Buying prop replica guns in Canada

Retrospective

Retrospective

Well-known member
It seems like all the good prop replica guns (ie. Airsoft, etc...) are only shipping within the US and not outside Canada. And if they do, they do not guarantee the Canadian custom won't confiscate it. The prop replica guns I see here are somewhat of a hassle, big transparent casing and expensive.

So how/where do Canadian filmmakers buy their prop guns without spending over $200 for one rifle? I'm looking for a M16, MP5, pistols, etc...

Any help? Thanks!
 
Unfortunately canadian firearms laws make it illegal to own replica firearms, so if you get one sent up from the states it likely will be confiscated. Options are pretty limited here.

Your main options here would be deactivated firearms (firearms modified so they cannot be fired), airsoft (although most of these in Canada are the clear plastic versions, you do come across coloured ones occasionally), and for pistols you can often find pellet pistols made to look like modern handguns. Deactivated M16s and MP5s would likely be far more than you want to spend.

If you're in the Toronto area, there's a member on the boards here that runs a prop firearm business there. I can't remember his name, but search around and you should find him. I'd say that would be your best bet for something like this.

Whatever you end up with, ensure that any firearms you are using on set physically cannot be made to fire - even pellet/airsoft can cause serious injury. Don't take any risks with these, just use firearms that cannot fire.
 
Would a molded solid hard-rubber prop be considered a 'replica' under Canadian law? I bet Doc Bernard could help you track down some of those...
 
My brother has bought several fake guns from www.maxsell.com without any problems.
They have to put 'Theater Prop' on the outter packaging and they're painted blue.

The guns were a blue solid fiberglass material so he had to repaint them.
He's said that the proprietors are very familiar with shipping to Canada and it's laws
so you should inquire them about that before hand.

// Site's working again.
Here's some...http://www.maxsell.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=36&pg=1


(His Tommy gun was around $300, I don't know about the other ones.)
Here's the Tommy gun he brought anyways. It's nice.
http://www.maxsell.com/index.php?p=product&id=2269&parent=0

...and one of these black powder rifles which, after a little modification, is in working order...
http://www.maxsell.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=169&pg=1
 
Last edited:
Would a molded solid hard-rubber prop be considered a 'replica' under Canadian law? I bet Doc Bernard could help you track down some of those...
Click to expand...

If you whittle a gun-looking thing from a piece of soap and paint it black, it's a replica under Canadian law. The laws on replicas here are beyond ridiculous. The funny thing is deactivated firearms are totally uncontrolled. So you can't buy a plastic lookalike M16, but you can buy a real one with it's barrel plugged and bolt welded up. without so much as showing a piece of ID. Go figure.
 
4100xpb said:
If you whittle a gun-looking thing from a piece of soap and paint it black, it's a replica under Canadian law.
Click to expand...

Don't try and use it to escape from prison...

3689464215_8eda9e2d47.jpg



...at least, not when it's raining.
 
4100xpb said:
If you whittle a gun-looking thing from a piece of soap and paint it black, it's a replica under Canadian law. The laws on replicas here are beyond ridiculous. The funny thing is deactivated firearms are totally uncontrolled. So you can't buy a plastic lookalike M16, but you can buy a real one with it's barrel plugged and bolt welded up. without so much as showing a piece of ID. Go figure.
Click to expand...


That's almost as backward as the law here in Texas that doesn't allow you to carry wirecutters in your backpocket.


Because you might have the intentions of sneaking around and clipping people's barbed wire fences.


And then steal their cattle.


Because people do that.


In this day and age.
 
People have compiled very amusing - and sometimes slightly depressing - lists of horribly obsolescent laws, from around the country...
 
Blueguns or "redhandles" might be an option for you. We often spray paint ours black to use in training.

The weight is close-ish but the dimensions are usually very close and the darn things are nearly indestructible. You could probably re-sell them afterward too...

Patrick
 
Last edited:
I feel uncomfortable even a deactivated firearm. I'd rather have a toy gun with the actual weight.

Thanks Gord and Patrick, never knew about these training guns before. Much better alternative than a functioning airsoft. I only care about aesthetics and weight. Not function or moving parts.

Gord.T said:
My brother has bought several fake guns from www.maxsell.com without any problems.
They have to put 'Theater Prop' on the outter packaging and they're painted blue.

The guns were a blue solid fiberglass material so he had to repaint them.
He's said that the proprietors are very familiar with shipping to Canada and it's laws
so you should inquire them about that before hand.

// Site's working again.
Here's some...http://www.maxsell.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=36&pg=1


(His Tommy gun was around $300, I don't know about the other ones.)
Here's the Tommy gun he brought anyways. It's nice.
http://www.maxsell.com/index.php?p=product&id=2269&parent=0

...and one of these black powder rifles which, after a little modification, is in working order...
http://www.maxsell.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=169&pg=1
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot! Will inquire Maxwell on how they can guarantee the shipment won't be confiscated.

Patrick T said:
Blueguns or "redhandles" might be an option for you. We often spray paint ours black to use in training.

The weight is close-ish but the dimensions are usually very close and the darn things are nearly indestructible. You could probably re-sell them afterward too...

Patrick
Click to expand...
So no problems shipping to Canada from Amazon or Galls?? What kind of spray paint do you use? The compressed air ones?

I appreciate both your input!

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Their website doesn't say the redhandles (what we call them ASP Redgun is the brand name) are not okay international shipping. You could email them and find out for sure. http://www.galls.com/international.html?reflink=ftr_international

The Blueguns and redhandles do not function or move in any way but feel like the real thing. (Balance is a little off, especially in the long-guns).

We just use regular flat black spray paint on them. Works fine but not super durable. We're just looking to make them look a little more realistic for training purposes.

Patrick
 
For screen use a little judicious dry-brushing over the black finish with light applications of steel and titanium paint (or Rub-n-Buff) or will help pick out detail and give the impression of worn blued metal, too.
 
Sad Max said:
For screen use a little judicious dry-brushing over the black finish with light applications of steel and titanium paint (or Rub-n-Buff) or will help pick out detail and give the impression of worn blued metal, too.
Click to expand...
Great tip! Thanks Sad Max!

I hope to hear from those stores next week and will call CBSA tomorrow. *crossfingers*
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top