This time, I'll be introducing a 1/3 scale metal model of the .50CAL Barrett M82A1 from ATI MINI.
I found this product at the Victory Show, and it looked well-made, so I bought it on impulse.
Since I'd never seen this manufacturer before, I looked it up and it seems to be a major and popular manufacturer and series in the United States (apparently it's sold in hardware stores and fishing tackle shops in the US).
While scale models like these are sold in Japan by companies like Little Armory, most are made of resin and are 1/12 scale to match figures. I had been wanting something more impressive, made of metal and larger, so I bought this (Little Armory is also great, with its affordable prices, wide variety, and storylines).
Outer box, contents
This is the outer box.
The design is elaborate and makes the most of the contents.
This is the back side.
The back of the package shows each part and simple assembly instructions.
Let's open the box.
This is the main component.
Details of each component will be introduced in the following section.
This is the instruction manual for the included items.
It's simple enough to assemble even without the instructions, but it comes with detailed instructions.
Next, the necessary tools and screws for assembly are included.
It's incredibly helpful that all the necessary tools for assembly are included.
It's often frustrating when you buy a product, only to find out at home that you need something else to assemble it or use it. I think it's a good idea to include the necessary parts.
Next, we will take a closer look at each component.
Details of each part
Let's start by looking at the bipod.
It's a very well-made aluminum casting. However, the parting lines from the casting are clearly visible, not just on this part.
Deploy the bipod.
It opens with moderate force. Surprisingly, it unfolds quite securely and stands on its own.
This is also made of cast aluminum and is very sturdy.
This is the magazine's follower section.
Followers are actively engaged.
You can insert the included dummy cart here.
These are the included dummy cartridges. Three are included.
I'm not entirely sure, but I think it's machined from a copper alloy. It's possible they cast it to create a rough shape before machining it.
The primer area is smooth and flat.
Let's load this into the magazine.
Loading it is quite fun. You can enjoy it like a model gun.
Next is the carrying handle.
It's made from a combination of cast iron and wire. It attaches to the main body using a Picatinny-style interlocking mechanism.
Next is the scope.
It's a solid block of cast iron. Since it's cast iron, the edges are somewhat rounded, which is unavoidable.
Let's take a look from above.
In terms of design, it mimics a full-featured scope, including elevation, vintage adjustment, illumination, and parallax adjustment.
I'll take a look as a test.
As expected, there was no lens, just a hole. Upon closer inspection, I found burrs on the casting mold.
The attachment point to the main unit has a textured surface reminiscent of Picanity.
Next is the barrel.
As expected of a .50 caliber, it has a thick, fluted barrel. The distinctive muzzle brake is also faithfully reproduced.
It's a muzzle.
There is no hole in the barrel.
This is a muzzle brake.
Unfortunately, there was no hole to release the combustion pressure.
Next is the receiver with an integrated stock.
This is the top rail section.
This is the movable trigger and magazine catch mechanism.
It's inside the magazine housing.
This is the charging handle section.
You can pull it back with a full stroke and a lot of power.
As expected of a large .50 caliber bullet, the stroke length is quite long.
The distinctive stock is also faithfully reproduced.
That concludes the introduction of the parts.
The assembly is simple, so I'll skip the steps and finish it in one go.
Complete
done.
It's on the opposite side.
This is what it looks like from above.
It's quite impressive and has a strong presence.
A clever touch is that when you pull the charging handle, you can see the bullets in the magazine.
I placed an Apple Pencil next to it for size reference. The pen is of average length, approximately 25cm.
かなり大きいです。
Next is weight.
As expected of a die-cast metal model, it weighs a considerable 274.5g.
Summary
It is a summary.
Being a 1/3 scale die-cast metal model, it had a considerable presence and was truly wonderful.
It has plenty of gimmicks and is fun. In particular, it covers important points that make it enjoyable, such as the loading of dummy cartridges, the movement of the charging handle, and the movement of the trigger.
It's a bit large, but I think it's perfect as a display for a work desk or similar.
One drawback is that, as is common with overseas products, there are noticeable molding imperfections.
Another point is that it's not officially imported into Japan and is being imported through parallel channels from overseas, so the current selling price is on the higher side. I was able to buy it at a reasonable price thanks to an event, but it's expensive on Amazon and other sites (local price $60-70, selling price in Japan is around 15,000 yen).
I think the price will eventually drop to around 7,000 yen if demand increases or if a shop officially stocks it.
Thank you for your time.
GoatGuns Miniature .50 CAL Barrett 82A1 Model 1:3 Scale Die-Cast Metal
The manufacturer's name is different from the one I introduced, but the contents appear to be the same. As mentioned in the main text, it's a parallel import, so it's expensive. It might be a good idea to wait until it's officially imported and the price drops to a reasonable 7000 yen.
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