A few cool vintage ROTJ Stormtrooper photos recently surfaced and the surprise is the confirmation of using the ESB "Pugman" Stormtrooper blaster in ep. VI, besides the well known MGC (Model Gun Corporation - Japan) Sterlings converted as ROTJ E-11. Thus in ROTJ we have both the MGC E-11 conversion and the Pugman ESB stunt E-11 blasters for the Stormtroopers.

ESB stunt Pugman E-11 used in ROTJ:








ESB stunt Pugman:






ROTJ MGC E-11:

So for fireing blanks they just used the MGC and no real Sterling, correct?

In ROTJ there were no Mk4 Sterlings, just MGC's and resin ones (Pugmans most likely). And MGC's fire blanks like the real deal - check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJLus4xdfzo.

Cool observation. Yeah, no reason to run around with a blank firing gun if you are just standing there for show. Can't imagine the MGC's are as cheap as the stunt pieces.

Exactly. I'm curious how many MGC's they used for ROTJ. There are a lot of Pugmans for sure, some leftovers from ESB and maybe even new casts. Resin is cheap, and thus resin blasters are barely noticeable in the forest or in large groups. Plus they have added blaster bolts effects in post production, so no need for heavy and expensive metal MGC's all over the place.