Airsoft/BB Gun "Window Shopping" in Taiwan

[The SITH OverLORD]

Just like to take this opportunity share with everyone at MySciFiFan. On the eve of our departure, 8 October 2007, from Taiwan after the 501st Asian joint trooping event, we (TK 8598 and I) together with 6 members of the 501st Singapore Garrison were given a guided tour around Taipei, not for sight seeing, but to specifically identified shops that SELLS 1:1 Scale Metal/Plastic/Wood firing Replica Guns of the AirSoft and BB Gun Variety. From 1330 till 2000, we covered a total of 3 shops in Taipei. Yes it is LEGAL for these to be SOLD in Taiwan, but it is ILLEGAL in Malaysia.

The pictures that I'll be sharing here are STRICTLY the CLASSIC 1:1 weapon replicas from the old school (from World War I through World War II up to the Vietnam War era). For Modern Weapons to with Counter Strike, please head over to the STORM THE FRONT - GO! GO! GO! thread posted by heroking.

Full credit goes to TK 8598 for helping me to take these pictures and enlarging them. Thanks YKK.


Pictures from the 1st Shop in Taipei

Me holding on to the Tokyo Marui M1911A1 Colt 45 gas powered AirSoft replica pistol :



and here is its packaging :




The Gun that made the 1920's Roar, the legendary M1928A1 Thompson Sub Machine Gun with its 50 round drum and wooden handle at the muzzle



used by both the Chicago Gangsters and the G-Men sent to hunt them down. Watch The Untouchables (1988) starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery and Robert DeNiro to see this HOT babe in ACTION!!

Here is a chart showing the different variants of the Classic Thompson Sub Machine Gun




The M1 Garand Rifle (top) and M14 Rifle (bottom)



The M1 Garand was the main rifle used by US Army infantrymen from every Theater of Operations in WWII. It suceeded the earlier M1903 Springfield Rifle (picture was not taken ) where its role was limited to a sniper rifle - just watch Saving Private Ryan (1998) starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon.

The US Army used the M14 Rifle in the 1950's until the Vietnam war. It was suceeded by the World Famous M16 Automatic Rifle after that.


The German MP 44 Sub Machine Gun (top) and MP40 Sub Machine Gun (bottom)



Since the MP44 wasn't clear in the picture above, here is this good picture example that I've located off the Internet :



Try to figure out which one is the REAL DEAL and which one is the 1:1 AirSoft replica from the pic.

The MP44 and its later variant, Sturmgewehr 44 (StG44) was a state of the art assault rifle developed in Nazi Germany during World War II. It first saw action with the German Armed Forces in the later part of 1944.

I'll share more about the MP40 in my subsequent posts as I've got some more pics to show. ;D

That's all for my first post on this subject. More pics on Helmets and Old School weapon replicas from my visit to the 2nd Shop in Taipei in my next posts. So stay tuned folks

[nihilusgs]

Why must Malaysia outlaw such awesome things...T_T

[SnakeValentine]

I see....Thompsom SMG XD Would love to own them

[The SITH OverLORD]

nihilusgs said:

Why must Malaysia outlaw such awesome things...T_T

Plo Strax-Avix has provided the ANSWER to this question in defstartrooper's Introduction thread. Here is what he posted :

sabermaster said:

Gary, owning any kind of firearm in Malaysia, imitation or otherwise, is both a legal and national security issue. In severe cases, a person can be detained under the ISA (Internal Security Act) and jailed for up to 2 years WITHOUT TRIAL. Those who are convicted of violent crimes using firearms are liable to be executed by hanging.

Anyone here who builds/collects firearms without a license risk being arrested, but there are still those passionate ones who push on, either scratch building or converting from toy guns. So far no one has gotten into trouble yet as long as they display their weapons while wearing a costume, and keep their weapons properly concealed during transportation. But yeah we risk bring arrested every time we go out trooping with a weapon of any kind, even swords & daggers.

[/color][/quote]



Hope this has enlightened you, nihilusgs..

[nihilusgs]

Heheh,that's why I carry my guns in a guitar bag. XD

[The SITH OverLORD]

nihilusgs said:

Heheh,that's why I carry my guns in a guitar bag. XD

You're SMART to do and please continue to DO so. As for me I keep my Blaster well concealed withiny Large Plastic Armor Trunk and only take it out when it is time to suit up.

Having said that there was this Down Under 501st member, on his FIRST outing, who was NOT discreet about and was arrested by the police on the suspecion of being an 'armed' and 'dangerous'. You can read about it in Star Wars costumer arrested and from one of the on-line news article, Police swoop on 'gunman'

[The SITH OverLORD]

Resuming this post with some MORE,

Pictures from the 1st Shop in Taipei

Not only does this COOL shop sells 1:1 AirSoft and BB Gun replicas, it also sells accessories such Helmets, Face Masks, Flack Jackets to go with Paint Ball gaming.

TK 8598 has also helped to take pictures of these Vietnam War era replicas that are on display :



They have an excellent replica of the Vietnam War era US M1 Steel Helmet with its realistically weathered camoflage cloth to look like the REAL McCoy here :



and this 1:1 replicas of the M18 Smoke Grenade on its right



The M18 was made available in four colors: yellow, green, red, violet and used extensively in the Vietnam conflict and after that. The M18 replica in the picture is the RED colored "flavour" ;D

The familiar looking "fruit" next to the M18 replica is the Mk 2 grenade, which is a fragmentation hand grenade that was used by the US armed forces during World War II, Korean and Vietnam War :



it is also WELL known as the "pineapple" because of its distinctive shape. Grooves were cut into the MKII cast iron shell to aid in gripping the grenade - this provision gave it the appearance of a pineapple fruit like this variety of the nenas!



On the way out from the first shop, I came across vendors selling Military replica Helmets and Caps. Saw this hard plastic helmet - selling approximately at RM 55 after conversion and put it on to have my picture taken :



After looking at it a first glance, I thought that it bore a close resemblence to the CLASSIC US M1 Steel Helmet from this pic below :



However, after looking at the pic taken by TK 8598, it actually resembles the inner fibre helmet liner that is worn INSIDE the Steel Helmet shell, like this specimen here



...and so the deal is OFF, despite the relatively low price of RM 55! ;D BTW the guy (wearing the Camo Cap and Glasses) on my right in the pic above is TR 6192 from the 501st Taiwan Formosa Outpost :



who was our Weapons Window Shopping guide. TR 6192 is a member of the Taiwan WWII Re-enactment Society where he is sports the Guadalcanal era US Marine Uniform complete with weapon and accessories.

[SnakeValentine]

Nice shot on the stuffs!Maybe you can find the gas mask next? XD

[The SITH OverLORD]

Thanks SnakeValentine, strangely I did not come across any gas masks, or did NOT particulary pay attention to them in any of the 3 shops that I've visited in Taipei on 8 October 2007.

Stay tuned for pictures from my visit to the 2nd Shop where there will me MORE pics of the Thompson SMG, that I guarantee you! ;D

[Plo Strax-Avix]

Talking about grenades...


WWI British Rifle Grenade No.3 Mk.1


(#3Mk1 on rifle)


(Image courtesy of www.partsofsw.com/)