Need Advice For Building Your Own Airsoft Gun From Scratch

[Commander Thaum]

So say I was to build my own Halo airsoft gun, that looks and feels real, from scratch completely. When I say completely I'm talking about making my own frame, then putting in the internals and all that stuff. I'm looking to build the frame from metal. What metal would be best for that and where could I get the metal? Also I'm assuming I'll need a guide, does anyone know where I can get a guide to building my own Halo airsoft gun?

 

[Optimusvoltra]

I have considered this too in the past. If you are looking at metal you need to deside if you are going to bend sheet metal or machine it from a block. A quick Google search can find suppliers in your area. I imagine there are plans for plastic and composite props out there (no links on hand) so if you are savy enough you might be able to translate them to your metal.

 

[peterthethinker]

Or have some one 3D print a body kit, I made all my NERF gear in to a BR AR and shotgun with ease.

Tweaking the raw assets is not too hard.

Peter

 

[Commander Thaum]

I have considered this too in the past. If you are looking at metal you need to deside if you are going to bend sheet metal or machine it from a block. A quick Google search can find suppliers in your area. I imagine there are plans for plastic and composite props out there (no links on hand) so if you are savy enough you might be able to translate them to your metal.

OK. Now when you were looking at the idea of building an airsoft gun out of metal did you plan to shoot it? Also how hard (and effective) would it be to order the metal parts of an airsoft gun and then add to the parts to make it look like a Halo gun?

 

[Corweena]

To the OP.....it's actually a much bigger challenge to makeep a gun from scratch than you think. If you actually want it out of metal, that requires designing and making molds, then actually casting metal make the mold. In addition to the outside design, you need to design functional hard points on the internals to mount all of the parts. It's a very in depth job, and would probably take many times of trial and error to get it right. Plus, you also would need to know how to work with metal.

A much more feasible option, like Peter said, would be to take an already existing gun, and modify it to look like the Assult rifle. Then you could either 3D print parts to convert it, or use fiberglass to change its appearance. For a gun you want something with a bullpup design....Steyr AUG, Famas, etc....those will be easier to alter. You can cut and modify them as necessary to fit.

I wish you the best with the project...just making a functional airsoft gun from scratch just isn't really that feasible, unless you have extensive knowledge in certain areas.

 

[peterthethinker]

I forgot to ask..... as there are a TON of weapons in halo what one were you looking in to.

 

[Corweena]

The battle rifle will probably be the easiest to make....the Assult rifle will be more of a challah get due to the dimensions and design.

You could also pretty easold mod a handgun to be a Magnum

 

[Commander Thaum]

I forgot to ask..... as there are a TON of weapons in halo what one were you looking in to.

I was looking into a DMR, BR, Magnum, automag, etc... I'm not looking into the weapons like the SAW or anything like that. What weapon would be best to mod to make a DMR, BR, Magnum, and/or automag?

 

[FlyinPhil]

If you take a read through Redshirt's airsoft Spartan Laser build you might get some ideas! His work is awesome, and he is very informative in his build. I'm not sure of the exact link, but it is located in the "halo props" sub forum.

 

[Mstruvmgc]

i agree with FlyinPhil, Redshirts spartan laser airsoft build is the place to look

and here is the thread for it http://www.405th.com/showthread.php?t=36147
Enjoy!

 

[blackout11c]

I was looking into a DMR, BR, Magnum, automag, etc... I'm not looking into the weapons like the SAW or anything like that. What weapon would be best to mod to make a DMR, BR, Magnum, and/or automag?

Honestly? From looking into stuff like this, a BR or DMR is a custom job. The barrel length and overall layout means that a mod simply wouldn't do the job.

As for a Magnum, are you looking at a GBB or AEP/SEP pistol for the base?

 

[Commander Thaum]

For pistols I'm probably looking for a GBB (gas powered right?).
How hard would it be to do a custom job of a BR or DMR w/ myself and a some friends?

 

[FlyinPhil]

To the OP.....it's actually a much bigger challenge to makeep a gun from scratch than you think. If you actually want it out of metal, that requires designing and making molds, then actually casting metal make the mold. In addition to the outside design, you need to design functional hard points on the internals to mount all of the parts. It's a very in depth job, and would probably take many times of trial and error to get it right. Plus, you also would need to know how to work with metal.

A much more feasible option, like Peter said, would be to take an already existing gun, and modify it to look like the Assult rifle. Then you could either 3D print parts to convert it, or use fiberglass to change its appearance. For a gun you want something with a bullpup design....Steyr AUG, Famas, etc....those will be easier to alter. You can cut and modify them as necessary to fit.

I wish you the best with the project...just making a functional airsoft gun from scratch just isn't really that feasible, unless you have extensive knowledge in certain areas.

Sorry, but I just have to throw this out there on metal fabrication. VERY few things are made by casting metal, at least on this scale and something that needs to be this precise. There are no molds involved. What op would have to do to create a frame to hold his components is to machine down a block of aluminum, or make a series of thinner parts and weld or otherwise affix them together.

To answer your question, Commander Thaum, you would want to use aluminum for something like this. Steel would suffice, but takes far longer to machine and weighs quite a bit more. I'd make a series of molds to cast the stock out durable casting resin (you'll have to do your own research on that... I'm not too familiar with the properties of different casting resins).

As for how hard it will be, I think you answered your question by simply asking that question haha. It will be very tough to build an airsoft gun from scratch. Have you done any machining or metalwork before? Used fiberglass and or bondo to create masters for moulds? Are you familiar with gear box driven electric airsoft guns?

The easiest rout would be to pick up a bullpup AEG (not sure what's on the market right now for similar shaped weapons) and modifying the stock to look like a br or dmr.

 

[Rooster]

FlyinPhil has it right. To make a GBBR from scratch would require professional level machining and welding skills.It would be feasable, if not simple, to either modify an existing rifle's body or to make a new housing for an AEG's different internal assemblies. Maybe you could use a G&G F2000 or a FAMAS type?

Side note: Many modern military rifles also use composite materials, so you should take that into consideration on what material will make your weapon feel real.

 

[Optimusvoltra]

I know some store sell boneyard guns, which are ones that might be a little beat up or broken. Also there are tons of after market parts for airsoft just like real weapons. Upgrades to barrels, motors and everything else you can think of. So the only roadblock would be the cost you are willing to put into it.