Many of us here in airsoft are fans of the Aliens movie franchise that there were kits and complete AEGs made of the M41A Pulse Rifle from the movie. Too bad there is no commercially available airsoft version of the USCM M56 Smart Gun rifle which for those who want one, will always be a DIY build.

Speaking of the USCM M56 Smart Gun, someone just built a replica that uses a real world German MG42 rifle as the base gun. Spotted by The Firearm Blog, this project is made by KetzuKhan and it is a work in progress. The gun prop M56 Smart Gun as seen in the “Aliens” also uses the MG42 as the base gun and for the chest harness to keep the rifle stabilized when shooting is a Cinema Products Model III Steadicam harness with the Model III Steadicam arm attached.

Here is a clip from the movie showing the M56 Smart Gun:

KetzuKhan, uses the Flycam Galaxy rig instead of the Steadicam though there are also cheaper alternatives that can be found online but the Flycam looks a bit more tactical USMC vest for the M56. Since this is a work in progress, it is not yet fully dressed up to look like the M56 but a stabilized MG42, it already does the part and you can shoot like it how PFC J. Vasquez and Private M. Drake did in the movie.

Before KetzuKhan can complete the M56, he’ll need to find the handlebars for handling the gun since these were fashioned out of motorcycle parts such which according to Internet Movie Firearms Databse (IMFDB) are from a 976 Husqvarna "Husky" Magura 360, a 1981 Kawasaki KZ750 control panel used for the front controls, and a Kawasaki AR-125. He may also need the fashion the eyepiece using 3D printing or perhaps find a FLIR eyepiece from an unwanted of AH-64 Apache chopper helmet. He also need to fashion out a “DV9” battery unit.

Here is what KetzuKhan has accomplished so far witn his project in this demo, showing that he already made a a multi-ported muzzle to get that muzzle flash effect seen in the movie that looks great to watch on the screen.

It’s something to follow how his project will pan out and it should be fun watching him in full USCM garb firing the M56 replica and be able to “clear and lock” when unloading.

If you are thinking of building an airsoft replica of the M56 Smart Gun, you are not going to be the first. One of the early one is made by Gunsmith Satoshi in Japan over 10 years ago.

But instead of an airsoft MG42 as base gun he used a P90. There are MG42 AEGs such as those made by RWA, G&G, and AGM but we’re not sure if they’re in stock at retailers. Goodluck with your build!