Serenity - Mal's assault rifle

GrenadeKing

GrenadeKing

Sr Member
Anybody ever tackle this?
I was watching Serenity on some movie channel and it just struck me that it would be a pretty cool prop to have. I don't have any Firefly/Serenity stuff so I figure I could build up one of these and start off with a bang.
Problem being, I really don't know anything about it, nor do I have the movie for screen caps.
Anybody have any good pictures of it or know what the base model is or anything along those lines?
 
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Just so we're clear, you mean the movie Serenity or the pilot, which was also called Serenity? If it's the pilot you're talking about, the assault rifle he used in there was a H&K G36K. You can usually find airsoft replicas of those pretty cheap.

If it's the movie version I'm not sure.

GrenadeKing said:
Anybody ever tackle this?
I was watching Serenity on some movie channel and it just struck me that it would be a pretty cool prop to have. I don't have any Firefly/Serenity stuff so I figure I could build up one of these and start off with a bang.
Problem being, I really don't know anything about it, nor do I have the movie for screen caps.
Anybody have any good pictures of it or know what the base model is or anything along those lines?
Click to expand...
 
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...and if you're talking about the rifle Mal uses in the movie, (which model name I forget), then you'll have a slightly harder time since there isn't an airsoft or replica available of the base rifle as far as I know. I recall someone talking about modding an M16, but there's still a fair bit of work to do...
 
it wasnt an M16 but for some reason a Japanese rifle comes to mind with a .30 cal barrel shroud over the exposed rifle shroud.
 
I put this together a few years ago:
malrifle2.jpg


malrifle3.jpg


malrifle4.jpg


Been meaning to rework and accurise, but too many projects :(
 
Yeah I was talking about the movie one.
How'd you make yours birdie? Seems to be the same base model, unless I'm mistaken.

Thanks for the link Sidewinder, there's some pretty good shots and info there.

So, now that it's been established that it'll be more difficult than I though, I guess I'll start researching a bit more on what needs to be done with what, to what, etc. :cool
 
The main problem with the prop is the lack of of a replica of the AR-18 rifle to use as the base. Mine is a modified SLR, the closest match I could find. It's actually a rubber stunt rifle that was used in the movie Sahara.

I made the barrel shroud from acrylic tube with the holes drilled out and an aluminium barrel threaded through a resin cap at the business end.

Another problem is the lack of decent reference, particulary the scope and mount. Most of the Serenity weapons turned up in the Propstore auctions, so decent pics were available. I've never seen any pics of Mal's rifle outside of screencaps and some of the publicity shots.
 
Well, there was an AR-18 airsoft made by JAC. But, I believe it's no longer produced and might prove to be rather hard to find.
 
Mal's rifle only existed as a hero peice, no stunt peices were ever made, same with Zoe's shotgun. There were however two of each made. There are peices of Mal's rifle custom fabricated that nobody can make out unless you held it in your own hands and fired it.
 
Riiiiight...

So I was thinking, that perhaps with decent pictures/measurements of the base rifle, it wouldn't be totally out of the question the scratch build the thing. A little plastic, some wood, etc.
 
[Necromancy]

Okay, so apparently Armalite have (had) a new gun based on the old AR-18 and the Semi-Auto civilian variant, the AR-180. It's called the AR-180B. While being "roughly" the same gun, it uses a lot of new components that arent the same as the original (or Mal's gun).

arcomp.jpg


Above, the AR-18. Below, the AR-180B. The main differance is in the lower receiver. On the 18, it's stamped metal, on the 180B it's molded plastic. Some of the details are a bit different. Not too much of a problem I would think. The only glaring differance is the charging handle, which could be redone as a custom piece.

Sadly the 180B seems to be out of production and its probably a bit rare. Not sure what it goes for these days.

I'm either going to look into snagging one (because its a really cool gun regardless) or building one from an airsoft. I think the components from a regular (and cheap) M16 should fit inside my model well enough.

I had started a thread a few months back looking for a high strength resin, this is what I was intending to use that research on. I want whatever I end up making to be sturdy enough to toss around like a real gun. If I do manage to get a real one when I wont have much to worry about, but If I go the airsoft route, I'll want to recast my master parts in something tough.

I really want to try this because despite its lack of screen-time, it's a really cool looking gun.


If anyone has come up with any new information or pictures, I'd appreciate it if you could share. Any other suggestions or well... anything is also welcome. :cool
 
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here are the two rifles sitting on the wall. You cant tell but a custom hand grip was made which is covered by the sling.
6ghpci.jpg
 
Hey, thank you very much, those are awesome pics. :thumbsup

Looks like it uses brass fitted AK sight posts or similar up front. I'm wondering if that shroud is from a browning 1919, it looks very close. Of coarse I guess it could be custom as well. Looks like there's some kind attachement to the bottom of the magazine as well as the custom grip you mentioned. The scope looks like its mounted on the original AR-18 scope mounts but the scope itself looks like a custom job. It also looks like the barrel is beefed up. Can't tell if its the whole thing or just a custom end piece.

Very interesting. :cool
 
I need to call Armalite. They don't have the whole weapon listed anymore but they do sell the upper and lower receivers. If I can purchase the two halves I can make the rifle. At $500+ for the base gun, it's not too far off from a high grade airsoft. I know the 180B is slightly different but, its close enough I think. I'll also be checked around time looking for one.
 
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