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If you’re a gun guy and a Star Wars buff, then it’s just about impossible that you haven’t wanted Han Solo’s DL-44 blaster at some point or another. Since most of us don’t want to chop up an original C-96 Mauser to build one the prop gun was based on, like Jerry Miculek did, it’s good to have other options. Luckily, Canto Arms has a better solution with their new BlasTech Industries DL-44 Hero.
The DL-44 Hero
Canto Arms has been building blasters and blaster kits for a while now. No, we aren’t talked about actual laser pistols, but rather some nifty .22 LR builds based upon an AR upper and lower. At their core, they’re just a solid .22 AR pistol, but it’s the details that make them unique. Canto makes parts kits and complete pistols that transform your basic AR into a pretty good semblance of the famous DL-44. They’ve sold a complete version for a while now with their Nocturne pistol. They also have kits so you can build your own, and that’s what I did with my build that I covered here on TTAG a while back. While the Nocturne is a nice pistol, and building your own is satisfying, Canto is kicking things up a notch with the new DL-44 Hero.
The DL-44 Hero uses the same MG81 style muzzle device and Broomhandle-style grip as the Nocturne, but it’s mated up with a custom upper and lower. You can get the MG81 muzzle device in either a black hardcoat finish or shiny machined aluminum. The new upper and lower have a some pretty sleek, angular lines that look like they came off a Blastech production line in the Outer Rim. In addition to the custom styling, the lower is engraved with BlasTech Industries markings in both English and Aurebesh (Galactic Basic Standard) and the Blastech logo.
In addition to the markings and custom receivers, the DL-44 Hero model has some other upgrades as well. The lower is fitted with billet enhanced mag release controls and a custom ambidextrous selector. The selector has a round knob on the right hand side of the receiver, which mimics the look of the movie prop. The Hero has a BoreBuddy quiet bolt group with a black nitride finish and uses Strike Industries Enhanced lower parts and Enhanced Longitudinal Grind trigger components. The gun comes with a Black Dog machine 10-round magazine as well as a Canto Blaster scope and rings.
MSRP on the DL-44 Hero is $1,500. That’s over $500 more than the basic Nocturne. I’m not going to say that’s cheap, but you are getting a really slick custom upper and lower that you can’t get elsewhere, along with a number of other premium upgrades. Plus you get the optic with the gun. I do like my personal build with custom the Bad Attitude Department lower that I had engraved a lot, but I gotta say the new Canto DL-44 is a class act. Had that set-up been around when I did my build, I may well have saved my Galactic Credits up for it, rather than doing the build on my own. If you always wanted a DL-44 and don’t want to chop up a C-96 to get one, then take a look at the DL-44 Hero or one of Canto’s other offerings. Being .22 LR, they’re a ton of fun to shoot and ammo is a lot more affordable than 7.63 Mauser would be in the C-96, too.
Blastech DL-44 Hero Specs:
- Caliber: .22 LR
- Barrel length: 4.5 in.
- 1:16 twist
- 1/2″x28 threaded barrel with threaded MG81 muzzle device
- Authentic, trademarked BlasTech Industries engravings in English and Aurebesh
- Custom DL-44 style safety selector switches
- Strike Industries Enhanced lower parts
- Standard AR-15 platform for ultimate customizability
- Made in the USA with 7075 hardcoat anodized aluminum components for decreased weight and enhanced durability
- Stainless steel blowback bolt system
- Optional BoreBuddy quiet bolt group in black nitride finish
- Billet enhanced mag release controls, ambidextrous selector (short/long throw configurable)
- Iconic Broomhandle Grip
- Enhanced Longitudinal Grind trigger components
- Includes one nylon 10-round X-Form short format magazine.
- Blaster scope, rings and 45-degree mounts included – mounting required.
- MSRP: $1,500
Where To Buy
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If I wanted this look I would find a Charter Arms Explorer II and build my own version for 300 bucks. I don’t have 1500 to throw away if you couldn’t tell.
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I would paint the muzzle brake orange so when I pointed that gun at a cop he would think it was a toy and wouldn’t shoot me.
Now the BATFE might not, I think if you pointed a pop tart at them they’d smoke you up pretty good.
I was 11yo when this film came out; saw it on an outing at summer camp. I have no idea why near to 50 years later people have such an affinity for it. It was ok; Han Solo is totally cool but so, there’s so much better before and after to get your cos-play yayas out in.