Hartford BladeRunner Blaster

[KevVader]

I'm a total BR noob...but I love the flick and wanted to get one iconic BR prop for my collection. I was cruising ebay and came across a Hartford airsoft BR blaster. Looks beautiful to my untrained eye....but are they accurate? well built? Opinions from the experts would be appreciated...

 

[begsby]

If you want a beautiful, accurate blaster the C&S produced by Richard Coyle is the way to go.

 

[MattMunson]

I owned one for about a week, and then sold it. Keep in mind, I rarely sell ANYTHING. I keep stuff that is only marginally cool But this piece was pretty expensive, and frankly, wasn't what I had hoped it would be.

If you have a chance to dig around the archives, I'm sure there are some threads discussing the pros and cons. I think the conclusion about the Hartford is that it was never made with 100% accuracy in mind. They just wanted to make something that looked cool, and looked like the blade runner gun.

That said, it was my opinion that it was also a bit wonky. It rattled a bit, and some of the parts seemed like they were about to break. Then again, I think I had one of the earliest models, so that may have changed in the future.

 

[KevVader]

Thanks Matt...yeah I shoulda searched first....damn noobs.

There are quite a few opinions about the Hartford, Coyle and other BR blasters. The one that I recently saw is going for $1200 US+++....think I'll shoot Rich a pm...

Thanks

 

[Jedirick]

I was in a panic when the Hartfords first came out. I just knew i was going to miss the boat.

Seemed like everytime it looked like I locked in $$'s on one, something would happen. The longer it took, the less the actual $ amount became that I wanted to devote to the blaster. Glad I waited as the opportunity to see one first hand popped up. Blah.

I honestly doubt I would pay more for one of them than the M2019 and frankly neither hold to the accurracy of the Coyle nor the weight and feel of a Doppleganger PKD metal buildup. Basically I have no desire to add the Hartford to MY Collection of BR Blasters other than the fact I don't have one.

 

[Sidewinder]

I agree with Matt, I had a Hartford and found it rattly and uninspiring. Kept it in ots box for a month or two then sold it for a fair wedge more than I bought it - about the only nice thing I could say about it really.
Pics of mine here:
http://www.pointto.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/No2p07.html

SAS

 

[tain669]

I myself like Richs work and he is alway improving the C&S.Do what you think is best but do your reseach.Thanks

 

[androidandy]

The big advantage to the Hartfords is that they seem to either fire caps or are an airsoft version. They are basicly toys...very expensive toys. Everyonce in a while Hartford sells a few more of them at about $500, but only in Japan because they are so afraid of being sued. Noeland is the expert on these and talks to them, and even has designed a prototype snub for them. They are very afraid of selling to Americans because they were truly the first production version of the gun. They say the gun is only a future detective gun and in no way related to BR(yeah right). you can check out their site here http://www.hartford.co.jp/
...From my research I have read that the gun is actually smaller than a Coyle and simplified in its design. I think the Cap firing one seems to be really cool because the caps are in the shells and can be used as a movie prop. The airsoft version instead has a fake cylinder and no shells. The M-2019 offworld guns seem to take some "design clues" from them and Monsters in Motion used to offer resin kits that seemed molded off of them because they also shared the early (purposeful) mispelling of the Steyr Mannlicher to Stayr Mennlichar which Hartford later changed back to the more accurate spelling. Occasionally airsoft retailers will sell them at $800, but I think the prices on ebay are exorbitant and do seem to be coming down. Over a 1000 were made which in BR blaster terms it "quite a few"..but very few have made it to the states which makes them seem rarer. If you want a Toy buy the Off World gun...if you want accuracy wait for the Coyle C&S 5 coming out soon. Rich has even more Photos that were never shown of the Hero and is working an super accurate version.