Real Guns vs Prop Guns - Which guns to use on a movie set?

We compare several prop guns with the real guns and discuss how to turn real guns into non-firing prop guns.

There is no question, a non-firing prop guns is ever going to look as real as the actual real gun. Of course, prop guns are used for safety issues.

But what is a prop gun? Is it a non firing replica? Or is it a gun that has been disabled and cannot be fired?

In our productions, we like to use actual guns that have been disabled because they give us the best look and most realistic action.

There are many ways to disable real guns, but the simplest is just by removing the firing pin.

Without a firing pin, the primer in the bullet will not discharge.

Of course, you should never have real bullets on set even with a disabled gun. And fake bullets should be clearly marked if used at all.

There is literally no difference between using a real gun that has been professionally disabled than a cheesy prop gun.

Other options include using antique guns that no longer have ammunition available such as pin fire guns.

Most accidents occur because of the use of blanks. But blanks are in fact live rounds with the lead bullet removed. You still discharge a huge force from the barrel and risk injuring someone or killing someone.

With today's CGI and editing software, there is really no reason to use blanks.

The point of this video is to inform people that a properly disabled gun is in fact a prop gun. Which is much different that using real guns and blanks, because that is not only dangerous, it is just plain stupid.