QMX Malcolm Reynolds Metal-Plated Pistol Replica

[Skyler101]

Mine arrived today.

I am reserving my full thoughts until I hear back from QMX, but needless to say, I am very disappointed with what was delivered. Short version: It's covered in production flaws. Other than the aforementioned seam lines, there are multiple pieces of loose material that were left stuck to random places and plated/painted over. They're all in very noticeable places too, such as the recessed "ribs" in the magazine and the small greebly add-on beneath the rear sight.

The right grip has bubble holes in the edge.

The barrel, like someone mentioned before, is warped; it's rotated and angled upward.

Sigh.

Ummm... Now I am getting nervous.... :cry
Would love the guys from QMX to chime in here!

-Skyler101

 

[Kerr Avon]

Yeah, I'm wondering about the plating too. Sounds from the reports that there may be no plating at all. Can anyone verify what the story is?

I'm going to make a guess here, but if these are vacuum plated, then I'm guessing that trying to straighten the barrel is out. You'd have to heat it up to straighten it, but wouldn't that likely ruin the vac plating?

 

[Sundowner]

Well bummer big time! I haven't got mine yet but all the wind is out of my sails.

 

[propstuf]

Wind is out of my sails, too...

I purchased the original resin version years ago, and was quite pleased. While it isn't perfect, it provides an appreciated alternative to knocking around my Models 47 and 47a or my SidKits.

The prototype photos for the "metal plated" Mal looked good, too. Same inaccuracies as the resin version (I won't get into that here [paging RobStyle! :lol]), but for the price, quite a deal.

The problem for me is that the photos of the product that has shipped simply don't square with the advertising photos. Let's remember that good metal plating (whether vaccum-metallized or other) requires a clean, smooth surface. I don't see that here. Add to that the possibility of a droopy or warped barrel and it isn't too much of a stretch to say I am a little worried about what may show up at my door (still no shipping notice for me).

I, too, would appreciate some insight from QMX. Was there a bad first batch, or inconsistent QC? Nothing riles up us fanboys more than silence. :rolleyes

 

[Birdie]

Has anyone PMed the RPF QMX rep?

I'd like to know the score to. Ordered mine from a reseller in the UK, I'm seriously thinking of cancelling now, 'fore it's too late. Think I should have kept my resin one :rolleyes

 

[Serenity]

I've only e-mailed their customer support so far, but no reply yet. For my part, I'm truly not trying to be a downer or to burst anyone's bubble. When it comes to licensed products, I am usually easily satisfied because I have low expectations in regards to accuracy. However, when the quality of a product is lowered because of fundamental production/quality oversights... Well, let's just say I expected better from QMX.

Here are a few photos; I tried to take a straight-on side shot for the barrel...



I hope I'm not just seeing things. I mean, I expected *some* roughness, but these blobs of material... It's like that in at least a half-dozen places on mine. The spot in photo two looks like it's a flake in the picture, but it's actually solid. Just noticed the thumbscrew is misaligned too.

Edit: All photos removed due to Photobucket being garbage now.

 

[Zombie Killer]

Wow!! That is horrible, and i just got my ship notice. What a pisser.

 

[C0mmand3rC0dy]

Sheesh, that's just a total lack of QC.

 

[Cenobyte]

I received mine today and I am very happy with it. I have not seen any defects as of yet and I went over it pretty well.

I ordered 2 of them, and now seeing as many problems I might open the other just to make sure it is ok.

 

[WarPig]

Well. Not only is your barrel mis-aligned and pinhole bubbling in the plating, it looks like the two knurled screws are amiss as well

I went from "can't wait" to "oh no!"

I got mine from Redford Films; return policy is good - but I hope it doesn't come to that. Would this be considered "defective"?

 

[Kerr Avon]

Here are a few photos; I tried to take a straight-on side shot for the barrel...

Oh lord that barrel is terrible. :eek

 

[propstuf]

That barrel really is terrible. :angry I'm glad some folks have received defect-free product, but it sure looks like QC was spotty on these, at best. :cry

 

[QMx GGD]

Hey Birdie,

No one has, but I came checking on my own because I try to watch things over here for any big kerfuffles. ;-)

Guys, best thing I can suggest is to contact customer service. I can't tell you what the outcome would be on a per case basis because that's not my jurisdiction, but I do know that if they don' hear from you, they can't do anything to address your issues.

And, yeah, PMing me is helpful if you need something -- or contacting Customer Service. We can't do anything about stuff if we don't know about it and, tbh, I tend to stay off the boards because I have bruises from past experiences. :behave

Has anyone PMed the RPF QMX rep?

I'd like to know the score to. Ordered mine from a reseller in the UK, I'm seriously thinking of cancelling now, 'fore it's too late. Think I should have kept my resin one :rolleyes

 

[sycor]

*fingers crossed* mine should be here soon. Hopefully mine is one of "good" ones. If not, it'll be going back.

 

[MooMooEgg]

I kinda had the same issues with the Star Trek phaser they released (some dings and QC problems), but at the price point, I kinda let it go. I mean, some blobs and imperfections are expected on a lower end prop, and even on some higher end ones (my Weta District 9 arc generator has a bent little "fin" and hell, even my amazing 47A has a few very minute cast imperfections and dings). But I was lucky enough to procure those two rarities, so it woudn't be worth it to complain.

However... The barrel on Serenity's pistol is pretty bad... THAT'S worth calling customer service about... :cry

 

[Kerr Avon]

Guys, best thing I can suggest is to contact customer service. I can't tell you what the outcome would be on a per case basis because that's not my jurisdiction, but I do know that if they don' hear from you, they can't do anything to address your issues.

Well I'm probably going to keep mine as is. The issues with it are fairly minor compared to other pictures I'm seeing brought up here. But I hope you do take the pic of Serenity's pistol to someone at QMX. There's really no excuse for a pistol that can shoot around corners like that.

 

[propstuf]

Pleased to see QMx GGD's response - probably the best advice for now: if we get unsatisfactory product, we'll have to let QMx know on a case by case basis.

Incidentally, I just received my shipping notice, so we'll see what happens next week.

Hopefully there were just a few QC misses here and there, which QMx can deal with individually. It would be really unfortunate if after the phaser - which, let's face it - was a home run at the price, QMx fell down on the Mal pistol. :unsure

Fingers crossed for each of us! :rolleyes

 

[robstyle]

Based on the pictures posted by Kerr Avon the packaging is worlds better than the actual product. Im seeing a massively warped/distorted end product which makes no sense to me. This in actuality would not be the fault of QMX but the over seas manufacturer. When a sample is delivered the production run should fall within a small percentage of difference good or bad. In this case, what happened? Not only the barrel but the side plates are wonky, the thumbscrews as well and those grips? I can see where lines have been sharpened but it has the look of a recast of a recast of a recast...

Serenity posted pictures of the upper rear and slide catch. Thats contaminated material (or mold) and an air bubble. It happens but in a retail item and not a garage kit it shouldnt be present. As above this isnt the fault of QMX but the manufacturer.

The finish and lack of "cold to the touch" as has been mentioned is most likely due to the faux finish process and possible clear coating or sealer used. Either and/or all have an affect on the surface shine. Shame really as thats the main marketing target for people who already own the prior version.

The stand is a bonus. For the price offered how many other replica prop licensees have offered one?

The Mal pistol is a cursed project and on the pictures and comments here this latest version is no different.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

...This in actuality would not be the fault of QMX but the over seas manufacturer...

Uhh... no. This is basic Supply Chain Management (SCM) 101. Whether a company makes the item themselves or outsources its production, QMX is still responsible for quality control no matter if the product is made half a mile away or half a planet away from HQ.

Returns can be a great indicator to a company IF they practice one of the eight SCM processes... Returns Management. But it only works if it involves a cross functional team of their company. This has to include marketing, sales, accounting, production to name a few. If they do this, they then understand that not only do the lose the amount for cost of goods, but multiple costs of transportation to correct the order, inventory costs, disposal costs, but the more important cost that can't be given an exact amount that is associated with loss of future sales and damage to their brand name. It not only can result in corrections to this product, but also the chances that similar products do not incur the same or similar problems.

 

[Jeyl]

The trigger doesn't move. No deal.