I still don't get the comparison to the SD guns weight. What does it matter how much it weighs other than to compare it to the original GG? It's like the SD gun is the prop and it is what some are trying get a duplicate of. Kind of like building a Cobra kit car using another kit car as your reference. Why when there is a real one to compare it to and strive for. I'm looking for an accurate copy of the EON GG that i see on screen not a copy of SD's gun or some preconveived notion of what a real GG might look or weight like.
I finally got my GG in. Came in last tuesday but it was wrapped for xmas so i only got to see it yesterday. I am very pleased with it. I got #76. The gold is nice. There are a FE GG is heavier that any of them by a bit."......................I am very happy with my gun. The weight "issue" is a nonissue.
Thx d-0-z and merry Xmas
This is the sort of research that stands this board out as the bond prop forum!
Nice one and thx for all the efforts.
However each is entitled to an opinion and IMHO I can see the points made by others on this thread.
I was one of the first to receive mine, living only a few miles away I guess helped!
But I refrained from posting to see what others thought - yes mine had problems, and yes I too was a little disappointed in the usual areas ( weight, colour, quality of gold, etc etc).
Indeed my problems still remain, nearly 6 weeks after contacting FE. But I am a very patient person and I want to enjoy this prop For many years to come.
If I were to summarize the problems and their possible causes it would be thus;
Weight : no doubt FE and SD-S are different ! Could this be as simple as the moment Bond is confronted with the surprise replacement for his beloved beretta? except this time it's the SD-S that would be the brick through the plate glass window!
The preferences of the likes of ASP and PPW should be respected - these are some of the most gun-savvy people we know and are an asset to this board. I too had similar feelings to begin with, but on reflection the FE is more "authentic" to the actual prop - as D-0-Z shows above and as Barry/FE has proclaimed many times on this thread. On this topic I think FE wins a technical knockout but those of us with emotion for the SD-S naturally have a point.
Colour: this too is about familiarity/emotion versus technical authenticity, all within the bounds of economics. Put simply, neither look like the GG that Lee used - but by that I mean the pics we see TODAY. Gold changes colour over time and indifferent environments and what looks "right" now in your collection/mantlepiece will look very different in a few months or years. For me, FE gets a "pass" mark as did ( and still does) the SD-S GG.
Price: the colour issue leads nicely into the most important topic of all - value for money. There is little doubt in my mind that the SD-S GG is the better quality. But for the price it should have been. Indeed in real terms alone, having invoiced at a similar price to the FE (standard issue) it was at least twice the price. Think firstly of the average inflation rate since then. That alone accounts for a factor of at least twice. Then the nature of collectables - note the SD-S GG was reaching into the thousands until the blip caused by the onset of the FE launch. This "collectable" price is a measure of the real value in today's money of the SD-S GG. Finally anyone noticed the price of an oz of gold these days? It's at record highs and many times the price facing SD-S. As a counterbalance in FE's favor the cost of (Chinese) labour is many times lower than that faced by SD-S. No the difference is simple. SD-S price was too high to fit most pockets yet too low to make money. The perfect bankruptcy cocktail. The FE price on the other hand offers hope that they may make money and stay in business to bring us all the props we desire, yet reach a broader group of fans than SD-S were able to do. FE wins hands down on price.
Quality: as said above - no contest. Yet if quality included authenticity we'd be forced to rethink. We discuss below. But the quality issue should cover the durability and reliability Of the product. And on this FE shave clearly failed. On this board alone we have seen numerous complaints regarding faulty parts, missing parts, parts falling off, poor packaging, etc. As a first launch this has been an eye-opener. But we should give them the benefit of the doubt and hope they take heed of all the constructive criticisms that have been levied. All that said, I for one expected most of them. Has anyone heared of the challenges facing Chinese manufacturing companies? As that country moves forward it will naturally face the challenge of quality. Does anyone not recall the same facing Japanese goods in the late 1960's and early 70's ( ok so I'm old but you get the gist!). We know the result. No for me the real quality issue for this product may be yet to surface. The quality of the gold used in the plating has already suffered blemish and scuffing. Anyone who knows about this technique (I bet we have an expert amongst us - pls pile on or correct me) will testify that it can lack durability and is very sensitive to environment and handling. Rather than go on, I just raise the thought that the jury will be out on the subject of quality of FE GG for quite some time. On the SD-S case, anyone who has owned one knows it's durability and quality. These items will outlive us all. Let us hope FE can say the same in 20yrs!
Authenticity: as explained above there is little to doubt the fact that the FE GG is more authentic. Though this could have so easily have been dealt with by inviting a few known bond officianados to compare the FE product with the actual props. Their testimony would have nipped this anxiety in the bud. On this topic FE scored it's biggest own goal. IMHO the secret gun of an assassin should resemble the actual parts that make it up (D-0-Z shows above) and yet WORK at least at short range.... Ie fire and not blow your hand off in the process. I always felt the SD-S GG would be a better kosh than assasin's pistol....whereas the FE feels like it's a balance between secret and safe. But this will always be PERSONAL.
Aftersalesservice (AFSS): oh...where to begin. My own experience was mixed. Having opened the package carefully to find it missing the link I found the mildly questioning reply a tad offensive - but hey we live in litigative times....and 6 weeks later the replacement is a no show - but hey we have had Xmas postage and more complaints than accolades to deal with so again - patience. I couldn't afford an SD-S when they came out so no idea how their AfSS compared but ive heard nothing bad over the years - how time heals all wounds? - but I doubt it was as eventful as FE. This is another area where FE will have to demonstrate they have learned (as all good business's do) From their customers comments and improve. If they don't they won't be in business. And we will all lose.
Summary: well this post has been fermenting in the vat that is my head for quite a while. And like any fine " whine" it only reflects a previous vintage. There are some clear markers for the future in this experience and one hopes that FE will heed them. We can all sympathize with those who who were too disappointed to forgive, but those who are content on most fronts should remain watchful of their prized possession. It may be yet to offer it's true colours.
-{
Very nicely put on all points but I draw everyones attention to the image FE recently posted of the original filming prop which they themselves used as reference for their replica prop. Detail wise the body of the barrel and the depth of the trigger spur are incorrect and these two errors alone spoil what could have been a hell of a Bond collectible.....
Paul, very well thought out and some compelling opinions. I think regardless of where one stands we want to see what FE releases next so we have more discussion fodder!
I finally got my GG in. Came in last tuesday but it was wrapped for xmas so i only got to see it yesterday. I am very pleased with it. I got #76. The gold is nice. There are a FE GG is heavier that any of them by a bit."......................I am very happy with my gun. The weight "issue" is a nonissue.
Thx d-0-z and....…............
This is the sort of research that stands this board out as the bond prop forum!
..................................
future in this experience and one hopes that FE will heed them. We can all sympathize with those who who were too disappointed to forgive, but those who are content on most fronts should remain watchful of their prized possession. It may be yet to offer it's true colours.
-{
Very nicely put on all points but I draw everyones attention to the image FE recently posted of the original filming prop which they themselves used as reference for their replica prop. Detail wise the body of the barrel and the depth of the trigger spur are incorrect and these two errors alone spoil what could have been a hell of a Bond collectible.....
thx John appreciated.
You know I think there is a case to be answered by FE....
I still don't get the comparison to the SD guns weight. What does it matter how much it weighs other than to compare it to the original GG? It's like the SD gun is the prop and it is what some are trying get a duplicate of. Kind of like building a Cobra kit car using another kit car as your reference. Why when there is a real one to compare it to and strive for. I'm looking for an accurate copy of the EON GG that i see on screen not a copy of SD's gun or some preconveived notion of what a real GG might look or weight like.
I wasn't comparing it to the SD version. When I saw it displayed, I personally (my own opinion) thought it looked plasticky and unreal, like a toy. When I picked it up, the weight just re-inforced that issue for me. It's been a long time now, but I held the original GG back in the late Nineties and it wasn't as light as the FE, it felt real and solid. The FE to me felt delicate and it put me off straight away. Like PPW, I have handled more real pistols than you can shake a stick at, so our view may be biased in that respect, but it is our view and is no less valid, especially as others are saying the same thing.
Now the person that owns that FE GG has reported a problem with the plating that has in one part not adhered to the base metal correctly and has bubbled. It wasn't bought directly from FE but is going back for a refund in the New Year. The screw thread on the cigarette case has also been stripped despite him saying he was careful. I obviously can't confirm this careful handling, but it seems there may be an issue as others have had problems with this screw.
Paul, very well thought out and some compelling opinions. I think regardless of where one stands we want to see what FE releases next so we have more discussion fodder!
Nah, Dave, if I were FE I'd be quitting the Bond market and running for the hills.
Doesn't matter whether its **** quality control on their part or the ludicrous expectations of ajbers for the price of the item they are asked to pay.
Surely, they must get less grief selling to Skywalker and Spocky fans.
I doubt with those guy they get haunted by a firm that went bust 15-20 years ago, or nutcases who tell them they've held a real light saber as used by a real Jedi and their replica's just not heavy enough.
And FE really should have known their market better. Bond fans want to BE James Bond. Or in this case one of his villains. They aren't just into toys. They want the stuff Q Branch/Lazar/EON actually make. And all for as few £££s as possible.
Glad this stuff's not for me. Just as it wasn't when SD were advertising product and taking orders in the early 1990s.
And those of you who expected better of FE's GG, you have my sympathy, wryly.
I have no urge to ponce about thinking I'm James Bond :v but I do like things to look good on display.
I have a small room to display my Archive so I have to be choosy as to what gets displayed, As my good friend DB gave me his SD Studios Museum that takes preferance over everything, unless its been Singed
I have no urge to ponce about thinking I'm James Bond :v but I do like things to look good on display.
I have a small room to display my Archive so I have to be choosy as to what gets displayed, As my good friend DB gave me his SD Studios Museum that takes preferance over everything, unless its been Singed
Paul, very well thought out and some compelling opinions. I think regardless of where one stands we want to see what FE releases next so we have more discussion fodder!
Nah, Dave, if I were FE I'd be quitting the Bond market and running for the hills.
Doesn't matter whether its **** quality control on their part or the ludicrous expectations of ajbers for the price of the item they are asked to pay.
Surely, they must get less grief selling to Skywalker and Spocky fans.
I doubt with those guy they get haunted by a firm that went bust 15-20 years ago, or nutcases who tell them they've held a real light saber as used by a real Jedi and their replica's just not heavy enough.
And FE really should have known their market better. Bond fans want to BE James Bond. Or in this case one of his villains. They aren't just into toys. They want the stuff Q Branch/Lazar/EON actually make. And all for as few £££s as possible.
Glad this stuff's not for me. Just as it wasn't when SD were advertising product and taking orders in the early 1990s.
And those of you who expected better of FE's GG, you have my sympathy, wryly.
Nutcases...hmmm
Well funny enough MR lightsabers were heavier than the original props & slightly larger than their screenused hero counterparts. The exception to this were the hero sabers from Episode 3 which were heavier than the MR replica props. This was at the request of LFL. FE as far as I am aware do not have this excuse and are therefore not acting under a directive from EON especially as with the exception of the missing rubber inserts, the Jaws teeth are spot on and are therefore SA in all aspects.
I have no urge to ponce about thinking I'm James Bond :v but I do like things to look good on display.
I have a small room to display my Archive so I have to be choosy as to what gets displayed, As my good friend DB gave me his SD Studios Museum that takes preferance over everything, unless its been Singed
Quite.
They looking stunning on display
Cheers David -{
Asp9mmOver the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,535MI6 Agent
Paul, very well thought out and some compelling opinions. I think regardless of where one stands we want to see what FE releases next so we have more discussion fodder!
Nah, Dave, if I were FE I'd be quitting the Bond market and running for the hills.
Doesn't matter whether its **** quality control on their part or the ludicrous expectations of ajbers for the price of the item they are asked to pay.
Surely, they must get less grief selling to Skywalker and Spocky fans.
I doubt with those guy they get haunted by a firm that went bust 15-20 years ago, or nutcases who tell them they've held a real light saber as used by a real Jedi and their replica's just not heavy enough.
And FE really should have known their market better. Bond fans want to BE James Bond. Or in this case one of his villains. They aren't just into toys. They want the stuff Q Branch/Lazar/EON actually make. And all for as few £££s as possible.
Glad this stuff's not for me. Just as it wasn't when SD were advertising product and taking orders in the early 1990s.
And those of you who expected better of FE's GG, you have my sympathy, wryly.
Missing the point entirely there DS. Maybe you should stick to the facts about the item being discussed rather than throwing veiled insults at people that didn't find it to their liking.
For me it didn't look or feel worth the money, and the small fact that many people are having problems with dismantling the trigger certainly goes against the very reason it was made.... to be held and taken down and put back together again. This was not made as just a display piece, if it was then all this issues would be moot. A good display only piece could have been made in resin for a lot lower price point. This GG was to be more than that. Nobody was asking for some grail like fully working version. Just an accurate copy that breaks down into it's component parts and looks good displayed. It has failed in many of those areas. I'm not going to comment on the customer service as I haven't experienced this part first hand. The people that have though, do not seem to be happy, and this will certainly prevent me from putting down a deposit on the next item released as confidence is fast slipping.
It must say something if two people are offered one of these for free and we both turn it down.
Great display Danjaq_off. I think you need another GG though. )
As to this GG don't get me wrong I do like the FE gun for the most part but i think i'm going to stay away from FE in the future also.
To many things ticked me off with them and i take it as a learning experience as to who not to deal with. Don't give me the new company BS either. Yes the company is new but the players behind the scene are not new to props or this hobby/industry. HCG is on my blacklist also for their POS pulse rifle, another bunch of jacklegs who blame everything on the "overseas factory". Why is it some Joe Shmoe can make accurate props in his basement but a big company with the financing, license and access to the originals can't even copy something. It really pisses me off. Seriously, all they are doing is copying something and they can't even do that without adding in their 2bit modifications. FE, why doesn't your pen look like the EON pen? Plain and simple.
In the end I got my example of a GG and i'm going to move on to other items/companies.
Asp9mmOver the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,535MI6 Agent
This is the sort of research that stands this board out as the bond prop forum!
..................................
future in this experience and one hopes that FE will heed them. We can all sympathize with those who who were too disappointed to forgive, but those who are content on most fronts should remain watchful of their prized possession. It may be yet to offer it's true colours.
-{
Very nicely put on all points but I draw everyones attention to the image FE recently posted of the original filming prop which they themselves used as reference for their replica prop. Detail wise the body of the barrel and the depth of the trigger spur are incorrect and these two errors alone spoil what could have been a hell of a Bond collectible.....
thx John appreciated.
You know I think there is a case to be answered by FE....
Barry over to you...
I haven't really looked at the accuracy issues. Here's the prop and FE to compare...
At least the spur could be fixed. Just need to cut the threaded rod down to the right size.
Anyone remove the stupid red plug in the barrel? Also to those who have held the real GG, do you remember if the pen was solid like the FE pen or did FE do this so there is no access to the back of the red plug?
Great display Danjaq_off. I think you need another GG though. )
As to this GG don't get me wrong I do like the FE gun for the most part but i think i'm going to stay away from FE in the future also.
To many things ticked me off with them and i take it as a learning experience as to who not to deal with. Don't give me the new company BS either. Yes the company is new but the players behind the scene are not new to props or this hobby/industry. HCG is on my blacklist also for their POS pulse rifle, another bunch of jacklegs who blame everything on the "overseas factory". Why is it some Joe Shmoe can make accurate props in his basement but a big company with the financing, license and access to the originals can't even copy something. It really pisses me off. Seriously, all they are doing is copying something and they can't even do that without adding in their 2bit modifications. FE, why doesn't your pen look like the EON pen? Plain and simple.
In the end I got my example of a GG and i'm going to move on to other items/companies.
Well, that's kind of true.
If you can't trust a Swiss banker, what's the world come to?
Why is it some Joe Shmoe can make accurate props in his basement but a big company with the financing, license and access to the originals can't even copy something. It really pisses me off.
because joe schmoe cares about what he's working on, and takes time to get details right. he also has plenty of the world's most expensive commodity, time. he works for himself, and if he makes mistakes he only has himself to get mad at. he also decided whats right/wrong and acceptable. he would also charge you a small fortune.
china however is just about the total opposite of all that.
Why is it some Joe Shmoe can make accurate props in his basement but a big company with the financing, license and access to the originals can't even copy something. It really pisses me off.
because joe schmoe cares about what he's working on, and takes time to get details right. he also has plenty of the world's most expensive commodity, time. he works for himself, and if he makes mistakes he only has himself to get mad at. he also decided whats right/wrong and acceptable. he would also charge you a small fortune.
china however is just about the total opposite of all that.
Problem with china is also that you don’t have control over production often manufacturing is outsources to other companies that again outsource – you simply don’t have control of quality and production – it is a mess…. If it was made in another country you won’t have these problems – but then again the product price would be a different. Then we could always ague that the items that doesn’t go though GQ/QC on arrival may equal the money.
They need to make one of these that actually fires and works. That would be crazy.
"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people...To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them." -George Mason, during Virginia's ratification convention, 1788
Comments
thx John appreciated.
You know I think there is a case to be answered by FE....
Barry over to you...
I wasn't comparing it to the SD version. When I saw it displayed, I personally (my own opinion) thought it looked plasticky and unreal, like a toy. When I picked it up, the weight just re-inforced that issue for me. It's been a long time now, but I held the original GG back in the late Nineties and it wasn't as light as the FE, it felt real and solid. The FE to me felt delicate and it put me off straight away. Like PPW, I have handled more real pistols than you can shake a stick at, so our view may be biased in that respect, but it is our view and is no less valid, especially as others are saying the same thing.
Now the person that owns that FE GG has reported a problem with the plating that has in one part not adhered to the base metal correctly and has bubbled. It wasn't bought directly from FE but is going back for a refund in the New Year. The screw thread on the cigarette case has also been stripped despite him saying he was careful. I obviously can't confirm this careful handling, but it seems there may be an issue as others have had problems with this screw.
Nah, Dave, if I were FE I'd be quitting the Bond market and running for the hills.
Doesn't matter whether its **** quality control on their part or the ludicrous expectations of ajbers for the price of the item they are asked to pay.
Surely, they must get less grief selling to Skywalker and Spocky fans.
I doubt with those guy they get haunted by a firm that went bust 15-20 years ago, or nutcases who tell them they've held a real light saber as used by a real Jedi and their replica's just not heavy enough.
And FE really should have known their market better. Bond fans want to BE James Bond. Or in this case one of his villains. They aren't just into toys. They want the stuff Q Branch/Lazar/EON actually make. And all for as few £££s as possible.
Glad this stuff's not for me. Just as it wasn't when SD were advertising product and taking orders in the early 1990s.
And those of you who expected better of FE's GG, you have my sympathy, wryly.
I have a small room to display my Archive so I have to be choosy as to what gets displayed, As my good friend DB gave me his SD Studios Museum that takes preferance over everything, unless its been Singed
Quite.
They looking stunning on display
Nutcases...hmmm
Well funny enough MR lightsabers were heavier than the original props & slightly larger than their screenused hero counterparts. The exception to this were the hero sabers from Episode 3 which were heavier than the MR replica props. This was at the request of LFL. FE as far as I am aware do not have this excuse and are therefore not acting under a directive from EON especially as with the exception of the missing rubber inserts, the Jaws teeth are spot on and are therefore SA in all aspects.
Cheers David -{
Missing the point entirely there DS. Maybe you should stick to the facts about the item being discussed rather than throwing veiled insults at people that didn't find it to their liking.
For me it didn't look or feel worth the money, and the small fact that many people are having problems with dismantling the trigger certainly goes against the very reason it was made.... to be held and taken down and put back together again. This was not made as just a display piece, if it was then all this issues would be moot. A good display only piece could have been made in resin for a lot lower price point. This GG was to be more than that. Nobody was asking for some grail like fully working version. Just an accurate copy that breaks down into it's component parts and looks good displayed. It has failed in many of those areas. I'm not going to comment on the customer service as I haven't experienced this part first hand. The people that have though, do not seem to be happy, and this will certainly prevent me from putting down a deposit on the next item released as confidence is fast slipping.
It must say something if two people are offered one of these for free and we both turn it down.
As to this GG don't get me wrong I do like the FE gun for the most part but i think i'm going to stay away from FE in the future also.
To many things ticked me off with them and i take it as a learning experience as to who not to deal with. Don't give me the new company BS either. Yes the company is new but the players behind the scene are not new to props or this hobby/industry. HCG is on my blacklist also for their POS pulse rifle, another bunch of jacklegs who blame everything on the "overseas factory". Why is it some Joe Shmoe can make accurate props in his basement but a big company with the financing, license and access to the originals can't even copy something. It really pisses me off. Seriously, all they are doing is copying something and they can't even do that without adding in their 2bit modifications. FE, why doesn't your pen look like the EON pen? Plain and simple.
In the end I got my example of a GG and i'm going to move on to other items/companies.
I haven't really looked at the accuracy issues. Here's the prop and FE to compare...
Doesn't the trigger screw in any further?
Anyone remove the stupid red plug in the barrel? Also to those who have held the real GG, do you remember if the pen was solid like the FE pen or did FE do this so there is no access to the back of the red plug?
Well, that's kind of true.
www.007jamesbond.dk
http://thedangermen.com/
because joe schmoe cares about what he's working on, and takes time to get details right. he also has plenty of the world's most expensive commodity, time. he works for himself, and if he makes mistakes he only has himself to get mad at. he also decided whats right/wrong and acceptable. he would also charge you a small fortune.
china however is just about the total opposite of all that.
Vive le droit à la libre expression! Je suis Charlie!
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
www.cancerresearchuk.org
Problem with china is also that you don’t have control over production often manufacturing is outsources to other companies that again outsource – you simply don’t have control of quality and production – it is a mess…. If it was made in another country you won’t have these problems – but then again the product price would be a different. Then we could always ague that the items that doesn’t go though GQ/QC on arrival may equal the money.
www.007jamesbond.dk
http://thedangermen.com/
Oh no not another one 8-) :v
Oh hell no :v Again...
...And yes it would be crazy, irresponsible, illegal (if not stated otherwise) etc.
It's Enough that someone made one in the past and ain't here telling anymore
TIS - "The moment you think you got it figured - you're wrong"
Formerly known as Teppo
Everything could be done and Anna Nicole married for love
Just a word of advice - take a look at some Golden Gun topics and you'll see
TIS - "The moment you think you got it figured - you're wrong"
Formerly known as Teppo
www.007jamesbond.dk
http://thedangermen.com/
Eat more fiber Ian
viagra ??? A real solid golden gun
www.007jamesbond.dk
http://thedangermen.com/
Golden Cocker :v
TIS - "The moment you think you got it figured - you're wrong"
Formerly known as Teppo