usually from 1 upto 5 as long as it has not got a named part example:
(from 7ru7h desert penetrator)

body: gd_weap_sniper_rifle_semiauto.Body.body5
grip: gd_weap_sniper_rifle.Grip.grip1
mag: gd_weap_sniper_rifle_semiauto.mag.mag2
barrel: gd_weap_sniper_rifle_semiauto.Barrel.barrel1_Dahl_Penetrator (NAMED PART)
sight: gd_weap_sniper_rifle.Sight.sight1
Stock: gd_weap_sniper_rifle.Stock.stock1

you do the math . . .

(8^17^12 creates a ridiculously large number . . .
lets just say: you won't EVER in your whole life see all weapons possible in this game!)

The number generated by that many exponents is:

16,996,415,770,136,500,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,
000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,
000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,
000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

sixteen sexagintillion,
nine hundred ninety-six novemquinquagintillion,
four hundred fifteen octoquinquagintillion,
seven hundred seventy septenquinquagintillion,
one hundred thirty-six sexquinquagintillion,
five hundred quinquinquagintillion

Being that the number is difficult to wrap one's mind around, that's about 16,996 (deep breath) billion, billion, billion, billion, billion, billion, billion, billion, billion, billion, billion, billion, billion, billion, billion, billion, billion, billion, billion, billions of combinations... give or take a few

Keep in mind, the actual possible number is actually far far larger still since there are many components more in the game than are factored in to the equation, and thus combinations there-of. The caveat is that many won't function, others won't be worth messing with, and still more will be mediocre at the very best...

[Edited by knightpress, 11/4/2009 4:36:51 PM]

Link - A text file with the guide in.

PM me if you want to add anything and I'll update it.

[Edited by HearMeRoar, 11/4/2009 4:46:44 PM]

[Edited by HearMeRoar, 11/4/2009 4:47:18 PM]

do u know waht the alien combat rifle name is.

and what a post thanks for the time and effort

[Edited by SIL3NT-DE4TH, 11/4/2009 5:40:25 PM]

and all we have to do now is start collecting information about what we can stuff into those lines to get all creative. =)
maybe someone can write a tool that can generate weapons with previews and backgroundchecks if the weapon would function in the game or not. =)