Comparison Review: MP-36 Megatron vs. a real Walther P1
Monday, April 17th, 2017 6:58am CDT
Categories: Toy News, ReviewsPosted by: Va'al Views: 35,050
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Whatever your opinion on firearms, the comparison is detailed and thoughtful - and you can check it out below complete with commentary and opinions from our fellow user. Then join the conversation in the Energon Pub!
FracturedKoi wrote:Good evening, friends! It's been far too long and I apologize for my absence from the forums. Facebook has just made connecting so much easier that I've neglected any presence on here, forgive me. It's okay though, because MP-36 just came out and I thought what a better way to come back to the forums than to shoot another set of comparison images.
I will admit that while I love the animation accurate look of his robot mode I honestly do not like his gun mode at all. Instead of seeking a license and reproducing a Walther P-38, they chose (possibly wisely?) to instead model his gun mode after his cartoon appearance. Now, I can understand why they'd do this. Less fees for licensing, slightly fewer headaches with firearm realism and the legal ramifications thereof, and perhaps even a little bit more creative freedom. In my mind, though, his alt-mode just suffers for it. Both his G1 iteration and the first MP version have a much more accurate gun mode.
But enough of that, on with the images. Following each image, I'll try to comment as to what I'm attempting to compare.
Notice the size difference. While nowhere near as oversized as his first MP release, 36 is still far oversized.
Another angle showing size differences. The plate on top of the gun (which contains the firing pin and safety mechanism) is much thicker. The only reason I can see for this is to allow for how they're attaching Megatron's scope (which is STILL a horrible idea and now it's even less feasible than it was on the G1 toy. That toy has a black bracket which is supposed to imply that it's attached to the frame and goes around the slide to prevent it from moving with the slide.) Interestingly enough, the sights on 36 are identical to those found on a Walther...but more on that later.
Detail showing the grips. 36 still uses the WWII Bakelite grips and keeps many of the details spot on. Notice the safety is switched on for both guns. I've seen so many images of 36's safety flipped way out of alignment and it's bugged me to no end. Glad to know it does go where intended. The screw detail is still present on 36 as is the details for the takedown lever (out of frame) and slide lock (horizontal lever above trigger). Things really start to fall apart with the grips, though, as Takara has zero detail at the bottom for any sort of magazine functionality; they replaced it with the cartoon accurate bracket...thing. Ung. They also have no detail for the lanyard strap either.
Side-by-side profile showing frame and grip details, safety now moved to fire position. Here you can clearly see the takedown lever (front of frame, close to Megatron's head). Of note, while G1 had "serial numbers" and even one of Walther's proof marks "stamped" on it, 36 has no such details anywhere. There isn't one place where a proof mark, serial number, or even the Walther banner were put on the toy. This isn't a Walther but it's mimicking one closely. Many of the gun details are so broken up by panels that it's difficult to tell what you're looking at. The takedown lever, for example, is split in half and has a pin running right through it on the toy.
Here's a pretty awesome detail, though: the front sights are dovetailed into position (well, not really, but kudos for the sculpting!)
More awesome detail work replicating the extractor. This little bar inlaid into the top of the slide grabs the casing of the spend round and flings it out and to the left of the shooter! On the toy, it too is split by seams and in two places no less! It's difficult to make a gun transform.
Sight picture on 36 is hindered greatly by the scope mount. However, by flipping that mounting point out 90 degrees, you're able to get a clear sight picture.
Now, with the sight mount twisted to the side, you actually get a clear sight picture. Blam! Take that Lego castle! (I just noticed that some of these images aren't straight...sorry about that.)
Here's another great detail, that small plate you see on the real gun rides against the frame. That's your trigger mechanism and they replicated it on the toy! Awesome?
From the rear with the hammer's cocked. Aside from 36 being horribly too thick, there's also nothing for his hammer to actually strike. The firing pin is that metallic circle you see on the actual firearm. The small circle above it is the loaded-chamber indicator. If a round is chambered, a small rod protrudes through that to let you know that yes, it is indeed ready to be fired.
A Walther P-38 (or a P1, which is what I have) is chambered in 9mm. The barrel will nearly fit inside the toy's barrel! A 9mm would fall through that barrel like a penny through a well. I haven't measured the inside diameter of the toy's barrel to try and figure out what caliber it is.
One last detail image: they've outlined the shape of the barrel as it's inserted into the slide. As the gun functions, the slide will, well...slide around the barrel, kinda like this:
Shown is the slide locked back as it would be on an empty magazine.
I hope you guys have enjoyed this brief look at 36 and how he compares to a real firearm. He really does try, but that cartoon detailing just gets in his way from nailing it 100%. Whatever the case, this figure truly is a masterpiece. Thanks for your time, guys and gals, and have a great night!
Credit(s): FracturedKoi
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Posted by Microraptor on April 17th, 2017 @ 7:12am CDT
Posted by FracturedKoi on April 17th, 2017 @ 7:39am CDT
Ironhidensh wrote:Dude, is that the Lego Disney Cinderella castle I'm the background?
Yes, yes it is ;D
Posted by DecepticonFinishline on April 17th, 2017 @ 7:51am CDT
Posted by galvatron00 on April 17th, 2017 @ 8:37am CDT

I do find it interesting how they kept some of the tiny specific details and then went completely cartoon in others. I agree with you that licensing and "toy gun" issues are what kept them from going full details.
Posted by triKlops on April 17th, 2017 @ 9:20am CDT

Very informative.
Posted by WreckerJack on April 17th, 2017 @ 9:55am CDT
Posted by Rated X on April 17th, 2017 @ 11:25am CDT
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on April 17th, 2017 @ 1:53pm CDT
Rated X wrote:Although one thing I never understood about the fictional alt mode is why a gun with strong enough kickback to require a stock would have a scope/viewfinder? Obviously you couldn't look through it to aim at a target while the stock is properly placed against your shoulder to to absorb the recoil.
The scope, stock and that particular model of silencer are entirely fictional, as no official add-ons, silencers aside, have been released for that type of firearm. They're all from the 60's series The Man from U.N.C.L.E..
Besides, I highly doubt a conventional pistol could be turned into a sniper rifle so easily.

Posted by Evil Eye on April 17th, 2017 @ 3:32pm CDT
Also I must say that the P-38 really is a beautiful gun. I don't know the most about guns but it sure is elegant.
Posted by BATTLEMASTER IIC on April 17th, 2017 @ 6:15pm CDT
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:The scope, stock and that particular model of silencer are entirely fictional, as no official add-ons, silencers aside, have been released for that type of firearm. They're all from the 60's series The Man from U.N.C.L.E..
Besides, I highly doubt a conventional pistol could be turned into a sniper rifle so easily.
Even if you could put a scope on a Walther P1, you wouldn't put your eye right up to the scope's eyepiece, otherwise the recoil of the weapon would put the eyepiece into your eye, and give you a black eye and a headache! You aim through a scope with your eye a few inches away from the eyepiece.
Posted by fenrir72 on April 17th, 2017 @ 7:12pm CDT
Rated X wrote:Well of course its gonna be bigger to scale properly with other MP figures in robot mode. It would have been nice if it was licensed and resembled the actual firearm instead of a "not" P-38 similar to how hasbro often does their CHUG alt modes. But I can see why they would go with cartoon accuracy to save money. Once you add some chrome not to mention the fictional silencer, scope, and stock, you pretty much throw firearm accuracy out the window anyway. I would love to see a gun collecter customize the actual firearm to look like megatrons G1 toy. The chrome deco is entirely possible for a price. Bonus points if a shop can create functioning add on parts that mount on to the gun and really work. Although one thing I never understood about the fictional alt mode is why a gun with strong enough kickback to require a stock would have a scope/viewfinder? Obviously you couldn't look through it to aim at a target while the stock is properly placed against your shoulder to to absorb the recoil.
Fictional toy based on a fictional show the irony yes?
Posted by Ultra Markus on April 17th, 2017 @ 9:12pm CDT

Posted by FracturedKoi on April 17th, 2017 @ 9:21pm CDT
Ultra Markus wrote:why not do a comparision with the G1 toy vs the real one also
Excellent idea and I've beat you to it

comparing-g1-megatron-to-his-real-life-counterpart-now-with-100-more-pictures--t95097.php
Posted by Ultra Markus on April 17th, 2017 @ 9:22pm CDT
fenrir72 wrote:Rated X wrote:Well of course its gonna be bigger to scale properly with other MP figures in robot mode. It would have been nice if it was licensed and resembled the actual firearm instead of a "not" P-38 similar to how hasbro often does their CHUG alt modes. But I can see why they would go with cartoon accuracy to save money. Once you add some chrome not to mention the fictional silencer, scope, and stock, you pretty much throw firearm accuracy out the window anyway. I would love to see a gun collecter customize the actual firearm to look like megatrons G1 toy. The chrome deco is entirely possible for a price. Bonus points if a shop can create functioning add on parts that mount on to the gun and really work. Although one thing I never understood about the fictional alt mode is why a gun with strong enough kickback to require a stock would have a scope/viewfinder? Obviously you couldn't look through it to aim at a target while the stock is properly placed against your shoulder to to absorb the recoil.
Fictional toy based on a fictional show the irony yes?
Megatron never shot real bullets and never had real shell casings eject out of his gun mode you could say his resemblance to a real gun is just a disguise
to hide the fact hes a cybertronian weapon
FYI the scope mounted on the gun is on the part that slides back and fourth when fireing as the shells exit so trying to look though it while it fires would knock you out
Posted by Ultra Markus on April 17th, 2017 @ 9:23pm CDT
FracturedKoi wrote:Ultra Markus wrote:why not do a comparision with the G1 toy vs the real one also
Excellent idea and I've beat you to it
comparing-g1-megatron-to-his-real-life-counterpart-now-with-100-more-pictures--t95097.php
a lot closer than the MP thats for sure

Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on April 17th, 2017 @ 10:45pm CDT
Posted by fenrir72 on April 17th, 2017 @ 11:58pm CDT
Ultra Markus wrote:fenrir72 wrote:Rated X wrote:Well of course its gonna be bigger to scale properly with other MP figures in robot mode. It would have been nice if it was licensed and resembled the actual firearm instead of a "not" P-38 similar to how hasbro often does their CHUG alt modes. But I can see why they would go with cartoon accuracy to save money. Once you add some chrome not to mention the fictional silencer, scope, and stock, you pretty much throw firearm accuracy out the window anyway. I would love to see a gun collecter customize the actual firearm to look like megatrons G1 toy. The chrome deco is entirely possible for a price. Bonus points if a shop can create functioning add on parts that mount on to the gun and really work. Although one thing I never understood about the fictional alt mode is why a gun with strong enough kickback to require a stock would have a scope/viewfinder? Obviously you couldn't look through it to aim at a target while the stock is properly placed against your shoulder to to absorb the recoil.
Fictional toy based on a fictional show the irony yes?
Megatron never shot real bullets and never had real shell casings eject out of his gun mode you could say his resemblance to a real gun is just a disguise
to hide the fact hes a cybertronian weapon
FYI the scope mounted on the gun is on the part that slides back and fourth when fireing as the shells exit so trying to look though it while it fires would knock you out
U.N.C.L.E. supergun > Micro Change > Transformers Amazin'! I wonder why the owners of U.N.C.L.E. never raised a howl like Harmony Gold does on Jetfire?
Posted by Ultra Markus on April 18th, 2017 @ 10:41pm CDT
maybe they never saw the show, how ever i did find this, its a dead ringer for megatron:fenrir72 wrote:Ultra Markus wrote:fenrir72 wrote:Rated X wrote:Well of course its gonna be bigger to scale properly with other MP figures in robot mode. It would have been nice if it was licensed and resembled the actual firearm instead of a "not" P-38 similar to how hasbro often does their CHUG alt modes. But I can see why they would go with cartoon accuracy to save money. Once you add some chrome not to mention the fictional silencer, scope, and stock, you pretty much throw firearm accuracy out the window anyway. I would love to see a gun collecter customize the actual firearm to look like megatrons G1 toy. The chrome deco is entirely possible for a price. Bonus points if a shop can create functioning add on parts that mount on to the gun and really work. Although one thing I never understood about the fictional alt mode is why a gun with strong enough kickback to require a stock would have a scope/viewfinder? Obviously you couldn't look through it to aim at a target while the stock is properly placed against your shoulder to to absorb the recoil.
Fictional toy based on a fictional show the irony yes?
Megatron never shot real bullets and never had real shell casings eject out of his gun mode you could say his resemblance to a real gun is just a disguise
to hide the fact hes a cybertronian weapon
FYI the scope mounted on the gun is on the part that slides back and fourth when fireing as the shells exit so trying to look though it while it fires would knock you out
U.N.C.L.E. supergun > Micro Change > Transformers Amazin'! I wonder why the owners of U.N.C.L.E. never raised a howl like Harmony Gold does on Jetfire?
http://www.tvacres.com/weapons_uncle.htm
Posted by fenrir72 on April 18th, 2017 @ 11:08pm CDT
Ultra Markus wrote:maybe they never saw the show, how ever i did find this, its a dead ringer for megatron:fenrir72 wrote:Ultra Markus wrote:fenrir72 wrote:Rated X wrote:Well of course its gonna be bigger to scale properly with other MP figures in robot mode. It would have been nice if it was licensed and resembled the actual firearm instead of a "not" P-38 similar to how hasbro often does their CHUG alt modes. But I can see why they would go with cartoon accuracy to save money. Once you add some chrome not to mention the fictional silencer, scope, and stock, you pretty much throw firearm accuracy out the window anyway. I would love to see a gun collecter customize the actual firearm to look like megatrons G1 toy. The chrome deco is entirely possible for a price. Bonus points if a shop can create functioning add on parts that mount on to the gun and really work. Although one thing I never understood about the fictional alt mode is why a gun with strong enough kickback to require a stock would have a scope/viewfinder? Obviously you couldn't look through it to aim at a target while the stock is properly placed against your shoulder to to absorb the recoil.
Fictional toy based on a fictional show the irony yes?
Megatron never shot real bullets and never had real shell casings eject out of his gun mode you could say his resemblance to a real gun is just a disguise
to hide the fact hes a cybertronian weapon
FYI the scope mounted on the gun is on the part that slides back and fourth when fireing as the shells exit so trying to look though it while it fires would knock you out
U.N.C.L.E. supergun > Micro Change > Transformers Amazin'! I wonder why the owners of U.N.C.L.E. never raised a howl like Harmony Gold does on Jetfire?
http://www.tvacres.com/weapons_uncle.htm
Its a double dead ringer alright! Especially the "quantum surge" G1 version of him

Posted by FracturedKoi on April 19th, 2017 @ 12:10am CDT
Ultra Markus wrote:maybe they never saw the show, how ever i did find this, its a dead ringer for megatron:fenrir72 wrote:Ultra Markus wrote:fenrir72 wrote:Rated X wrote:Well of course its gonna be bigger to scale properly with other MP figures in robot mode. It would have been nice if it was licensed and resembled the actual firearm instead of a "not" P-38 similar to how hasbro often does their CHUG alt modes. But I can see why they would go with cartoon accuracy to save money. Once you add some chrome not to mention the fictional silencer, scope, and stock, you pretty much throw firearm accuracy out the window anyway. I would love to see a gun collecter customize the actual firearm to look like megatrons G1 toy. The chrome deco is entirely possible for a price. Bonus points if a shop can create functioning add on parts that mount on to the gun and really work. Although one thing I never understood about the fictional alt mode is why a gun with strong enough kickback to require a stock would have a scope/viewfinder? Obviously you couldn't look through it to aim at a target while the stock is properly placed against your shoulder to to absorb the recoil.
Fictional toy based on a fictional show the irony yes?
Megatron never shot real bullets and never had real shell casings eject out of his gun mode you could say his resemblance to a real gun is just a disguise
to hide the fact hes a cybertronian weapon
FYI the scope mounted on the gun is on the part that slides back and fourth when fireing as the shells exit so trying to look though it while it fires would knock you out
U.N.C.L.E. supergun > Micro Change > Transformers Amazin'! I wonder why the owners of U.N.C.L.E. never raised a howl like Harmony Gold does on Jetfire?
http://www.tvacres.com/weapons_uncle.htm
Oh now that is interesting. The way the scope is mounted here would work as it's mounted on the frame and not on the slide!
The magazine, on the other hand, is impossible without heavily modifying how the mag release works.