Endor A280 rebel trooper rifle...

[gunnerk19]

Hey guys...

I recently saw this (from whom immediately escapes me), and looks like a good base to build up an Endor blaster rifle...

http://www.modelmarts.com/mall.php3?query=...>Rifle&no=88

It has the overall correct look (flat top receiver, no forward bolt assist, etc.), and could be reasonably modded to look like an Alliance A280, and for the most part still retaining its functional airsoft features... Albeit having to add a cosmetic dust cover, chopping down a magazine to fit the well flush (while still allowing a good BB feed), and fixing a correct looking pump handle to it, which my first thought was that the forward grip looks to have come off an old Sheridan Piranha paintball rifle...

Also, anyone know what type of magazine was used for the "False Magazine" shown below?
Looks like a promising base for a lesser seen prop. Your thoughts and input are appreciated B)

 

[division 6]

From pix off a real one that someone posted on the RL the forward mag is fake, made of wood.
If you have a M16 rifle for the base than everything else is easy to scale out using the known dimensions of the rifle.

Here is the one I put together out of scraps around the house and a gutted Airsoft a friend gave me.

D6

 

[deralis]

http://www.studiocreations.com/howto/endor...errifle_bp.html

 

[Stormy320]

gunnerk,

where did you get the picture of the A280 with the labeling?

 

[OdiWan72]

Looking great.

What model of the AR15/ M16 should I look for that does NOT have the forward assist button = would be correct for this blaster?.

Markus

 

[Jedi Loreen]

<div class='quotetop'>(Stormy320 @ Aug 24 2006, 04:48 AM) [snapback]1306156[/snapback]</div>

gunnerk,

where did you get the picture of the A280 with the labeling?
[/b]

Studio Creations-Endor Rifle.

 

[bwingpilot]

<div class='quotetop'></div>

What model of the AR15/ M16 should I look for that does NOT have the forward assist button = would be correct for this blaster?.[/b]

As far as real firearms go you should be looking at either a pre-A1 m16 or the commercial colt sp1. I can't quite tell the exact make/model lower receiver is, so if anyone has any high res pics, please post

 

[Kaylee]

Looks rather like a FAL magazine to me.

If so, you're in luck. They're cheap as dirt.
http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?ite...9&dir=625%7C629



<div class='quotetop'></div>

Also, anyone know what type of magazine was used for the "False Magazine" shown below?
[/b]

 

[OdiWan72]

Thanks bwingpilot, but I´d prefer a high-end softair version of the correct M16 variation.

Anyone who can lead me in the right direction?
I know it´s possible to buy metal upper/ lower receivers separately, but I don´t know what model to look for :unsure

Markus

 

[gunnerk19]

Well, the only thing I can think of, since there wasn't a working Hero version of the rifle, is that they made a resin or rubber cast of the Vietnam era M16, then cut off the carrying handle and added the extras to it... If you look at the detail photo where the flash hider is mounted on the top rear, you can see where the handle had been cut off...

 

[bwingpilot]

<div class='quotetop'></div>

Thanks bwingpilot, but I´d prefer a high-end softair version of the correct M16 variation.

Anyone who can lead me in the right direction?
I know it´s possible to buy metal upper/ lower receivers separately, but I don´t know what model to look for.[/b]

Doesn't look like you have any good airsoft options, as far as I know nobody makes pre-a1 m16 airsoft replicas. The real stuff will actually be the cheaper route. Let me know if you still need help with this.

<div class='quotetop'></div>

since there wasn't a working Hero version of the rifle[/b]

Are you so sure, to me it seems like they modified a few colt sp1s and made some casts of them, but some were definately real and not all resin.

 

[gunnerk19]

Actually I'm not entirely sure :unsure The upper receiver could be an sp1, but the lower receiver is from a later model by the "fence" along the side of the mag well and around the mag release button; The older M16's were "slab sided" in this area. Also, at least in the labeled photo blaster, there's no trigger, and although it's difficult to say, They'd have to chop a mag in half and still have it functional in order for it to be concealed in the mag well (the mag release button does look functional in the pic)..

 

[OdiWan72]

I´d appreciate help with the allocation of an affordable SP1 upper and a correct lower. Real or metal airsoft, whatever wouldn´t cost me an arm an a leg, since I "just" want to upgrade my existing Endor rifle, which has one of Matts awesome resin receiver combos. BUT it´s resin, so...

I´d also need the levers, bolts etc. that go with it.

Please PM/ email me, if you have any idea where to get something.
Many thanks in advance,

Markus

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

Can you even legally (in the U.S.) buy M-16 receivers? I may just try modifying an airsoft or something.

 

[gunnerk19]

Anyone can buy an upper receiver legally; However, the lower receiver can only be sold to a Class 3 permit holder or dealer since the lower houses the disconnect, sear, ect. that could make it full auto capable...

 

[Stormy320]

You could buy an AR-15 receiver legally, which looks identical to an M16 receiver except it's for a semi auto gun and not full auto.

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

Since I'm no M16 expert, could you "fix" a M16A1 to look like the version used for the Endor blaster? If I have read right, you only need to remove the forward assist. Most airsoft rifles (well the cheaper versions) are plastic so it would be a big problem.

 

[Kaylee]

For what it's worth, relatively cheap 70's era M16 upper receiver sets have been turning up at various suplus houses. They do have a forward assist, though no spent case deflector. I just popped one open, and although grinding off the forward assist would leave a hole in the side of the reciever, it looks possible, although a real pain. I think you might even be able to cut off the carry handle/rear sight assembly and not even broach into the receiver proper if you're careful about how deep you cut.

Given the early 80's era of filming, I'd speculate that the prop folks cut down commercial civilian Colt SP-1 rifles:
http://tombstonearms.com/NewFiles/Colt%20S...20ReceiverR.jpg

Note the flatsided mag release area, no reinforcing around the pushpin lugs, and of course the missing brass deflector and forward assist. Given that they built the stock off a real collapsible stock buffer tube, I'd speculate that at least one of the originals was actually capable of firing rounds.


Finally, some folks produce partially finished receivers for AR series rifles. If you feel like making a real-looking prop, I bet you could order an 80% lower and upper -- or even raw forgings, and go from there. Since you wouldn't need a functioning rifle, you could just skip those steps.

There is presently no pre-mag fence/pin reinforced model lower receiver in production I know of (though I don't follow things that closely). Still, given that original gov't uppers from that era are starting to trickle into general circulation, along with just plain nostalgia and the proliferation of smaller-scale receiever manufacturing I'd say it's only a matter of time before someone starts selling them.

-K

 

[Kaylee]

Ah.

Here's a supplier for some of those 80% models I was speaking of. Looks like some you could just chop off the unwanted parts, JB weld up any gaps you don't like, and call it good. Looks like you could get out with both a lower and upper pair for around $80. I think at least the lower would be solid rather than open for a magazine, but hey.. if you're just gonna JB Weld the thing together and not make a functioning rifle, who cares? It'll add a nice extra heft to the finished piece. You could prolly drill out enough for a trigger and run wires up into electronics in a hollow upper as well.

http://www.tanneryshop.com/80-ar15.htm



Have fun.

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

Thanks. I'll check those out.