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How to: Make a passable M38 out of PVC


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So it started with a limited budget and just the utter curiosity of if I could pull this off.

 

Basically the m38 is a series of various sized cylinders with a "slopey bit" in the middle.

 

I headed to Home Depot with some approximate diameters from what I could dig up, at the time, on the interwebs. (I later confirmed these when I got one of Bulldog44's awesome hollow replicas.)

 

Materials:

- various diameter PVC

- Epoxy putty (in my case some left over milliput that is close to being expired)

- Sheet Plastic, preferably thicker but you can stack and glue thinner material to the desired thickness as well. I got mine from the scrap bin and my local plastic supplier.

 

Tools:

-Ruler

-hacksaw to cut PVC

- CA glue and quick cure

 

2e965274997340ce454444897b524930.jpg

 

dd42d491905e8a3b644e5aef3bc085ee.jpg

 

I found all of these sizes in the bin in the PVC aisle that has precut 2 foot lengths.

 

Here is what I did:

 

I first marked out the lengths on the different PVC. Then cut them. (I do have a table top band saw so that makes it easier). Then sand down the ends and inside.

 

553dfecdee463cd03e8d77539391e743.jpg

 

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Next, cut all but a tiny bit on the center piece, this will overlap the front bit as shown here:

 

2e9022cafff04f6a3c54ee4b652abe59.jpg

 

Add the back ring offset on the top of the center piece.

 

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Make and add the feet. One mounts on the center section, the other on the rear section.

 

06cc4f6297e87632e84dbf34c1521124.jpg

 

Next is the front piece for mounting the objective lens part on. Take a piece of your plastic sheet and cut a piece to cap off the end of the ring. Sand to hide the join some putty may be required but I use gap filler CA glue.

 

0e184c74a78f63ba958949b357f8112f.jpg

 

Add the objective lens.

 

f059bd0d0b7916558bef0c3301ddd644.jpg

 

You should have something that looks like this:

 

b2bd31b52353974bc3323cb0fd8ed1fd.jpg

 

Time to fill in the middle with epoxy putty. I even added the little cut out for the number that will be added later.

 

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Here it is before sanding and primer.

 

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After sanding and black primer.

 

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I'll be adding a textured paint to the whole thing except the rear ring and also adding details like screws and lenses and weathering it too but I'm waiting for parts to get here for my bulldog replica kit so I can duplicate it on this "mock M38". I'll post more pics as I put the finishing touches on this. The only thing missing will be the wording on the scope ring but I have an idea to replicate that maybe. If it works I'll update you all.

 

I think the total cost for this was around $10-15.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

Jim - TK50899

Edited by MoSc0ut
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Jim, Fantastic work on the scope! Sorry I never got you the measurements from my scopes. Great tutorial and the end result is awesome. Looks real. Super impressed!

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Jim, Fantastic work on the scope! Sorry I never got you the measurements from my scopes. Great tutorial and the end result is awesome. Looks real. Super impressed!

Thanks! I'm kinda scared to start putting together the one I got from you. I figured I'd practice by doing this first then I'm going to dive into your awesome kit!

 

 

Jim - TK50899

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Here's the comparison photo and side by side measurements. I hit the body with some Rustoleum Hammered texture paint to see how it looks. I think it is pretty close to matching the texture of the replica scope. I'll be working on the weathering and detailing. The whole thing will get a coat of flat clear coat once it's done to knock down the shine.

 

8f68a547011542821d224b976038d9b5.jpg

 

In all the following photos my mock M38 is on the top and the replica is on the bottom.

 

Objective lens (front)

 

00b3b4683796fa246a585f51972ab018.jpg

(Mine)

 

7b361fdc7ef3f0aef1c915b6bd4291e8.jpg

(Replica)

 

Front body

 

c6dc2852670584fb223aa979f7155e57.jpg

(Mine)

 

eacc7bf0b5d928159f47c8011058713c.jpg

(Replica)

 

Rear body

 

7e7502830b30d5edff22228eaf1f2b86.jpg

(Mine)

 

f951ad83cb005bb530881776f9f3eda5.jpg

(Replica)

 

Front foot

 

dfde22545f55d814d042c7715a4f491b.jpg

(Mine)

 

5a06c12ff96ab15c327b92ccc66e2b19.jpg

(Replica)

 

Rear foot

 

9f21f750261778f1dde40dfb8ded152f.jpg

(Mine)

 

3ede44a443053c821e4a9372445bc888.jpg

(Replica)

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Jim - TK50899

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