Hey I am considering replacing my SG Firestorms and Hydras with the Forge World ones but the weapons on the FW models look a little fragile to me. What are your opinions on this? Do those things break off easily from normal handling?

Depends how rough your 'normal' handling is. So far I've only broken one of my Firestorms (and was able to repair it), but I've only dropped one once and haven't yet tried to transport them anywhere. They look great, but they are definitely very fragile.

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"Good ale, the true and proper drink of Englishmen. He is not deserving of the name of Englishman who speaketh against ale, that is good ale."
- George Borrow

F/W Epic models are very Fragile & Brittle ... they are NOT gamer friendly ...    Don't buy'm unless you are going to paint them and sit them on the shelf. Painting their Epic Grey Knights was "Challenging" ... I really don't look forward to painting all my Epic F/W Tau & Kroot ...    Even their "fragility" makes them hard to paint as extra care must be taken ...   Don't do it !    

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Legion 4 "Cry Havoc, and let slip the Dogs of War !" ... "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

In my experience, the FW Hydras are pretty sturdy.  The resin weighs little, so falls off a tabletop or shelf don't typically do much damage.

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WAAARGH!!
The Lost & the Dipped

I know what you mean...  

Some Battlesuits reached me in pieces
I used small parts of resin to replace missing legs and arms
I was even happy about casting defects , because they were more solid from time to time

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I am not available for that cognition on my part

@AW: I think what you have to conclude is that the correct answer is, "it depends".

I have some FW IG tanks, Leman equivalents as well as SHTs. I also have a lot of Tau. My experience is that thinner items like barrels tend to be more fragile, so the lascannons in the sponsons of my Baneblades are mostly gone. The rest of the model however is fairly robust and because of the lighter weight tends to accumulate less damage than metal figures.

So be careful with your models, but don't avoid FW just because they are made of resin.

Cheers,

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Honda

"Remember Taros? We do"

- 23rd Elysian Drop Regiment

Pretty much what Honda said.
Grey Knight halbeards, Russ and Baneblade Lascannons as well as Firestorm Barrels have a bad reputation, but apart from those the models are fairly sturdy due to their light weight.
My own models are fairly old and I hear that FW is using a new slightly less brittle resin these days, which probably improves the survivability of those thin pieces.

One thing to bear in mind with resin is that it becomes more brittle with age, but TBH I haven't really had any issues with it so far.

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Sofa General

Nobody expects the Inquisition!!!
http://theepiclounge.wordpress.com/

"I really don't look forward to painting all my Epic F/W Tau & Kroot ..."

With current FW policy, I guess this won't be a problem any longer.

This is good to know I was thinking of order some Epic kit from FW, as it will have to be air mailed over the pond I might just re consider.

FW actually does a solid job of packing what they send out.  I haven't had anything land on my doorstep busted up, but I know people who have had minor breakage.  

Miscasts or models with "soft" detail are another story, but I believe that was partly behind FW reworking the moulds.

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WAAARGH!!
The Lost & the Dipped

Thanks to everyone for all of the good info and comments, much appreciated.