Pulse Rifle build question ?

W

Wolvster1

Sr Member
Gone but not forgotten.
Ok, I know there's ALWAYS a build question on PULSE RIFLES so it's
time to throw my hat into this mess now... :)

I'm wanting to do a pretty much " metal " as i can build. Thompson
parts are getting INSANELY expensive anymore so for the
M1A1 I was actually considering an Airsoft or some such ?

Now, I know "most" of them are metal, but how much of them are
actually metal and what would anyone " in the know " would call the
better one to use as a base ?

And another question, this one even FURTHER into the possibility of
majorly expensive. Since i am not about to mess with a REAL Thompson
I've looked up several different blow-back guns in the UK and on Ebay. The MGC
line for example. Anyone here have any experience with those ?

Next to a live fire gun, I would think one of them IDEAL to base
a Pulse Rifle on. :)
 
I've been collecting parts over the last year and am about to start an all-metal upgrade of my HCG rifle.

As far as the Thompson goes, there is really only ONE viable airsoft if you want ALL metal (i.e. both upper and lower receiver). I think it's actually discontinued now, but I believe this is the nickle-plated version of it: http://www.evike.com/products/36524/

I managed to track down a black one locally here in Sweden and it set me back almost $500, so 200 bucks for the nickle plated one (you can just blue it anyway) is a steal.

Most everyone writes "full metal" which is BS. The UPPER is usually metal, but almost never the lower, except in that limited edition linked above. (I think the tell-tale is that markings and trademarks are laser-engraved and not stamped on with white paint.)

As for the shotgun, this is the best current all-metal option that works just like a real shotgun (including sounding realistic when you cock it):
http://www.evike.com/products/47873/

Another member just recently completed this build: http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=230326

For a while, I was actually considering using (are you sitting down?) a SMALL UMBRELLA SHAFT for the shotgun-mechanism. It's got "stops" in the right places, with a similar resistance, and it "clicks" with a metallic sound that kinda sounds like a gun mechanism, even if it's a low lower in volume. Add a couple of metal plates inside to enhance the sound and there you go. But ultimately I decided that if I'm going to blow $1500+ on an "almost" all-metal PR, I might as well go all the way since the options are now there.

I find it really cool that you can now build a PR that for all intents and purposes feels just like the real thing, without needing a gun license or anything.
 
Last edited:
THANKS for the response, only thing I have read " bad " abut the Airsofts is the "apparently" cheapo
metal they use in the guns is supposed to be crap ! Breaks easy from what I've read.... :(

And I would most defiantley WANT to try and have a metal grip frame, just not sure if anyone
manufactures one for the airsofts.. More digging on some late nights is ion order... ;)
 
I agree with Joatrash , with all the info provided , there are so many options , but as for me as well...If you have over 1200.00 or more in parts , might as well spend an additional 1200.00 for the rest over a few years and build it....the airsoft versions are great , but if you decide to go the airsoft route , are you going to take the upper receiver of the Thompson and put real charging bolt parts in it and a spring guide assembly...if so the upper receiver needs to be drilled out with a long big drill bits , that are 2 feet in length....you can cut the rear shaft on them with a dremel , and shorten the rear length of the drill bit to shorten them for more durability , and those drill bits can be found at Harbor Freights website or store...and dremel out the rest of the metal Thompson upper receiver....I've done it and used real Thompson parts in mine...this gives the real feel of the charging bolt ....but it can be done , if this helps you later to decide....whether you want to go that route too
 
Wolvster1 said:
THANKS for the response, only thing I have read " bad " abut the Airsofts is the "apparently" cheapo
metal they use in the guns is supposed to be crap ! Breaks easy from what I've read.... :(

And I would most defiantley WANT to try and have a metal grip frame, just not sure if anyone
manufactures one for the airsofts.. More digging on some late nights is ion order... ;)
Click to expand...


There have been metal lowers for the common (Marui or whatever) Thompsons but as with so many of those specialty items they are always OOS or discontinued. Airsoft makers usually use aluminum and (in some instances) thin sheet steel, so it's not too bad quality-wise. (Denix on the other hand use cheap pot metal that weighs a TON and gives very soft castings.)

The Airsofts I linked you to look and feel FANTASTIC in and of themselves. Both of them fall into the premium-range of airsofts if you take into account the price. I can't speak as to the durability of the firing mechanisms since I have zero interest in preserving those myself, but the actually look and feel of the frames are great. With those, a real Spas cage and the aluminum shrouds of the HCG you're still looking at 16+ pounds (7 kilos) of weight to lug around.

I can't imagine that there's any real risk of them breaking under anything but extreme handling, like dropping on concrete from a high position. I've actually dropped my HCG, shoulder stock first, right smack onto a hardwood floor and even the resin receiver held up with only a small piece cracking off. So aside from making an all-real-parts replica like the old SDS versions, I can't imagine a more solid replica.
 
I HAVE been looking around for a HUDSON, sadly almost ALL of them " out there "
are the old CHICAGO TYPEWRITER models that are not accurate.. Not too
many M1A1's out there but they DO pop up....

I liked Gary's idea of a new Receiver and putting in a bolt and charging handle though as
THAT would add a great level of detail to it.. I'm still early on in hte planning so
plenty of options. just trying to decide the best route and all..

LORD KNOWS I'd love to get a set of ALUMINUM shrouds, but those look to be like
hens teeth on Ebay anymore as guys want upwards of 2 GRAND for those Pulse
Rifles... :(
 
I have no idea how "legal" it is (be it where you live, or if you plan to cut the barrel and keep it live fire), but modern live fire M1 Thompsons are being produced by Kahr Arms.

I eyeballed one of these a long time before I decided to keep it simple and play it safe.
http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/Default.aspx?item=TM1C&pson

If the link doesn't work, apologies (it was zip code dependant, so not sure it will load for others).

I'm sure they are available from other gun sellers or sites. I am guessing the elongated barrel is a legal factor that classifies it as a "rifle" and probably should not be cut. But at only $1200, perhaps this is a foundation for 'authentic' style functional parts that you could then get deactivated? Just another option...
 
Last edited:
Do you know whats TRULY depressing ??? Those blow back Thompsons over in the
UK are anywhere from $ 1,000 to $ 2,000 depending on where you find them..

It's a GLORIFIED CAP GUN, and yet as REAL HONEST TO GOD GUN is one helluva' lot
CHEAPER.... :(
 
Figured I would TOSS this on here as it's coming up. Does anyone know anything about the
" new " HCG Pulse Rifles ? Now, I KNOW they are solid resin, or mostly ? I assume the
Shrouds on them are copies of the ALL METAL ones of their earlier runs. So, does anyone
have any insider info as to " IF " those things will be able to be taken apart ?

Hard to tell from the images where the seam lines are and all that, so I was curious if anyone
here on the Boards had any knowledge of their construction and possibly even SAW some
of them raw ?
 
Wolvster1 said:
Figured I would TOSS this on here as it's coming up. Does anyone know anything about the
" new " HCG Pulse Rifles ? Now, I KNOW they are solid resin, or mostly ? I assume the
Shrouds on them are copies of the ALL METAL ones of their earlier runs. So, does anyone
have any insider info as to " IF " those things will be able to be taken apart ?

Hard to tell from the images where the seam lines are and all that, so I was curious if anyone
here on the Boards had any knowledge of their construction and possibly even SAW some
of them raw ?
Click to expand...
They are not metal ..at all . This 2nd run by HCG are not the same....those are a solid resin kit....no parts
 
Oh I know they are all RESIN kits..... I was just curious if anyone KNEW for certain if
they were " pieced together " resin kit's into a Pulse Rifle or one BIG damn mold !?

I can't IMAGINE their SOLID as that would be nutz ! I was just curious if anyone
here had any inside info into their construction or not ? I know we have a bit
to wait before anyone GETS one so I was curious early. I'll be needing a SHROUD
set sometime in the future and since I DOUBT I'll find a METAL set I'll probably have to
settle on resin... :(
 
Yeah me too...but I am going to try and keep the search for aluminum shrouds....but I won't waste my time hoping ...if it happens and I run across one...that would be great....I will probably have to order a resin shroud again from Matsuo in the near future
 
I'M CURIOUS, is Matsuo the only game in town LEFT for Shrouds ? He " announced " on
FB a few months ago he was OUT of the Prop Business and I know there's a thread running
here about getting things to people past due and all that. I wasn't certain if there was ANYONE
else to "get" a Shroud from ?

I've been making my own things for many years so i wouldn't have any trouble BUILDING
my own. But, I figured " IF " that resin rifle their coming out with is actually a BUNCH
of " pieces-parts " glued together the the SHROUDS are resin copies of their screen accurate
metal ones it might be an option ?
 
If it's anything like other resin pulses I would assume they will be solid not hollow pieces but I could be wrong.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

thatoneguy04
Pulse Rifle Ammo Counter Help
Replies
9
Views
590
laellee
laellee
TalentlessMaker
My M41A Pulse Rifle build
Replies
2
Views
386
WickNJ
WickNJ
SciFirepower
Live Fire Pulse Rifle
Replies
8
Views
2,231
p51
p51
PAULH
Snow Wolf Pulse Rifle Accurizing and Repaint
2
Replies
33
Views
1,614
PAULH
PAULH
Joker1982
Nerf Alien Pulse Rifle M-41A Mod
2
Replies
25
Views
2,272
TheWolfhound
TheWolfhound
Back
Top