Very cool model, but having 2 almost identical weapons is a bit "meh", imo. Default MG1 model is different from the AR2 model and in this way it was better. Also the "mag' tossing in a new "energy cell" ("clip") at light speed at every shot looks weird. If I couild I'd change it to replacing it only like after every 10 or 20 shots or when the player stops shooting (like if it's overheated/depleted or something).

Gave it a shot and it sadly didn't work. Oh well...

It'll look for a VMT using the same name as the original model, which if you have it pointed to the right place/texture, it'll just show up. In your case, you may have to tell it to look for both folders, v_mg1 and v_irifle, and that'll look for said VMTs. Then just have the VMTs mount the right $basetexture in the right locations and it should work. Probably, as I've never had to mount two versions of the same texture in different folders slightly different in color.

Sorry if i sound naive but how would that work? Do i just put $cdmaterials "models\weapons\v_mg1\" in the shell's QC file? How would it call for the right texture, for the right weapon?

In that case, I'd suggest MMod's AR2 casings to replace the rifle shell models. It's what I'm using in my edition I'm currently working on. You'll just need to edit the QC of the MMod casings to tell them to look in v_irifle (base red) and v_mg1 (don't know about getting blue, though I have one) for irifle_casing.vmt.

I hadn't thought about that. I just gave it a try and sadly the "casings" aren't correct. Both E:Z 2 AR2s use the same rifleshell.mdl, it is noticeable but i can disable brass ejection in the QC.

You could've rewritten the QC file a bit, like I helped out Inov (rainbow physcannon guy) back in October 2022 make this the Combine Pulse Rifle X instead. Just sayin'.