Firefly Resin Handguns

[aoifrost]

Hey all,

I searched around and haven't found much about Wilco Models yet, so I'm looking for some consumer reviews on their products. I just started watching Firefly and I checked out some auctions on Ebay for relatively cheap resin props for Mal's and Jayne's pistols. The auction claimed they were 1:1 scale and manufactured by "Wilco Models". It was going for a nice price ('cause I don't have the bank for a QMX right now...), so I was hoping somebody here has bought from them. :confused

If anybody has good, economic alternatives to having some firefly pistols, I'd be interested to hear.
Thanks guys

 

[Wakal]

Yes.

You will also see many of the Wilco line under the name Dreadnaught Industries, associated with some guy I can't quite recall, and vice-versa. Both are Air Farce weirdos, so you can't really be sure what is going through their pea-sized brains at any given time.

There are some inaccuracies, particularly the grips on the Mal gun (which seem to have been made from Ruger grips) and the trigger guard on the Jayne pistol. I blame Wilco/DI's lousy machinist. However, Wilco and DI are known for decent quality stuff at VERY affordable prices.





Alex

 

[gunnerk19]

You will also see many of the Wilco line under the name Dreadnaught Industries, associated with some guy I can't quite recall, and vice-versa. Both are Air Farce weirdos, so you can't really be sure what is going through their pea-sized brains at any given time.
[/b]

:lol
:thumbsup

I still can't figure why an Airdale would have a piccy of the Missouri, tho...

 

[Flagg]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(frost @ Dec 10 2006, 02:57 AM) [snapback]1374882[/snapback]</div>

Hey all,

I searched around and haven't found much about Wilco Models yet, so I'm looking for some consumer reviews on their products. I just started watching Firefly and I checked out some auctions on Ebay for relatively cheap resin props for Mal's and Jayne's pistols. The auction claimed they were 1:1 scale and manufactured by "Wilco Models". It was going for a nice price ('cause I don't have the bank for a QMX right now...), so I was hoping somebody here has bought from them. :confused

If anybody has good, economic alternatives to having some firefly pistols, I'd be interested to hear.
Thanks guys
[/b]

I've bought loads of stuff from them and have always been happy with the quality, price and service. I wouldnt worry about them in the slightest.

 

[SurferGeek]

I remember reading, but don't recall where, a review of the Wilco Firefly Mal Pistol. From the review it sound like the guy was happy as the price was cheap but it also sounded like he had to put quite a bit of time and work into the piece. I do remember him commenting that the grips were an especially sore spot for the kit.

 

[glim999]

I have the Mal kit. I'm quite happy with it. It does need a bit of work though. You've gotta remove the hammer, sand down both grips, fill the dip in the left grip, and add the safety but it ends up mighty shiny in the end.

 

[reaper63]

Although I've never gottent the Firefly pistols from them, I have gotten alot of other kits and I've never been sorry about the purchase once. As mentioned some inacurracies, but overall, great quality and always delievers.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Have heard nothing bad about them... haven't bought from them yet, but still plan to in the future, as they offer a lot of cool stuff. :thumbsup

 

[Reaper57]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoHumorMan @ Dec 10 2006, 02:48 PM) [snapback]1375081[/snapback]</div>

Have heard nothing bad about them... haven't bought from them yet, but still plan to in the future, as they offer a lot of cool stuff. :thumbsup
[/b]

Methinks Wilco models "some other guy " has already posted on this thread. :angel

watch it newbies.

but Wilco models and the nuts that run it are fine and very talented { though one is a little weird} in my book :thumbsup .

HEY does that give me a discount. :lol

john :cool

 

[Wakal]

Hey now, our...ah, I mean, "their" motto is "no discounts"

Although I...ah...I mean, "they", have trouble with math on large orders





Alex

 

[Too Much Garlic]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Reaper57 @ Dec 10 2006, 09:34 PM) [snapback]1375107[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoHumorMan @ Dec 10 2006, 02:48 PM) [snapback]1375081[/snapback]

Have heard nothing bad about them... haven't bought from them yet, but still plan to in the future, as they offer a lot of cool stuff. :thumbsup
[/b]

Methinks Wilco models "some other guy " has already posted on this thread. :angel
watch it newbies.
[/b][/quote]
I'm unsure how to take these comments. :confused

 

[Mr_Creepy]

Wakal = Dreadnaught Industries = 1/2 of Wilco Models :lol

 

[aoifrost]

hahaha.

This is exciting. I'm going to try and get the pistol kits right away then. I'm itching to making something shiny. Thanks for all the feedback guys.

By the way, this will be my first time working with resin, so would anybody have any tips for a newbie?

I mean... how should I be preparing the kit for painting, what kind of paint to use, and 'stuff.

EDIT:

Alright, I just saw another guy on ebay selling firefly props too... so has anybody heard of "coolmodels" ?
I'm most likely going to get the wilco, but just testing all the options.

 

[Gigatron]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(frost @ Dec 11 2006, 01:39 AM) [snapback]1375238[/snapback]</div>

By the way, this will be my first time working with resin, so would anybody have any tips for a newbie?

I mean... how should I be preparing the kit for painting, what kind of paint to use, and 'stuff.

[/b]

Working with resin is fairly easy. Though some kits are more complex than others, the basics still apply to every kit.

Sand down any extra flash and seam lines. Fill pin holes with crazy glue, medium holes with a mix of crazy glue and talcum powder and large holes with bondo or squadron putty (whichever you can get your hands on). After you filled and sanded and you're happy, wash the piece(s) in warm, soapy water and allow to completely dry. Next, spray with auto primer and allow to dry (though it's dry in 15 minutes, I like to give it an hour or so). Then depending on your skill, experience and tools on hand, you can either paint with rattle paints (krylon or duplicolor) or an airbrush and enamels.


BTW Alex, when I first read your post, I thought you had parted ways with Wilco and were serious about the quality problems. Had me going there for a minute :lol

-Fred

 

[glim999]

Coolmodels is a recaster I believe. His Mal pistol is ugly too if I'm remembering the auction correctly. Go with the Wilco.

As for painting it, soak it in hot dish soapy water when you first get it. The thing will be oily. Here's how I painted mine.

I used cheap Wal-Mart spray primer. Once that dried I hit it with Wal-Mart flat black. Then I used antique gold Rub N Buff on an old sock and added the brassy patches. Next, cover the whole thing in black liquid shoe polish/leather dye. Wipe it off before it dries. Some will stay on and give the black areas a nice deep tone and the brass patches an aged look.

For the grips I used acrylics for the base color. I mixed Raw sienna, burnt sienna, and burnt umber together and brushed it on thickly using a stiff brush. For the wood grain I used a brown art pen that I found at Michale's. I drew the lines on and wiped them off with my finger before the ink dried fully. It'll give a nice soft line. Once I finished that I sprayed the whole gun with dull coat.

Hope that helps

 

[Birdie]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(glim999 @ Dec 11 2006, 03:14 AM) [snapback]1375274[/snapback]</div>

Coolmodels is a recaster I believe. His Mal pistol is ugly too if I'm remembering the auction correctly. Go with the Wilco.

As for painting it, soak it in hot dish soapy water when you first get it. The thing will be oily. Here's how I painted mine.

I used cheap Wal-Mart spray primer. Once that dried I hit it with Wal-Mart flat black. Then I used antique gold Rub N Buff on an old sock and added the brassy patches. Next, cover the whole thing in black liquid shoe polish/leather dye. Wipe it off before it dries. Some will stay on and give the black areas a nice deep tone and the brass patches an aged look.

For the grips I used acrylics for the base color. I mixed Raw sienna, burnt sienna, and burnt umber together and brushed it on thickly using a stiff brush. For the wood grain I used a brown art pen that I found at Michale's. I drew the lines on and wiped them off with my finger before the ink dried fully. It'll give a nice soft line. Once I finished that I sprayed the whole gun with dull coat.

Hope that helps
[/b]

Got a pic?

 

[aoifrost]

Alright.

Thanks for all the tips guys, it'll help out a lot when I'm working on the pistol.

By the way glim, thanks for the heads up on coolmodels--wilco it is. I'll be sure to post pics of it once I'm done.

 

[glim999]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Birdie @ Dec 10 2006, 10:33 PM) [snapback]1375289[/snapback]</div>

Got a pic?
[/b]

Of my Mal or of the coolmodels? If you mean mine, here it is again.

Crappy camera but you can see the paint job well enough

 

[Invicta]

I recently bought the Browncoat pistol from Bill. Apart from the mentioned remods it's a good piece and you can't beat the price, it took about 10 days from order to receipt. I'm hoping the hints I've dropped with my better half AKA the wife will lead to the Zat gun under the Christmas tree.

 

[Wakal]

Very nice paint job (especially the grips)


I've had some questions via PM, so I'll just answer 'em here for everyone else:

1. These are cast in black resin, not white. Scratches are MUCH less noticable

2. These are cast by professionals. That means that the barrels do not sag :angel

3. These are made by as a hobby, not to make H2 payments or to turn a quick $10,000 before the market sours. There is no reason except greed or, well, greed, to charge $200 for a little resin kit

:lol

If you have the cash (and although I don't, I have three on order) the licenced piece looks awesome


Alex