My M90 Shotgun W.i.p.

[Akademee]

Hey all!



I've decided that I'm going to be doing my first weapon scratch-build and my favorite gun is the almighty M90 Close Assault Weapon System, or for everyone else that isn't employed in the UNSC armories, The Halo Shotgun.



I started it a few days ago and I started with wizardofflight's blueprints found at this Blueprints forum.



I cut out a first layer template:

Now I just keep on layering up the foam core material: (this is three layers)

Cut and compare some sprinkler piping, sorry, I mean the barrels:

I will have some more updates and pics later tonight, and I'll have to see what people have to say!



Thanks 405th!

 

[Underdogg13]

Looks like a good start. Good luck.

 

[spaz]

hey man thats awsome!

not seen a shotgun made yet so cant wait to see this done

 

[Akademee]

alright, I have the upper tube on, made of some quarter-round molding that I found in my basement and was glued in place with wood glue, I have also carved out the chamber where spent shells fly out:

I have the inserts for the barrels glued up and dried with some Liquid Nails, these will go inside of the material to hold it in place and keep it from sagging:

And I have the holes for the barrels drilled and reamed out and they fit very well:

I should get some dremeling done tomorrow for those little vent-like things in the upper tube and add some more layers. Thanks for reviewing my progress 405th!

 

[Kasinator]

about time someone takes advantage of foam! Good thinking!

 

[yccars]

How do you plan to smooth it and finish it out (i'm assuming you're going to harden it of course because of such things as the trigger guard)? Just trimming the foam core to make rounded shapes? I've been making plans using this idea for my sniper and was just curious. Also, how are you going to counter the weight of the pvc and quarter rounds?

 

[Kasinator]

How do you plan to smooth it and finish it out (i'm assuming you're going to harden it of course because of such things as the trigger guard)? Just trimming the foam core to make rounded shapes? I've been making plans using this idea for my sniper and was just curious. Also, how are you going to counter the weight of the pvc and quarter rounds?

The beauty of using foam here is he can use a hardening resin and the foam can absorb the stuff inside as well harden the outside of it.

 

[Cadet]

The beauty of using foam here is he can use a hardening resin and the foam can absorb the stuff inside as well harden the outside of it.

You have to be careful, though. The foam on the interior of some foam core boards will be eaten away by the resin. It would be a good idea to test it on a scrap piece first.

 

[LeeKegan]

Looks great. Keep up the great work.

 

[Akademee]

Wow, lots of good questions and here are my answers!



I plan to do basic shaping with the actual foam with an exacto knife. after that, I will bondo most, if not all exposed foam surfaces since a sander only goes so far. The foam is not the problem, its the plastic-laminated paper. This keeps that pesky resin out and rest assured, I will make a few laminated foam cubes, all with different sealing methods, and see if resin eats one and not the other.



I plan to counteract the weight of the front stuff by putting an 8 oz plumb-bob as far back as the foam will allow me. This hole will then be sealed with bond, as well at the seam between the upper tube and the rest of the gun.



I will be posting some dremel work soon, I'm doing it right now!



Thanks for the compliment LeeKegan, master weapons maker!

 

[Akademee]

Just another shotgun update...



I got up early and sanded out the little grooves in the upper tube with my dremel tool as well as extending the rail up a bit more:

I took a little time to carve out and insert the reload slot on the top of the gun:

And just for reference, this is the 8oz plumb-bob I intend to use to counterweight everything so the shotgun is balanced, it could pass it self off as a MAC gun round!

 

[yccars]

Quality work there, mate. I see you used a grinding wheel to make the grooves? Are you planning on perhaps spring-loading the receiver slot and trigger?

 

[Akademee]

I wish!



This is my first scratch weapons build, I am certainly no LeeKegan when it comes to moving bolts and triggers, foam wouldn't respond very well to that either. But who knows, maybe that will be my next project!

 

[stick83]

looking great iv never seen somewone do a shotgun. looking forward to seeing final project

 

[yccars]

Perhaps you could commission someone to cast the build in resin for you (or do it yourself) without the receiver plate, trigger, and pump, and then add those yourself to the sturdier new shotgun.



Just offering suggestions. Regardless of what I think, you've got yourself a pretty nice scratch build going there.

 

[Jeff Torres]

Yep this is an epic Build...I've never even heard of someone doing a Shottie

Lookin' good keep up the good work

 

[Akademee]

Perhaps you could commission someone to cast the build in resin for you (or do it yourself) without the receiver plate, trigger, and pump, and then add those yourself to the sturdier new shotgun.



Just offering suggestions. Regardless of what I think, you've got yourself a pretty nice scratch build going there.

That's a good idea, but I don't think it will turn out to be THAT awesome, I appreciate your enthusiasm though. I would do it myself, I have seen and read almost every tutorial on the 405th regarding casting, and I would want it to be solid, not a shell. but I will see how it turns out and maybe, just maybe, if it is good enough and people want to get a hold for it, I may commission it out to someone! :lol

 

[Akademee]

I have now started the iconic pump of the shotgun, I have spent the last few days looking for a tube with an inner diameter of 1 inch to fit around the barrels, and surprisingly, that was extremely difficult. So I broke out a spade bit and drilled out some more foam core for Pump Ribs and I'm taking it from there. I'm going to reinforce the inside with bond and resin.



Right now, it is missing a side so y'all can see inside it.

On the gun:

 

[Underdogg13]

Looking really good, keep it up.

 

[SavvyTank]

looks good. cant wait to see it finished.



Savvy