Cloning is an interesting part of firearm culture. It’s not super mainstream but is inherently interesting. Cloning is the act of assembling a firearm to match an exact setup, sometimes to mimic military firearms or even firearms from movies and video games. I often refer to it as cosplaying guns. I started this journey without even knowing the clone world existed. I just wanted to build an old M16A1-type rifle.
I’ll be part of the carry handle gang until the day I die. In searching out parts and specifications, I discovered the world of cloning. I had known that other people built retro guns, but I didn’t realize it was a subculture. Heck, I didn’t realize that it went beyond retro rifles and into the modern world. It’s been a few years since then, and still, cloning is a bit obscure. Let’s bring this community of die-hard gun builders into the spotlight.
What is cloning?
Simply put, cloning is observing an established firearm configuration and then building, assembling, or altering a firearm to that specification. The most common and likely most well-known form of cloning is retro rifles. Companies like Colt, PSA, Troy, FN, and many more produce retro configurations of rifle platforms that many enjoy.
Beyond the retro guns, there is also the modern world, or close to the modern world, of cloning. It’s not unusual to see firearms from the GWOT cloned these days. For every M4A1 wannabe and M16A4 musket, there is some obscure variant of the Mk 12 or M110. The cloning community is large, with a variety of appetites.
Sometimes cloners aim to create very specific replicas of certain rifles. The Gothic Serpent Carbine, aka Blackhawk Down, is one of the most commonly cloned rifles. Another is the specific rifle used by Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart, an M14 with a custom camo finish and an older Aimpoint. Another popular choice is the Larry Vickers Medelo Prison Raid rifle or the custom Glock used by General Miller in Afghanistan.
There is also a small community cloning police force weapons. Typically FBI HRT rifles, DEA SMGs, and foreign special police teams.
Sometimes folks prefer to clone movie guns. The Blood Diamond rifle is a popular choice, as is the M41A pulse rifle from Aliens. A young gunsmith recently built a clone of the Halo shotgun with a top-mounted loading port and all. It’s not too rare that these worlds collide, and we get the Blackhawk Down M14. I recently did a Duke Nukem shotgun build, and I did finish the M16A1 I set out to build.
The Benefits of Cloning
Cloning is most certainly a hobby. It’s a way to recreate military rifles, both old and new, with excellent accuracy. Its benefits don’t just end at the satisfaction of the end user, though. Cloning is a great way to experience the firearms used by the United States military — or as close as you can get with a Type 07 FFL and SOT. Obviously, most military clones lose the giggle switch.
There is something to be said for preserving history as well. Oftentimes these cloners are pursuing and using the exact parts to build their rifles. These parts might be rare and tough to find. Some are only ever produced for a small military contract, and cloners treat them like curators at a museum. Not only is history preserved, but you can experience it and shoot it.
What’s cooler than that? These are living, breathing examples of sometimes niche rifles that can only ever be experienced because of cloners and the world of cloning. They are obscure but can be owned by anyone interested in putting the time in to produce the rifle or weapon. Plus, who else are they making ACOGs for these days?
How close are these guns to the real thing? Some of these guys get super into it. An AR lower is an AR lower, right? Well, your average lower doesn’t have the official US government markings and unique designations found on the real deal, right down to the barcodes that designate them US property.
Cloners will have an 80% lower milled out and modified with the clone’s correct markings to make it as real as possible. This meticulous attention to detail is admirable and really makes it a near-exact replica.
The Appeal of Pop Culture Clones
As a gun owner, have you ever met a kid or individual from a younger generation who was impressed by a gun you own? Maybe they reference a specific weapon or a specific piece of pop culture. “That’s the gun from (…xyz…)!”
It’s often a great way to engage new shooters. Who doesn’t want to shoot the gun from Metal Gear Solid? My own son often references Fortnite in the weapons I have, which generates some interest in him to go out and shoot. Getting new shooters on the range is a fundamental way to keep the 2nd Amendment alive and well.
New shooters who can learn to have a respectful understanding of firearms are invaluable to the Second Amendment. They ensure that the next generation will continue to fight for their rights and to push back against gun control efforts. All that because someone wanted to take the Samurai Edge pistol from Resident Evil and make it a reality.
Should You Get Into Cloning?
Sure, if you like collecting, producing, and enjoying military, police, or pop culture-type weapons, then go for it. The average gun can get boring awfully quickly, and these days it’s easy to find whatever you want. Cloning brings in a mentality that is constantly working and searching to find what’s right. It certainly will strain your bottom dollar because some of these rare parts are quite pricey. But when you do secure a rare part or two and finish your build, it can be quite satisfying.
Cloning is one more task you can undertake in the firearms world that’s challenging, fascinating, and easy to enjoy. Plus, if you ever want to shoot an M16A4 or the closest amalgamation, then that’s the way to do so. What do you think about cloning? Share below and let us know if it’s something you’re into, interested in getting into, or think is a huge waste of time. We welcome all opinions here.
