Finally finished my Metal Blade Runner Blaster (Lots of pics)

[jhusel]

Ok, so I started out just wanting one in my collection, had several over the years, and then as time grew, kept upgrading. My ultimate is a Coyle, and I have a deal in works, but until then I wanted to share my current baby.

It started out life as a metal Off World production model. Then I swapped out the bolt, rear bolt piece, and cocking handle with a casting of Coyle's and fit it to my blaster. Then I stripped the OffWorld receiver and buffed them to blend in. Then I decided I wanted some weathering, it was just too NEW looking and did not go with the bare metal look. So I scuffed it up in some areas, and decided to use a matte clear on the shiny black pieces. I also didn't like the black plastic tube that held the magazine and barrel together, so I machined one of those.

Then one of the things I love on the real one is seeing that metal cylinder when the cocking handle is up. So I ordered a real .38 Special cylinder (since that is what this OffWorld version is based off of). Got it in and was disappointed it was too large around. I had to strip it down and try to make it all fit. I had to mill new holes in the ejector piece to fit a real cylinder, and shave the ends of it. Next was chucking it up in the lathe and taking down the diameter to fit. After that, I buffed it to match the receiver, and got it all installed last night.

I am very happy with how it turned out, and wanted to share some pics.

 

[Mike J.]

Nice! I just got the metal parts upgrade for my Off World as a birthday present to myself.

Is that as far as the bolt retracts?

 

[jhusel]

Nope it goes back a little further. Still wanna tweak it some though.

jhusel

 

[Droderic]

That looks great!

 

[SithSammy3]

That's amazing!

 

[Vanitas]

Awesome job man! I'm still a noob when it comes to the BR blaster, but I really like the little scuffs and dings, it makes for a much more realistic looking prop! BTW, maybe I'm just an idiot, but where exactly does one go about getting metal upgrade parts for the Blade Runner blaster? The tomenosuke is beautiful, but WAY out of my reach-something like this is a little more doable.

 

[jhusel]

Thanks! You can get a mostly metal one from OffWorld on eBay. Then the other parts I got from Richard Coyle racprops (but has been banned). The cylinder would have to be machined to be smaller in diameter.

 

[Vanitas]

Thanks! You can get a mostly metal one from OffWorld on eBay. Then the other parts I got from Richard Coyle racprops (but has been banned). The cylinder would have to be machined to be smaller in diameter.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that I've hears that the OffWorld ebay BR blaster is too small in dimension, about %15 smaller, if I remember right. I may not now all of the nuances and details of the blaster (I'm more of a Han solo ANH DL-44 guy), but I'm still an accuracy nut. From what little I know from research, I believe that a Sidkit would probably be my best option in terms of balancing quality, accuracy, and price (recasting aside). Any ideas?

 

[Sushigod]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that I've hears that the OffWorld ebay BR blaster is too small in dimension, about %15 smaller, if I remember right. I may not now all of the nuances and details of the blaster (I'm more of a Han solo ANH DL-44 guy), but I'm still an accuracy nut. From what little I know from research, I believe that a Sidkit would probably be my best option in terms of balancing quality, accuracy, and price (recasting aside). Any ideas?

Your right its slightly off Off World Blasters were built on the .38 frame while the actual prop was based on .44. But the this blaster is certainly not a bad option and with these upgrades looks great.

 

[Hirohawa]

Looks great!

How did you cut the bolt lever (assuming it is a Coyle's) to fit with everything?

 

[jhusel]

Honestly, Coyle's parts fit very well with little manipulation. I did file the rear piece down some, it was a little too large, but the bolt and cocking handle were untouched other than polishing and deciding how I wanted it to all fit inside.

 

[Cameron1138]

That truly is a thing of great beauty. I'd love one sometime, but I could never hope to afford one now (if only someone would make a cheaper one out of plastic or something for those who can't afford metal).

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what the two different triggers are supposed to do? (on the 'real' blaster in the movie, not on the replica one)

 

[Darthwolf7]

Nice job! Looks great! The two triggers serve one purpose.. the front is a "hair trigger" the back is the firing trigger... at least that is their real purpose on the Steyr rifle... I modified my OW heavily too...it came out great...I'm keeping it for costuming since the metal blasters are too delicate for convention settings...

 

[Darthwolf7]

I didn't have to machine my real .38 cylinder!? It slid into place perfectly for me!!?? Guess I got lucky?...

 

[jhusel]

Just my luck! Good news for you tho! Mine was a Taurus .38 special. What did you get?

 

[Darthwolf7]

Charter arms...

 

[jhusel]

Hmmm you wouldn't think there'd be much difference between manufactures, but apparently so.

 

[Hirohawa]

Hmmm you wouldn't think there'd be much difference between manufactures, but apparently so.

Maybe for direct clones (i.e. Taurus PT 99 and Beretta 92) but there is a great deal of difference between firearm parts from different manufacturers. Same way I couldn't buy Pistons from Ford and cram them into my Chevy engine.

 

[joberg]

Fantastic job on that gun:cool

 

[greendevil303]

Nice pistol! I really dig the mods you did on it. A possible reason why the cylinder didn't quite fit: Taurus is renowned for over-engineering their firearms. And it's quite possible you got a cylinder that is rated to fire +P ammunition. Hence the slightly larger diameter. The chamber spread may be slightly wider than a standard load CA cylinder as well.