Short answer: a 3D printed Blade Runner Snub Nose Blaster kit gets you a 7.5 inch (19 cm) Deckard-style prop for £25.99, made to order in the UK, with easy assembly (some glue needed, not included) that takes about 15 minutes, arriving in a paint-ready matte grey finish as a blank canvas for your own detailing. At the other end of the market sits Paragon FX Group's officially licensed Deckard's Hero (Elite) Blaster, made in association with Alcon Entertainment: a metal, over 2 pound replica with working LEDs and a working trigger, limited to 1000 pieces worldwide, priced at $999 and shipping to US addresses only. In between, mid-tier resin model kits from specialist retailers commonly run $100 to $400, and usually still need assembly and painting like this one does. If you want an affordable build-it-yourself project you can paint to your own standard, the 3D printed kit is the sensible buy. If you want a museum-grade, fully finished, officially licensed piece and budget isn't the deciding factor, the Elite replica is in a different league entirely. The rest of this guide breaks down exactly why.
In this article
- What's the difference between the kit and the licensed replica?
- Snub Nose Blaster options, compared
- How much does a Snub Nose Blaster prop cost?
- How long will it take to arrive?
- Is a 3D printed kit good enough for display and cosplay?
- Which should you choose?
- FAQ
What's the difference between the kit and the licensed replica?
The 3D printed kit ships as a multi-piece set of parts in a matte grey PLA finish, with assembly pegs and connectors and step-by-step instructions in a display-ready box. Some glue is needed to join the pieces (not included), and once assembled it's a paint-ready blank canvas: sand, prime, and paint it to whatever level of screen-accuracy or weathering you want, or leave it as-is for a clean grey display piece.
The officially licensed route is a different proposition altogether. Paragon FX Group's Deckard's Hero (Elite) Blaster is manufactured from the same tooling used for the hero props on Blade Runner 2049, made in association with Alcon Entertainment. It's metal and mixed media, weighs over 2 pounds, has 5 working LEDs in a removable magazine, a working trigger, and an opening cylinder, all fully finished out of the box. It's also limited to 1000 pieces worldwide and ships to US addresses only.
Snub Nose Blaster options, compared
| Factor | 3D Printed Kit | Officially Licensed Elite Replica |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £25.99 | $999 (Paragon FX Group, limited to 1000 pieces) |
| Assembly | Multi-piece kit, some glue required, about 15 minutes | Fully assembled and finished out of the box |
| Finish | Matte grey PLA, paint-ready blank canvas | Fully finished, screen-accurate detailing |
| Size and weight | 7.5 inches (19 cm), approximately 150g | Over 2 pounds, metal and mixed media construction |
| Features | Static display and cosplay prop | 5 working LEDs, removable magazine, working trigger, opening cylinder |
| Licensing | Fan-made prop, not officially licensed | Officially licensed with Alcon Entertainment |
| Shipping | Made to order in the UK | Ships to US addresses only |
How much does a Snub Nose Blaster prop cost?
The 3D printed kit is £25.99, which covers the printed parts, pegs and connectors, and instructions. You'll need your own glue and, if you want colour, your own paint, but there's no extra licensing premium built into the price. The officially licensed Deckard's Hero (Elite) Blaster from Paragon FX Group sits at $999, reflecting the metal construction, working electronics, and the licensing agreement with Alcon Entertainment that lets it use the exact tooling from the film props.
In between those two extremes, mid-tier resin model kits from specialist retailers commonly run $100 to $400, and many of these still arrive unassembled and unpainted, so you're paying considerably more without necessarily skipping the build and paint work. For most collectors and cosplayers who want a Snub Nose Blaster on a shelf or in a costume without a four-figure spend, the 3D printed kit is the accessible way in.
How long will it take to arrive?
The 3D printed kit is made to order and shipped from the UK, so UK and European buyers avoid international customs and the multi-week transit times that come with ordering from US-based prop makers. Once it arrives, assembly is about 15 minutes before you get to painting.
The officially licensed Elite replica ships from the US only, and Paragon FX Group's own listing notes it cannot be shipped outside the United States at all, so it isn't an option for buyers elsewhere without a forwarding service. Mid-tier resin kits from other US specialist shops will also mean international shipping and customs for UK buyers.
Is a 3D printed kit good enough for display and cosplay?
PLA holds detail well and is light enough to carry for cosplay, which matters for a handheld prop like this one. It won't have the heft of a metal replica, but at 150g it's easy to hold and pose with for photos, and it gives you full control over the finish since you're painting it yourself rather than relying on a factory paint job.
As with any PLA prop, avoid leaving it somewhere very hot, like a car on a sunny day, since the material can soften under prolonged heat. Because assembly uses glue rather than push-fit pegs alone, a completed build is solid once cured. Communities like the 405th prop-making forum have detailed, ongoing threads on how different prop materials and finishes hold up over time if you want to dig deeper before you start painting.
Which should you choose?
Choose the 3D printed kit if you want a Snub Nose Blaster you can build and paint yourself, want fast UK shipping without customs, and want to spend under £30 rather than several hundred dollars or more.
Choose the officially licensed Elite replica if you're in the US, budget isn't the deciding factor, and you specifically want a fully finished, screen-accurate metal piece with working electronics and a limited-edition number attached to it.
7.5 inches (19 cm), matte grey PLA, paint-ready, some glue required (not included). Made to order and shipped from the UK.
Building a wider Blade Runner or retro sci-fi display? A couple of options worth adding:
The other side's blaster from Blade Runner 2049, same build style and price point.
A posable RoboCop-inspired model kit for fans of retro sci-fi cinema.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Snub Nose Blaster kit hard to assemble?
No, but it isn't push-fit either. It's an easy assembly with assembly pegs and connectors, and some glue is required (not included). Most builds take about 15 minutes before painting.
What size is the Snub Nose Blaster?
Approximately 7.5 inches (19 cm) and 150g once assembled, made from durable PLA plastic.
Do I need to paint it myself?
Yes. It arrives in a matte grey finish specifically designed as a paint-ready blank canvas, so you'll want your own paints and primer to take it further, or you can leave it grey as a clean display piece.
Is this an officially licensed Blade Runner product?
No. This is a fan-made, screen-inspired prop and is not officially licensed by or affiliated with Alcon Entertainment or the Blade Runner franchise. The officially licensed replica mentioned in this article is a separate product from a different, unrelated seller.
Is it safe for children?
It's a display and cosplay prop, not a toy for rough play, and is recommended for ages 14 and up.
What's included in the kit?
The multi-piece blaster parts, assembly pegs and connectors, and step-by-step instructions, boxed with artwork of the blaster.
Ready to build your Snub Nose Blaster?
Made to order and printed fresh in the UK, arriving paint-ready for your own build.
Shop the Snub Nose Blaster →Building a wider sci-fi display? Browse the full Cosplay Props & Accessories range.