Shots in the Dark

Continuing the experiments with the flash and smoke muzzle devices! How well can they light a shot in total darkness, as the sole, practical lighting instrument? And how does it feel to be on the receiving end of this, at close range?

Inspired by both a recent Corridor Digital video (   • Movie Guns Suck, so I Built Something Better  ) where they used the sound of a gas blowback Airsoft to trigger a practical lighting instrument in the room, and by the gun-fu classic Equilibrium, I wanted to see what these devices looked like as a sole source of light in a shot. Experiments ensued!

...and yes, it is safe, but not recommended to blast in your face without eye protection; there is some oil, both in the fog machine juice and a little silicone oil generally mixed in with the green gas used by these airsoft props, so even if the muzzle is completely clean and clear, you're still getting a little oil mixed in with the air puff in the face (think glaucoma testing at the eye doctor, but with stuff mixed in). But a chest shot, or cheating a bit offline to the face? No problem, and you'll still light up the face nicely!

This is the smallest of the smoke and flash devices I have, from AKGelBlaster.com. I'll have a follow up video on it later, as I've been learning more, running into problems, and getting some support from their tech folks, so stay tuned if that's something you're interested in. The prop rifle used in this is also getting returned, as it not only had a leaky mag that was missing a baseplate, but the bolt stuck back regularly, at least the outer shell of it. That was a new one for me... but hey, I learned that the forward assist on a WE Gas Blowback M4 is actually functional, so there's that!