It’s been a long wait, but the replica Mal pistol from QMx is here!

Sort of.

See, while they were working on the first one and running into delays with the manufacturing end, they also did some market testing (i.e. asking folks stuff). And they found that their wonderfully detailed, $249 pistol was right in between what everyone wanted. The cosplayers and general “I want a Mal pistol” audience was hoping for something a little more inexpensive, but that couldn’t be done and keep the detailed quality QMx was shooting for. And the prop fans and hardcore collectors wanted something as close to the original as possible, ideally in metal, ideally with firing action, and that couldn’t be done for 250 bucks. So, because QMx wants everyone in the ‘verse to be suitably armed, they’re doing both.

On sale Oct. 20, the first version will be the Official Malcolm Reynolds Stunt Pistol, modeled after the resin version used in action shots and cast directly from the original molds.

Quantum Mechanix’s mold for the replica was taken directly from the stunt pistol carried by Nathan Fillion in his portrayal of Malcolm Reynolds. However, the screen-used prop was just a solid block of resin. QMx has taken its design several steps beyond the movie version, adding separate steel- and bronze-colored resin parts to ensure perfect color separation and accuracy. The pistol is infused with a high-quality metal bronze powder to better simulate weathering. Silver components – such as the trigger, trigger guard, hammer and screws – are infused with steel powder and weathered with a black dye wash.

The Malcolm Reynolds stunt pistol is cast in professional-grade resin and weighs approximately 1 pound, making it a great holster pistol for cosplay or display. The pistol comes boxed with a Moses Brothers Firearms Certificate of Authenticity and a license to carry this sidearm issued by the local authorities on Shadow.

The stunt version will be $149.95, plus shipping. This will be essentially the same pistol they planned on before, without the metal screws, wood grip, to help bring the cost down.

And the first 1,500 pistol sold will include a rolled 14″ x 17″ poster with the Barlow’s Guide to Small Arms entry on the Moses Brothers Self-Defense Engine Frontier Model B (Mal’s pistol).

If you’ve already put money down or prepaid entirely for the previous $249.95 version, fret not. You can elect to put that towards this one, the upcoming metal one, or get a full refund. If you’ve already prepaid and decide to get the stunt pistol you’ll get the original shipping cost, even though postage has gone up since then. More details here.

The metal Mal pistol will be coming out next, although QMx — having learned from the first time — will not be announcing it until they have a firm ship date. It will be more expensive, and insanely more detailed.

While you’re waiting, check this out. Details on the pistol, the manufacture, and how it ended up in the hands of one Malcolm Reynolds.

From the people who brought you “Finding Serenity,” now there are even more insights, observations, and musings on our favorite folks. “Serenity Found: More Unauthorized Essays on Joss Whedon’s Firefly Universe,” edited by Jane Espenson with a preface by Joss himself. Like the last book, this is a collection of works examining aspects of the ‘verse, both silly and scholarly (and, occasionally, both). It’s due out Oct. 1, but it’s already showing up at Barnes & Noble and Amazon has it in stock.

This follow-up to Finding Serenity takes the examination of Joss Whedon’s canceled cult favorite even further, addressing the events of the film Serenity as well as offering even more thought-provoking, fascinating, and far-thinking essays on the Firefly universe. Contributors include actor Nathan Fillion, who played Captain Mal Reynolds, as well as noted science fiction writer Orson Scott Card. Behind-the-scenes details are explored, including why Firefly makes such a good platform for the upcoming Multiverse online game (with an essay written by Multiverse executive producer Corey Bridges), while other essays examine recurring issues from both the series and the movie, such as the Alliance’s hatred of science, the role of smart-mouthed women, and the real reason the Firefly universe has no aliens.

There are also essays from FX guru Loni Peristere, chick-lit author Shanna Swendson, and more!

 $17.95, paperback, 256 pages, from BenBella Books’ SmartPop line. Order it now from Amazon or directly from BenBella Books.

And check back, cuz I’ll be posting a review very soon and there may be some surprises coming.

Now here’s a wonderful thing to come back to. Jessi of SerenityVerse.com has added another great item to her already-impressive selection of Browncoat jewelry, an Independent Triangle pendant. .925 sterling silver, with the triangle upside down because, well…

I had to decide whether to go with the traditional point-up placement, or the new canon (from the Firefly visual companion) point-down.  I ended up going with point up for two reasons: A, it’s the way Mal wears his patch in the series.  And that’s canon enough for me… I like it that way.  And B, as a piece of jewelry, it looks better this way :)

The pendant sells for $15 — a steal for such a high-quality, polished, solid, unique piece — and, because Jessi can’t seem to stop herself and I’ll tackle the first person to make her try, it’s also available as an earring or zipper pull, converted at no charge, or as part of her trademark hand-made bracelet designs.

Sure, anyone can say they’re a Browncoat and fight the Alliance, but do you have the verve to revolt and accessorize? You know, the holidays aren’t too far away… And don’t forget to check out her Serenity outline pendant, her Serenity logo pendant, and… oh, go browse. You’ll thank me.

Don’t panic! Still going strong and I found out today I’ll be involved in a great new Serenity promotion and contest, about which I am still mentally dancing. More on that later.

But I’ll be gone till Saturday night, away at a seminar for my day job with limited Internet access and temporarily away from things ‘versy. Unless there are any Browncoat doings in Chapel Hill, NC on Friday night. I have no idea what I’ll be doing, but if you can suggest something post it here!

New at The Prop Store of London:  River’s handcuffs. Or, probably, Mal’s cuffs, which he used on River. Which makes you wonder why Mal had cuffs lying around. Unless they were in Inara’s old trunk… OK, I’m stopping now.

These are actual hero working handcuffs made from metal and come with the two keys. They were used in the scene where Mal handcuffs River to the floor after she attacks the Maidenhead bar patrons.

Or whomever registered as “History,” which is the name I drew from everyone who registered and everyone who commented hoping to win the Blue Sun Travel Poster set from SerenityStuff and TFAW.com. Congratulations, History, and thanks to everyone who entered. Be sure to stop back Monday, there’ll be a new giveaway starting Monday morning.

Don’t forget, you can buy the official Blue Sun Travel Poster set (with the “Londinium” poster) at TFAW.com or at QMx. You can buy the one of the original misprint sets from TFAW.com, but they only have a few left, if any. QMx is now offering just the misprint poster by itself as a limited edition art print in case you want all the posters and don’t want to buy two whole sets.

For those of you who prefer your Serenity merchandise updates in small, easy-to-digest form, SerenityStuff.com posts are now being piped (with a slight delay) to my Twitter page.

Soon no social network will escape my reach. Bwahahahahahaha! And so on and so forth.

Don’t forget, post a comment somewhere on SerenityStuff.com before midnight EST Saturday, September 15, and you’ll be entered in a drawing for one of the rare misprint versions of QMx’s Blue Sun Travel Poster sets. 5 gorgeous full-color prints, with one caught-by-Joss mistkae.

Hurry!

Stylin’ Online has new Serenity tee designs, like the Official Ass Kicker tee, the Shiny tee, and this one, a cartoony version of the coolest ship in science fiction.

An officially licensed design on a heavyweight preshrunk 6oz. cotton tee, available in sizes M, L, and XL. The fact that they keep adding more designs kinda implies they’re selling, yes? Hello, Universal?

Well, two great props came and went at The Prop Store of London before I could say anything about them - Zoe’s necklace and another school stylus — but these game tokens from the Maidenhead Bar are here for your drunken gaming needs. And from the description there may be more than this one set available.

These chips, which are very similar to Mahjong pieces, were used in the scenes in the Maidenhead Bar as set dressing. The wooden pieces have red Chinese characters painted on them and each measure 6.5cm x 3cm (2.5” x 1.25”) The chips purchased may vary slightly from the one shown.