The E-11 blaster rifle was a light but powerful blaster rifle manufactured by BlasTech Industries. It served as the standard issue weapon of Imperial stormtroopers, and was based on the DC-15A blaster used by clone troopers during the Clone Wars. The movie prop was built over a British Sterling submachine gun.
This replica of the “Return of the Jedi”-era Imperial Stormtrooper Blaster is entirely handmade from PVC pipe (all tubular elements) and styrene plastic, the exception is a resin pistol grip.
I started building before I realized there was a difference in the weapons used in the original trilogy. My barrel cutouts are from “A New Hope”-era while the rest is ROTJ. Oops. Perhaps a model variant between the eras?
The Stock extends and locks just like the real one. I even put in a small spring in the butt plate so that it snaps back in place when folded up.
The prop has a working trigger and safety, which took some figuring out as the “forward” position is “FIRE” and the “vertical” position is “SAFE”. The trigger has a small spring pushing it forward and the safety employs a double lever that blocks the trigger when on SAFE. The pistol grip itself is a resin copy from a REAL Sterling, I bought from a guy at the Blaster Builders Club.
The barrel is PVC pipe. The sling ring, front site and heat vents were all formed by using a heat gun and bending 3mm styrene plastic into shape. It takes some practice (and burns) but you can achieve some unique shapes.