How to Make a Paper SOPMOD M4

SOPMOD M4 machine guns are accurate up to 600 meters.

Building a paper craft model of a SOPMOD M4 carbine machine gun is a creative way to express your passion for firearms. The SOPMOD M4 is fashioned as a compact version of a traditional machine gun for use in the US Special Operations Command. The SOPMOD M4 model provides soldiers with greater accuracy "from close range engagements to extended ranges," said Capt. William A. Smith, U.S. Army Special Operations expert.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Marker
• Scissors
• 1 1/2-by-18-by-24-inch high-density urethane foam
• Picture of SOPMOD M4
• 18-by-24-inch shipping box cardboard (2 pieces)
• Permanent epoxy
• 5 cups water
• 1 cup flour
• Pot
• Medium-size bowl
• 1-by-3-inch newspaper strips
• 1-by-3-inch white paper towel strips
• Black acrylic paint
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Measure and cut a 1 1/2-inch thick piece of high-density urethane foam to 18-by-24-inch dimensions.

2. Draw an outline of the SOPMOD M4 onto the foam. Draw a carbine stock, trigger with a guard, extended clip and forward grip with an extended rail interface barrel. Draw a 2-inch-long scope on top of the SOPMOD M4 at center. Use a picture of a SOPMOD M4 as inspiration, if necessary. Cut out the foam SOPMOD M4 along the outline.

3. Place the foam SOPMOD M4 onto an 18-by-24-inch piece of shipping box cardboard. Trace the SOPMOD M4. Remove the foam model and cut out the cardboard piece. Repeat this step to create two cardboard pieces.

4. Bond the foam SOPMOD M4 piece in-between the two cardboard pieces with permanent epoxy. The body of your SOPMOD M4 is now complete.

5. Combine the 5 cups water and 1 cup flour into a pot to create a papier-mache mix. Boil the mix for three minutes. Allow the mix to cool for five minutes. Pour the mix into a medium-size bowl.

6. Soak a newspaper strip into the mix. Press the strip into the body of the board. Continue until the entire SOPMOD M4 is covered in one layer of newspaper.

7. Soak a white paper towel strip into the mix. Press the strip into the body of the board. Continue until the entire SOPMOD M4 is covered in one layer of white paper towel. Allow two hours for the model to dry. White paper towel provides an ideal surface for acrylic paint.

8. Coat the papier-mache surface with black acrylic paint. Allow two hours for the craft to dry before handling or displaying.

Tips & Warnings

• Never point your craft gun at people or animals.

References

• Quarter Bore; SOPMOD M4 Carbine -- Special Operations Improves M4 Carbine; SGT. Nelson Mumma Jr.; September 14, 1998
• DLTK Kids: How to Paper Mache