Quite a few folks are, and there hasn’t been a lot of chattering from QMx about ship dates. They announced earlier this year that they were changing manufacturers to get the quality they wanted, but little has been said since then.
Turns out you might be waiting a bit longer, but it’ll be worth it. From what I’m hearing — please note, on a WAY unofficial basis from an unnamed source — is that they’ve been doing a lot of market research to make sure that what they’re making is what everyone really wants. The result? The originally planned replica is a very nice compromise on price versus detailing and materials… that may not make anyone particularly happy.
See, for average fans, the current $250 (plus shipping) is a bit pricey. But the gun they can produce for that amount isn’t as incredibly shiny as what high-end collectors want, either. QMxers are, first and foremost, collectors themselves, and they want to produce something you can put proudly on display. But they also realize cosplayers need something rough and tumble and relatively inexpensive just in case, well, you know.
So their options are to produce cheaper guns that more people can afford but won’t satisfy hardcore collectors, produce exquisitely detailed guns with moving parts that collectors will want, or some combination. Personally, I suspect we’ll be seeing a variety of available Mal replicas coming from QMx, all cast from the original weapons and priced for different markets. Give ’em credit, they want to do it right – minimum suckage, maximum fan joy – and doing it right takes time.
“I hate waiting.”
–Inigo Montoya
I like the idea of several replica versions. BECAUSE I don’t think they are making enough that allows for fan growth. New people are falling in love with Firefly/Serenity all the time. Have a high end replica of limited amount and make cheaper versions that they never stop making. Like the Serenity Ornament and the limited Serenity in Disguise Ornament.
Also people may buy two. One to display and hardly ever touch and one to wear at a convention.
If they made a Mal pistol with an actual moving hammer and trigger, and maybe even the ability to remove the clip, I’d pay as much as $500.00 for it. If they made the damn thing out of actual metal on top of that, I’d be willing to pay maybe as much as 750 for it. Maybe could stretch me to 800.
You hear me, Qmx?! If this holds any truth to it, for the love of god, please do it. I’m not wealthy by any means, but it’s worth it to me.
And hell, if you make the other one for 100 bucks, I’ll buy that one too. Given, I’ve never been to any conventions or anything (yet), but it’d look shiny with my Jonathan Logan Mal browncoat and I could practice my quickdrawing skills with it. 😛
Yep, I’m waiting for my pre-order! I’ve got a great deal of respect for QMX, and I’m sure the final product will be worth the wait. Some official news on status would be nice, though.