Here's a few classic pics of my prototype from 2003-2004. Here's the original v1.0 pictures...
And... The V2.0 kit!
Now, I'll answer a few questions that people have been e-mailing me over the last few months or so...
Q: I've been waiting for like a year now. Do you sell the kit YET?
A:YES!. All the prep work is done, and I have the first few kits ready to go.
This project has taken 3 years to get done, and we're just about there. I'm notifying people in groups
depending on when they first e-mailed me. I'm sending out e-mails in 20-30 mail groups, and some
of those e-mails are bouncing because of invalid Yahoo and AOL accounts, so their chance to buy a
kit becomes someone else's chance. If you're heading to a convention in costume (San Dieco Comic Con
for example...) let me know and I'll try to get your order out before the con!
If you want to be notified when the kits are available, e-mail me with the words
"Add me to the pistol kit list" in the title.
ALSO PLEASE NOTE: I will likely receive your e-mail, but I will likely NOT reply to it. Why?
Trust me, this is no form if insult, it's just practical. I receive an average of 14-20 e-mails a week
with people asking to be added to the info list. Plus a few more from people asking other related questions.
If you ask to be added to the info list, you WILL be added. You may not have received any news or updates
because I haven't felt anything needed to be sent out. ^_^
When important info has been released, you will all be notified from the list. In the meantime, thanks
for visiting and expressing an interest in this project!
Q: What's the current project status?
A: As of 5/8/2006 the prep work on the project is 100% completed!
More information Soon! I promise!
Q: How much will the kit cost?
A: A single kit will be $139.99 shipped in the USA.
Receive a $10.00 discount when you buy two kits!
As a reality check, the original kit in Japan cost about $200 PLUS the cost of the revolver model components, PLUS the cost of shipping, so your total cost would have been up to about $275.00 - $300.00 US.
This version (when available) is obviously much less than that.
Q: When will the kits be available?
A: I have already begun contacting interested people on "the list" since the middle of August, 2007.
Q: How many kits will be available?
A:
I originally planned on doing a limited production run of about 20 kits, but there's a lot of people e-mailing
me about them so I may do an initial limited run with all the fancy parts, and perhaps a completely solid cast
version later with no moving parts. I'm not sure at this point, we'll just have to see how it develops.
I'm still interested in modding the kit to be airsoft compatible but after really studying and
reasearching/planning how the kit goes togeather, it would require about a 90% rework/resculpt
of the existing parts to make it "easily" compatible. More info on this as it develops.
Q: What do I have to do to make a firing (Airsoft) version?
A: Sorry, NO idea. I know of 2 (yes, TWO) airsoft pistols in the whole world that have been made using
this kit. The instructions are VAGUE at best and terribly complicated.
the instructions. No definate date has been set for completion on the translations.
Q: Is this gun completed?
A: No, this is a model KIT.
Q: What will I need to complete this kit?
A: To build this kit I suggest...
Spraypaint (Silver or black, PLUS a can of spray primer and possibly a clear coat.)
Super glue or 2 part epoxy (I've had good luck with the epoxy myself...)
100 and 800/1000 grit sand paper (for removing excess resin and smooth finish sanding...)
Epoxy filling putty (such as Bondo or the Testors plastic model putty...)
Possibly a motorized rotory tool (Dremmel)
Hand file
Hacksaw
Hobby/modeling knife
hand drill
...and patience. ^_^
This kit will take a little more skill to assemble than it takes to assemble any common model kit.
How it turns out really depends on the time and care you take to assemble it. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day!
Q: Do you sell completed (assembled, painted, etc.) versions?
A: No. Sorry.
Q: Do I need to buy the Tokyo Marui Cap Gun to make this kit complete?
A: No, this kit will include all you need.
The trigger and hammer currently DO move, they just aren't spring loaded or anything.
The cylinder will turn but will not be be free spinning. The kit will open and close using the release lever on the sides of the gun.
Q: Where can I get one of the Japanese Tokyo Marui cap gun kits?
A: Um, Japan? Marui is supposedly stopping production of this item to concentrate on their
airsoft business, so you may have to invest in the Airsoft revolver instead. Using the Airsoft gun
will require you to do custom modifications which will (likely) result in the gun never firing again.
Q: How hard is it to assemble?
A: That's a subjective question. You'll need to be able to use super glue or 2 part epoxy (which I use), spray paint, a modeling knife,
sand paper and a few other minor tools with some degree of efficiency to do a good job. Or, you could
just slap it togeather in an hour. The choice is yours. ^_^
Q: Where can I get a version of this kit made from metal?
A: Buy a computer controlled lathe for $10,000 and make it yourself,
or hire a forge/metalsmith to do it for you. ^_^
Q: No, Seriously!
A:
No... Idea! I don't have the resources to do this. If you decide to make one for yourself, make me one also!
What you'll need would be either a computer controlled CNC machine, or a hot metals foundry capable of melting
and pouring aluminium. Now, keep in mind that THIS method can be VERY DANGEROUS! AL melts at about
1,000 degrees or so.
Now if you splash liquid AL metal on yourself, it will STICK to your SKIN and TERRIBLY BURN you.
Search the web for more information on using hot metals. The other problem is that you'll need custom molds, or
use the lost wax method to get your metal parts. All in all it's a very expensive, and time consuming method, but
if done safely, and properly, it could yield decent results. It all depends on you. And how much money you have
to invest in the project. ^_^
Q: Hey, I saw a web site where they're selling an all metal version made from a real Mateba revolver for $500!
A: Sorry, but the site you visited actually lists Role Playing Game
stats, and not actual guns.
The Trigun Pistol actually was slightly based on the design of the real world Mateba Auto Revolver.
The Mateba has a double action trigger pull on the first shot which pulls back the hammer and rotates
the cylinder. After the first bullet is fired it auto spins and cocks the hammer, much like the gas
operated blowback mechanism on a modern semi-auto handgun (Beretta M9/92F series for instance).
The real steel Mateba sells for around $800 or so and I've seen full metal REPLICAS of real guns sell for $1000.
So sorry to break it to you, but there's NO WAY you could buy a custom modified Mateba based firearm for less
than $800. Try multiplying that by a factor of 2-4 and you'd be much closer to reality. ^_^
Q: What's going to be included in the resin kit?
A: Two bolts with nuts, 2 screws, main assembly that includes...
2 piece Barrel, 2 piece handgrip, top rail, Your choice of Vash or Knives' style cylinder, release lever,
misc small parts (3), trigger, hammer, brass shell casings and moon clip to hold them and instructions.
That's over 20 parts!
Q: What's the difference between Vash's and Knives' pistols anyway?
A: Cosmetics. Vash's pistol is obviously silver. It also has black
grips and the sides of the cylinder
are smooth, similar to some old civil war revolvers. Knives' pistol is all black/blued steel in appearance.
The cylinder is fluted like that of perhaps the .44 magnum revolver.
In the picture above, the cylinder on the Right is Vash's, the one on the Left is Knives'.
Other than that both pistols/kits are exactly the same. Technically, the Knives style cylinder is a Vash style as well (Up through episode #3 or so).
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