Star Wars Vintage Laser Pistol Restoration - Kenner 1978

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RetroBlasting arms themselves for battle as Michael restores an original vintage Kenner Star Wars Laser Pistol from 1978, almost 34 years after he received one!
#RetroBlasting #StarWars #toyrestoration #Blaster #Kenner

[@shirtdogking5472]

Thanks for the video. I followed it and my blaster works now too!

[@randoymwords]

Thanks for the motor tip! Working on an X-Wing, which had fattened, corroded batteries stuck inside. These toys are amazingly resilient.

[@marklovelace297]

I can't thank you enough for the video. I always wanted one as a kid as I was 5 years old when it came out. My buddy down the street had one I never did until now. Recently added a "non-working" one to my collection and hoped I could take it apart and get it working like I did my Imperial Troop Transport. Problem was when I got it apart everything was pristine no corrosion or anything, nothing miss aligned at all. The "licks" was the trick, luckily mine didn't take near as many and I would never had figured that out without this video. I was already searching for vintage kenner motors on ebay. Again, can't thank you enough, I would have been happy just having a non working unit in great condition, but working yea that's a whole different level!

[@tomkleanthis5023]

Man!! i didnt think it was going to work but you got it going! Congrats! this was great!

[@Nick_Barone]

Back when toy guns could be black lol

[@martok2112]

I hear ya'! I never got to own an original Han Solo DL-44 or a Stormtrooper E-11 in their black paint versions. Later on, I did manage to get them in a 90's rerelease, but Han's pistol was orange, and the Stormtrooper rifle was white...however, they both had digital sounds from the movies instead of the whirring little engine sounds found on the vintages.

[@DominusTecum316]

The form on how you created the schematic for us the viewer was very simple yet nicely designed.

[@retroblasting]

Thank you! I wanted to make sure it was easy to understand.

[@jedipoodoo]

11:30 Am I the only one that finds it a little ironic that the motor starting up sounds a little like the Millennium Falcon struggling to start? lol

[@retroblasting]

Good catch

[@johnmcdougald1238]

I still have my original Blaster, but also missing the battery cover. I was 8 when I got mine, they year after Star Wars came out and they finally had all the Star Wars toys on the market. Christmas, 1978, is still the biggest Christmas I remember.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

I remember seeing this one and now I feel wanting one.

[@retroblasting]

They're fun.

[@mechachrist]

I wanted one of these sooooo badly as a kid. I couldn't tell my parents because I was one of the rare kids who knew we were broke lol. The only SW gun I got came later from my aunt... a biker scout pistol. Loved it.

[@FADE_FROM_VIEW]

Same! I wanted this one and a green 'The Force' lightsaber around the time i saw ROTJ. I ended up with the red version to my eternal disappointment and the biker scout pistol as well, which was still pretty cool.

[@orcsmash9]

My brother had Biker Scout gun. One of the best designed guns of the OT.

[@thegamingkitchen8429]

Ah black guns. Before society was dumb and made toy guns be different colors.

[@visionaryventures12]

Agreed. Who'd want an orange pistol, unless they didn't want it to look too real?

[@COMBOY]

Mike looks so happy at the end of the video, specially when he shoots at us with the blaster. lol

[@lonzoball5636]

THANK YOU FOR UPLOADING STAR WARS!!!!

[@retroblasting]

You're welcome.

[@lordjs9726]

Great video, Michael.

[@Sharksleep]

It's sad that we'll likely never get another black colored blaster pistol toy ever again. Oh well.

[@c.a.k.comedy692]

Sharksleep a little spray paint won’t hurt though

[@alphatrion100]

If you guys ban real guns you could have toy guns again

[@grinchycrumpet]

Great restoration, never had one as a kid, but its a cool toy, glad you got yours fixed up

[@mattreeves2457]

Just got my ESB working thanks to your video! Thanks!!!

[@retroblasting]

+Matt Reeves congrats!!!!!

[@bhs125]

RE: hand spinning the motor. I learned several years back that if you drop a drop of sewing machine oil (found in the sewing section at Wal-Mart or what have you) into the motor that it really loosens up everything and helps get those old motors spinning again. You may want to consider trying it out.

[@countrysidegallery]

Great tutorial... reminds me of jump-starting the motor in a seized furby.

[@hoslerd21]

These are videos I love.

[@professorseventy-five1148]

Great vid as usual. I think maybe we need to find the kid who stole your blaster and "refurbish" him. Also, i love hearing you talk about your time in the UK. I lived there, too, for a few years as a young teenager in the late 80s and early 90s

[@retroblasting]

I miss the UK everyday.

[@professorseventy-five1148]

Same. It really gets in your blood

[@commanderosis435]

Came from wcb. Your a you collector on another level from me but I love your passion. And I see you're a part of the b-wing master race.

[@NapalmBBQ]

I have the “garish” orange laser pistol that I believe has a Star Tours sticker and makes sounds akin to the movies. No secondary button on the grip either.

[@ironwarmonger]

I have two of them, the original star wars version in my basement right now. I took good care of my toys, and they are complete.

[@ShadowcasterZero]

sweet video! I always wanted one of those when I was a kid. But my dad worked graveyard shifts at 7-11 in San Bruno and had to save up for it. But when he finally could afford it, all the stores had sold out before Christmas. 😣

[@mechachrist]

I had the same problem lol. I'm about to buy one that's all orange for $15 from a website. I'm a model kit fiend, so I'm using my paint skills to repaint it. Google "Han Solo blaster toy repaint" and you'll see the possibilities. Not a vintage one, but my inner child will still be happy.

[@wesl8787]

I had that when I was a kid !!!

[@JohnKelly-rz4qi]

I recently restored a Jedi version of this blaster and the other copper contact had moved on mine as well. I have often wondered how many of these were “modified” by dads to keep them from working. Lol

[@retroblasting]

HA! Good point!

[@James-sm1lh]

I have the ROTJ model and replaced the motor with a new one. It works great now!

[@chuckmedeiros2124]

I have a question. I just acquired an original Star Wars version with the black knobs. In watching your video, i noticed that while your pistol has the screws on the side facing left (without the battery cover), mine has them on the battery side. Strange that they would make an alternate version of the gun, unless there was possibly some reason in manufacturing them. Any idea why? Also, what i bought as a "non functioning" gun, was easily fixed with your motor spin trick. Worked like a charm!

[@ethrieltd]

I had one of these, back in the days before anything slightly resembling a firearm had to be eyesearing orange or a completely nonthreatening cerulean blue... It's also interesting to note that even though the sound it's making is correct to how it always sounded it now sounds more like electronics about to die than any sort of laser or blaster.

[@stevenhibbert694]

You got a lot of carbon scoring there looks like that toys seen a lot of action

[@connornyhan]

I have an awesome kitbashed version of the power of the force blaster, that's been painted black.

[@nellfuntimecoops5331]

Love the vid I have the Empire version laser but mine has Grey/Silver trigger and button. How many different types have they done????

[@robbieracer3294]

I had the biker scout model, fav design

[@No1.OriginalTrilogyStarWarsFan]

Ace video Mike, I purchased one from eBay it arrived today its ace thanks for sharing.

[@Timofee3047]

Have you restored a 3 position laser rifle???

[@TedSpaghetti]

Hi Retroblasting! I love these restoration videos and wonder if you will ever do an AT-AT restoration. Keep up the great work!

[@ernesthodgdons3158]

This is honestly the best KZbin channel ever.

[@retroblasting]

Haha! Thanks so much, Ernest!

[@dsconce1]

Just wanted to clarify, was that photo you took of the inside of the blaster with everything in the correct position?

[@UofG2000]

Hi, I have the 1978 blaster which I believe was part of a set with Luke's lightsaber, belt and grappling hook, but can't find anything about it online. I lost the belt and other items long ago. Every seen one of these? I actually found it if I looked up utility playset, mine had the white grappling hook rope.

[@UofG2000]

Timothy Ward yes that is it, mine came with white rope grappling hook I think.

[@camcordernonsense5264]

Every Kenner toy laser sound is a motor? Right? I can't think of any that aren't motors.

[@horrorfan1455]

Retroblasting huge fan great vid

[@retroblasting]

+Alex G thanks Alex

[@themadhotwheelscollectoral6480]

It takes 77 spins just like the year the movie came out

[@thrasher6499]

oh ya mike have you gotten your deloran fixed yet i still love that car

[@Shockwave-ob2tx]

Not bad looking for a 24 year old fundraiser sale...

[@adrianleverkuhn3281]

You didn't show the complete process.

[@retroblasting]

+Adrian Leverkuhn You didn't listen to what I said.

[@blaazepower386]

Great vid, I'm 44 and i dreamed so many times about this blaster has a kid, i was fortunate to get my hands on one for the first time in 1995 when they rereleased it. I still loved the original ones but honestly, they really sounded like shit. The motor was a good idea in 1977, but it only really sounded like a big buzzer. Doesnt even come close to a blaster sound if you ask me. But i agree the color and the model we're great back in the days. My hope is that they release a new 1:1 han's blaster fully detailed today but they prefer to throw out those ugly nerf versions, with the wrong scale, bad details and which looks nothing like the orignals. What a Shame ! The originals still holds a special place in my heart even today.

[@charlesrichardson4032]

OMG got the blaster rifle for my 10th birthday in 1981 loved it kid in are neighborhood had one of his cousins come over from out of town and he stole it from me miss it so much I still have two of these pistols with all the parts and working still . the cool part is we went to get it from Service Merchandise store after Mom got off work and it was a rainy cold April day almost remember everything about that afternoon my best birthday present growing up

[@tonywilliams6428]

Great vid, as always. I'm a huge fan of the various Kenner role play weapons. I've got all of the pistols, the SW version of the Stormtrooper rifle and a yellow Force lightsaber (not easy to find in mint condition I can tell you!). I can't recommend these to vintage SW collectors enough. They look great on display.

[@retroblasting]

+Tony Williams yes I have a mint yellow also. Very difficult to find.

[@tomasperez2880]

Another great video, amazed at how much you can get done, while trying to do your normal 9 to 5 jobs. Lordy knows how you guys can do it, keeping on top of almost what is essencely 2 jobs at the sametime. Retroblasting and ToyPoiloy are top of my viewing list. I would say keep up the good work, but I would rather say, you lot deserve a well needed holiday. All the best for 2018!!!

[@retroblasting]

+Tomas Perez thanks Tomas. We really appreciate the understanding.

[@SpiritedSpy]

Got a gun control ad

[@KevinArcade87]

clean it with wd40

[@TheFlowNetwork]

I still have mine. I got it for Christmas in 1978...the original version. I played with it endlessly. My son, who is now 21, played with it. I wouldn't let him KEEP it! But he got to play with it. It has survived and will survive for my grandchild (if and when I have one). After all that...it is only missing one knob! A battery leaked years ago when I went to college and left it at home in my closet...so the motor hasn't worked since 1990...but I bet I can fix it.

[@adamguthrie8522]

Off topic but, RAF battledress jacket?

[@No1.OriginalTrilogyStarWarsFan]

Ace work as always Mike great work.

[@anthonykarklus7683]

Excellent video guys, and also nice jacket Micheal!

[@WrenB111]

should have used starter fluid.

[@sxhbk]

I counted 110 spins.... give or take

[@GregArmstrong40]

Got mine to work with only a few spins!

[@retroblasting]

All depends on what condition it arrives in when you receive it.

[@GregArmstrong40]

RetroBlasting ya good point! I think my falcon took a little more!

[@bradellington134]

Once again @retroblasting , with the help of your videos, my Star Wars 1977 DL-44 has risen from frozen motor land, and with a little adjustment and cleaning to one of the connector plates, she sounds just like I remember as a kid. Mine is just like yours, the v1 that's all black/dark grey, Star Wars logo stickers, and black knobs. Thank you so much for continuing to share your knowledge that helps us restore our prized vintage toys!

[@brianomdahl8377]

I bought my Han Solo / Luke Skywalker Laser Pistol in 1980. It came in the Empire Strikes Back packaging and I removed the stickers off of it because ... you know ... realism. Heheh. Anyway, that blaster (erm laser pistol) was so cool to play with in the woods with my friends. Lots of good memories. Then later, when the West End Games Star Wars RPG came out, I would use the blaster (laser pistol) as a prop. Some funny looks, but still lots of fun. Today, it gathers dust on a bookshelf. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything :)

[@Thor13332]

I had the Star Wars version as a kid and I can remember the whirring sounds to this day. I may still have it in storage somewhere. I think the battery door is missing sadly.

[@sdhaunter9137]

I need to replace the electronic components in my ESB laser pistol (blaster). Do you know what type of cylanode and wiring are inside?

[@JasT-tk1vt]

Thank you for this. I just bought one untested, battery cover missing and looks like it's been in battle (realism!). It was a good deal though and I'm sure I'll be keeping this vid for reference when I mess around with it.

[@LordStarscream-]

I have a friend who has the Power of the Force version of the laser pistol. I bought a newer release blaster from Tokyo Disneyland. It was bright blue and orange. After bringing it back home, taking a trip to the local hobby shop and a couple of licks of paint later I have a nicely painted version of the blaster.

[@knifeprty6219]

Wow ! Im from the UK and im sure I had one of the first empire versions like the one you restored because it did not have red buttons and I would of got it around 81. Mine looked a lot like your pistol in the end because I left it out in the rain one night and it went rusty and stopped working. No idea where it went, probably was chucked during a house move. It was, without a doubt, my favourite toy for quite a few years and even the kid next door, who had everything, didn't have a laser pistol like mine ...hah ! I also remember an "incident" with my "best friend" at the time where he tried to steal it from me and hit me on the head with a rock. Sweet memories hey !

[@garygladney7816]

Thanks for the video.I picked up an ESB blaster yesterday and it was in great condition ,just missing one battery compartment button.Thanks to you I also got it working again and it is a great addition to my collection.

[@marcothommen2484]

6:14 Enough to be screwed... Sorry.... that one was tooo tempting...

[@crocketgsxr6]

Those stupid Knobs! I have the ROTJ version. It's missing the knobs and box but it still works. been in a draw for 20 years lol

[@trailersic]

Amazing that it starts working after all that spinning. Now If I could only get inside Zod.

[@MB-ig6gl]

One of my favorites as a kid - for my age I must have had the original. I thought the button made it the disc spin and the trigger pushed down something onto the spinning disk to make a different "laser sound"?

[@TheDuke013]

Liked it better when they had screws than sealing the gun together. Great restore.

[@josefino72]

Had one. Got it Christmas, 1978 or 79. Loved it and had so much fun with it.

[@joe4155]

Hi retroblasting i just followed you on instagram!!! Plus i bought one of your shirts!!

[@retroblasting]

THANKS SO MUCH!!!!

[@TheDuke013]

I don't know why I thought it actually made a laser sound, instead of that turning sound.

[@retroblasting]

+TheDuke013 yeah we didn't have digital sound boards back then

[@Agent_86_]

That pistol and the stormtrooper rifle were top notch back in the day and many adventures were had!

[@Jonny-xq5cb]

it sounds less like a dl-44 and more like a drill. I can forgive that though for its awesome look and being that was made in the late 70s.

[@marcothommen2484]

they very nicely remade the hammer, safety and loading grips of the original Mauser C-96!

[@BluGhostCustoms]

I picked up an Empire version recently and it has Gray Trigger and grip buttons? Is this a real variant?

[@mathiasmorqubus]

Looking at the scoop i keep thinking Megatron.

[@SciFiFan2012]

I lost all my SW collection, my brother lost his in a fire when we were kids. Watching these retro vids makes me want to try and replace some of my former collection but it's insane how much some of the figures and vehicles cost.

[@SciFiFan2012]

Timothy Ward I need to tell my brother, he had everything 3 3/4" GI Joe until the fire. I wanted to try to get at least one of the older 12" Joes. Also wanted to collect each Stormtrooper variant if it wasn't too insane to try.

[@meganwilliams1792]

I have one of these I actually lost the nob as an adult no sticker.....I want just one nob pleeeeeeese

[@camcordernonsense5264]

"One shot at this" I see what you did there.

[@bobjordan69]

Say knobs one more time. I dare you, I DOUBLE dare you

[@8-ball916]

My dumba*s just learned that this blaster was taken from a mauser pistol

[@undertaker4518]

Much easier and faster if you'd just used duracells !!!!

[@darthethan1995]

I just bought the Return of the Jedi Han blaster for $80 and when I put batteries in and tested it, it didn’t work. I’m gonna try to spin the motor and see if I can get it running. If it doesn’t work then I will get a refund. If it does, then I’ll keep it.

[@darthethan1995]

I spun the motor and it works!!!! 😀YAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!!!! And it took about 10-15 spins.

[@lepterfirefall]

Why do you think it took so many manual spins to get the motor running again?

[@lepterfirefall]

Timothy Ward I see...😉

[@JBBrickman]

First I think !

[@retroblasting]

Yes you are!

[@orlandonostagiafever1964]

the blaster was a German Mauser bromhandle pistol.

[@judehanley9980]

Awesome!! I got my 1978 blaster working again thanks to this video! I got it new in 1978 when I was 8. Hasn't worked in probably 25 years or more. Only took about 10 sons of the motor to get it going. Thank you! I'm becoming a patron. Love your show!

[@retroblasting]

Congratulations on your work, and thank you so much!

[@ShinobiShowdown]

The sound it makes is horrible that is why my mom took the batteries out.

[@DiggingSmith]

Nice! This brought back a ton of childhood memories! Also what type of jacket is that?! RAF Battledress?

[@retroblasting]

+T Andrew Smith yes. RAF

[@Platos_Rave]

I was just about to post the same question... awesome jacket @RetroBlasting

[@c.a.k.comedy692]

Nice ms paint artwork for the mechanism haha

[@CuteFluff8]

You can paint the junky pistol and create a prop. :D

[@Timofee3047]

Have you restored a 3 position laser rifle???

[@cscape1973]

“Better Knick” how very British 🤣🤣

[@esramartin4470]

Hi

[@robmcmuffin8453]

just think... next year, episode I will be 20 years old..

[@crazywonder7197]

123 spins. That's what I count.

[@retroblasting]

HAHAHA