C&C welcome, ran out of time, I need to read up on texturing, it’s just basic materials, looks too clean/shiny?
Maybe some paint chips/wear marks to give it a depth??
using 3 point lighting, main /fill/backlight, not 100% happy
the particle effect needs a lot of work,
edit: oh yeah do particles cast shadow? do I have to fake it with a shadow only object placed alone line of particles?? , hmm I spend more time searching than modelling, seem to have 3-4 tut’s open at any one time, it’s all good fun though 
VERY cool. i like it.
- pistol grip is too short
- barrel doesnt suit the slenderness of the rest of the weapon, make it longer and slimmer
the particle effects aren’t that bad, the main problem i see with them is that they ain’t straight. It could use textures, but i did vote for it. 
weeeeee.
just a quick lazy fix, stretched out the barrel, lengthened grip…
need to learn uv mapping alptha stuff
larger
http://myeye.homestead.com/files/stretched1.jpg
If the particles are made of white-hot plasma, no, they don’t cast shadows 
Nice model. I really like the look, especially of the updated version.
-Daniel