Best Prop Guns for Movies
Learn the ins and outs of prop guns; how they work, how to use them safely, and where to get them.
Best Prop Guns for Movies
Wherever you get the guns from, make sure you follow local laws, have the proper permits in place when filming, and have taken all necessary precautions to notify police where/when you will be filming.
There are many different sources selling prop guns for movies.
For Professional Production Studios:
For professional production studios, it’s best to go through a professional prop house. Professional prop houses have the highest quality and most realistic prop guns available. However, licensing and using working prop guns is very expensive.
Prop Houses:
The Specialists - Leading East Coast supplier of working prop guns. Based in New York.
ISS Props - Impressive selection of over 15,000 prop guns. Based in Los Angeles & Georgia.
Western Stage Props - Great selection of pistols, revolvers, and antique replicas. Based in Las Vegas.
CBT Stunt Alliance - Leading supplier of working prop guns, both modern and antique. Based in Virginia.
For Indie Productions:
Since indie productions generally lack the large budgets of professional studios, working prop guns are usually out of reach.
Instead, replica airsoft guns are a great substitute.
Although they come with an orange tip, it is legal to paint over this color to add realism to your prop guns in the United States. In the USA, the orange tip on airsoft replicas is only a requirement by law during the importation and sale of the replica. However, this may depend on local laws and ordinances, so always be sure to check your locality before painting or using air guns as movie props.
However, when using Airsoft guns or any firearm prop on set, you MUST assign someone to be responsible for all the weaponry. These guns might not be real, but they can hurt people. By law, if you use professional prop guns, you need an armorer on set at all times.
Types of Airsoft Guns:
Plastic Replicas - excellent for wide shots, generally range in price from $12-$50.
Metal Replicas with Realistic Blowback - great for close-ups, generally range in price from $50-$250.
No Blowback Pistols
Great choice for wide shots.
Click on an image to check price/purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Realistic Blowback Pistols
Great choice for close-ups.
Click on an image to check price/purchase.
Realistic Blowback Rifles & Submachine Guns
Click on an image to check price/purchase.
Prop Gun FAQ
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A prop gun can be either non-firing or firing, and it is typically used to simulate the firing of a real gun during a scene.
Non-firing prop guns are designed to look and feel like a real firearm, but they do not actually fire any projectiles.
These guns can be made from a variety of materials, including plastic, resin, or metal, and they are often used in scenes where the gun is not supposed to be fired.
For example, an actor might use a non-firing prop gun to hold up a store or to point at another actor during a dialogue scene.
Firing prop guns, on the other hand, use blank rounds to create the illusion of gunfire.
Blank rounds are cartridges that contain gunpowder but no bullet.
When the trigger is pulled, the blank round creates a flash and a loud bang, which makes it look like a real gun has been fired.
The firing mechanism of a prop gun is similar to that of a real firearm. It typically includes a firing pin, a hammer, and a trigger.
To use a firing prop gun, an actor will typically load it with blank rounds.
The prop gun may have a magazine that can be loaded with multiple blank rounds or a single round can be loaded manually.
The actor will then point the gun in the direction of the camera or another actor and pull the trigger.
When the trigger is pulled, the blank round will be fired, creating a flash and a loud bang.
It is important to note that firing a blank round can still be dangerous, and safety is always a top priority on any film set.
Proper safety measures must be taken to ensure that the actors and crew members are not injured during filming.
For example, firing prop guns are never aimed directly at an actor, and there is always a certain distance between the gun and the actor.
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Prop guns, as used in the film and entertainment industry, are not illegal in and of themselves.
They are specifically designed replicas of real firearms, and are used for the purpose of simulating the appearance and behavior of real guns in film, television, and theater productions.
However, the use of prop guns must be done in compliance with local laws and regulations.
This includes obtaining the necessary permits and licenses for the use of prop guns on set, as well as following all safety guidelines and procedures.
In some countries and states, the use of blank firing prop guns may be subject to additional regulations and restrictions.
For example, in some locations, blank firing prop guns may be classified as firearms, and therefore require a license or permit to use.
It is important to note that the use of prop guns in any other context than film or theater production, such as in public places, may be illegal and can result in serious consequences.
It is illegal to use a prop gun to threaten or intimidate someone or to commit a crime, and individuals found to be in violation of such laws can face criminal charges.
Overall, prop guns used for entertainment purposes are not illegal, but their use must be done in compliance with local laws and regulations, and safety measures must be taken to ensure the well-being of all individuals involved in the production.
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No, prop guns are not capable of shooting real bullets.
They are specifically designed and modified to ensure that they cannot fire live ammunition.
While prop guns can be made to look and feel like real guns, their firing mechanism is modified to ensure that they cannot fire live ammunition.
For example, the firing pin may be shortened or removed, and the barrel of the gun may be plugged to prevent the firing of live rounds.
These modifications ensure that prop guns are safe for use on film sets and do not pose a risk to the actors, crew members, or bystanders.
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Real guns are rarely used in movies.
The vast majority of guns used in movies are actually prop guns or replica firearms.
There are some instances where real guns may be used in movies, but these situations are extremely rare and typically require strict safety protocols to be put in place.
For example, in some historical dramas or war movies, authentic firearms from the time period may be used to add a sense of realism.
In these cases, the weapons are carefully checked and inspected by trained professionals, and only qualified individuals are allowed to handle them on set.
Even in situations where real guns are used on set, it is important to note that they are still modified to ensure that they cannot shoot live ammunition.
In general, the use of real guns in movies is discouraged, and most filmmakers choose to use prop guns or replica firearms instead.
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Movies typically get their gun props from a variety of sources, including prop houses, rental companies, and custom fabricators.
Prop houses are businesses that specialize in providing a wide variety of props and set pieces for film, television, and theater productions.
Many prop houses have extensive collections of guns and other weapons that can be rented or purchased for use in productions.
Rental companies are another common source of gun props for movies.
These companies specialize in renting out a wide range of equipment and props for use on film sets, including guns and other weapons.
Rental companies may offer a range of options, from basic non-firing props to more complex and realistic firing prop guns.
Custom fabricators are also used by filmmakers to create custom gun props for their productions.
These fabricators are skilled craftsmen who can create highly detailed and accurate replicas of firearms to meet the specific needs of a production.
They often work closely with the filmmakers to ensure that the gun props they create are appropriate for the time period and setting of the production.
What is a Prop Gun?
The definition of a prop gun is as follows:
A prop gun is a weapon that is specifically designed for use in film, television, and theatrical productions. They are replicas of real firearms that are modified to ensure that it cannot fire live ammunition.
Types of Prop Guns:
Prop guns can be either non-firing or firing.
Non-firing prop guns do not shoot any projectiles and are used for scenes where the gun is not meant to be fired.
Firing prop guns, on the other hand, use blank rounds, which are cartridges that contain gunpowder but no bullet. When fired, the blank round creates a flash and a loud bang, which makes it look like a real gun has been fired.
Materials:
Prop guns can be made from a variety of materials including:
plastic
resin
metal
They can be created to look and feel like real guns, and can even be made using 3D printing technology to create extremely detailed and accurate replicas. However, prop guns are modified to ensure that they are safe for use on film sets and do not pose a risk to the actors, crew members, or bystanders.
How Prop Guns are Handled On Set
Prop guns are often handled by a prop master on set, who is responsible for overseeing their use and ensuring that they are used safely and appropriately.
Actors who will be using prop guns will often undergo special training to ensure that they know how to handle the guns safely.
In addition, strict safety measures are taken to ensure that the guns are not aimed directly at an actor, and that there is a certain distance between the gun and the actor.
The number of shots fired is also carefully controlled to prevent any accidents.
How are Prop Guns Used in Movies?
Prop guns are used in movies to create a sense of realism and excitement.
They are most commonly used in action scenes, where the actors are required to shoot the guns, but they can also be used in scenes where the gun is not actually fired.
In these cases, the actor will often mime pulling the trigger, and the sound of the gun firing will be added in post-production.
In addition to being used by actors, prop guns are also used by stunt performers and special effects technicians. Stunt performers use prop guns to create the illusion of dangerous situations, such as car chases or shootouts.
Special effects technicians use prop guns to create realistic explosions and other special effects.
Safety Measures for Prop Guns
Despite the fact that prop guns are not real firearms, they can still be dangerous if not used properly.
Safety is always the top priority on any film set, and there are a number of safety measures that are taken to ensure that actors and crew members are not injured during filming.
One of the most important safety measures is the use of trained professionals to handle the prop guns.
A prop master is responsible for overseeing the use of prop guns on set. They work closely with the director and the stunt coordinator to ensure that the guns are used safely and appropriately.
In addition to having a prop master on set, there are a number of other safety measures that are taken to ensure the safe use of prop guns.
For example, firing prop guns are never aimed directly at an actor, and there is always a certain distance between the gun and the actor. The number of shots fired is also carefully controlled to prevent any accidents.
Before filming begins, the prop master will also conduct a safety check on all of the prop guns to make sure that they are in good working order. They will inspect the guns to ensure that there are no cracks or other damage, and they will also check to make sure that the firing mechanism is working properly.
Finally, actors who will be using prop guns will often undergo special training to ensure that they know how to handle the guns safely. This training may include instruction on how to hold the gun, how to aim, and how to pull the trigger.
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