[effengee]

I can't recall the manufacturer's name but I remember there once was a company that made you-put-it-together replica models of famous firearms. They ranged in price from $25-$100 (circa 1980-85) and were part ABS plastic/part die cast metal. The way that the breech was manufactured prevented "real" ammunition from being chambered. The ones I am looking for were 1:1 scale. They actually launched specially made bullets from reusable 8mm blank firing, or spring-loaded cartridges, depending on the weapon's action, up to 100 feet, and functioned for all intents and purposes as the real thing. They had integrated weights for heft and balance. Magazines, actions, sights, and safeties worked as they did on the actual weapon. I've asked around and few people have ever even heard of them. I remember that the local hobby shop had an MP-40 and an Uzi that fired both fully and semi automatically, and just about every pistol ever made. When they went out of business in the mid 80's, I bought the S&W .44 magnum replica because Dirty Harry was my biggest hero. But like my star wars collection and all my 12" gi joe's from my youth, it got played with constantly and eventually broke/got thrown out.
It was a great model building experience, and one that I'd like to repeat with the full-auto line. Being that they were replicas, you didn't need any kind of silly permit either.:neener:
ANY information would be greatly appreciated.
Jimbo

[Tamara]

The zinc "blowback" full autos (cap-powered, by a fixed, rearward-facing firing pin in the 'chamber') were sold by Collector's Armory, of Alexandria, Virginia. (It's sad that I remember this.)

The plastic model kits using the spring-powered 'cartridges' were available through most hobby wholesalers. I saw them on the shelves of hobby shops in Europe on my last trip there, but that was some ten years ago, so I don't know if they've been superceded by the AirSoft phenominon.


(True Gun Geek Confession: I, too, owned one of those Model 29 kits. I had a bear of a time trying to keep that metal weight from rattling around inside the hollow plastic barrel assembly. :uhoh: )

[effengee]

I used plain old modeling clay...

I'm a true "kit-basher" when it comes to modeling...

Thanks for the heads-up, I found a few places that still sell them.