Blank gun questions

[HKFF]

I am planning on purchasing some blank guns for my movies. I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with them, where are reliable places to purchase from, the dangers, and how similar are they to the real thing in appearance and functions (such as magazine clips, barrells cocking back when fired, etc).

Thanks!

[Eph]

Well they are real guns. Only theres no metal part that flys out when you pull trigger. thats the only difference. I know theres a lot of danger if you try to convert real bullets to blanks. Its how Bruce Lee's son died.

[thisiswells]

Oh boy! This is one of my favorites. You never use a real gun with blanks on a movie set. Never.
It's never done. Don't do it. Don't even think about doing it.

What you would need is a prop or replica blank firing device... Not a gun. I have a ton of links saved on the subject.. Give me a couple of minutes and I'll dig them up. The biggest difference is a prop gun has a blocked barrel so nothing can go out.

The ones you can purchase use blanks and make the noise and blow smoke.
The ones you can't purchase are rental-only and will actually let out a brief "flame" kind of thing along with smoke, and they are dead quiet.. They're called non-guns and are the safest, cleanest, quietest, most reliable option on the market.

Let me find those links...

Non-Guns
http://www.creative-effects.com/Spec...Guns/guns.html

Blank-Firing Guns
http://www.a2armory.com/blank-guns.html

[thisiswells]

Also, it is customary to allow the actor time to examine the prop.. along with a complete explanation of the nature of it being made specifically for motion picture and theatre production, a demonstration that the barrell is indeed blocked, and ensuring the actor feels completely safe before proceeding with the shoot.

Actually, this is expected.

[Pais]

That's a fascinating read. I'm not sure how the non-guns work if they're "non-pyrotechnic", but I know I'd feel better about using them because they are quiet and safe. Thanks for the tip!

[HKFF]

I'd rather purchase a blank gun is because it's much cheaper than renting a non-gun (which seems like a great alternative if I had the money). Thanks for the link on the non-guns. I never knew those existed.

I never intended to use a real gun to shoot blanks, that would be totally dangerous, but was considering a blank gun like this one:

http://www.replicaweaponry.com/9mmf92sifi.html

I don't know if this is safe to use or not, especially if I fire it close to another actor. For example if I want to do execution shots, or cross arms and shoot under the other arm, or shoot close to someone's face.

Anyone had experience or know much about those types of blank guns?

[thisiswells]

Uh huh. Says it's plugged, so it would be safe. Remember, They're extremely loud..
In the neighborhood we filmed in no-one seemed to notice or bother, though. Kind of scary, really.

We had a couple of them.. had to switch around because they kept jamming up. No joke.
Caveat Emptor.

[HKFF]

What I am worried about is a Brandon Lee or a Jon Erik Hexum incident. I have been reading about projectiles and the like coming from these blank guns, which have a reputation of being very dangerous and even fatal.

Is the plug new to blank guns post Brandon Lee incident? Will the plug protect my actors or camera in a point blank shot?

If I shoot blank guns without the blanks, will there be motion? For instace, am I able to empty blanks into the magazine to create the slide movement and lock back motion and eject empty shells?

[thisiswells]

Originally Posted by HKFF

What I am worried about is a Brandon Lee or a Jon Erik Hexum incident. I have been reading about projectiles and the like coming from these blank guns, which have a reputation of being very dangerous and even fatal.

Not familiar with any of those stories and lack the interest to read about them. I can say
we shot off probably a dozen or so rounds with a cameraman 18inches away and no
problems arose. But, that fact that it jammed several times was unsettling for sure.
Ultimately, there was no danger in our application of a prop gun, only annoyance.

Will the plug protect my actors or camera in a point blank shot?

It's not just a "plug" There is no barrel, period. That's a more appropriate description.
To answer your question directly: That's exactly how we used ours. In fact, many of
the shots were the prop gun pointed directly at a VariCam. Nobody was injured.

If I shoot blank guns without the blanks, will there be motion? For instace, am I able to empty blanks into the magazine to create the slide movement and lock back motion and eject empty shells?

I honestly don't remember and I just watched the project and it was cut so fast
that I couldn't tell either way. Sorry.

[Curtis_Rhoads]

Originally Posted by HKFF

What I am worried about is a Brandon Lee or a Jon Erik Hexum incident. I have been reading about projectiles and the like coming from these blank guns, which have a reputation of being very dangerous and even fatal.

The thing to remember here, is that Hollywood commonly uses a live firing gun with blank ammo for their shots. That's why they have a weapons master that must be licensed to handle the guns. Blank firing ammo usually uses a wax plug or paper plug to keep the gun powder in the shell.

In the case of Jon Erik Hexum, is was the paper plug that was shot against the temple lobe in his head which caused the fatal blow. With Brandon Lee, they had loaded the gun with actual live ammo, and one of the bullets was flawed and allowed the lead from it to become lodged in the barrel, and then when the gun was reloaded with the blank firing ammo and fired towards Lee, the lodged lead was dislodged and fired into Lee.

These blank firing guns that are for sale to the public have no real barrel to speak of, so there's no real chance of firing something at someone. Making them the almost perfect prop weapon. Just make sure you watch out for the flying brass though... It can become quite hot! :-)