitted...
I decided not to have a folding stock, although it's quite doable. (Check out Soulinertia's build thread for a folding stock). With that in mind I decided I wanted everything as solid and locked together as possible.
Fitted the stock button but this will be glued in place once assembled...
Added a screw through the stock join, again to add to it holding together well...
Also added screws through the mounting blocks for added strength...
Hinge bolt and sling attachment added...
The sling attachment created another issue as it gets in the way of the lower shell. Easy fix...
Assembled and a bit more paint...
Stock fitted to the Masada...
So the front and rear shells are fitted. The issue of course will be the middle shell section as the height position of the front and rear shells are different. All fun and games though, right? Lol.
Last edited:
